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Blue Gum High Forest and Microbat Environmental Management Plan

Calvary Ryde Retirement Community Redevelopment

Prepared for

Donald Cant Watts Corke

27 February 2017

Bl u e G um H i g h F or e s t a n d M icr o b a t E n v i r o nm e n ta l M a n a g em e nt P l a n

© E CO LO G ICA L A U S T RA L IA P T Y LT D ii

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Item Detail

Project Name Blue Gum High Forest and Microbat Environmental Management Plan

Project Number 17SUT - 6521

Project Manager

Rodney Armistead

+61 2 8536 8621

Suite 2, Level 3, 668 Old Princes Highway, Sutherland, NSW 2232

(PO Box 12)

Sutherland, NSW 1499 Prepared by Rodney Armistead and Phil Witten

Reviewed by Jack Talbert

Approved by Beth Medway

Status DRAFT

Version Number 1

Last saved on 27 February 2017

Cover photo Eastern Bentwing-bat recorded at Waterfall (Belinda Failes 2014)

This report should be cited as ‘Eco Logical Australia 2017. Blue Gum High Forest and Microbat

Environmental Management Plan. Prepared for Donald Cant Watts Corke’

Disclaimer

This document may only be used for the purpose for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the contract between

Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd and Donald Cant Watts Corke. The scope of services was defined in consultation with Donald

Cant Watts Corke, by time and budgetary constraints imposed by the client, and the availability of reports and other data on

the subject area. Changes to available information, legislation and schedules are made on an ongoing basis and readers

should obtain up to date information.

Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon

this report and its supporting material by any third party. Information provided is not intended to be a substitute for site specific

assessment or legal advice in relation to any matter. Unauthorised use of this report in any form is prohibited.

Template 29/9/2015


© E CO LO G ICA L A U S T RA L IA P T Y LT D iii

Contents

Executive summary ................................................................................................................................. v

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Location of the subject site ........................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Profiles of the threatened entities that are known to occur within the study area ........................ 3

1.2.1 Blue Gum High Forest the Sydney Basin Bioregion .................................................................... 3

2 Management actions .................................................................................................................. 4

2.1 General management measures .................................................................................................. 4

2.1.1 Communication - Environmental induction and toolbox meetings ............................................... 4

2.2 Blue Gum High Forest .................................................................................................................. 4

2.3 Microbat ........................................................................................................................................ 5

2.4 Unexpected or chance fauna find protocol ................................................................................... 6

References ............................................................................................................................................. 10

List of figures

Figure 1: Victoria Rd study area and the subject site................................................................................. 2

Figure 2: The degraded BGHF (Tree 413 and 414) that is to be removed ............................................... 7

Figure 3: The BGHF (Tree 456) that is to be retained and therefore requires protection ......................... 7

Figure 4: The open (lack of vegetation) cement culvert that could provide subterranean microbat roost

habitat ......................................................................................................................................................... 8

Figure 5: These procedures are to be implemented if there is an unexpected for chance fauna find ....... 9


© E CO LO G ICA L A U S T RA L IA P T Y LT D iv

Abbreviations

Abbreviation Description

BGHF Blue Gum High Forest

Calvary Calvary Ryde Retirement Community Limited

CEEC Critically Endangered Ecological Community

DBH Diameter at breast height

DoE Department of the Environment

ELA Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd

EMP Environmental Management Plan

EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth)

LDA Local Development Application

NSW New South Wales

OEH NSW Office of Environment and Heritage

TPZ Tree Protection Zone

TSC Act Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (NSW)


© E CO LO G ICA L A U S T RA L IA P T Y LT D v

Executive summary

Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd (ELA) was commissioned by Donald Cant Watts Corke on behalf of Calvary

Ryde Retirement Community Limited (Calvary) to prepare an Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

The City of Ryde requested that the EMP be prepared following their assessment of a local development

application (LDA) (LDA2016/0295) for the construction of a four storey building, associated roads and

underground car parking (the subject site) at 642 – 678 Victoria Rd, Ryde (the study area).

The EMP has been deemed necessary as the following threatened entities and their habitat were

identified within or near to the subject site (2015 and 2016):

Four Eucalyptus saligna trees representing three isolated patches of Blue Gum High Forest

in the Sydney Basin Bioregion (BGHF) (listed as a critically endangered ecological

community (CEEC) under the New South Wales (NSW) Threatened Species Conservation

Act 1995 (TSC Act). These patches of BGHF are not of sufficient size (in hectares) or quality

to meet the condition thresholds for listing under the Commonwealths Environment

Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis (Eastern Bentwing Bat) (listed as vulnerable under the

TSC Act) was recorded on site during ultra-sonic call surveys, whilst potential subterranean

roost habitat for this species exists in the form of a cement culvert.

Under the current construction footprint, two patches of BGHF (consisting of Trees 97, 413 and 414 in

Arterra (2016)) and a cement culvert will be removed or demolished.

The purpose of this EMP is to provide strategies to all site staff and contractors that are aimed at protecting

the remaining patches of BGHF not effected by the proposed construction activities. Further, this EMP

also provides pre-clearance protocols aimed at excluding microbats from a cement culvert before it is

demolished.

In addition, potential foraging habitat exists at and near to the subject site for other threatened fauna,

including Falsistrellus tasmaniensis (Eastern False Pipistrelle), Mormopterus norfolkensis (East Coast

Freetail Bat), Scoteanax rueppellii (Greater Broad-nosed Bat), Pteropus poliocephalus (Grey-headed

Flying-fox) and Ninox strenua (Powerful Owl). Despite these species, and their habitat not being directly

impacted upon during construction, they could still use the subject site. For these and any other

threatened or non-threatened fauna species, a chance / unexpected threatened species find and stop

work strategy has been provided in this EMP. The aim of the chance / unexpected threatened species

find is to provide protection to threatened fauna and a strategy for site staff and contractors if they find a

fauna species that they are unsure about.

Ca l var y R yd e B l u e G um H i g h F or e s t a n d M i cr o b at M a na g em e nt P l a n

© E CO LO G ICA L A U S T RA L IA P T Y LT D 1

1 Introduction

City of Ryde has requested that an EMP be provided as part of the development approval process

for a local development application (LDA2016/0295). The City of Ryde considers this EMP

necessary because:

‘The Ecological Assessment provided with the development application has provided the following

condition:

“Given the presence of the BGHF and the culvert providing potential roosting habitat

for the Eastern Bentwing Bat, a site specific Environmental Management Plan (EMP)

should be developed that includes the precautions outlined below:

ecological pre-clearing survey procedures at the culvert, if roosting microbats are

detected in the culvert, actions to exclude these bats and block the culvert are

encouraged

chance threatened species find, stop work incidents and procedures, and

injured animal responses that involve ELA and wildlife carers.

The EMP should span the remaining construction period (i.e. tree removal works,

pre, during and post-construction phases).’

The purpose of this EMP is to provide strategies to all onsite staff and contractors to:

protect and manage the remaining patches of BGHF,

conduct pre-clearance surveys that are aimed at excluding microbats from the

cement culvert before it is demolished, and

protect any other threatened entity that may occur within the subject site during

construction through unexpected / chance find and stop work strategies.

1.1 Location of the subject si te

The study area is located approximately 11 km west of the Sydney Central Business District on

the corner of Victoria Road and Princes St, Ryde within the City of Ryde Local Government Area

(Figure 1). The subject site includes the area being immediately impacted by the proposed works

and is located in the north-eastern corner of the study area.



Figure 1: Victoria Rd study area and the subject site



1.2 Prof iles of the threatened ent it ies that are known to occur within the study area

1.2.1 Blue Gum High Forest the Sydney Basin Bioregion

Blue Gum High Forest the Sydney Basin Bioregion (BGHF) is the name given to the CEEC that is

dominated by tall Eucalyptus spp., has a dense mid-storey of shrubs and small trees as well as a

diverse ground layer of herbs, ferns and grasses (Australian Government and OEH 2005). Blue

Gum High Forest is listed as a CEEC because it currently occurs in a small number of highly

fragmented remnants, which occupy only 4.5% of its former extent (NSW Scientific Committee

2011: Department of the Environment (DoE) 2014).

The BGHF identified within or near to the subject site consists of three small patches that either

contain a single or at least two E. saligna trees (Figure 2 and Figure 3). Under the most recent

development plan, two patches of BGHF will be removed. This includes one patch that consists

of a single mature E. saligna tree (Tree 97 in Aterra (2016)) only, whilst the other patch consists

of two E. saligna trees (Trees 413 and 414 in Arterra (2016)). The canopy of these two patches

extends over an area of approximately 0.04 ha.

Furthermore, Condition 15 of the City of Ryde (2016) states that ‘It will be necessary to re-design’

the proposed development footprint in order to retain Tree 97. Tree 97 is a large mature E. saligna

that will be removed under the current development plan.

Only one patch of BGHF (including two E. saligna trees (Trees 413 and 414)) will be removed

(Figure 2) under this proposed change. Therefore, Tree 97 and 413 (Figure 3) will require

protection, in addition to the other trees identified for protection in Arterra (2016).

Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis (Eastern Bentwing Bat)

The Eastern Bent-wing Bat was recorded within the study area during a targeted ultra-sonic microbat

survey (ELA 2016). The Eastern Bent-wing Bat is listed as a vulnerable species under Schedule 2 of

the TSC Act. This species occupies a range of environments including wet and dry sclerophyll forests,

open woodlands and grass lands along the coastal portion of eastern Australia (Churchill 2008). This

species generally roosts in caves, mines, culverts, stormwater channels, buildings, and occasionally

tree-hollows (Churchill 2008). Individuals of this species have been found occupying a number of

different roosts within specific territory. They travel large distances between their summer maternal sites

in the Great Dividing Range and winter foraging and torpor habitats (Churchill 2008; Hoye and Hall

2008).

The proposed construction of the four storey building will result in the demolition of a cement

culvert could provide subterranean roosting habitat for the Eastern Bentwing Bat (Figure 4).



2 Management actions

2.1 General management measures

2.1.1 Communication - Environmental induction and toolbox meetings

All contractor staff should be made aware of the sensitive environmental issues present within the

subject site before commencing works. This information should be provided through general

environmental site inductions and routine toolbox meetings. The environmental inductions and

toolbox meetings should focus on the BGHF and the microbats that are known occur on site, what

to look for and unexpected find strategies discussed below.

2.2 Blue Gum High Forest

General tree protection measures have been outlined by Arterra (2016). The measures provided

in Arterra (2016) are aimed at avoiding negative impacts to those trees being retained during the

construction works. This includes the two E. saligna trees (Trees 97 and 456) that form the BGHF.

In order to avoid replication, we have selected and summarised the key components of

Arterra (2016), whilst adding relevant information only if deemed necessary.

To protect the BGHF, a Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) must be first established around each tree

and / or the entire BGHF patch. A TPZ is a designated area that encompasses the root zone,

canopy and crown of a tree. A TPZ is calculated by measuring the diameter of tree stem (or

stems) at 1.4m (or the diameter at breast height (DBH)) above the ground and then multiplying

this measurement by 12. The TPZ is then determined by laying out a measuring tape measuring

the distance that was determined by multiplying the DBH by 12.

A step by step methodology for measuring a TPZ can be viewed at City of Ryde,

http://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/Environment-and-Waste/Trees/Tree-Protection-Zone-Calculator,

Once the TPZ has been established, the following is to occur:

Install tree protection fencing around the TPZ in accordance with the following:

o For those trees being retained, in this case E. saligna trees 97 and 456 (BGHF),

protective fencing to be erected around their TPZ to protect and isolate them from

the construction works.

o All protective fencing must comply with the Australian Standard, AS 4687-2007,

Temporary fencing and hoardings. We recommend that 1.8 m high cyclone fence

with steel mesh to be installed to protect the Trees 97 and 456 TPZ, as well as

any other tree that requires protection (see Arterra 2016).

o This protective fence must be installed prior to commencement of any

construction activities and remain intact until the completion of all construction

works.

o Once erected, the protective fencing around each patch of BGHF must not be

removed or altered without consultation between the site supervisor and the

project ecologist.

o If the protective fencing requires temporary removal for any reason, then trunk,

branch and ground protection must be installed.

http://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/Environment-and-Waste/Trees/Tree-Protection-Zone-Calculator



o Weather proof and visually obvious ‘no entry / no go’ signs (must at least 300

mm high and 450mm wide) must be attached to the protective fencing to

ensure that all site staff and contractors are aware of the TPZ

Please note, that in addition to the BGHF patches identified for protection in this EMP,

Arterra (2016) has identified other trees that require similar levels of protection.

In those areas designated as TPZ, there is to be access to site staff, no vehicle movement, no digging,

movement of surface soil, dumping of mulch, stockpiling, placement of site sheds or laydown of

equipment. If it is deemed that a TPZ boundary fails to provide sufficient crown and root protection, the

TPZ boundary should be widened. This will need to be determined in consultation with site managers,

consulting ecologist and / or arborist.

The TPZ and protective measures discussed above must comply with AS 4970-2009, Protection

of Trees on Development Sites.

2.3 Microbat

The proposed development will result in the demolition of an open culvert. The open culvert has the

potential to provide habitat to subterranean roosting microbats. Indeed, the subterranean roosting

Eastern Bentwing Bat, which is listed as vulnerable under TSC Act was recorded at the subject site

during a targeted ultra-sonic microbat call surveys (ELA 2016).

The following management actions are to occur through all stages of construction and are aimed at

limiting the potential impacts that might occur upon the Eastern Bentwing Bat and any other microbat

species that might be present within the subject site. These actions include:

Actions to occur during the pre-construction stage include:

o engage a suitably qualitied and experienced ecologist to conduct an evening

pre-clearance survey to monitor microbats leaving the culvert beginning half an

hour before sunset and continuing until there is a sustained period of inactivity,

as recorded on an anabat recorder, around the entrance of culvert

o ecologist to conduct an inspection of the culverts interior for microbat activity, to

be certain that the culvert is empty of microbats, and then,

o with the assistance of construction staff, seal off the entrance of the culvert

using timber boards, star pickets and fabric to exclude microbats from re-

entering.

It is expected that because Eastern Bentwing Bats have multiple roosts within a single territory,

that once this roost is blocked, they will move to one of their roost sites located nearby.

Actions to occur during the construction of the building:

o time the construction activities so that they have the lowest potential for direct or

indirect impacts upon microbats. We suggest that the demolition of the culvert

occur at a time when microbats are most active or absent from the region and

not breeding. For example, Eastern Bentwing Bats are mostly absent from the

Sydney region between October and May



o engage an ecologist to be either present on site or at least on-call to attend the

subject site to capture, relocate bats and / or manage injured animals if a chance

or unexpected find happens (see unexpected find / stop work strategy below)

o maintain and conduct ongoing maintenance (when and if required) to the

materials used to block the culvert, until a time when the culvert has been

demolished

Actions during the post construction stages:

o None required, as the culvert is being demolished and a building is being built over it.

Therefore, this section is not applicable.

2.4 Unexpected or chance fauna f ind protocol

The subject site has potential foraging habitat for other threatened fauna, including Falsistrellus

tasmaniensis (Eastern False Pipistrelle), Mormopterus norfolkensis (East Coast Freetail Bat),

Scoteanax rueppellii (Greater Broad-nosed Bat), Pteropus poliocephalus (Grey-headed Flying-fox) and

Ninox strenua (Powerful Owl) (ELA 2016). Despite being considered unlikely that these fauna species

will be recorded while the building is being constructed, we encourage that a precautionary approach to

these species is implemented. This includes a chance or unexpected find protocol.

In the event of an expected or chance fauna find the procedures shown Figure 5 should be adhered to.

This includes, having the site manager immediately contact the ecologist if a threatened or unknown

fauna species is found or identified on the subject site during construction.

If uninjured fauna is found, including microbats, the project ecologist should be contacted to retrieve,

identify and then provide storage and care until they can be released at or near the point of capture at

a suitable and safe time. If an injured fauna species is found, then the ecologist should be contacted

and will transport the individuals to a local vet.

It should be recognised that some fauna species, for example bats, carry diseases that are

transmittable to humans. Because of this reason we encourage that construction staff do not

handle any bats unless it is deemed an emergency. Therefore, any handling of bats should be

undertaken by suitably experienced and immunised ecologists.



Figure 2: The degraded BGHF (Tree 413 and 414) that is to be removed

Figure 3: The BGHF (Tree 456) that is to be retained and therefore requires protection



Figure 4: The open (lack of vegetation) cement culvert that could provide subterranean microbat roost habitat



Figure 5: These procedures are to be implemented if there is an unexpected for chance fauna find

STOP WORK immediately in the vicinity (i.e 20 m radius) of the sighting and notify your supervisor.

Attempt to take a photo of the fauna species, nest or potential roost of concern to assist in identification of the species.

DO NOT recommence work until directed by the project ecologist or site supervisor.

The following should be notified in the following order:

Site Manager

Environmental Representative

Ecologist

Site or project supervisor to immediately notify site manager.

Photograph of fauna species to be taken and sent to

ecologist for advice. If it is a species of conservation

significance, the project ecologist will attend the site.

If required, the ecologist to delineate exclusion zone and

advise personnel of any mitigation measures.

If required, Joint site inspection conducted by site manager and ecologist to be undertaken to confirm observation.

Observation confirmed Observation not confirmed

If necessary, the Office of Environment and Heritage is to be notified of the observation and advise of proposed mitigation measures. This is to occur only after consultation between project manager and ecologist.

Works can recommence following direction from ecologist or other environmental representative.

Ecologist to recommend appropriate management

and mitigation measures to minimise impact.

Recommendations and mitigation measures to be

implemented onsite.

Monitoring and inspection, if and only as required.

To be determined by site supervisor in consultation

with ecologist.

Fauna species of concern, including microbats, nests or roost habitat is observed during the course of construction



References

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

Hoye, G.A. and Hall, L.S. 2008. Eastern Bent-wing Bat Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis. In

van Dyck, S. and Strahan, R. (eds). The Mammals of Australia. Third Edition. Reed New Holland,

Sydney.



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