alexandria to moore park project stage 1€¦ · 4129 2 t t t e e t t r e s k e u r b o s a m s n g...

Appendix P Tree impact figure and Assessment of significance

Euston Road

Euston Lane

Harle

y Stre

et

Madd

ox St

reet

4505

4659 4660 4661 4662 4663 4664 4665 4666 4667 4668 4669

4670 4671 4672 4673 4674 4675

4676 4677

4678 4679

4680

4681 4682

4683 4684 4685 4686 4687 4688 4689 4690 4691 4692

JACO

BS N

SW S

PATIA

L -GI

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LegendConcept design Linemarking - dashed Proposal area Operational impacts: Directly impacted mature tree 0 25 50m

Bitumen Edge D-EWKS-Ground Interface Construction impacts: Clearways and intersection upgrades Directly impacted immature tree There are other trees in the proposal area which have not 1:700 @ A3 been numbered. These trees will not be impacted or have Kerb Footpath/Driveway Construction footprint Parking changes in side streets Trees to remain and be protected during construction already been removed.Jacobs does not warrant that this document is definitive nor Linemarking - solid Stormwater Construction compounds No impact outside proposal area free of error and does not accept liability for any loss caused

Stormwater pit/pipe or arising from reliance upon information provided herein. NSW Spatial | Buildings & Infrastructure | www.jacobs.com

Imagery: AUSIMAGE (May 2016)

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Harle

y Stre

et

Euston Road

Euston Lane

Bowd

enStr

eet

4472

4473

4474 4475

4476

4477 4478

4479 4480

4481 4482

4483 4484

4485 4486

4487 4488

4489 4490 4491

4492

4493 4494

4495 4496

4497 4498 4499

4500

4501 4502

4503

4504 4505

4506

4507

4508

4509 4510

4511 4512

4513 4514

4515

4516 4517 4518

4519

JACO

BS N

SW S

PATIA

L -GI

S MA

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Mc Evoy Street

Balaclava Lane

Euston Road

Stoke

s Ave

nue

Love

ridge

Stree

t

Fountain Street

4461 4462 4463 4464 4465 4466 4467 4468 4469 4470 4471 4472

4473 4474 4475 4477 4478

4518

4519

4521 4522 4523 4524 4525 4526

4527

4528 4529 4530 4531 4532 4533

JACO

BS N

SW S

PATIA

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S MA

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Mc Evoy Street

Wyndham

St reet

Bren

nanS

treet

Love

ridge

Stree

t

444844494450445144524453

4454

4455

44564457445844594460

4531 4532 4533

4534 4535 45364537

4538

4539 4540 4541 4542 4543 4544 4545

4546

4547 4548 4549

4727

4789

Balaclava Lane

Hiles

Lane

Mcca

uley S

treet

Mcca

uley L

ane

Hiles

Stree

t

Retreat Street

JACO

BS N

SW S

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Bitumen Edge D-EWKS-Ground Interface Construction impacts: Clearways and intersection upgrades Directly impacted immature tree There are other trees in the proposal area which have not 1:700 @ A3been numbered. These trees will not be impacted or haveKerb Footpath/Driveway Construction footprint Parking changes in side streets Trees to remain and be protected during construction already been removed.Jacobs does not warrant that this document is definitive norLinemarking - solid Stormwater Construction compounds No impact outside proposal area free of error and does not accept liability for any loss caused



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John Street

Moores Lane

Cope

Stree

t

Georg

e Stre

et Botany Road

Mc Evoy Street

4787 4770 4410 4409 4788

4784 4783 4390a 4781 4780

4778 4777 4776 4773

4411 4407 4406 4405 4400 4785 4388a 4386a 4385a 4384a 4775 4774 4408 4403 4402 4401 4786 4393a 4389a 4772 4771

4404 4417 4391a 4392a 4387a 4418 4782 4779

4419 4420

4549

4421 4422 4423 4424 4425

JACO

BS N

SW S

PATIA

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Mc Evoy Street

Botany Road

Georg

e Stre

et

Retreat Street

James Street

4788 4783 4781

4780 4778 4777 4773 4770 4410 4409 4407 4406 4405 4400 4785 4388a 4776 4775 4411 4408 4403 4402 4401 4786 4393a 4390a 4389a 4386a 4385a 4384a 4774

4772 4771 4404 4417 4391a 4392a 4387a 4418 4782 4779

4419 4420

4549

4421 4422 4423 4424 4425

JACO

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SW S

PATIA

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Mc Evoy Street

Mead

Stree

t

Pitt S

treet

Elizab

ethStr

eet

4429 4432 4433

4434

4435 4436 4437 4438

4439

4440 4441

4755 4756 4757 4758 4759

4760

4761

4762 4763

4764

4765 4766

4767

4768 4769 4770

4771

JACO

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SW S

PATIA

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Kens

ington

Lane

Kens

ington

Stree

t

Moreh

ead S

treet

Mc Evoy Street

Eliza

beth

Stree

t

Young

Street

Hunte

r Stre

et

4070

4071 4072 4073

4074 4075

4076

4077

4078

4079 4080

4081 4082

4083 4084

4085 4086 4087

4088

4089 4090

4222 4223

4225 4226

4227

4228 4229

4230

4231

4238a 4442

4443 4444 4445 4446

4447

4739 4740

4741

4742 4743

4744 4745

4746

47474748

4749 4750

4751 4752 4753 4754

JACO

BS N

SW S

PATIA

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Mc Evoy Street

Youn

g Stre

et

Sam

Sing S

treet

Bourke

Street

Lachlan Street

4088

4097 4098

4099

4100

4101

4102 4103

4104

4106

4115 4116

4117 4118

4119 4120

4121 4122 4123 4124 4125 4126

4127 4128 4129 4130

4131 4132

4133a4134a

4134b

4135

41374138

4139 4140

4141 4142

4143 4144

4145

4146

4147

4148

4149

4150 4151

41524153 4154

4155 4156 4157

4232

4235

4236

4237

4238b

4136

JACO

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SW S

PATIA

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Youn

g Stre

et

Lachlan Street

Mc Evoy Street

Thread Lane

t eertSekruoB

Sam

Sing S

treet

Archibald Avenue

4121 4102 4122 4106 4123 4103

4155 4156 4157

4101 4130 4134a4133a

4124 4125 4135

4136 4138 4142 4126

4146 4088 4154

4137 4141 4145 4100 4117 4120 4119 4131 4143 4144 4150 4104 4115 4118 4132 4148 4139 4140 4099 4116

4097 4098

4147 4149 4127 4128

41534152

4129 4151

4089 4090 4091

4093 4092

41734172

4171 4096 4170

4223 4169

4095

4094 4211

4213 4212 4214

4215

4221 4216

JACO

BS N

SW S

PATIA

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Ameli

a Stre

et

Bruc

e Stre

et

Lachlan Street

Sam

Sing S

treet

Murray Street Ga

digal

Aven

ue

4157 4158 4159 4160 4161 4162 4163 4164 4165 4166 4167 4168

4169 4170

4171 4172

4173 4174

4175 4176 4177

4178 4179

4180 4181 4182 4183 4184 4185 4186 4187

41884189

4338

4391b 4392b

4393b4395

4396 4397 4398

4399

JACO

BS N

SW S

PATIA

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Easte

rn Dis

tributo

r So

uthDo

wling

Stree

t

Dacey Avenue

Lachlan Street

4188 4189

4190 4191

4192

4193

4194

4195

4196

4197

4198

4199

4200

4201

4202

4244 4245 4246 4247 4248 4249

4250 4251

4252

4368 4369 4370 4371 4372 4373 4374 4375 4376 4377 4378 4379 4380 4381 4382 4383 4384b 4385b

4386b 4387b 4388b 4389b

4390b

JACO

BS N

SW S

PATIA

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Dacey Avenue

4267 4268 4269 4270 4271 4272 4273 4274 4275 4276

4277

4278 4279 4280 4281

4282

4283 4284

4285

4343 4344 4345 4346 4347 4348 4349 4350 4351 4352 4353 4354 4355 4356 4357 4358 4359 4360 4361 4362 4363 4364 4365 4366 4367 4368 4369

JACO

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Dacey Avenue

Alison Road

Anzac Parade 4011

4009 4012

4013 4014

4016 4024

4017

4018 4021 4019 4023

4344 4343

4341 4340 4339 4059 4058 4057 4056 4049 4048 4047 4020 4342 4055 4052 4051 4050 4046 4045 4022 4044 4043 4010

4292 4291 4290 4297 4285 4286 4287 4293 4042 4041 4040

4296

4284 4288 4289 4294

4298 4299

4282 4302 4295

4300

4038 4037 4039

4035 4034

4033 4036 4032

4301 4025 1946

4330 4334

4333 4332

4331

JACO

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Assessment of significance

NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 For threatened biodiversity listed under the BC Act a threatened species assessment as outlined in Section 7.3 of the BC Act (5-part test) was undertaken. The document Threatened Species Test of Significance Guidelines (Office of Environment and Heritage, 2018) outlines a set of guidelines to help applicants/proponents of a development or activity with interpreting and applying the factors of assessment in the 5-part test.

Planted threatened trees (Eucalyptus scoparia) Eucalyptus scoparia has been planted as street trees within the study area. This species is not in its natural habitat and is outside its natural range.

Eucalyptus scoparia occurs in only three known locations within NSW, all near Tenterfield in the far northern New England Tableland Bioregion. It does not naturally occur in the Sydney region.

Eucalyptus scoparia is listed as a threatened species under the BC Act. Genetics are an important component of biodiversity and as such, impacts to these planted trees must be assessed.

The following is to be taken into account for the purposes of determining whether a proposed development or activity is likely to significantly affect threatened species or ecological communities, or their habitats:

(a) in the case of a threatened species, whether the proposed development or activity is likely to have an adverse effect on the life cycle of the species such that a viable local population of the species is likely to be placed at risk of extinction Eucalyptus scoparia trees within the study area have been planted and are not in their natural habitat. The trees are viable, and may be good examples of genetic variation within the species, but they are not in an environment that allows for the normal elements of their life cycle to occur. For example, these trees are likely to flower and may be pollinated. As such, the trees may potentially set seed and disperse seed into the adjacent environment. However, while these species may set seed, it is unlikely that seedlings would develop as the habitat is maintained by mowing and natural processes that stimulate and/or promote seed germination in eucalypts are not occurring. These species are unlikely to ever reproduce in the study area and once the trees become senescent and die, or are replaced by the local council if they become hazardous to the public, they would be lost from the study area. These trees are currently not able to complete their natural life cycles as they have been planted in an urban environment outside of their natural range.

The proposal would indirectly impact on three Eucalyptus scoparia trees. This impact is not predicted to place this species at risk of extinction. The proposal would not have an effect on the natural occurrences of this species. Many specimens of this species are planted as street trees in Sydney and as such the local occurrence is expected to continue to exist. Furthermore, nursery stock can be planted in the locality to replace the impacted trees and this may be a consideration for a landscape plan associated with the proposal.

(b) in the case of an endangered ecological community or critically endangered ecological community, whether the proposed development or activity:

i) is likely to have an adverse effect on the extent of the ecological community such that its local occurrence is likely to be placed at risk of extinction, or

ii) is likely to substantially and adversely modify the composition of the ecological community such that its local occurrence is likely to be placed at risk of extinction

Not applicable.

(c) in relation to the habitat of a threatened species or ecological community:

i) the extent to which habitat is likely to be removed or modified as a result of the proposed development or activity, and

ii) whether an area of habitat is likely to become fragmented or isolated from other areas of habitat as a result of the proposed development or activity, and

iii) the importance of the habitat to be removed, modified, fragmented or isolated to the long-term survival of the species or ecological community in the locality.

The proposal would indirectly impact on three Eucalyptus scoparia trees. The habitat is not natural so the extent of habitat for this species that is to be impacted is not applicable.

There would not be any fragmentation of habitat for this species as a result of the proposal.

The habitat is not natural and is not considered important for Eucalyptus scoparia.

(d) whether the proposed development or activity is likely to have an adverse effect on any declared area of outstanding biodiversity value (either directly or indirectly) The proposal would not impact on any declared areas of outstanding biodiversity value.

(e) whether the proposed development or activity is or is part of a key threatening process or is likely to increase the impact of a key threatening process. No naturally occurring native vegetation or habitats would be impacted by the proposal. As such, the proposal is considered unlikely to contribute to the operation of a key threatening process considered likely to affect this species.

Conclusion The proposal would result in the removal of three planted Eucalyptus scoparia trees. No natural habitats would be affected and the natural occurrences of this species would not be affected. The recovery of this species would not be affected. After consideration of the factors above, an overall conclusion has been made that the proposal is unlikely to result in a significant effect to Eucalyptus scoparia.

Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) While no Powerful Owls (Ninox strenua) were recorded in the study area during the field survey, this species is considered moderately likely to occur based on the presence of suitable foraging habitat and nearby records. A Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) was recorded near the study area on Wyndham Street Alexandria in 2012. This bird is likely one of the pair that roosts and breeds in the Royal Botanic Gardens. These birds are likely to utilise trees within parks and the street plantings in the locality, and potentially the study area, as roosting habitat. The birds are likely to forage on any possums and Grey-headed Flying-foxes in the area. Breeding is unlikely to occur in the study area as no suitable nesting trees are present.

The factors to be considered when determining whether an action, development or activity is likely to significantly affect threatened species or their habitats are outlined below:

(a) in the case of a threatened species, whether the proposed development or activity is likely to have an adverse effect on the life cycle of the species such that a viable local population of the species is likely to be placed at risk of extinction Optimal habitat for the Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) includes a tall shrub layer and abundant hollows supporting high densities of arboreal marsupials (Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW), 2006). For roosting, this species prefers groves of dense mid-canopy trees or tall shrubs in sheltered gullies, typically on wide creek flats and at the heads of minor drainage lines (Department of Environment and Conservation 2006). This species nests in old hollow eucalypts in unlogged, unburnt gullies and lower slopes within 100 metres of streams or minor drainage lines, with hollows greater than 45 centimetres diameter and greater than 100 centimetres deep; surrounded by canopy trees and sub canopy or understorey trees or tall shrubs (Department of Environment and Conservation 2006).

The study area contains some marginal foraging habitat for the Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) consisting of planted street trees that provide habitat for prey animals such as ringtail possums and the Grey-headed Flying-fox. No suitable breeding habitat is present in the study area. The birds that may use the study area as foraging habitat are likely to be the birds that roost and nest in the Botanic Gardens. These birds are likely to utilise the vegetation in the study area as part of a home range.

The loss of vegetation within the study area would directly affect the opportunity for these species to feed in the area. However, the study area is not considered a critical area for the Powerful Owl. The proposal would remove approximately 25 trees of potential foraging habitat. However, removal of vegetation would be avoided where possible. The proposal would not result in the removal of any large hollow bearing trees which may be suitable as roosting habitat as none are present. The current potential for this species to occur based on the presence of potential foraging habitat is expected to remain after completion of the project such that foraging, movement and other life-cycle attributes would not be impacted. The proposal is unlikely to reduce the population size of the viable local population of the Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) or decrease the reproductive success of this species.




Not applicable.




iii) the importance of the habitat to be removed, modified, fragmented or isolated to the long-term survival of the species or ecological community in the locality

The potential habitat of the Powerful within the study area is limited to some marginal foraging habitat. The extent of habitat for the Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) would be reduced by approximately 25 trees. No hollow bearing trees suitable for nesting would be impacted. This amount of habitat removal is small when the amount of available foraging habitat in the locality is considered. The habitat to be affected by the proposal is not an important or limiting resource for the Powerful Owl.

Importantly, the proposal would not result in fragmentation of habitat for the Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua). No large blocks of high quality habitat for this species would be broken apart by the proposal. The Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) is a highly mobile species that occupies a large home range and is able to persist in areas where small scale disturbances occur (as evidenced by the birds that live in the Botanic Gardens and forage in the suburbs of Sydney). The proposal would not affect the movement of the Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) between habitat patches.

The loss of foraging habitat would directly affect this species opportunities to feed in the area; however, the study area is not considered a critical area for the Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua). The habitat to be affected by the proposal is not important or limiting and this species is only predicted to utilise the habitat in the study area intermittently for foraging. Extensive areas of similar habitats occur elsewhere in the locality and the current potential for the species to occur based on the presence of potential foraging habitat is expected to remain after completion of the project. It is unlikely that the proposal would impact on foraging, movement and other life-cycle attributes of the Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua).



Conclusion The Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) would suffer a small reduction in extent of marginal foraging habitat from the proposal. No nesting habitat would be impacted by the proposal. The proposal is unlikely to reduce the population size of this species or decrease its reproductive success. The proposal would not interfere with the recovery of this species. After consideration of the factors above, an overall conclusion has been made that the proposal is unlikely to result in a significant effect to the Powerful Owl.

Grey-headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) While no Grey-headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) were recorded in the study area during the field survey, this species is considered highly likely to occur based on the presence of suitable foraging habitat and nearby records. The Grey-headed Flying-fox is known to forage in the street trees within the study area. There are two known Grey-headed Flying-fox camps within close proximity to the study area: Centennial Park and Wolli Creek. The Centennial Park camp is known to contain 16,000 to 49,999 bats. The Wolli Creek camp is known to contain 10,000 to 15,999 bats. The bats from these two camps are likely to utilise the trees in the study area as foraging habitat.

The factors to be considered when determining whether an action, development or activity is likely to significantly affect threatened species, or their habitats are outlined below:

(a) in the case of a threatened species, whether the proposed development or activity is likely to have an adverse effect on the life cycle of the species such that a viable local population of the species is likely to be placed at risk of extinction The Grey-headed Flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) occurs in subtropical and temperate rainforests, tall sclerophyll forests and woodlands, heaths and swamps as well as urban gardens and cultivated fruit crops. Roosting camps are generally located within 20 kilometres of a regular food source and are commonly found in gullies, close to water, in vegetation with a dense canopy. Annual mating commences in January and conception occurs in April or May; a single young is born in October or November.

The closest roost camp is located in Centennial Park, which is directly next to works at the eastern end of the proposal. However, no part of the camp is within the project footprint and at the time of this assessment the proposal would not directly impact on any part of this camp. As such, the impacts of the proposal to the Grey-headed Flying-fox would be limited to loss of foraging habitat caused by direct clearing or damage to street and parkland trees during the construction phase. Flowering and fruiting resources would be impacted.

The proposal would remove approximately 25 trees of potential foraging habitat. The proposal would not act alone in causing impacts to biodiversity, as very large areas of vegetation within the locality have already been removed, predominately for urban and industrial development in the recent past. The greatest recent impacts to native vegetation and threatened species habitat in the locality have arisen from the New M5 project while the Sydney Light Rail has contributed to the loss of street trees in the locality. The proposal would add to the loss of street trees in the locality adding to the cumulative impacts. However, removal of vegetation would be avoided where possible. Foraging habitat mainly comprises nectar resources from planted native trees and shrubs as well as fruit resources from planted fig trees and some exotic trees including palms. The affected area of foraging habitat would represent a small percentage of the total extent of important foraging vegetation types present within the locality. The study area is not considered a critical habitat for this species and much of it is made up of planted roadside vegetation. Given the relative widespread nature of similar planted vegetation in the locality and abundance of higher quality foraging habitat within the feeding range of the camps located near the study area (e.g. Royal National Park and Ku-ring-gai National Park), the project is not expected to significantly affect the life cycle of the species.




Not applicable.




iii) the importance of the habitat to be removed, modified, fragmented or isolated to the long-term survival of the species or ecological community in the locality.

The potential habitat of the Grey-headed Flying-fox within the study area is limited to foraging habitat and includes all fruiting and flowering trees and shrubs, notably eucalypts, fig trees and palms. The extent of habitat for the Grey-headed Flying-fox would be reduced by approximately 25 trees. This amount of habitat removal is small when the amount of available foraging habitat in the locality is considered.

Importantly, the proposal would not result in fragmentation of habitat for the Grey-headed Flying-fox. This species is highly mobile and would freely fly long distances (up to 50 kilometres) over open areas including urbanised city centres to move between roost camps and foraging sites. The proposal would not affect the movement of the Grey-headed Flying-fox between habitat patches.

Importantly, the proposal would not impact on the most important habitats for Grey-headed Flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) within the locality. The most important habitats for the local Grey-headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) sub-populations are the roosting camps, notably the camp in Centennial Park which is next to the east end of the study area, and the Wolli Creek camp. These camps would not be affected by the proposal. The vegetation to be affected is planted roadside vegetation and would only form a small proportion of available habitat for this species. The foraging habitat within the study area is unlikely to be of critical importance for the survival of the Grey-headed Flying-fox within the locality.



Conclusion The Grey-headed Flying-fox would suffer a small reduction in extent of suitable foraging habitat from the proposal. No camps or other important habitat would be impacted. Clearing protocols would be put in place to avoid impacts on any Grey-headed Flying-fox roosting in trees to be removed.

Clearing protocols would be implemented that include undertaking pre-clearing surveys in accordance with Guide 1: Pre-clearing process of the Biodiversity Guidelines: Protecting and managing biodiversity on RTA projects (NSW Roads and Traffic Authority, 2011). The location of potential grey-headed Flying-fox feed trees to be removed would be confirmed before works begin. The details of each tree would be recorded including GPS location, species, and foraging resource type (ie flowering or fruiting). Habitat removal would be undertaken as outlined in Guide 4: Clearing of vegetation and removal of bushrock. The seasonal impact of habitat removal on the Grey-headed Flying-fox must be considered. Lophostemon confertus flowers in spring and summer and the figs on Ficus spp. ripen in the summer. As such, the habitat removal should be undertaken in autumn or winter when the fewest foraging resources are available. This would limit the presence of the Grey-headed Flying-fox in the habitats during construction. If a Grey-headed Flying-fox is present in any of the trees during removal, then works would stop and the environment

manager would be notified. Any Grey-headed Flying-foxes using the trees would be allowed to move on before works recommence.

The proposal is unlikely to reduce the population size of the Grey-headed Flying-fox or decrease the reproductive success of this species. The proposal would not interfere with the recovery of the Grey-headed Flying-fox and would not contribute to the key threats to this species. After consideration of the factors above, an overall conclusion has been made that the proposal is unlikely to result in a significant effect to the Grey-headed Flying-fox.

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 assessment For threatened biodiversity listed under the EPBC Act, significance assessments have been completed in accordance with the EPBC Act Policy Statement 1.1 Significant Impact Guidelines (Department of Environment, 2013). Whether or not an action is likely to have a significant impact depends upon the sensitivity, value, and quality of the environment that is affected, and upon the intensity, duration, magnitude and geographic extent of the impacts (Department of Environment, 2013). Importantly, for a ‘significant impact’ to be ‘likely’, it is not necessary for a significant impact to have a greater than 50% chance of happening; it is sufficient if a significant impact on the environment is a real or not remote chance or possibility (Department of Environment, 2013).

Eucalyptus scoparia Eucalyptus scoparia has been planted as street trees within the study area. This species is not in its natural habitat and is outside of its natural range. Eucalyptus scoparia occurs in only three known locations within NSW, all near Tenterfield in the far northern New England Tableland Bioregion. It does not naturally occur in the Sydney region. While this species has been planted in the study area, it is listed as threatened species under the EPBC Act. Genetics are an important component of biodiversity and as such, impacts to this planted species must be assessed.

An action is likely to have a significant impact on a vulnerable species if there is a real chance or possibility that it would:

Lead to a long-term decrease in the size of an important population of a species The Eucalyptus scoparia plants in the study area do not form part of an important population as defined under the EPBC Act Policy Statement 1.1 Significant Impact Guidelines

(Department of Environment, 2013). An ‘important population’ is a population that is necessary for a species’ long-term survival and recovery. This may include populations identified as such in recovery plans, and/or that are:

• Key source populations either for breeding or dispersal • Populations that are necessary for maintaining genetic diversity, and/or • Populations that are near the limit of the species range.

The Eucalyptus scoparia plants in the study area are not part of a key source population, they are not necessary for maintaining genetic diversity (but may provide a good example of genetic variation), and are not near the limit of the species range as the plants are planted street trees far away from the natural occurrence. The Eucalyptus scoparia plants in the study area are not considered part of an important population and therefore the proposal is not considered likely to lead to a long-term decrease in the size of an important population of this species.

Reduce the area of occupancy of an important population

The Eucalyptus scoparia plants in the study area are not considered part of an important population.

Fragment an existing important population into two or more populations The proposal is considered unlikely to result in any further fragmentation of habitat. No naturally occurring habitat with be affected and the proposal does not involve breaking apart of large habitat patches. The proposal would not introduce further fragmentation or fragmentation of the local population. Pollinators and seed dispersal agents are likely to be able to function in their normal capacity once the proposal has been completed.

Adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of a species Habitat critical to the survival of a species refers to areas that are necessary for activities such as:

• Breeding or dispersal • For the long-term maintenance of the species including the maintenance of other species essential to

the survival of the species, such as pollinators • To maintain genetic diversity and long-term evolutionary development • For the reintroduction of populations or recovery of the species.

The habitat within which Eucalyptus scoparia exists in the study area is not considered important for the survival of this species. The trees have been planted in the study area and the habitat is not natural. Work in this habitat would not affect the survival of this species.

Disrupt the breeding cycle of an important population The proposal is considered unlikely to result in an impact to any pollination vectors or seed dispersal agents. The breeding capacity of Eucalyptus scoparia in the study area is already restricted as this species is not in its natural environment. This species is not expected to produce offspring in the present environment, as there are limited chances for

The current breeding cycle of Eucalyptus scoparia is predicted to remain after the road widening has occurred.

Modify, destroy, remove or isolate or decrease the availability or quality of habitat to the extent that the species is likely to decline This species is not in its natural habitat and is outside of its natural range. Eucalyptus scoparia occurs in only three known locations within NSW, all near Tenterfield in the far northern New England Tableland Bioregion. It does not naturally occur in the Sydney region. The proposal would not impact habitat for this species.

Result in invasive species that are harmful to a vulnerable species becoming established in the Vulnerable species’ habitat The potential for weed invasion was considered possible with a proposal of this nature and appropriate controls are required during construction and operation of the road to reduce this threat. The management of invasive species would be managed under the construction environmental management plan. Weed management measures proposed are provided in Section 5.

Introduce disease that may cause the species to decline, or There are no known disease issues affecting this species in relation to the proposal. The proposal would be unlikely to increase feral animal abundance or the potential for significant disease vectors to affect local populations.

Infection of native plants by Phytophthora cinnamomi has been identified as being spread by construction machinery. This is a potential indirect impact to the species through the transmission of pathogens into retained habitat near the road. This can be mitigated through the development and implementation of suitable control measures for vehicle and plant hygiene and is unlikely to have a significant impact. It is the intention to use current best practice hygiene protocols as detailed in Section 5 on this proposal as part of the CEMP to prevent the introduction or spread of pathogens.

Interfere substantially with the recovery of the species The approved conservation advice for Eucalyptus scoparia contains research and regional priority actions to assist the recovery of the species. These actions include (Threatened Species Scientific Committee, 2008):

• Undertake survey work in suitable habitat and potential habitat to locate any additional populations/occurrences/remnants

• Undertake seed germination and/or vegetative propagation trials to determine the requirements for successful establishment

• Investigate formal conservation arrangements such as the use of covenants, conservation agreements or inclusion in reserve tenure

• Raise awareness of Wallangarra White Gum within the local community, particularly among developers and bushwalkers

• Investigate options for enhancing or establishing additional populations • Implement national translocation protocols (Vallee et al., 2004) if establishing additional populations is

considered necessary and feasible. These identified recovery actions would not be interfered with by the proposal.

Conclusion Eucalyptus scoparia trees that would be impacted by the proposed works are planted roadside trees and are not part of a key source populations. These trees are outside of their natural occurrence range and the proposal is unlikely to impact an important population or habitat critical to the survival of this species. The proposal would not interfere with the recovery of Eucalyptus scoparia and would not contribute to the key threats to this species. After consideration of the factors above, an overall conclusion has been made that the proposal is unlikely to result in a significant impact to Eucalyptus scoparia.

Grey-headed Flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) While the Grey-headed Flying-fox was not recorded in the study area during the field survey it is considered moderately likely to occur based on the presence of suitable foraging habitat and the nearby location of roosting camps, notably the camp within Centennial Park.

An action is likely to have a significant impact on a vulnerable species if there is a real chance or possibility that it would:

Lead to a long-term decrease in the size of an important population of a species

An ‘important population’ is a population that is necessary for a species’ long-term survival and recovery. This may include populations identified as such in recovery plans, and/or that are:

• Key source populations either for breeding or dispersal • Populations that are necessary for maintaining genetic diversity, and/or • Populations that are near the limit of the species range.

There have been no roost camps identified in the project boundary to date and at the time of the REF the project would not directly impact on any known breeding / maternity site. Therefore, it is likely that the impacts of construction and operation of the project would be confined to loss of feeding habitat caused by direct clearing or damage to native vegetation during the construction phase.

The project would directly remove up to 25 trees of potential foraging habitat however vegetation would be avoided where possible. Much of this area comprises of planted vegetation. Foraging habitat mainly comprises nectar resources from planted native trees and shrubs as well as fruit resources from planted fig trees and some exotic trees. This area of habitat may be defined as a portion of the potential area of occupancy for feeding life-cycle attributes of the population. The affected area of foraging habitat would represent a small percentage of the total extent of important foraging vegetation types present within a 50 kilometre radius of the project boundary. Given the relative widespread nature of similar planted vegetation in the locality and abundance of higher quality foraging habitat within the feeding range of regional populations, the project is not expected to lead to a long-term decrease in the size of an important population.

Reduce the area of occupancy of an important population

The project would directly remove up to 25 trees of foraging habitat however vegetation would be avoided where possible. Much of this area comprises of planted vegetation. Foraging habitat mainly comprises nectar resources from planted native trees and shrubs as well as fruit resources from planted fig trees and some exotic trees. This area of habitat may be defined as a portion of the potential area of occupancy for feeding life-cycle attributes of the population. The project would reduce the area of habitat available to the species; however, the area occupied by this species would remain the same.

Fragment an existing important population into two or more populations

There is currently a high degree of habitat fragmentation across the study area. Highly mobile species such as bats are expected to be less impacted by fragmentation and the grey-headed flying-fox is particularly well adapted to accessing widely spaced habitat resources given its mobility and preference for seasonal fruits and blossom. The project would not fragment an important population of the Grey-headed Flying-fox.

Adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of a species

Habitat critical to the survival of a species refers to areas that are necessary for activities such as:

• Foraging, breeding, roosting, or dispersal • For the long-term maintenance of the species including the maintenance of other species essential to

the survival of the species, such as pollinators • To maintain genetic diversity and long-term evolutionary development • For the reintroduction of populations or recovery of the species.

The proposed area of habitat loss represents a small percentage of the potential foraging habitat for the Grey-headed Flying-fox within a 50 kilometre radius of the project boundary and known roost camps in the region. This species typically exhibits very large home ranges and Grey-headed Flying-fox are known to travel distances of at least 50 kilometres from roost sites to access seasonal foraging resources (Eby, 1991). No evidence of a camp site has been identified from the footprint of the upgrade.

The draft recovery plan for the Grey-headed Flying-fox identifies critical foraging habitat for this species as:

• Productive during winter and spring, when food bottlenecks have been identified • Known to support populations of >30,000 individuals, within an area of 50 kilometre radius • Productive during the final weeks of gestation, and during the weeks of birth, lactation and conception

(Sept-May)

• Productive during the final stages of fruit development and ripening in commercial crops affected by Grey-headed Flying-foxes

• Known to be continuously occupied as a camp site.

The project would directly remove up to 25 trees of foraging habitat however vegetation would be avoided where possible. Considering the close proximity of several roost camps and presence of important feed trees the habitats are consistent with the classification for critical foraging habitat (DECCW 2009). The affected area of foraging habitat would represent a small percentage of the total extent of important foraging vegetation types present within a 50 kilometre radius of the project boundary. Given the relative widespread nature of similar planted vegetation in the locality and abundance of higher quality foraging habitat within the feeding range of regional populations, the project is not expected to adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of the species.

Disrupt the breeding cycle of an important population As stated above there would be a minor impact on foraging habitat identified as important during the breeding cycle of the species. The upgrade would not directly impact on a known roost camp / breeding or maternity site.

Modify, destroy, remove or isolate or decrease the availability or quality of habitat to the extent that the species is likely to decline There is a roost camp within Centennial Park, next to the eastern extent of the study area, however no part of the camp is within the proposal area. Further, there would be a relatively minor impact on critical foraging habitat. This impact is not expected to lead to a decline in the species in this region.

Result in invasive species that are harmful to a vulnerable species becoming established in the Vulnerable species’ habitat The potential for weed invasion was considered possible with a project of this nature and appropriate controls are required during construction and operation of the road to reduce this threat. The management of invasive species would be managed under the construction environmental management plan and during operation of the highway using best practice methods as outlined in RTA (2011).

Introduce disease that may cause the species to decline, or There are no known disease issues affecting this species in relation to the project. The project would be unlikely to increase feral animal abundance or the potential for significant disease vectors to affect local populations.

Interfere substantially with the recovery of the species. The Draft National Recovery Plan for the Grey-headed Flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) (Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW. 2009) outlines the following actions:

• Identify and protect foraging habitat critical to the survival of Grey-headed Flying-foxes across their range

• Enhance winter and spring foraging habitat for Grey-headed Flying-foxes • Identify, protect and enhance roosting habitat critical to the survival of Grey-headed Flying-foxes • Significantly reduce levels of deliberate Grey-headed Flying-fox destruction associated with commercial

horticulture • Provide information and advice to managers, community groups and members of the public that are

involved with controversial flying-fox camps • Produce and circulate educational resources to improve public attitudes toward Grey-headed Flying-

foxes, promote the recovery program to the wider community and encourage participation in recovery actions

• Monitor population trends for the Grey-headed Flying-fox • Assess the impacts on Grey-headed Flying-foxes of electrocution on powerlines and entanglement in

netting and barbed wire, and implement strategies to reduce these impacts • Oversee a program of research to improve knowledge of the demographics and population structure of

the Grey-headed Flying-fox • Maintain a National Recovery Team to oversee the implementation of the Grey-headed Flying-fox

National Recovery Plan.

The recovery actions listed above are largely not applicable to the proposal as they focus on priority conservation lands which are outside of the study area.

Given the relative widespread nature of similar planted vegetation in the locality and abundance of higher quality foraging habitat within the feeding range of regional populations, the project is not expected to interfere substantially with the recovery of the species.

Conclusion The Grey-headed Flying-fox would suffer a small reduction in extent of suitable foraging habitat from the proposal. No breeding camps or other important habitat would be impacted. The proposal is unlikely to reduce the population size of the Grey-headed Flying-fox or decrease the reproductive success of this species. The proposal would not interfere with the recovery of the Grey-headed Flying-fox and would not contribute to the key threats to this species. After consideration of the factors above, an overall conclusion has been made that the proposal is unlikely to result in a significant impact to the Grey-headed Flying-fox.

Clearing protocols would be implemented including undertaking pre-clearing surveys in accordance with Guide 1: Pre-clearing process of the Biodiversity Guidelines: Protecting and managing biodiversity on RTA projects (NSW Roads and Traffic Authority, 2011). The location of potential grey-headed Flying-fox feed trees to be removed would be confirmed before works begin. The details of each tree would be recorded including GPS location, species, and foraging resource type (ie flowering or fruiting). Habitat removal would be undertaken as outlined in Guide 4: Clearing of vegetation and removal of bushrock. The seasonal impact of habitat removal on the Grey-headed Flying-fox must be considered. Lophostemon confertus flowers in spring and summer and the figs on Ficus spp. ripen in the summer. As such, the habitat removal should be undertaken in autumn or winter when the fewest foraging resources are available. This would limit the presence of the Grey-headed Flying-fox in the habitats during construction. If a Grey-headed Flying-fox is present in any of the trees during removal, then works would stop and the environment manager would be notified. Any Grey-headed Flying-foxes using the trees would be allowed to move on before works recommence.

rms.nsw.gov.au/

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Customer feedback Roads and Maritime Locked Bag 928, North Sydney NSW 2059

November 2019 RMS.19.1483

ISBN: 978-1-922338-18-1

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