-
HEAD OFFICE: 420 Victoria Street, Brunswick VIC 3056 MELBOURNE:
PO Box 298, Brunswick VIC 3056 GEELONG: PO Box 8048 Newtown VIC
3220
FINAL REPORT:
Flora and Fauna Assessment and Targeted
Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western Avenue,
Tullamarine, Victoria ON BEHALF OF:
Transpacific Cleanaway Pty Limited January 2009
Ecology Partners Pty Ltd
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Flora and Fauna Assessment and Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western
Avenue, Tullamarine, Victoria 1
Table of Contents
Summary......................................................................................................................
4
1
Introduction............................................................................................................
8
1.1
Background........................................................................................................
8
1.2 Scope of Assessment
........................................................................................
8
1.3 Study Area
.........................................................................................................
9
2 Methods
..........................................................................................................
10
2.1
Nomenclature...................................................................................................
10
2.2 Literature Review
.............................................................................................
10
2.3 Database Searches
.........................................................................................
10
2.4 Flora Assessment
............................................................................................
10
2.5 General Fauna
Survey.....................................................................................
11
2.6 Targeted Golden Sun Moth Targeted
Surveys................................................ 11
2.7 Assessment Qualifications and Limitations
..................................................... 12
3 Results
............................................................................................................
13
3.1 Flora Species
...................................................................................................
13
3.2 Ecological Vegetation Classes and Vegetation Types
.................................... 13
3.3 Current Vegetation Condition
..........................................................................
13
3.4 Significant Flora Species and Communities
.................................................... 14
3.4.1
National..................................................................................................................................14
3.4.2
State.......................................................................................................................................14
3.4.3 Regional and Local
...............................................................................................................14
3.4.4 Significant
Communities......................................................................................................15
3.5 Fauna Species
.................................................................................................
15
3.6 Fauna Habitat
..................................................................................................
15
3.7 Golden Sun Moth Targeted Surveys
...............................................................
17
3.8 Significant Fauna
.............................................................................................
17
3.8.1
National..................................................................................................................................17
3.8.2
State.......................................................................................................................................19
3.8.3 Regional and Local
...............................................................................................................19
4 Ecological Significance of the Study
Area.................................................. 21
4.1 Ecological Significance of Study Area
.............................................................
21
4.1.1 Reasons for Significance
.............................................................................
21
5 Environmental Policy and
Legislation.........................................................
22
5.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999 ................... 22
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Flora and Fauna Assessment and Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western
Avenue, Tullamarine, Victoria 2
5.1.1 Matters of National Environmental Significance
................................................................23
5.2 Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988
.............................................................
24
5.3 Planning and Environment Act 1987
...............................................................
25
5.4 Wildlife Act 1975 and Wildlife Regulations 2002
............................................. 26
5.5 Catchment and Land Protection Act
1994....................................................... 27
5.6 Victoria’s Biodiversity Strategy
........................................................................
28
5.7 Hume City Council
...........................................................................................
28
5.8 Port Phillip and Westernport Native Vegetation Plan
...................................... 28
5.9 The Native Vegetation Framework
..................................................................
29
5.9.1 Net
Gain.................................................................................................................................29
5.9.2 Applying Net Gain – The Three Step
Approach..................................................................29
6 Potential Impacts and Mitigation
Measures................................................ 31
6.1 Potential Impacts
.............................................................................................
31
7 Impact Minimisation
Recommendations.....................................................
32
8
Conclusion......................................................................................................
33
Figures
.......................................................................................................................
34
Appendices................................................................................................................
37
References.................................................................................................................
56
Figures
Figure 1: Location of study
area.............................................................................................
35
Figure 2: Ecological features within the study site.
................................................................
36
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Flora and Fauna Assessment and Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western
Avenue, Tullamarine, Victoria 3
Acknowledgments
We thank the following people for their contribution to the
project.
Ian Prudden (Commercial and Industrial Property Pty Ltd) for
site and project
information.
Department of Sustainability and Environment for the use of the
data available on the
Atlas of Victoria Wildlife and Flora Information System.
Cover photo: Northern facing slope of the study area,
Tullamarine, Victoria
The following Ecology Partners Pty. Ltd. employees were
involved in the project and contributed to the report:
Aaron Organ, Ian Wheatland, Dan Weller, Jenna Forbes, Clare
Crane and Zed Senbergs.
Copyright © Ecology Partners Pty. Ltd.
This document is subject to copyright and may only be used for
the
purposes for which it was commissioned. The use or copying of
this
document in whole or part without the permission of Ecology
Partners
Pty. Ltd. is an infringement of copyright.
Disclaimer
Although Ecology Partners Pty. Ltd. have taken all the
necessary
steps to ensure that an accurate document has been prepared,
the
company accepts no liability for any damages or loss incurred as
a
result of reliance placed upon the report and its contents.
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Flora and Fauna Assessment and Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western
Avenue, Tullamarine, Victoria 4
SUMMARY
Introduction
Ecology Partners Pty. Ltd. was commissioned by Transpacific
Cleanaway Pty Ltd to
undertake a flora and fauna assessment, and targeted Golden Sun
Moth surveys of land
located at Western Avenue, Tullamarine, Victoria.
The land assessed is generally bounded by Wright Street in the
east, Tullamarine Freeway in
the south and Moonee Ponds Creek Melbourne Water Reserve (a 30 m
riparian buffer zone) to
the north and includes a large land-fill site in the western
half of the site.
The current assessment is required to identify any species of
conservation significance and to
provide advice in relation to any potential impacts and
mitigation measures associated with
potential future commercial and/or industrial development of the
site. Implications of
Commonwealth and State Government environmental legislation and
policy associated with
the proposed development have also been provided.
Methods
Biological databases maintained by the Department of
Sustainability and Environment (DSE)
were reviewed, including the Atlas of Victorian Wildlife (AVW)
and Flora Information
System (FIS). The presence of Ecological Vegetation Classes
(EVCs) within the wider study
area was reviewed using DSE’s Biodiversity Interactive Map,
while information referring to
matters (such as listed taxa and ecological communities, Ramsar
wetlands, etc) protected
under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999)
was obtained from the Department of the Environment, Water,
Heritage and the Arts
(DEWHA) Protected Matters Search Tool.
Flora
The botanical field investigation was undertaken on 5 November
2008, with the aim of
documenting the flora and vegetation types within the study
area. The entire site was visually
assessed on foot, with all vascular plants recorded and the
overall condition of vegetation
noted. Study area boundaries were mapped using an aerial
photograph of the study area. A
list of flora species observed within the study area is also
provided.
Fauna
A habitat assessment and fauna survey was conducted on 5
November 2008 to obtain
information on terrestrial fauna values within the study area
and immediate surrounds. The
study area was visually assessed, with active searching
undertaken to locate more cryptic
species. A list of fauna species recorded during the present
survey was compiled and is
presented in the report.
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Flora and Fauna Assessment and Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western
Avenue, Tullamarine, Victoria 5
Golden Sun Moth targeted surveys
The higher quality grassland areas within the study area were
considered to support
potentially suitable habitat for the nationally-listed Golden
Sun Moth Synemon plana, and
there are recent records for the species in the local
region.
Targeted surveys involving four visits between 11 November 2008
and 13 January 2009
surveys were conducted to inform any requirement for a referral
to the Commonwealth
Minister under the EPBC Act (1999) and future mitigation
measures.
Results
Flora
Thirty six plant taxa (11 indigenous and 25 exotic) were
recorded in the study area during the
assessment. Planted trees and shrubs were not recorded unless
they were seen to be naturally
spreading on site.
Vegetation condition
Vegetation within the property is currently grazed or has been
grazed by domestic livestock
and consists primarily of exotic pasture grasses and herbs.
Indigenous vegetation present
within grazed areas is difficult to identify as reproductive or
identifiable structures (i.e.
ligules, leaf blades and inflorescences) were not present during
the assessment due to
intensive grazing and prolonged drought conditions. All
surviving indigenous species within
the study area occur in low abundance, except for a few patches
where Wallaby Grass occurs
with cover abundance up to seventy five percent.
Given the intense agricultural history, the highly modified
nature and high cover of introduced
species with low levels of indigenous species (i.e. at least one
life form or structure, such as
such as canopy layer, shrub layer, and ground cover is absent)
within the study area,
vegetation is considered to be in poor condition.
Fauna
During the assessment a total of 82 fauna species were detected,
comprising ten mammals
(four native, six introduced), 66 birds (56 native, ten
introduced) three native reptiles and
three native frogs. All of these species are common throughout
the local area.
The study area supports five habitat types: Modified native
grassland, riparian woodland,
wetlands, planted trees and shrubs, and exotic grassland. The
overall habitat value in the
study area ranges from low for exotic grassland to high for
riparian woodland and modified
native grassland.
The critically endangered Golden Sun Moth was not detected
within the study area during
targeted surveys, and therefore the species is not considered to
be present.
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Flora and Fauna Assessment and Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western
Avenue, Tullamarine, Victoria 6
There is also potential for the nationally vulnerable Growling
Grass Frog Litoria raniformis
(moderate likelihood of occurrence) at a waterbody in the
north-west corner of the study area,
although at this stage this area is not proposed to be impacted
by the proposed development.
One state significant species (Hardhead Aythya australis) was
detected during the present
assessment, and it is likely that additional state significant
waterbirds may utilise the same
waterbody present in the north west of the study area.
No regionally significant fauna species were detected during the
present assessment.
Conservation Significance
The majority of the study area is devoid of remnant native
vegetation and supports few, if any;
ecological values or significance for flora and fauna.
However, areas of the study area that support native grasses
provide potential habitat for the
Golden Sun Moth and targeted surveys have been undertaken.
Areas adjacent to the study area along the reaches of Moonee
Ponds Creek support Creekline
Grassy Woodland (EVC 68) which is listed as endangered within
the Victorian Volcanic
Plains bioregion. These areas also support significant habitat
for a high number of fauna
species.
Legislative and Policy Implications
A Planning Permit from the Hume City Council is required to
clear or disturb any native
vegetation within the study area.
During the present assessment, no national or state significant
flora and fauna species or
ecological communities were recorded. However, populations of
the critically endangered
Golden Sun Moth Synemon plana have been recorded within the
local region. Targeted
surveys across potentially suitable habitat for this EPBC
Act-listed species were undertaken
and results are included within this report. Presence of an EPBC
Act-listed species would
prompt a referral to the Commonwealth Minister before any
potentially adverse impacts
arising from development proposals could proceed.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
The primary impacts to flora and fauna values may arise from the
removal or disturbance of
remnant vegetation adjacent to the study area. In particular,
with reference to the nationally
vulnerable Growling Grass Frog along the reaches of Moonee Ponds
Creek and the waterbody
in the north-west corner of the study area. Whilst these aquatic
habitats are not proposed to be
developed, measures should be undertaken to protect these areas
during construction.
However, if this is not possible, targeted Growling Grass Frog
surveys should be carried out
to assess the status of this species at these sites.
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Flora and Fauna Assessment and Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western
Avenue, Tullamarine, Victoria 7
The confirmed presence of the species may also require a
referral to the Commonwealth
Minister for consideration under the EPBC Act.
Information relating to potential direct and indirect impacts on
ecological values within the
study area is provided in Section 6, while mitigation measures
are outlined in Section 7.
Further Requirements
A Planning Permit from Hume City Council is required to clear or
disturb any native
vegetation within the study area.
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Flora and Fauna Assessment and Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western
Avenue, Tullamarine, Victoria 8
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Ecology Partners Pty. Ltd. was commissioned by Transpacific
Cleanaway Pty Ltd to
undertake a flora and fauna assessment of a site located at
Western Avenue, Tullamarine,
Victoria. Targeted surveys for the nationally threatened Golden
Sun Moth were also
undertaken across potentially suitable habitat within the study
area.
The land assessed is generally bounded by Wright Street in the
east, Tullamarine Freeway in
the south and Moonee Ponds Creek Melbourne Water Reserve (a 30 m
riparian buffer zone) to
the north and includes a large land-fill site in the western
half of the site.
The flora and fauna assessment was undertaken to identify any
species of conservation
significance and to provide advice in relation to any potential
impacts and mitigation
measures associated with the proposed development. Implications
of Commonwealth and
State Government environmental legislation and policy associated
with the proposed re-
zoning have also been provided.
1.2 Scope of Assessment
The following tasks for the flora and fauna assessment and
targeted Golden Sun Moth surveys
were completed:
A review of relevant flora and fauna databases (e.g. Atlas of
Victorian Wildlife
[AVW], Flora Information System [FIS]) and available
literature;
A site assessment, to identify flora and fauna habitat values
within the study area,
including any areas of remnant native vegetation or fauna
habitat which pose a
potential constraint to future development of the site;
An identification of any significant communities or populations
of indigenous flora
and fauna species;
Information on potential impacts to ecological values at a
national, state, regional and
local level associated with the development of the site;
and,
Targeted Golden Sun Moth surveys given that there are currently
several documented
records of this species in the local area (AVW) and the presence
of potentially suitable
habitat within the study area; and,
Mitigation measures which should be considered prior to, during
and after
construction.
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Flora and Fauna Assessment and Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western
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1.3 Study Area
The study area is located to the west of the intersection of
Western Avenue and Wright Street,
Tullamarine, Victoria, approximately 22 kilometres north west of
the Melbourne CBD
(Melway Ref:5 6E) and includes the land-fill area in the west of
the site. The properties are
currently zoned as Farming (FZ3) and have Environmental Audit
Overlay (EAO) under the
Hume City Council planning scheme.
Areas adjacent to the study area along the reaches (within 30
metres) of Moonee Ponds Creek
are zoned Public Use Only, and Service and Utility (PUZ1), and
have an Environmental
Significance Overlay (ESO2).
The study area is relatively flat towards the south; however,
the site slopes down to the north
to Moonee Ponds Creek.
According to the DSE Biodiversity Interactive Map
(www.dse.vic.gov.au) the study area is
within the Port Philip and Westernport Catchment boundary and in
the Victorian Volcanic
Plain bioregion. The Victorian Volcanic Plain Bioregion extends
from Portland in the west to
Craigieburn in the east and from Clunes in the north to Colac in
the south. The Victorian
Volcanic Plain landscape has been radically altered within the
last 150 years; approximately
4.5% of the land area still has a cover of native
vegetation.
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Flora and Fauna Assessment and Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western
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2 METHODS
2.1 Nomenclature
Common and scientific names of vascular plants follow the FIS
(2007) and the Census of
Vascular Plants of Victoria (Walsh and Stajsic 2007). Vegetation
community names follow
the DSE EVC benchmarks (www.dse.vic.gov.au) and Oates and
Taranto (2001).
Terrestrial and aquatic vertebrate fauna (mammals, birds,
reptiles, amphibians and fish) follow
the AVW (2007).
2.2 Literature Review
Information from the FIS AVW and EVC Benchmarks for the study
area, and other relevant
literature, such as McDougall (1987) and Oates and Taranto
(2001) and Hill et. al. (2006) was
reviewed.
2.3 Database Searches
Both the FIS (2007) and AVW (2007) biological databases
maintained by DSE, were
reviewed to obtain a list of species previously recorded within
10 kilometres of the study area.
The presence of EVCs within the study area was reviewed using
the DSE Biodiversity
Interactive Map (www.dse.vic.gov.au).
Information referring to matters (listed taxa and ecological
communities, Ramsar wetlands,
etc.) protected under the Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 was
obtained from the DEWHA Protected Matters Search Tool:
http://www.environment.
gov.au/erin/ert/epbc/index.html.
2.4 Flora Assessment
The botanical field assessment was undertaken on 5 November 2008
with the aim of
documenting the flora and vegetation types within the study
area.
The entire site was visually assessed on foot, with all vascular
plants recorded and the overall
condition of vegetation noted. Vegetation boundaries were mapped
using a feature survey of
the study area.
Remnant vegetation in the local area was also reviewed to assist
in determining the original
vegetation within the study area. EVCs were determined by
reference to DSE pre-1750 and
extant EVC mapping (www.dse.vic.gov.au). The significance
assessment criteria of taxa and
vegetation communities are presented in Appendix 1.
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Flora and Fauna Assessment and Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western
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2.5 General Fauna Survey
A habitat assessment and fauna survey was conducted on 5
November 2008 during warm fine
conditions (average temperature of 25oC) to obtain information
on terrestrial fauna values
within the study area and immediate surrounds. The study area
was visually assessed, with
active searching undertaken to locate more cryptic species (e.g.
Golden Sun Moth, Striped
Legless Lizard). A list of fauna species recorded during the
present survey was compiled and
is presented in the report.
The area was visually assessed for fauna, and observers also
listened for calls and searched for
other signs such as nests, feathers, remains of dead animals,
droppings and footprints. Habitat
features including ground cover and vegetation composition and
structure and the presence of
tree hollows and fallen ground debris were also noted.
Any other features likely to be important for fauna, such as
surface and embedded rock
outcropping, rock walls and wetlands/ waterbodies, were also
assessed.
Additionally, a brief visual assessment of the adjacent areas
outside of the study site was
undertaken to determine whether there was suitable habitat
(principally for rare or threatened
species) in the immediate area, and to determine the likelihood
of significant species utilising
these areas.
An inventory of all fauna species recorded during the survey and
a description of habitats and
their overall quality was documented.
2.6 Targeted Golden Sun Moth Targeted Surveys
Golden Sun Moth is listed as critically endangered under the
Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The species is a
diurnal moth generally
found in areas of remnant indigenous grassland, particularly
where wallaby grasses
Austrodanthonia spp. dominate the ground layer, but is also
known to use areas dominated by
exotic grass species. The species is known to be active from
November to early January and
emergence can vary between sites and according to weather
conditions.
Targeted surveys were undertaken for Golden Sun Moth within the
study area between 11
November 2008 and 13 January 2009. These surveys were undertaken
in accordance with
DSEs draft survey protocol (A. Webster pers comm..). Surveys
were carried out between
11am and 3pm on warm, relatively calm, sunny days with a minimum
temperature of 20oC, in
weather conditions considered suitable for detecting the
species. Surveys were undertaken by
field personnel experienced in the identification and key
habitat requirements of the species.
Surveys comprised walking the entire site and surveying suitable
grassland habitat searching
for moths. The location of any moth sightings was recorded on a
hand-held GPS unit (with
+/- 5 metres accuracy) and later mapped on a site plan for
reporting purposes.
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Flora and Fauna Assessment and Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western
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In addition, several other sites in northern Melbourne known to
support the species were
surveyed on the same day as the surveys within the study area,
and this was undertaken to
demonstrate that weather conditions were conducive to flying
males and therefore detection of
the species.
2.7 Assessment Qualifications and Limitations
Terrestrial flora and fauna data collected during the field
survey and information obtained
from relevant sources (e.g. biological databases and relevant
literature) were reviewed. This
information was considered sufficient to provide an assessment
of the ecological values within
the study area, to determine the likely presence of significant
taxa and communities, and any
potential impacts of the proposed development.
Plant species cover and diversity varies with each season and
across years, depending on the
amount and timing of rainfall, on-site grazing pressure etc. As
the study area has an extensive
agricultural history and is currently grazed by domestic
livestock (horse and cattle) many
indigenous species were difficult to identify as reproductive or
identifiable structures (i.e.
ligules, leaf blades and inflorescences) were not present.
Nevertheless, although the objective of the assessment was to
document flora and fauna
species and communities within the study area and to identify
any potential impacts associated
with the proposed development, an assessment of the interaction
of species over a longer
survey period was beyond the scope of this study. The short
duration of the survey meant that
migratory, transitory or uncommon fauna species may have been
missed.
Thus, it is possible that a small number of additional common
fauna species of conservation
significance may have been detected had the fauna assessment
been conducted over a greater
number of days.
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Flora and Fauna Assessment and Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western
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3 RESULTS
3.1 Flora Species
Present assessment
Thirty six plant taxa (11 indigenous and 25 exotic) were
recorded in the study area during the
assessment. Planted trees and shrubs were not recorded unless
they were seen to be naturally
spreading within the study area.
Database searches and other information
Additional significant flora species that have been recorded
within a 10 kilometre radius of the
study area or their habitats as potentially occurring as derived
from respective Commonwealth
and State databases are listed in Appendix 2.2.
3.2 Ecological Vegetation Classes and Vegetation Types
Two ecological vegetation classes (EVC) were likely to have
existed within the study area
before European settlement: Plains Grassy Woodland (EVC 55_61)
and Creekline Grassy
Woodland (EVC 68). This is consistent with the pre-1750 DSE
vegetation mapping for the
region (www.dse.vic.gov.au) and Oates and Taranto (2001). During
the site assessment, no
remnant patches of vegetation were identified within the study
area. However, modified
patches of remnant Creekline Grassy Woodland were located
adjacent to the study area along
the reaches of Moonee Ponds Creek. Creekline Grassy Woodland has
a conservation status of
endangered EVC within the Victorian Volcanic Plains.
3.3 Current Vegetation Condition
Vegetation within the study area in the eastern portion of the
study area is currently grazed or
has been grazed by domestic livestock and consists primarily of
exotic pasture grasses and
herbs. Indigenous vegetation present within grazed areas is
difficult to identify as
reproductive or identifiable structures (i.e. ligules, leaf
blades and inflorescences) were not
present during the assessment due to intensive grazing and
prolonged drought conditions.
Identifiable indigenous vegetation consisted of River Red-gum
Eucalyptus camaldulensis,
Lightwood Acacia implexa, Berry Saltbush Atriplex semibaccata,
Ruby Saltbush Enchylaena
tomentosa, Nodding Saltbush Einadia nutans, Pink Bindweed
Convolvulus erubescens, Jersey
Cudweed Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum, Mallow Malva spp. and
scattered Wallaby-grass
Austrodanthonia spp., Kangaroo Grass Austrostipa spp. and
Tussock Grass Poa spp. All
surviving indigenous species occur in low abundances except for
a few patches where
Wallaby Grasses occur with cover abundance up to 90%. These
patches of Wallaby Grass are
predicted to have recolonised the area after intense
disturbance, and is not considered remnant
native vegetation and is considered ‘degraded treeless
vegetation’.
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Flora and Fauna Assessment and Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western
Avenue, Tullamarine, Victoria 14
One large old Lightwood and one medium old River Red Gum also
exist within the study
area. In areas adjacent to the study area, along Moonee Ponds
Creek, are areas supporting
Creekline Grassy Woodland, which is currently listed as
endangered within the Victorian
Volcanic Plain bioregion. Throughout this area are six large to
very large old River Red-
gums.
Given the intense agricultural history of the study area, the
highly modified nature, and high
cover of introduced species with low levels of indigenous
species (i.e. at least one life form or
structure, such as such as canopy layer, shrub layer, and ground
cover is absent), vegetation
within the study area is considered to be in poor condition. All
indigenous species within the
study area (except the few remnant trees) are know to be highly
tolerant of disturbance, and
were considered to have re-colonised the area.
3.4 Significant Flora Species and Communities
No significant flora species were recorded during the current
assessment. Additional
significant flora species documented as occurring within the
local area (i.e. 10 kilometres
surrounding the study area), and their likely occurrence within
the study area are listed in
Appendix 2.2.
3.4.1 National
No nationally significant flora species were identified within
the study area during the
assessment. An additional nine nationally significant flora
species have previously been
documented in the local area (i.e. 10 kilometres surrounding the
study area) (FIS 2007)
(DEWHA – Protected Matters Search Tool). These species are
listed in Appendix 2.2. Given
the highly modified nature of the study area, and lack of
suitable habitat, it is unlikely that any
flora species of national significance would occur within the
study area.
3.4.2 State
No state significant flora species were recorded within the
study area during the present
assessment. An additional forty seven state significant flora
species have previously been
documented in the local area (i.e. 10 kilometres surrounding the
study area) (FIS 2007)
(DEWHA – Protected Matters Search Tool). These species are
listed in Appendix 2.2. Given
the highly modified nature of the study area, and lack of
suitable habitat, it is unlikely that any
flora species of national significance would occur within the
study area.
3.4.3 Regional and Local
A small number of regionally significant flora species were
recorded within the study area
during the present assessment (Appendix 2.1). All other
indigenous species are considered to
be of local significance due to the depletion of native
vegetation in the local area.
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Flora and Fauna Assessment and Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western
Avenue, Tullamarine, Victoria 15
3.4.4 Significant Communities
There are no significant communities located within the study
area.
Remnants of one vegetation community (Creekline Grassy Woodland)
exist adjacent to the
study area, occurring along the reaches of Moonee Ponds Creek.
Although this EVC has a
bioregional conservation status of endangered
(www.dse.vic.gov.au) it is currently not listed
as threatened under the EPBC Act or the FFG Act.
3.5 Fauna Species
Present assessment
The study area supports habitat for a number of native fauna
species. During the assessment
82 species were detected, comprising 10 mammals (four native,
six introduced), 66 birds (56
native, 10 introduced) three native reptiles and three native
frogs (Appendix 3.1). All
recorded species are common throughout the local area.
Database searches (AVW and DEWHA Protected Matters Search
Tool)
Terrestrial fauna species identified on Commonwealth and State
databases, that are known to
occur, or have the potential to occur within the study area, are
summarised in Appendix 3.2.
Within a 10 kilometre radius of the study area 307 individual
species have been documented
(AVW 2007), with a high number of records for all fauna groups.
A considerable proportion
of these species (primarily common birds, grassland and riparian
specialist fauna) are likely to
use habitats within the study area.
An additional eight fauna species have been identified as
potentially occurring, or their
habitats as potentially occurring, within the study area (EPBC
Act Protected Matters Search
Tool) (Appendix 3.2).
3.6 Fauna Habitat
The study area supports five habitat types: Modified native
grassland, remnant riparian
woodland, wetlands, planted trees and shrubs, and exotic
grassland. The overall habitat value
in the study area ranges from low for exotic grassland, to high
for remnant riparian woodland
(Appendix 1).
Modified native grassland
This habitat type is characterised by an open sward of
indigenous grasses (predominately
Austrodanthia spp.), interspersed with exotic grasses and
shrubs.
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Modified native grassland provides habitat for a diversity of
native species including a range
of grassland birds (Richards Pipit) and ground-dwelling fauna.
Areas of habitat with a high
percentage cover of native grass also have the potential to
support the nationally significant
Golden Sun Moth.
Riparian Woodland
Moonee Ponds Creek runs along the northern boundary of the study
area, and supports a
number of remnant River Red-gums and other indigenous
vegetation. This area is of
moderate habitat value for fauna. Within the study area, Moonee
Ponds Creek contains a
number of deep, slow moving pools, as well as wider, shallower
marsh areas with an
exceptional cover of in-stream vegetation.
Several mature River Red-gums which are associated with Plains
Grassy Woodland EVC are
present with the study area. The majority of these trees are
over 100 years old and support
varying sized hollows.
Remnant trees like those present along Moonee Ponds Creek at the
northern boundary,
provide an important source of food for nectar-feeding woodland
birds, such as lorikeets,
honeyeaters and wattlebirds. The trees also provide shelter and
dispersal habitat for a suite of
native fauna and nesting sites and vantage points for raptors
and other open country birds (e.g.
Brown Goshawk, Whistling Kite). Tree hollows provide a valuable
roosting, nesting and
foraging resource for several birds (including owls), arboreal
mammals (Common Brushtail
Possum) and insectivorous bats. Common reptiles and frogs are
also expected to use
microhabitats under these trees, including leaf litter and
coarse woody debris, for protection,
breeding and foraging. Remnant River Red-gums are of high
habitat value for fauna,
especially those which support hollows.
Wetlands
There is a large permanent water body immediately adjacent to
the site’s north-western
boundary. Although this area is not proposed for development (I.
Prudden pers comm.) it has
the potential to support several species of frogs including
Growling Grass Frog Litoria
reniformis and it provides important habitat for a suite of
waterbirds such as the state
significant Hardhead Aythya australis, Chestnut Teal Anas
castanea and Eurasian Coot Fulica
atra. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus was also observed
utilising this area, and
have not been previously recorded within the local area (10
kilometre radius) (AVW 2007).
Planted trees and shrubs
Planted trees and shrubs grow in several areas throughout the
study area. This habitat, along
the southern boundary of the site, provides foraging and
breeding habitat for several common
native bird species, while larger trees may also be frequently
used as roost sites for birds and
microchiropteran bats. Fallen bark and ground debris around the
base of such trees provides
habitat for reptiles.
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Along the paddock boundaries in the eastern section of the study
area, plantations of Box
thorn / Sweet Briar provide an important source of refuge for
small bird species such as
thornbills and wrens.
Exotic grassland
This habitat type dominates the study area. Although not
indigenous, the grassland provides
foraging habitat and refuge for reptiles, small mammals and
grassland bird species.
3.7 Golden Sun Moth Targeted Surveys
The site was surveyed on four occasions between 11 November 2008
and 13 January 2009
during suitable weather conditions, and during periods when
Golden Sun Moth was known to
be flying at other sites in the vicinity of the study area
(Greenvale, Craigieburn and/or
Wollert) (Table 1). Despite ideal weather conditions and
confirmed activity of the species at
the reference sites the species was not detected within the
study area during surveys. In
addition, the species was not detected immediately adjacent to
the study area during recent
targeted surveys of the species on Melbourne Airport land (Hatt
et al. 2008).
Table 1. Golden Sun Moth survey results within the study
area.
Survey Times Date Golden Sun Moths recorded
Start Finish
Temperature (
oC)
Wind (0-3) Cloud Cover (%)
11/11/08 None 12:30 14:45 30 1 10
11/12/08 None 12:20 14:20 25 2 0
24/12/08 None 12:30 13:30 27 1 1
13/01/09 None 13:00 14:30 30 1 0
3.8 Significant Fauna
3.8.1 National
No nationally significant fauna species were recorded in the
study area during the
assessments. Whilst there are records for Golden Sun Moth in the
vicinity of the study area
from the 2007/08 flight period (Organ pers. obs) the species was
not recorded in the study
area. Targeted surveys were also undertaken (2008) for Melbourne
Airport Business Park
sites located adjacent to the south-west study area boundary and
immediately south of the
Tullamarine Freeway (Hatt et al 2008). However, the presence of
this species was not
confirmed during these surveys.
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Nationally significant fauna species listed under the EPBC Act,
and/or listed as threatened
under the National Action Plan, have previously been recorded
from the local area (AVW
2007) (Appendix 3.2.). An additional four species, or their
habitat, not previously
documented on the AVW were identified as potentially occurring
within a 10 kilometre radius
of the study area (DEWHA Protected Matters Search Tool)
(Appendix 3.2). Nationally listed
fauna species include:
Two mammal species: Eastern Barred Bandicoot Perameles gunnii
and Grey-headed
Flying-fox Pteropus poliocephalus;
Two woodland-dependent birds: Regent Honeyeater Anthochaera
phrygia and Swift
Parrot Lathamus discolor;
One grassland-dependent bird species: Plains-wanderer Pedionomus
torquatus;
Two reptiles: Grassland Earless Dragon Tympanocryptis
pinguicolla and Striped
Legless Lizard Delma impar;
One frog species: Growling Grass Frog Litoria raniformis;
One fish species: Australian Grayling Prototroctes maraena;
and,
Two invertebrate species: Golden Sun Moth Synemon plana and
Eltham Copper
Butterfly Paralucia pyrodiscus lucida.
With the exception of Moonee Ponds Creek and a waterbody in the
north-west corner of the
study area which support habitat suitable for the Growling Grass
Frog, there is no suitable or
important habitat for any national or state significant fauna
species within the study area.
Grey-headed Flying-fox could fly over the study area during
night-foraging trips from Yarra
Bend Park in Kew but are unlikely to visit habitats within the
study area on a regular basis.
The likely use of the study area by nationally significant
species is summarised in Appendix
3.2., while a description of the nationally significant Growling
Grass frog is provided below.
Growling Grass Frog Litoria raniformis
The Growling Grass Frog was once widespread throughout
south-eastern Australia, but over
the past 20 years its range has contracted throughout many areas
due to a number of
threatening processes. In Victoria, this species is widely
distributed throughout most regions,
with the exception of Mallee and Alpine areas where climatic and
habitat conditions are not
suitable.
The species prefers permanent or semi permanent waterbodies to
breed, although is has also
been known to successfully breed in ephemeral waterbodies (Organ
2002; Organ pers obs).
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3.8.2 State
One state significant fauna species, the Hardhead duck, was
recorded in the study area during
the initial assessment. A pair of individuals was observed
utilising the waterbody in the north
west of the study site, along with a number of other more common
waterbird species.
Hardheads are widespread but uncommon throughout much of
Victoria and primarily inhabit
permanent freshwater wetlands, supporting dense fringing
vegetation (Emison et al. 1987).
Generally avoids main streams or rivers, except in calmer
reaches where aquatic vegetation is
present (Marchant and Higgins 1990).
An additional 20 state significant fauna species have previously
been documented from within
10 kilometres of the study area (AVW 2007), and an additional
five species are predicted to
occur in the area. These comprise:
Three woodland-dependent birds: Turquoise Parrot, Diamond Dove,
Speckled
Warbler, Brown Treecreeper and Diamond Firetail;
Fourteen wetland-dependent birds: Australasian Shoveler,
Baillon’s Crake, Blue-billed
Duck, Little Bittern, Common Sandpiper, Freckled Duck, Eastern
Great Egret,
Intermediate Egret, Australasian Bittern, Hardhead, Lewin’s
Rail, Little Egret, Musk
Duck and Royal Spoonbill;
Two diurnal raptor species: Grey Goshawk and Black Falcon;
and,
One frog: Brown Toadlet.
The waterbody in the north western corner of the study site is
suitable for several state
significant waterbird species, namely the Australasian Shoveler
and Blue-billed Duck. The
presence of Hardheads and also Black-winged Stilts in this area
suggests that the waterbody
provides high quality refuge and foraging habitat for waterbird
species. There is no likely or
suitable habitat for any other state significant fauna species
within the study area. Based on
available information, any proposed development within the study
area is unlikely to
significantly impact any state significant species and
associated habitats.
The likely use of the study area by state significant species is
provided in Appendix 3.2.
3.8.3 Regional and Local
No regionally significant fauna were recorded during the
assessment.
However, 11 regionally significant fauna species have previously
been documented from the
local area (AVW 2007). These comprise:
One mammal species : Fat-tailed Dunnart Sminthopsis
crassicaudata;
One diurnal raptor species: Spotted Harrier Circus
assimilis;
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One grassland-dependent bird species: Brown Quail Coturnix
ypsilophora;
Two woodland-dependent bird species: Black-eared Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx osculans,
Black-chinned Honeyeater Melithreptus gularis; and,
Six wetland-dependent birds: Latham’s Snipe Gallinago
hardwickii, Australian
Pratincole Stiltia isabella, Nankeen Night Heron Nycticorax
caledonicus, Pied
Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius, Whiskered Tern Chlidonias
hybridus and Azure
Kingfisher Alcedo azurea.
There is no likely, or suitable habitat, for any regionally
significant fauna species within the
study area.
All other native fauna (primarily birds) are not listed as rare
or threatened at a national, state
or regional level and are therefore considered to be locally
significant.
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4 ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY AREA
4.1 Ecological Significance of Study Area
The majority of the study area is devoid of remnant native
vegetation and supports few, if any,
ecological values or significance for flora and fauna. Two
remnant native trees, one large and
one medium, are present within the study area and are of local
significance.
Areas adjacent to the study area along the reaches of Moonee
Ponds Creek support Creekline
Grassy Woodland (EVC 68) which is listed as endangered within
the Victorian Volcanic
Plains bioregion. These are considered to be of moderate to at
least high local conservation
significance.
4.1.1 Reasons for Significance
The conservation significance for the study area has been
assigned for the following reasons:
Presence of one large old Lightwood and one medium old River
Red-gum within the
study area;
In areas adjacent to the study area, along Moonee Ponds Creek,
the presence of areas
supporting Creekline Grassy Woodland, which is currently listed
as endangered within
the Victorian Volcanic Plain Bioregion, and six large old River
Red-gums; and,
Potential habitat for the nationally significant Growling Grass
Frog in a waterbody to
the north-west of the study area and habitat of the adjacent
Moonee Ponds Creek.
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5 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND LEGISLATION
This section identifies biodiversity policy and legislation
relevant to the proposed
development and principally addresses:
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act
1999
(Commonwealth);
Flora and Fauna Guarantee (FFG) Act 1988 (Victoria);
Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Victoria);
Wildlife Act 1975 and Wildlife Regulations 2002;
Catchment and Land Protection (CALP) Act 1994 (Victoria);
Victoria’s Biodiversity Strategy 1997;
Hume City Council;
Port Philip and Westernport Native Vegetation Plan; and,
Victoria’s Native Vegetation Management Framework - A Framework
for Action (Net
Gain Policy) (NRE 2002).
5.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999
The EPBC Act establishes a Commonwealth process for assessment
of proposed actions that
are likely to have a significant impact on matters of national
environmental significance, or on
Commonwealth land. An action (i.e. project, development,
undertaking, activity, or series of
activities) unless otherwise exempt, requires approval from the
Commonwealth Environment
Minister if it is likely to have an impact on any matters of
national environmental significance.
A referral under the EPBC Act is required if a proposed action
is likely to have a ‘significant
impact’ on any of the following seven matters of national
conservation significance:
World Heritage properties
National heritage places
Ramsar wetlands of international significance
Threatened species and ecological communities
Migratory and marine species
Commonwealth marine area
Nuclear actions (including uranium mining)
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5.1.1 Matters of National Environmental Significance
World Heritage properties and national heritage places
The study area is not located within or near a World heritage
property or national heritage
property.
Ramsar wetlands of international significance
The DEWHA Protected Matters Search Tool
(http://www.environment.gov.au/erin/ert/epbc/
index.html) does not list any wetlands of international
significance as occurring within the
same catchment as the study area. As such, the proposed
development is unlikely to impact
upon any Ramsar values.
Listed flora and fauna species, and ecological communities
An action requires approval from the Commonwealth Environment
Minister if it will, or if it
is likely to, have a significant impact on an endangered or
critically endangered species, or on
an ‘important population’ or critical habitat of a listed
vulnerable species.
Flora: No EPBC listed flora species or vegetation communities
were recorded during the
assessment. Additional EPBC listed flora species that have
previously been recorded, or have
habitat predicted to occur in the local area are provided. It is
unlikely that any of these species
occur within the study area due to its highly modified
nature.
Fauna: No nationally significant fauna were recorded in the
study area during the present
survey and Golden Sun Moth was not recorded during subsequent
targeted surveys. However,
eleven nationally significant fauna species listed as threatened
under the EPBC Act have
previously been recorded in the local area (AVW 2007). Habitat
for an additional four species
is also predicted to occur, either in, or within a 10 kilometre
radius of, the study area
(DEWHA Protected Matters Search Tool) (Appendix 3.2).
There is potential habitat for a small number of EPBC Act-listed
fauna within the study area
(Appendix 3.2).
Communities: No nationally significant vegetation communities
occur within the study area.
Listed migratory and marine species
A small number of common migratory and marine species were
recorded during the present
survey (Appendix 3.1). While several migratory and marine
species may occasionally occupy
habitats within the study area, the study area does not provide
habitat for an ecologically
significant proportion of any of these species.
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Commonwealth marine area and nuclear actions
The study area is not within a marine area, nor is the proposed
works related to nuclear
actions.
Implications for the proposed development
No EPBC-listed flora or fauna species or vegetation communities
were recorded within the
study area during the surveys. However, there is potential
habitat for the EPBC Act-listed
Growling Grass Frog, primarily along Moonee Ponds Creek and the
waterbody in the north-
west corner of the study area. Whilst these areas are not
scheduled for disturbance, if this
species, or any other species listed under the EPBC Act are
recorded within the study area
then an EPBC Act referral is likely to be required to assess the
potential for ‘significant
impacts’ to species populations or habitats under the provisions
of the EPBC Act.
5.2 Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988
The primary legislation for the protection of flora and fauna in
Victoria is the FFG Act. The
Act builds on broader national and international policy in the
conservation of biodiversity.
The broad objectives of the FFG Act are to: 1) ensure native
flora and fauna survive, flourish
and maintain in situ evolutionary potential; 2) manage
threatening processes; 3) encourage the
conserving of flora and fauna through cooperative community
endeavours; and 4) establish a
regulatory structure for the conservation of flora and fauna in
Victoria.
The Act contains protection procedures such as the listing of
threatened species and/ or
communities of flora and fauna, and the preparation of action
statements to protect the long-
term viability of these values.
Flora: No FFG listed species were recorded within the study area
during the current
assessment.
However, eight FFG listed species have previously been recorded
within the local area (i.e. in
a 10 km radial of the study area) (Appendix 2.2). It is unlikely
that any of these species occur
within the study area due to the modified nature of the study
area.
Fauna: No state significant fauna listed under the FFG Act were
recorded within the study
area during the current assessment. However, 14 fauna species
listed under the FFG Act have
previously been documented from within 10 kilometres of the
study area (AVW 2007). There
is suitable habitat for many of the state significant waterbird
species within the study area,
mainly within the waterbody located in the north west of the
study site. Despite this, and
based on available information, any proposed development within
the study area is unlikely to
significantly impact any FFG-listed fauna species.
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If the north-west waterbody or habitat of the Moonee Ponds Creek
are to be disturbed then a
Growling Grass Frog survey should be undertaken, as recommended
for an EPBC Act-listed
species in section 4.1.1 above.
Vegetation Communities: There are no FFG Act listed flora
communities within the Study
Area.
Threatening processes: At least one threatening process, (The
invasion of native vegetation by
environmental weeds), listed under the FFG Act could apply to
the proposed development.
Implications for the proposed development
No listed threatened species under the FFG Act were recorded in
the study area during the
initial assessment or targeted Golden Sun Moth surveys.
With respect to the Net Gain policy, while the study area
contains areas supporting native
grasses (primarily wallaby grasses Austrodanthonia spp.) which
would ordinarily qualify as a
patch of native vegetation, the majority of the areas where
native species occur are currently
considered ‘degraded treeless vegetation’ (DSE 2006b). As per
the planning guide (DSE
2006b) the majority of the study area is defined as degraded
treeless vegetation, where a
‘former grassland that has had a history of cropping, and now
has an extremely modified
cover consisting of few opportunistic, primary colonizing native
grass species generally
amongst exotic species, with little other indigenous diversity’
(R. Costello and K. Greengrass,
DSE, pers. comm.).
Under the FFG Act, the proponent is required to manage any
threatening processes. However,
given that the study area is located on private property,
generally the FFG Act does not apply.
5.3 Planning and Environment Act 1987
All planning schemes contain native vegetation provisions at
Clause 52.17. A planning
permit is required under the Planning and Environment Act 1987
to remove, destroy or lop
native vegetation on a site of more than 0.4 hectares,
unless:
The application is exempt under the schedule to Clause 52.17
A Native Vegetation Precinct Plan applies.
Planning schemes may contain other provisions in relation to the
removal of native vegetation.
Recent changes to the planning provisions (DSE 2006a) have
altered the criteria for when
DSE is the mandatory referral authority.
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A permit must be referred to DSE if there is one or more of the
following:
Scattered Trees (may include trees from patches of
vegetation)
Greater than 15 trees with a diameter less than 40 centimetres
at 1.3 metres above
ground.
Greater than 5 trees with a diameter more than 40 centimetres at
1.3 metres above
ground.
Areas of vegetation (may include trees)
Greater than 0.5 hectares of vegetation in an Ecological
Vegetation Class with
Bioregional Conservation Status of Endangered, Vulnerable or
Rare.
Greater than 1 hectare of vegetation in an Ecological Vegetation
Class with
Bioregional Conservation Status of Depleted or Least
Concern.
Other circumstances
On Crown land managed by the responsible authority.
Where a property vegetation plan applies to the site.
Implications for the proposed development
A Planning Permit from the Hume City Council is required to
clear/remove native vegetation.
In this instance there are no remnant patches of native
vegetation, so a planning permit for this
purpose is not required.
5.4 Wildlife Act 1975 and Wildlife Regulations 2002
Wildlife Act 1975
The Wildlife Act 1975 is the primary legislation in Victoria
providing for protection and
management of wildlife. The Act requires people engaged in
wildlife research (e.g. fauna
surveys, salvage and translocation activities) to obtain a
permit under the Act to ensure that
these activities are undertaken in a manner consistent with the
appropriate controls.
The Wildlife Act 1975 has the following objectives:
To establish procedures for the promotion of protection and
conservation of wildlife,
the prevention of species extinctions, and the sustainable use
and access to wildlife;
and,
To prohibit and regulate the conduct of those involved in
wildlife related activities.
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Wildlife Regulations 2002
The objectives of the Wildlife Regulations are:
To make further provision in relation to the licensing system
established by section 22
of the Wildlife Act 1975;
To prescribe fees, offences, royalties and various other matters
for the purposes of the
Wildlife Act 1975; and,
To provide for exemptions from certain provisions of the
Wildlife Act 1975.
Authorisation for habitat removal may be obtained under the
Wildlife Act; through a licence
granted under the Forests Act 1958, or under any other Act such
as the Planning and
Environment Act 1987.
Implications for the proposed development
While a permit is required for removal of habitat within the
study area, this could be in the
form of a permit to remove native vegetation under the Planning
and Environment Act 1987.
Consequently, a separate permit to remove fauna for this project
under either the Wildlife Act
1975 or the Wildlife Regulations 2002 is unlikely to be required
if a permit under the Planning
and Environment Act is obtained.
5.5 Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994
The CALP Act contains provisions relating to catchment planning,
land management, noxious
weeds and pest animals. This Act also provides a legislative
framework for the management
of private and public land and sets out the responsibilities of
land managers, stating that they
must take all reasonable steps to:
Avoid causing or contributing to land degradation which causes
or may cause damage to land of another land owner;
Protect water resources;
Conserve soil;
Eradicate regionally prohibited weeds;
Prevent the growth and spread of regionally controlled weeds;
and,
Prevent the spread of, and as far as possible eradicate,
established pest animals.
Essentially the Act establishes a framework for the integrated
management and protection of
catchments, and provides a framework for the integrated and
coordinated management, which
aims to ensure that the quality of the State’s land and water
resources and their associated
plant and animal life are maintained and enhanced.
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Implications for the proposed development
The proponent is responsible to control any infestation of
noxious or environmental weeds
that may become established within the study area. As such,
weeds should be appropriately
controlled to minimise their spread and overall impact on
ecological values. For example,
construction workers and machinery should be checked for weed
material to avoid further
spread of noxious weeds. Nine noxious weeds listed within the
Port Phillip and Westport
Catchment area (DPI 2006) and three Weeds of National
Significance (WONS) were recorded
within the study area (Appendix 2.1).
5.6 Victoria’s Biodiversity Strategy
The Victorian Government endorses this strategy titled
‘Victoria’s Biodiversity – Directions
in Management’ (NRE 1997), which represents a benchmark for
biodiversity conservation and
management throughout the state.
The Biodiversity Strategy encourages Victorians to better
understand and appreciate flora and
fauna and ecosystems throughout the state, and to take an active
part in conservation and
management to ensure biodiversity is managed in an ecologically
sound and sustainable
manner.
5.7 Hume City Council
The study area is currently zoned as Farming schedule 3. This
has no implications to the flora
and fauna management of the site.
An Environmental Audit Overlay (EAO) exists over the entire
study area.
The implications of this overlay are such that a certificate of
environmental audit is obtained
before the land is developed for a sensitive use (residential
use, child care centre, pre-school
centre or primary school).
Implications for the proposed development
A Planning Permit from the Hume City Council will be required to
remove, destroy or lop
native vegetation. In this instance there are no remnant patches
of native vegetation, so a
planning permit for this purpose in not required.
5.8 Port Phillip and Westernport Native Vegetation Plan
The Port Phillip and Westernport Native Vegetation Plan (PPWCMA
2006) is a guide for
local government in assessing planning applications for
vegetation removal and determining
permit conditions (Net Gain requirements) to ensure that
ecological values across the region
are not compromised.
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The Plan provides information on biodiversity values across the
Region and gives guidance to
local municipalities on how clearing applications should be
assessed. The document also
outlines actions to ensure there is more strategic and
coordinated approach to address ongoing
degradation in quantity and quality of native vegetation across
the Port Phillip and
Westernport region.
Implications for the proposed development
The proposed development should address the key recommendations
outlined under the Port
Phillip and Westernport Native Vegetation Plan (PPWCMA 2006).
These include the
protection and enhancement of native vegetation, the promotion
of awareness of native
vegetation, the sustainable management of native vegetation and
the promotion of land uses
that lead to long-term protection of native vegetation.
5.9 The Native Vegetation Framework
Since 1989, most proposals to clear native vegetation have
required a planning permit from
the local Council (Responsible Authority) under the native
vegetation provisions of Clause
52.17 of the Victoria Planning Provisions (‘VPPs’). In 2002, the
Victorian Government
released the Framework (NRE 2002) which establishes a “strategic
direction for the
protection, enhancement and revegetation of native vegetation
across the State”.
Amendment (VC19) to Victoria’s Planning Provisions introduced
the Framework in July 2003
as an incorporated document for all Victorian Planning Schemes.
Clauses 11 and 15.09 in the
State Planning Policy Framework provide the framework for
considering native vegetation
issues in the planning system.
These clauses require planning and responsible authorities to
have regard to the Framework,
which establishes the strategic direction for the protection,
enhancement and revegetation of
native vegetation across Victoria.
5.9.1 Net Gain
The Framework states that the primary goal is to achieve:
“a reversal, across the entire landscape, of the long-term
decline in the extent and quality
of native vegetation, leading to a Net Gain” (NRE 2002).
Net Gain is the overall outcome where native vegetation and
habitat gains are greater than the
losses and where losses are avoided, where possible.
5.9.2 Applying Net Gain – The Three Step Approach
When Net Gain is considered for potential impacts on native
vegetation within all planning
schemes, the Framework has defined a three-step approach for
applying Net Gain to
protection and clearance decisions.
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The three-step approach is:
1. To avoid adverse impacts, particularly through vegetation
clearance.
2. If impacts cannot be avoided, to minimise impacts through
appropriate
consideration in planning processes and expert input to project
design or
management.
3. Identify appropriate offset options.
The three-step approach to Net Gain is the first consideration
for all planning permit
applications and planning scheme amendments, with emphasis
placed on the first two steps of
avoidance and minimisation. Only after these two steps have been
taken should offsets
(actions undertaken to achieve commensurate gains in vegetation
loss) be considered (NRE
2002).
Implications for the proposed development
In this instance, avoiding adverse impacts through vegetation
clearance is possible, because no
remnant patches of indigenous vegetation still inhabit the site.
Therefore a net gain report is
not required.
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Flora and Fauna Assessment and Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western
Avenue, Tullamarine, Victoria 31
6 POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
6.1 Potential Impacts
Any loss of ecological values should be viewed in the context of
the overall ongoing loss,
fragmentation, and deterioration in the quality of remnant
vegetation throughout many areas
on the suburban edge of Melbourne.
Given that the study area contains no remnant patches of native
vegetation, it is likely that the
development will have little impact on terrestrial flora, fauna
and ecological communities.
Potential direct and indirect impacts on terrestrial flora and
fauna values may occur as part of
the proposed development.
Direct impacts include:
The loss of the large old Lightwood and the medium old River Red
Gum that occur
within the study area;
Modification of flow regimes and sedimentation levels into
Moonee Ponds Creek;
Potential loss of suitable foraging, nesting and shelter habitat
for indigenous fauna
species; and,
Decreases in population sizes of local flora and fauna
species.
Indirect effects on adjacent areas are also possible if
construction activities are not
appropriately managed, and these include:
Disturbance to indigenous vegetation including patches of
modified Creekline Grassy
Woodland occurring adjacent to the study area, along the reaches
of Moonee Ponds
Creek, particularly due to increased pedestrian and vehicle
access and possible
disturbance by excavation machinery and soil stockpiling;
Potential for further spread of environmental weeds and soil
pathogens within the
study area and local surrounds from on-site activities;
Soil erosion and sediment input into Moonee Ponds creek and the
waterbody in the
north-western corner of the site which have the potential to
support Growling Grass
Frog and supports bird species of state significance;
Disturbance to wildlife from increased human activity, and
increased noise during
construction; and,
Indirect impacts to other areas of adjoining native
vegetation/habitat.
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Flora and Fauna Assessment and Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western
Avenue, Tullamarine, Victoria 32
7 IMPACT MINIMISATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the site conditions the impacts on flora and fauna
values is considered to be low, as
the majority of the site is dominated by introduced flora
species. However, where ecological
values occur in the study area, the following measures to
mitigate/ ameliorate impacts from
the proposed development are suggested and include:
If possible, avoid and retain the remnant large old Lightwood
and medium old River
Red-gum that occur within the study area. If the removal of
these trees is not
avoidable it is advised that planting be carried out after the
occurrence of development
to mitigate their loss;
Avoid the removal of existing fences (or re-install appropriate
fencing) along the
northern boundary of the study area, to ensure the adequate
protection of areas
containing Creekline Grassy Woodland and very old remnant River
Red-gums in areas
along the reaches of Moonee Ponds Creek. Areas external to the
fences are classified
public use zone and have an environmental significance
overlay;
Protect Moonee Ponds Creek and the waterbody located in the
north-west of the study
area from disturbance as a precautionary measure by establishing
a suitable (i.e. at
least 30 metres) protective buffer around aquatic and associated
terrestrial habitat;
Erosion and sedimentation control measures should be undertaken
throughout the
development process to reduce the likelihood of sediment from
works entering
Moonee Ponds Creek Water Reserve, or the waterbody in the
north-western corner of
the study area;
Control the further spread of environmental and noxious weeds on
site;
Use indigenous plants associated with the Plains Grassy Woodland
EVC as part of any
landscaping works to increased habitat for native fauna;
Ensure that best practice sedimentation and pollution control
measures to the
satisfaction of EPA are undertaken at all times to prevent
offsite impacts to waterways;
Restricting construction activities to the actual area required
for the proposed
development in order to reduce erosion and thew spread of
environmental weeds;
Inform contractors about areas of ecological value within the
study area;
Revegetate disturbed areas with an assortment of locally
indigenous ground covers, if
natural regeneration is poor; and
Weeds should be treated appropriately and replaced with locally
indigenous species.
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Flora and Fauna Assessment and Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western
Avenue, Tullamarine, Victoria 33
8 CONCLUSION
With respect to the Net Gain policy, while the study area
contains areas supporting native
grasses (primarily wallaby grasses Austrodanthonia spp.) which
would ordinarily qualify as a
patch of native vegetation, the majority of the areas where
native species occur are currently
considered ‘degraded treeless vegetation’ (DSE 2006b). As per
the planning guide (DSE
2006b) the majority of the study area is defined as degraded
treeless vegetation, where a
‘former grassland that has had a history of cropping, and now
has an extremely modified
cover consisting of few opportunistic, primary colonizing native
grass species generally
amongst exotic species, with little other indigenous diversity’
(R. Costello and K. Greengrass,
DSE, pers. comm.).
During the initial flora and fauna assessment, and targeted
Golden Sun Moth surveys, no
national or state significant flora and fauna species or
ecological communities were recorded.
Although not detected during the current surveys, populations of
the nationally significant
Growling Grass Frog may occur in parts of Moonee Ponds Creek and
in a large permanent
waterbody located in the north-west corner of the study area
(Figure 2). If these aquatic
habitats and/or areas immediately adjacent to these sites are
proposed to be disturbed as part
of the future development of the study area targeted surveys for
Growling Grass Frog should
be undertaken.
The confirmed presence of the species may also require a
referral to the Commonwealth
Minister for consideration under the EPBC Act. However, based on
the proposed
development of the study area (i.e. the retention of the large
waterbody in the north east of the
study area) there is a low likelihood that Growling Grass Frog
and its habitat will be impacted.
Finally, the majority of the study area is highly modified and
supports few ecological values
which pose a constraint to the future development of the
site.
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Flora and Fauna Assessment and Golden Sun Moth Surveys: Western
Avenue, Tullamarine, Victoria 34
FFIIGGUURREESS
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