Banner IMAGE: Acacia gordonii - Endangered - Blue Mountains and NW Sydney
Snowy Hydro 2.0 Vegetation Surveys
Ecological Surveys & Planning was engaged by EMM Consulting to undertake flora surveys in Kosciusko National Park as part of the large ecological assessment of the Snowy Hydro 2.0 project. I worked with EMM staff and other consultants to sample a large number of BAM-compliant vegetation survey plots in and near areas that would be affected by clearing or other works associated with installation of heavy infrastructure, as well as doing brief site assessments for short-term impacts such as geological sampling (core drilling). Team members also collected observations of ecological damage done by feral animals, as this was of interest to the NSW NPWS who manage this large and complex reserve. Damage caused by rabbits was the most widespread but impacts from horses and pigs was also locally severe.
I generated new records of threatened plant species, as well as contributing some advice to planned updates of the vegetation map. Some new weed species for NSW were detected and brought to the attention of authorities and herbaria. A few incidental sightings of threatened animal species were also contributed. The vegetation survey data will be used to determine the ecological offset requirements of Snowy Hydro 2.0 in relation to clearing that is necessary for construction of the substantial body and extent of infrastructure. It will also assist the OEH and NPWS in better documenting and managing the vegetation in this part of the Park, as previously, sampling was relatively sparse in what was sometimes fairly remote or steep terrain.
IMAGE: Vegetation sampling, Kosciusko National Park, Snowy Hydro 2.0 project
Expert Witness for RAID Moorebank Inc. / Environmental Defenders Office
This complex case entailed a merits appeal in the Land & Environment Court against approval of a very large-scale road and rail freight terminal on former Defence Department land between Casula, Moorebank and Wattle Grove. The project was initially approved by a Planning Assessment Committee, but it was revealed that the PAC was not given all relevant ecological evidence when it made that decision. The Critically Endangered herb, Hibbertia fumana, which was previously believed extinct, was rediscovered on this site prior to the PAC’s approval. Several other rare and threatened plant species are present, along with several threatened ecological communities. Not all of the occurrences of those species had been recorded on the site by three consultancies over at least ten years. Issues related to their conservation and the adequacy of the proposed offset area, inclusive of concern about its fragmentation by current and proposed infrastructure, and about cumulative impacts of the staged development.
The Court approved the project after significant alterations that included removing a disused rail line and remediating and revegetating that area. The Court also imposed additional conditions of consent that largely related to improving ecological outcomes. However, my concerns about the viability of the ecological offset area were sadly vindicated soon after the judgement when that area was subject to arson and high intensity fire that caused a bushfire emergency. The site is bounded by a major road, the new industrial area, a suburb, and a rail line. It is difficult to see how it can be properly managed for conservation given the recurrent risk of arson or accidental ignition, and the need to manage bushland in that context mindful of adjoining land uses.
IMAGE: Hibbertia puberula, Kemps Creek. One of several threatened plant species at the former Defence Department site at Moorebank.
Specialist Ecological Advice and Research Relating to the Conservation Status and Ecology of the Vulnerable Araluen Gum (Eucalyptus kartzoffiana)
I was contracted by mining consultants, RW Corkery P/L as part of a team of consultant ecologists to assess the effects of a proposed gold mine and processing plant at Majors Creek, NSW. Work entailed providing advice on relevant threatened ecological communities, particularly Tablelands Basalt Forest; a literature review in the context of the forest being potentially groundwater-dependent; and fieldwork relating to the ecology and conservation status of the locally endemic Araluen Gum. This information was required to satisfy Federal and NSW government regulatory assessments. The mine proposal was contested in the Land & Environment Court, having been approved by the Department of Planning. My work was used in those proceedings as a Statement of Evidence, but I was not required to be cross-examined. The Court approved the mine with additional conditions of consent, some of which related to ecological protection and monitoring. The mine entails reworking and extracting beyond a highly disturbed and polluted goldfield. It will fund major weed removal and decontamination of the site.
IMAGE: Field data for surveys of Eucalyptus kartzoffiana, Majors Creek and Araluen
Removal of Properties or Parts Thereof from the Biodiversity Values Map
The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act introduced a new statutory map layer - the Biodiversity Values (BV) Map. It displays properties or parts thereof that are known or likely habitat for Critically Endangered species and / or Critically Endangered Ecological Communities; old-growth forest; and designated riparian (stream-side) protection zones. Due in part to underfunding and a short timeframe imposed by Government, the BV Map can capture areas that should realistically not have been mapped as habitat for the threatened entities. Some of the old-growth forest mapping is outdated and is highly unreliable in some areas. The BV Map had to be very precautionary but as a result, there are instances where it identifies areas as significant when inspection shows that this is unwarranted. Government has already made some systemic amendments to the BV Map, such as removing riparian protection zones in urban areas (zoned Residential).
To date, I have successfully had the BV Map amended on several properties. One instance involved removal of an old-growth forest designation that was unsupportable. Another involved a prospective wetland habitat for a Critically Endangered herb, yet the site was just a seepage zone in a heavily grazed paddock. On a larger scale, most of the village of Tallong has been designated potential habitat for one or other Critically Endangered orchids, and I have directly or indirectly been involved in having properties removed from the BV Map after surveys determined that those properties are not suitable habitat for these species. This can be a relatively low-cost operation but may be limited to particular seasons. Removing a property from the BV Map can effect your ability to sell the property; can influence the sale price; and if you are the proponent for any activity that triggers the BC Act, it can greatly reduce the costs of ecological assessment.
IMAGE: Vegetation survey point, Upper Nepean State Conservation Area (Montane Peatlands & Swamps TEC).
Surveys can assist land owners to determine whether vegetation mapped by OEH is a Threatened Ecological Community or not.
Urban, Rural and Industrial Development Proposals
Over many years, the business has assessed a large number of urban, rural and industrial development proposals. These range from single dwellings and factory units to multi-lot subdivisions. Some of the industrial developments have also required the preparation of Vegetation Management Plans e.g. Rouse Hill (storage units adjoining significant riparian vegetation), and Prestons (factory and warehouse adjoining significant vegetation remnant). Occasionally, urban development proposals also require VMPs to address the on-going management of invasive plants and the retention of significant bushland and/or trees. In some situations, landscape plans need to be amended to include plantings that offset vegetation removed elsewhere on the site.
IMAGE: Endangered Eucalyptus macarthurii in an industrial complex, Moss Vale. The trees were assessed as unviable due to earthworks and historic damage. Their removal was recommended to be offset with plantings in a revegetated drainage reserve nearby.
IMAGE: Even urban redevelopments and infill can require ecological assessment to consider if threatened species such as microbats or birds are still present.
Assessment of Proposed Temple Facility, Cooranbong
The business has been involved in assessments for new or redeveloped religious facilities, and preparation of vegetation management plans and advice associated with those facilities. This has included the Baha’i Temple in northern Sydney; Shanti Mission facilities at Canyonleigh (Southern Highlands) and at Cooranbong (Lake Macquarie district); and a Buddhist retreat centre in the Canberra region. Sometimes the work includes assessing vegetation proposed to be removed or managed for bushfire safety, other regulatory compliance, and for construction. This process reveals why it is important to co-ordinate the bushfire risk assessment and the ecological assessment to avoid duplication of effort and conflicting reports. Bushfire risk assessors are often unaware of ecological consultant constraints, so conduct their assessment as though any vegetation can be cleared. If they are briefed by the ecological prior to commencement, this can ensure that time and money is not wasted on proposals to remove habitat that authorities will not allow to be cleared. It is far more strategic to design the project with ecological input as early in the process as possible.
IMAGE: Architect’s graphics showing young regrowth trees proposed for removal. Recommendations included removal of all invasive plants such as extensive plantings of poisonous Agapanthus.
