Flora and Fauna Impact Assessment Proposed Upgrade to the Air Services Australia Cooma Non-Directional Beacon (NDB). An ecological impact assessment prepared for Daly International SEPTEMBER 2010 Report No. EcIA 0180
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Microsoft Word - EcIA_0180_FINALProposed Upgrade to the Air Services Australia
Cooma Non-Directional Beacon (NDB).
PO Box 7231 Tathra NSW 2550 t 02 6494 5422 www.envirokey.com.au [email protected]
ABN 35255478680
Citation
EnviroKey (2010) Flora and Fauna Impact Assessment: Proposed Upgrade to the Air Services Australia Cooma Non-Directional Beacon (NDB). A report prepared by of EnviroKey for Daly International. Report No. EcIA_0180. Final Version 22/09/2010.
Commercial In Confidence
All intellectual property rights, including copyright, in documents created by EnviroKey remain the property of EnviroKey. The information contained within this document is confidential. It may only be used by the person to whom it is provided for the stated purpose for which it is provided. The document must not be imparted to any third person without the prior written approval of EnviroKey.
Disclaimer
The scope of work for this report was defined by time and budgetary constraints and the availability of other reports and data.
PO Box 7231 Tathra NSW 2550 t 02 6494 5422 www.envirokey.com.au [email protected]
ABN 35255478680
Executive Summary
EnviroKey were engaged by Daly International to complete a Flora and Fauna Impact Assessment to determine the potential impacts to flora, fauna, threatened species, populations and communities and their habitats as a result of a proposed upgrade to the Air Services Australia Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) Facility at Cooma, NSW.
The site analysis was undertaken on the 10th September 2010 that revealed a total of 13 flora species, nine of which are exotic species. No threatened flora were recorded, nor are any expected to occur. Existing vegetation community mapping for the area shows the study area mapped as Stipa (Austrostipa) scabra – Stipa bigeniculata grassland. However, it should be noted that this mapping is broad scale in nature and does not discern between areas of native grassland, improved pastures and the like.
Live vegetation cover within the site comprises approximately 70% exotic and 30% native species. With regard to the NSW Native Vegetation Act 2003, this vegetation can be classified as non-native due to it comprising grassland with less than 50% live native cover. Given this, the site is considered to be, at best, ‘Modified Tussock Grassland’.
One exotic species (Scotch Thistle) is listed as a noxious weed (Class 4: Locally Controlled Weeds in Snowy River LGA). The growth and spread of the plant must be controlled according to the measures specified in a management plan published by the local control authority.
The Endangered Ecological Community (EEC) Natural Temperate Grassland in NSW and the ACT is known to occur within the locality and the wider region. Landscape position and remnant native species in and adjacent to the site indicate that the study area was likely to formerly comprise the EEC. However, due to the dominance of the study area by exotic species (70% cover), it is determined that it does not comprise the EEC. The ongoing threat of weed invasion severely limits the likelihood of natural regeneration that would return the site to represent the EEC.
Conversely, the EEC does appear present on the land on the western, northern and eastern boundaries of the study area. These areas of vegetation are dominated by native flora species, and these are considered consistent with the identification guidelines above, in that the EPBC listed EEC, Natural Temperate Grassland in NSW and the ACT is present.
A total of six species of fauna were recorded during the site analysis and these are regarded as typical of the habitat within the region. No threatened or migratory species were detected during the site analysis. One fauna habitat is present, Modified Tussock Grassland which provides potential habitat for threatened reptile fauna.
Of the threatened and migratory biota that are known to, or predicted to occur in the locality, our evaluation found that three threatened species, one EEC (EPBC listed only) and two migratory species could or are known to occur based on the habitat attributes of the study area. Significance Assessments undertaken pursuant to the TSC Act indicate that the proposed activity was unlikely to have a significant effect on Diamond Firetail, Grassland Earless Dragon and Striped Legless Lizard provided that the recommendations outlined in section 6 are fully adopted. The proposed activity will not require a Species
2 DESKTOP ANALYSIS ................................................................................. 4
2.1 LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT ........................................................................................ 4 2.1.1 Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 .................................................. 4
2.1.2 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 .................. 4
2.1.3 State Environmental Planning Policy No. 44 .................................................. 5
2.1.4 Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) ............................................... 5
2.1.5 Native Vegetation Act 2003 ............................................................................ 6
2.2 THREATENED SPECIES RECORDS IN THE LOCALITY ...................................... 6
3 SITE ANALYSIS ........................................................................................... 7
3.1.2 Fauna and their Habitats ................................................................................ 7
3.1.3 Nomenclature ................................................................................................. 7
3.2 FLORA AND VEGETATION COMMUNITIES .......................................................... 8 3.2.1 Species Richness ........................................................................................... 8
3.2.2 Vegetation Communities ................................................................................ 8
3.2.5 Conservation Significance of Vegetation Communities ................................. 9
3.2.6 Endangered Ecological Communities ............................................................ 9
3.3 FAUNA AND THEIR HABITATS ............................................................................ 10 3.3.1 Species Richness ......................................................................................... 10
3.3.2 Threatened & Migratory Species .................................................................. 10
3.3.3 Fauna Habitats ............................................................................................. 11
3.3.4 Habitat Corridors .......................................................................................... 11
4 POTENTIAL IMPACTS .............................................................................. 13
4.1 DIRECT IMPACTS ................................................................................................. 13
4.2 INDIRECT IMPACTS ............................................................................................. 13
5.2 THREATENED AND MIGRATORY BIOTA EVALUATION .................................... 14
5.3 MIGRATORY SPECIES ......................................................................................... 24
6 RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................................. 33
7 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................ 34
8 REFERENCES ........................................................................................... 35
9 APPENDICES ............................................................................................... I
APPENDIX 4 – EPBC PROTECTED MATTERS SEARCH TOOL ................................... VII
Figures & Tables
Figure 1: Location of the Study Area near Cooma Airport (Image courtesy of Google Earth). .................................................................................................................................. 2 Figure 2: Existing Environment of the Study Area ............................................................ 10 Figure 3: Location of the study area (pink polygon) in a landscape context (Image courtesy of Google Earth). ................................................................................................. 12
Table 1: Assessment of the likelihood of threatened and migratory biota occurrence within the study area from records within a 10km radius. Habitat and ecology information sourced from DECCW (2010) and other various sources. ................................................ 16
1 INTRODUCTION Daly International acts on behalf of Air Services Australia who proposes to upgrade an existing facility near Cooma Airport in the Snowy River local government area (LGA). EnviroKey previously completed desktop analysis at 21 sites across Australia as part of proposed upgrades to Air Services Australia facilities. As a result of this desktop analysis, it was recommended that further investigation and assessment occur at the Cooma Non- Directional Beacon (NDB). Subsequently, EnviroKey were engaged by Daly International to complete a Flora and Fauna Impact Assessment to ascertain the potential impacts to threatened species, populations and communities and their habitats as a result of the proposed upgrade.
This report provides the following information to assist Daly International in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the proposed activity:
Provide a description of the works that Air Services Australia will undertake at the site, including works outside the site lease (e.g. road access improvement, lopping of vegetation on lease boundary) that may be required to facilitate the works undertaken on site.
Provide a desktop review to identify whether the site and surrounding area is located within any area of conservation value.
Describe the methodologies used for the site analysis including those areas where works may occur outside the site lease.
Describe the condition of the site and potential to provide habitat for protected species under Commonwealth and State legislation.
List the flora & fauna species and ecological communities observed on site.
Document the conservation status of observed species and ecological communities under Commonwealth and State legislation.
Assess the significance of the potential impacts of the proposed activity on Matters of National Environmental Significance listed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and whether the activity will require referral to the Commonwealth Minister to advise on the permit requirements.
Assess the significance of the potential impacts of the proposed activity on species, populations, communities and their habitats that occur, or have the potential to occur within the study area pursuant to the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and whether the activity will require a Species Impact Statement.
Provide a series of recommendations designed to reduce risks and minimise the impacts of the proposed activity on flora and fauna.
Provide maps and photographs detailing the location of the site, the location of any significant flora and fauna species and the vegetation communities and habitats present.
1.1 PROPOSED ACTIVITY
The site currently accommodates 2 x 21 metre towers about 70 metres apart with a connecting wire which suspends a vertical drop wire in the middle being the transmitter.
The proposed activity is to:
Swap out these two existing 21m lattice towers for two 25m towers slimmer but slightly bulkier in nature.
Construct a new equipment shelter approximately 3m x 3m.
This will result in the construction of new towers beside the existing structures at approximately 15 degree orientation to the existing, then the removal of the existing towers.
The proposed activity is located within the Snowy River LGA and the Murrumbidgee CMA region (Monaro sub-region).
Figure 1: Location of the Study Area near Cooma Airport (Image courtesy of Google Earth).
The following definitions are used within this report:
activity - has the same meaning as in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). The nature of the proposed activity is described in section 1.1
subject site – the area to be directly affected by the proposal.
study area – includes the subject site and any additional areas that are likely to be affected by the proposed activity, either directly or indirectly.
CMA – Catchment Management Authority
DEWHA – Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
LGA – Local Government Area.
likely - taken to be a real chance or possibility.
locality - means the area within a 10 km radius of the subject site.
local population - the population that occurs within the study area, unless the existence of contiguous or proximal occupied habitat and the movement of individuals or exchange of genetic material across the boundary can be demonstrated (DECC 2007).
region - means a biogeographical region that has been recognised and documented such as the Interim Biogeographical Regions of Australia (IBRA) (Thackway and Creswell 1995). The study area is located within the South-easdtern Highlands Bioregion.
threatened biota - means those threatened species, endangered populations or endangered ecological communities considered known or likely to occur in the study area.
threatened species – a species specified in the schedules of the TSC Act or the EPBC Act.
migratory species – a species specified in the schedules of the EPBC Act.
endangered population (EP)- population specified in Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the TSC Act.
2.1.1 Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995
The Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act) specifies seven factors which must be considered by decision-makers regarding the effect of a proposed development or activity on threatened species, populations or ecological communities, or their habitats (DECC 2007). These factors form part of the threatened species assessment process under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) and are collectively referred to as the ‘Seven-part Test’ (DECC 2007).
Determining authorities have a statutory obligation under the EP&A Act to consider whether a proposal is likely to significantly affect threatened species, populations or ecological communities, or their habitats by applying the Seven-part Test. If the determination is made that there is likely to be a significant effect then either;
A Species Impact Statement (SIS) must be prepared and the concurrence of the Director-General of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) obtained prior to the consent authority making a determination, or
The proposal may be modified such that a significant effect on threatened species, populations or ecological communities, or their habitats is unlikely (DEC 2004).
This report applies the seven part test to species which may potentially be impacted by the proposal in order to characterise the significance of the impact.
2.1.2 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) enables the Australian Government to join with the states and territories in providing a national scheme of environment and heritage protection and biodiversity conservation.
Under the EPBC Act, actions that have, or are likely to have a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance (NES) require approval from the Australian Government Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts (DEH 2006).
The eight matters of NES that are protected under the EPBC Act are:
Listed threatened species and communities Listed migratory species Ramsar wetlands of international importance Commonwealth marine environment World heritage properties The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Nuclear actions
With only the first two matters of relevance to the location of the proposed activity, this report provides an assessment to ascertain whether the proposed activity will require referral to the Commonwealth.
2.1.3 State Environmental Planning Policy No. 44
State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) No. 44 encourages the conservation and management of natural vegetation areas that provide habitat for Koalas to ensure that permanent free-living populations will be maintained over their present range across 107 local government areas (LGA). Snowy River LGA is one of these LGA, of which the subject site is located. Local councils cannot approve development in an area affected by the policy without an investigation of core koala habitat. The policy provides the state-wide approach needed to enable appropriate development to continue, while ensuring there is ongoing protection of koalas and their habitat.
SEPP 44 aims to identify areas of potential and core Koala Habitat. These are described as follows:
• Potential Koala Habitat is defined as areas of native vegetation where the trees listed in Schedule 2 of SEPP 44 constitute at least 15% of the total number of trees in the upper or lower strata of the tree component; and
• Core Koala Habitat is defined as an area of land with a resident population of koalas, evidenced by attributes such as breeding females, and recent and historical records of a population.
This report will consider the relevance of SEPP44 in section 5.
2.1.4 Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD)
Ecologically sustainable development (ESD) involves the effective integration of social, economic and environmental considerations in decision-making processes. In 1992, the Commonwealth and all state and territory governments endorsed the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development. In NSW, the concept has been incorporated in legislation such as the EP&A Act and Regulation.
For the purposes of the EP&A Act and other NSW legislation, the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment (1992) and the Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991 outline the following principles which can be used to achieve ESD.
(i) careful evaluation to avoid, wherever practicable, serious or irreversible damage to the environment, and
(ii) an assessment of the risk-weighted consequences of various options,
(b) Inter-generational equity: that the present generation should ensure that the health, diversity and productivity of the environment are maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future generations,
(c) Conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity: that conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity should be a fundamental consideration,
The aims, structure and content of this report are guided by these principles. The precautionary principle has been adopted in the assessment of impact; all potential impacts have been considered and mitigated where a risk is present. Where uncertainty exists, measures have been suggested to address it.
2.1.5 Native Vegetation Act 2003
The objectives of the Native Vegetation Act 2003 (‘NV Act) are to provide for, encourage and promote the management of native vegetation on a regional basis in the social, economic and environmental interests of the State, Further, the NV Act is:
(a) to prevent broadscale clearing unless it improves or maintains environmental outcomes;
(b) to protect native vegetation of high conservation value having regard to its contribution to such matters as water quality, biodiversity, or the prevention of salinity or land degradation, and
(c) to improve the condition of existing native vegetation, particularly where it has high conservation value, and
(d) to encourage the revegetation of land, and the rehabilitation of land, with appropriate native vegetation.
While this report considers the principles of the NV Act, it does not make a formal assessment under the NV Act.
2.2 THREATENED SPECIES RECORDS IN THE LOCALITY
As part of the desktop analysis, data was sought from DECCW Atlas of NSW Wildlife (which includes flora records) in relation to threatened species within a 10km radius of the study area. These records are detailed in Map 1 at a scale permissible by DECCW agreement (1:250,000). Similarly, information on threatened species listed under the EPBC Act that could occur in the area was sourced using the Protected Matters Search Tool using a 10km buffer around a point representing the Study Area (DEWHA 2010). This search also identified a number of threatened and migratory entities that are known to, or have the potential to occur in the locality and these are considered further in section 5.
3.1 METHODS
The site analysis was undertaken on the 10th September 2010 to collect data on flora and vegetation communities and fauna and their habitats by a suitably qualified and experienced Ecologist. The total survey effort was approximately 5 person hours including a ‘rock rolling’ search for reptile fauna. The site visit was conducted under a current Scientific Licence issued under Clause 22 of the National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2002 and section 132C of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 by the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water and an Animal Research Authority issued by the Director- General’s Animal Care and Ethics Committee of NSW Department of Primary Industries (now Industry and Investment NSW).
3.1.1 Flora and Vegetation Communities
Flora species were recorded for each of the vegetation communities surveyed using the random meander method (Cropper 1993) rather than quadrats, to maximise the opportunity of detecting significant or sparsely distributed flora species. Flora unable to be identified during the survey were identified using the online version of the Flora of NSW (PlantNET 2010). Flora species recorded are detailed within Appendix 1. Vegetation communities were classified by comparing the floral assemblages to the Vegetation Mapping for the Monaro (monaro_VISmap_2513) where possible. Mapping detailing the approximate extent of vegetation communities were produced at the conclusion of the site visit and by air-photo interpretation using ArcMap 9.2 (Map 2 & 3).
3.1.2 Fauna and their Habitats
Given the small area of impact proposed, no detailed fauna surveys were completed within the study area. Rather, a general survey comprising a diurnal bird survey, a reptile survey by turning more than 150 loose rocks, and a survey of fauna habitat was completed by traversing the site and identifying habitat resources that could be used by fauna known from the locality that may use the habitats of the study area. Any fauna species or signs of their past presence such as scats observed opportunistically during the site analysis were recorded.
Fauna habitats were classified based on the presence of available resources and their approximate extent mapped using ArcMap 9.2 (Map 3).
3.1.3 Nomenclature
For flora, nomenclature follows that of the online version of the Flora of NSW (PlantNET 2010). For fauna, nomenclature follows Morcombe (2004) for birds, Menkhorst & Knight (2004) for mammals (except bats), Churchill (2008) for bats, Tyler & Knight (2009) for frogs
and the latest field guide for the reptiles of NSW (Swan et al. 2004). Where no common name is provided with these texts, a generally accepted name is used.
3.2 FLORA AND VEGETATION COMMUNITIES
3.2.1 Species Richness
A total of 13 flora species were recorded during the site analysis (Appendix 1) including 9 exotic species.…
Cooma Non-Directional Beacon (NDB).
PO Box 7231 Tathra NSW 2550 t 02 6494 5422 www.envirokey.com.au [email protected]
ABN 35255478680
Citation
EnviroKey (2010) Flora and Fauna Impact Assessment: Proposed Upgrade to the Air Services Australia Cooma Non-Directional Beacon (NDB). A report prepared by of EnviroKey for Daly International. Report No. EcIA_0180. Final Version 22/09/2010.
Commercial In Confidence
All intellectual property rights, including copyright, in documents created by EnviroKey remain the property of EnviroKey. The information contained within this document is confidential. It may only be used by the person to whom it is provided for the stated purpose for which it is provided. The document must not be imparted to any third person without the prior written approval of EnviroKey.
Disclaimer
The scope of work for this report was defined by time and budgetary constraints and the availability of other reports and data.
PO Box 7231 Tathra NSW 2550 t 02 6494 5422 www.envirokey.com.au [email protected]
ABN 35255478680
Executive Summary
EnviroKey were engaged by Daly International to complete a Flora and Fauna Impact Assessment to determine the potential impacts to flora, fauna, threatened species, populations and communities and their habitats as a result of a proposed upgrade to the Air Services Australia Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) Facility at Cooma, NSW.
The site analysis was undertaken on the 10th September 2010 that revealed a total of 13 flora species, nine of which are exotic species. No threatened flora were recorded, nor are any expected to occur. Existing vegetation community mapping for the area shows the study area mapped as Stipa (Austrostipa) scabra – Stipa bigeniculata grassland. However, it should be noted that this mapping is broad scale in nature and does not discern between areas of native grassland, improved pastures and the like.
Live vegetation cover within the site comprises approximately 70% exotic and 30% native species. With regard to the NSW Native Vegetation Act 2003, this vegetation can be classified as non-native due to it comprising grassland with less than 50% live native cover. Given this, the site is considered to be, at best, ‘Modified Tussock Grassland’.
One exotic species (Scotch Thistle) is listed as a noxious weed (Class 4: Locally Controlled Weeds in Snowy River LGA). The growth and spread of the plant must be controlled according to the measures specified in a management plan published by the local control authority.
The Endangered Ecological Community (EEC) Natural Temperate Grassland in NSW and the ACT is known to occur within the locality and the wider region. Landscape position and remnant native species in and adjacent to the site indicate that the study area was likely to formerly comprise the EEC. However, due to the dominance of the study area by exotic species (70% cover), it is determined that it does not comprise the EEC. The ongoing threat of weed invasion severely limits the likelihood of natural regeneration that would return the site to represent the EEC.
Conversely, the EEC does appear present on the land on the western, northern and eastern boundaries of the study area. These areas of vegetation are dominated by native flora species, and these are considered consistent with the identification guidelines above, in that the EPBC listed EEC, Natural Temperate Grassland in NSW and the ACT is present.
A total of six species of fauna were recorded during the site analysis and these are regarded as typical of the habitat within the region. No threatened or migratory species were detected during the site analysis. One fauna habitat is present, Modified Tussock Grassland which provides potential habitat for threatened reptile fauna.
Of the threatened and migratory biota that are known to, or predicted to occur in the locality, our evaluation found that three threatened species, one EEC (EPBC listed only) and two migratory species could or are known to occur based on the habitat attributes of the study area. Significance Assessments undertaken pursuant to the TSC Act indicate that the proposed activity was unlikely to have a significant effect on Diamond Firetail, Grassland Earless Dragon and Striped Legless Lizard provided that the recommendations outlined in section 6 are fully adopted. The proposed activity will not require a Species
2 DESKTOP ANALYSIS ................................................................................. 4
2.1 LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT ........................................................................................ 4 2.1.1 Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 .................................................. 4
2.1.2 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 .................. 4
2.1.3 State Environmental Planning Policy No. 44 .................................................. 5
2.1.4 Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) ............................................... 5
2.1.5 Native Vegetation Act 2003 ............................................................................ 6
2.2 THREATENED SPECIES RECORDS IN THE LOCALITY ...................................... 6
3 SITE ANALYSIS ........................................................................................... 7
3.1.2 Fauna and their Habitats ................................................................................ 7
3.1.3 Nomenclature ................................................................................................. 7
3.2 FLORA AND VEGETATION COMMUNITIES .......................................................... 8 3.2.1 Species Richness ........................................................................................... 8
3.2.2 Vegetation Communities ................................................................................ 8
3.2.5 Conservation Significance of Vegetation Communities ................................. 9
3.2.6 Endangered Ecological Communities ............................................................ 9
3.3 FAUNA AND THEIR HABITATS ............................................................................ 10 3.3.1 Species Richness ......................................................................................... 10
3.3.2 Threatened & Migratory Species .................................................................. 10
3.3.3 Fauna Habitats ............................................................................................. 11
3.3.4 Habitat Corridors .......................................................................................... 11
4 POTENTIAL IMPACTS .............................................................................. 13
4.1 DIRECT IMPACTS ................................................................................................. 13
4.2 INDIRECT IMPACTS ............................................................................................. 13
5.2 THREATENED AND MIGRATORY BIOTA EVALUATION .................................... 14
5.3 MIGRATORY SPECIES ......................................................................................... 24
6 RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................................. 33
7 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................ 34
8 REFERENCES ........................................................................................... 35
9 APPENDICES ............................................................................................... I
APPENDIX 4 – EPBC PROTECTED MATTERS SEARCH TOOL ................................... VII
Figures & Tables
Figure 1: Location of the Study Area near Cooma Airport (Image courtesy of Google Earth). .................................................................................................................................. 2 Figure 2: Existing Environment of the Study Area ............................................................ 10 Figure 3: Location of the study area (pink polygon) in a landscape context (Image courtesy of Google Earth). ................................................................................................. 12
Table 1: Assessment of the likelihood of threatened and migratory biota occurrence within the study area from records within a 10km radius. Habitat and ecology information sourced from DECCW (2010) and other various sources. ................................................ 16
1 INTRODUCTION Daly International acts on behalf of Air Services Australia who proposes to upgrade an existing facility near Cooma Airport in the Snowy River local government area (LGA). EnviroKey previously completed desktop analysis at 21 sites across Australia as part of proposed upgrades to Air Services Australia facilities. As a result of this desktop analysis, it was recommended that further investigation and assessment occur at the Cooma Non- Directional Beacon (NDB). Subsequently, EnviroKey were engaged by Daly International to complete a Flora and Fauna Impact Assessment to ascertain the potential impacts to threatened species, populations and communities and their habitats as a result of the proposed upgrade.
This report provides the following information to assist Daly International in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the proposed activity:
Provide a description of the works that Air Services Australia will undertake at the site, including works outside the site lease (e.g. road access improvement, lopping of vegetation on lease boundary) that may be required to facilitate the works undertaken on site.
Provide a desktop review to identify whether the site and surrounding area is located within any area of conservation value.
Describe the methodologies used for the site analysis including those areas where works may occur outside the site lease.
Describe the condition of the site and potential to provide habitat for protected species under Commonwealth and State legislation.
List the flora & fauna species and ecological communities observed on site.
Document the conservation status of observed species and ecological communities under Commonwealth and State legislation.
Assess the significance of the potential impacts of the proposed activity on Matters of National Environmental Significance listed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and whether the activity will require referral to the Commonwealth Minister to advise on the permit requirements.
Assess the significance of the potential impacts of the proposed activity on species, populations, communities and their habitats that occur, or have the potential to occur within the study area pursuant to the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and whether the activity will require a Species Impact Statement.
Provide a series of recommendations designed to reduce risks and minimise the impacts of the proposed activity on flora and fauna.
Provide maps and photographs detailing the location of the site, the location of any significant flora and fauna species and the vegetation communities and habitats present.
1.1 PROPOSED ACTIVITY
The site currently accommodates 2 x 21 metre towers about 70 metres apart with a connecting wire which suspends a vertical drop wire in the middle being the transmitter.
The proposed activity is to:
Swap out these two existing 21m lattice towers for two 25m towers slimmer but slightly bulkier in nature.
Construct a new equipment shelter approximately 3m x 3m.
This will result in the construction of new towers beside the existing structures at approximately 15 degree orientation to the existing, then the removal of the existing towers.
The proposed activity is located within the Snowy River LGA and the Murrumbidgee CMA region (Monaro sub-region).
Figure 1: Location of the Study Area near Cooma Airport (Image courtesy of Google Earth).
The following definitions are used within this report:
activity - has the same meaning as in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). The nature of the proposed activity is described in section 1.1
subject site – the area to be directly affected by the proposal.
study area – includes the subject site and any additional areas that are likely to be affected by the proposed activity, either directly or indirectly.
CMA – Catchment Management Authority
DEWHA – Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
LGA – Local Government Area.
likely - taken to be a real chance or possibility.
locality - means the area within a 10 km radius of the subject site.
local population - the population that occurs within the study area, unless the existence of contiguous or proximal occupied habitat and the movement of individuals or exchange of genetic material across the boundary can be demonstrated (DECC 2007).
region - means a biogeographical region that has been recognised and documented such as the Interim Biogeographical Regions of Australia (IBRA) (Thackway and Creswell 1995). The study area is located within the South-easdtern Highlands Bioregion.
threatened biota - means those threatened species, endangered populations or endangered ecological communities considered known or likely to occur in the study area.
threatened species – a species specified in the schedules of the TSC Act or the EPBC Act.
migratory species – a species specified in the schedules of the EPBC Act.
endangered population (EP)- population specified in Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the TSC Act.
2.1.1 Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995
The Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act) specifies seven factors which must be considered by decision-makers regarding the effect of a proposed development or activity on threatened species, populations or ecological communities, or their habitats (DECC 2007). These factors form part of the threatened species assessment process under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) and are collectively referred to as the ‘Seven-part Test’ (DECC 2007).
Determining authorities have a statutory obligation under the EP&A Act to consider whether a proposal is likely to significantly affect threatened species, populations or ecological communities, or their habitats by applying the Seven-part Test. If the determination is made that there is likely to be a significant effect then either;
A Species Impact Statement (SIS) must be prepared and the concurrence of the Director-General of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) obtained prior to the consent authority making a determination, or
The proposal may be modified such that a significant effect on threatened species, populations or ecological communities, or their habitats is unlikely (DEC 2004).
This report applies the seven part test to species which may potentially be impacted by the proposal in order to characterise the significance of the impact.
2.1.2 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) enables the Australian Government to join with the states and territories in providing a national scheme of environment and heritage protection and biodiversity conservation.
Under the EPBC Act, actions that have, or are likely to have a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance (NES) require approval from the Australian Government Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts (DEH 2006).
The eight matters of NES that are protected under the EPBC Act are:
Listed threatened species and communities Listed migratory species Ramsar wetlands of international importance Commonwealth marine environment World heritage properties The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Nuclear actions
With only the first two matters of relevance to the location of the proposed activity, this report provides an assessment to ascertain whether the proposed activity will require referral to the Commonwealth.
2.1.3 State Environmental Planning Policy No. 44
State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) No. 44 encourages the conservation and management of natural vegetation areas that provide habitat for Koalas to ensure that permanent free-living populations will be maintained over their present range across 107 local government areas (LGA). Snowy River LGA is one of these LGA, of which the subject site is located. Local councils cannot approve development in an area affected by the policy without an investigation of core koala habitat. The policy provides the state-wide approach needed to enable appropriate development to continue, while ensuring there is ongoing protection of koalas and their habitat.
SEPP 44 aims to identify areas of potential and core Koala Habitat. These are described as follows:
• Potential Koala Habitat is defined as areas of native vegetation where the trees listed in Schedule 2 of SEPP 44 constitute at least 15% of the total number of trees in the upper or lower strata of the tree component; and
• Core Koala Habitat is defined as an area of land with a resident population of koalas, evidenced by attributes such as breeding females, and recent and historical records of a population.
This report will consider the relevance of SEPP44 in section 5.
2.1.4 Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD)
Ecologically sustainable development (ESD) involves the effective integration of social, economic and environmental considerations in decision-making processes. In 1992, the Commonwealth and all state and territory governments endorsed the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development. In NSW, the concept has been incorporated in legislation such as the EP&A Act and Regulation.
For the purposes of the EP&A Act and other NSW legislation, the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment (1992) and the Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991 outline the following principles which can be used to achieve ESD.
(i) careful evaluation to avoid, wherever practicable, serious or irreversible damage to the environment, and
(ii) an assessment of the risk-weighted consequences of various options,
(b) Inter-generational equity: that the present generation should ensure that the health, diversity and productivity of the environment are maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future generations,
(c) Conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity: that conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity should be a fundamental consideration,
The aims, structure and content of this report are guided by these principles. The precautionary principle has been adopted in the assessment of impact; all potential impacts have been considered and mitigated where a risk is present. Where uncertainty exists, measures have been suggested to address it.
2.1.5 Native Vegetation Act 2003
The objectives of the Native Vegetation Act 2003 (‘NV Act) are to provide for, encourage and promote the management of native vegetation on a regional basis in the social, economic and environmental interests of the State, Further, the NV Act is:
(a) to prevent broadscale clearing unless it improves or maintains environmental outcomes;
(b) to protect native vegetation of high conservation value having regard to its contribution to such matters as water quality, biodiversity, or the prevention of salinity or land degradation, and
(c) to improve the condition of existing native vegetation, particularly where it has high conservation value, and
(d) to encourage the revegetation of land, and the rehabilitation of land, with appropriate native vegetation.
While this report considers the principles of the NV Act, it does not make a formal assessment under the NV Act.
2.2 THREATENED SPECIES RECORDS IN THE LOCALITY
As part of the desktop analysis, data was sought from DECCW Atlas of NSW Wildlife (which includes flora records) in relation to threatened species within a 10km radius of the study area. These records are detailed in Map 1 at a scale permissible by DECCW agreement (1:250,000). Similarly, information on threatened species listed under the EPBC Act that could occur in the area was sourced using the Protected Matters Search Tool using a 10km buffer around a point representing the Study Area (DEWHA 2010). This search also identified a number of threatened and migratory entities that are known to, or have the potential to occur in the locality and these are considered further in section 5.
3.1 METHODS
The site analysis was undertaken on the 10th September 2010 to collect data on flora and vegetation communities and fauna and their habitats by a suitably qualified and experienced Ecologist. The total survey effort was approximately 5 person hours including a ‘rock rolling’ search for reptile fauna. The site visit was conducted under a current Scientific Licence issued under Clause 22 of the National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2002 and section 132C of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 by the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water and an Animal Research Authority issued by the Director- General’s Animal Care and Ethics Committee of NSW Department of Primary Industries (now Industry and Investment NSW).
3.1.1 Flora and Vegetation Communities
Flora species were recorded for each of the vegetation communities surveyed using the random meander method (Cropper 1993) rather than quadrats, to maximise the opportunity of detecting significant or sparsely distributed flora species. Flora unable to be identified during the survey were identified using the online version of the Flora of NSW (PlantNET 2010). Flora species recorded are detailed within Appendix 1. Vegetation communities were classified by comparing the floral assemblages to the Vegetation Mapping for the Monaro (monaro_VISmap_2513) where possible. Mapping detailing the approximate extent of vegetation communities were produced at the conclusion of the site visit and by air-photo interpretation using ArcMap 9.2 (Map 2 & 3).
3.1.2 Fauna and their Habitats
Given the small area of impact proposed, no detailed fauna surveys were completed within the study area. Rather, a general survey comprising a diurnal bird survey, a reptile survey by turning more than 150 loose rocks, and a survey of fauna habitat was completed by traversing the site and identifying habitat resources that could be used by fauna known from the locality that may use the habitats of the study area. Any fauna species or signs of their past presence such as scats observed opportunistically during the site analysis were recorded.
Fauna habitats were classified based on the presence of available resources and their approximate extent mapped using ArcMap 9.2 (Map 3).
3.1.3 Nomenclature
For flora, nomenclature follows that of the online version of the Flora of NSW (PlantNET 2010). For fauna, nomenclature follows Morcombe (2004) for birds, Menkhorst & Knight (2004) for mammals (except bats), Churchill (2008) for bats, Tyler & Knight (2009) for frogs
and the latest field guide for the reptiles of NSW (Swan et al. 2004). Where no common name is provided with these texts, a generally accepted name is used.
3.2 FLORA AND VEGETATION COMMUNITIES
3.2.1 Species Richness
A total of 13 flora species were recorded during the site analysis (Appendix 1) including 9 exotic species.…
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