Download RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan

RMIT Bundoora: Wetland
Management Plan
Project: 09-074
Prepared for:
Montlaur Project Services
Ecology Australia Pty Ltd
Flora and Fauna Consultants
www.ecologyaustralia.com.au
[email protected]
88B Station Street, Fairfield,
Victoria, Australia 3078
Tel: (03) 9489 4191
Fax: (03) 9481 7679
© 2009 Ecology Australia Pty Ltd
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Document information
This is a controlled document. Details of the document ownership, location, distribution, status
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All comments or requests for changes to content should be addressed to the document owner.
Bioregion (for EA record keeping purposes): Victorian Volcanic Plain
Owner
EA
Author
R. Marr and J. S. Kershaw
Location
J:\CURRENT PROJECTS\Bundoora Wetland Management Plan
09-074\Report\RMIT Bundoora, Wetland Mgt Plan_DRAFT 1.doc
Distribution
Document History
Status
Changes
By
Date
Draft 0.1
First Draft
R. Marr and J. S.
19/10/09
Kershaw
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RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
Contents
Summary
5
1
Introduction
7
2
Study Area
9
3
Methods
11
3.1
Database and information review
11
3.2
Field Survey
11
3.3
Field Assessment
11
3.3.1
Fauna
12
3.4
Conservation Status
13
3.5
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
13
3.6
Limitations
13
4
4.1
Existing Conditions
14
Flora
14
4.1.1
Plant species
14
4.1.2
Vegetation communities
14
4.1.3
Significant plant species
15
4.2
Fauna
16
4.3
Landscape context of the wetland
17
4.4
Current threats to the conservation of the wetland values
17
5
5.1
5.2
Wetland Management Plan
19
Construction protocols
20
5.1.1
Security fencing
20
5.1.2
Stormwater management and pollution control
20
5.1.3
Soil erosion and sediment management
22
5.1.4
Litter management
23
5.1.5
Hazardous substances
24
Weed management
5.2.1
25
Non-indigenous plantings
27
5.3
Revegetation
28
5.4
Feral animals
30
5.5
Domestic animal control
32
5.6
Fauna-friendly lighting
33
5.7
Habitat management
34
5.8
Environmental awareness and other user-related issues
34
6
Legislative and Policy Framework
37
7
Works Program and monitoring guidelines
41
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8
References
45
Tables
Table 1 Significant plant species recorded within a 5 km radius of the study area using the ‘Flora
Information System’ and the ‘EPBC protected matters search tool’, with their likelihood of
occurrence. RMIT Bundoora, July 2009
15
Table 2 Weed species requiring management within wetland, RMIT Bundoora, July 2009
27
Table 3 Plant species suitable for revegetation, RMIT Bundoora wetland, October 2009.
29
Table 4 Works program
41
Table 5 Monitoring guidelines
42
Figures
Figure 1
Study area: RMIT University, Bundoora.
10
Plates
Appendices
Appendix 1 Plant species inventory for the wetland and immediate surrounds, RMIT
University, Bundoora (10 July 2009).
47
Appendix 2 Fauna species inventory for the wetland and the immediate surrounds,
RMIT University, Bundoora (10 July 2009).
49
Appendix 3 Terrestrial Fauna species listed as threatened and/or under the Migratory
or Marine-Overfly Schedules of the EPBC Act, threatened under the FFG Act, or
classified as threatened in Victoria (DSE 2007) and previously recorded within 5 km of
the study area and their Likelihood of Occurrence (LRO) in the study area
50
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Summary
Ecology Australia Pty. Ltd. was commissioned by Montlaur Project Services, in September 2009,
to prepare a Wetland Management Plan for an artificial waterbody within the RMIT campus,
Bundoora. The production of this report is a necessary component in applying for a ‘Green Star
Rating’, sought for the proposed construction of a lecture theatre near the wetland. The Wetland
Management Plan has been designed to protect and enhance wetland values over a five year
timeframe, and provides a list of issues and management actions to be implemented prior to, during
and post construction of the proposed lecture theatre.
Flora
A total of 47 indigenous, cultivated and naturalised plant species was recorded in and directly
adjacent to the wetland, of which 21 (44.7%) are indigenous and 26 (55.3%) are exotic. Emergent
and fringing vegetation of the wetland is dominated by indigenous graminoids, while indigenous
and exotic tree and shrub species are planted at varying densities around the wetland. The majority
of plantings are relatively recent (c. < 10 years old), though some older plantings of nonindigenous trees are present within and adjacent to the wetland site. Several large, remnant River
Red-gums are scattered around the edge of the wetland. Successful recruitment of many wetland
species is evident and the health of vegetation is generally good. The structure and composition of
wetland vegetation aligns most closely with EVC 308 Aquatic Sedgeland (in deeper, more
permanent water) and EVC 653 Aquatic Herbland (on shallowly inundated wetland margins).
Fauna
A total of 23 fauna species were recorded in or directly adjacent to the wetland. This included 22
birds (three exotic) and one native mammal. The EPBC-listed Grey-headed Flying-fox may
occasionally utilise flowering and fruiting trees in the area and is considered to have a moderate
likelihood of occurrence. While the wetland does contain some suitable habitat for EPBC-listed
Growling Grass Frog, it is isolated from known populations and the surrounding environs are
highly modified and disturbed, therefore this species is considered to have a low likelihood of
regular occurrence.
Threats
A number of threats and management issues were identified during the site assessment. Threats to
wetland habitat include: high sediment load; pollutants (e.g. fertiliser/herbicide runoff, oil/petrol
from roads, dog faeces and litter); uncontrolled access to the wetland by people and dogs and weed
invasion.
Wetland Management Plan
The following management plan elements are detailed in the report.
•
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RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
o
Security fencing.
o
Stormwater management and pollution control.
o
Soil erosion and sediment management.
o
Litter management.
o
Hazardous substances.
•
Weed management.
•
Revegetation.
•
Feral animal control.
•
Domestic animal control.
•
Fauna-friendly lighting.
•
Habitat management.
•
Environmental awareness and other user-related issues.
For each of the above management plan elements the issues, objectives, management actions,
timing/frequency, and monitoring requirements are detailed. Additionally, a tabulated works
program and monitoring guidelines are also provided.
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RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
1 Introduction
Ecology Australia Pty. Ltd. was commissioned by Montlaur Project Services, in September 2009,
to prepare a Wetland Management Plan for an artificial waterbody within the RMIT campus,
Bundoora. An ecological assessment of this wetland was undertaken by Ecology Australia in June
2009. The aim of this project was to provide a letter of assessment required to support the
application for a Green Star Rating sought for the proposed new lecture theatre, approximately 70
m to the south-west of this existing wetland. The Green Star Rating aims to encourage and
recognise development on land that has limited ecological value and to discourage development on
ecologically valuable land as per Eco – Conditional Requirements. The Eco – Conditional
Requirements are met where the project site is not:
•
On prime agricultural land. Should the project site be on prime agricultural land then the
project is not eligible for a Green Star certified rating.
•
On land containing old-growth forest. Should the project site be on land containing oldgrowth forest then the project is not eligible for a Green Star certified rating;
•
Within 100 m of a wetland listed as being of ‘high ecological value’. Should the project
site be within 100 of a wetland listed as being of ‘high ecological value’, then the project
is defined as a ‘refurbishment’ and the Wetland Protection Measures (as outlined below)
are to be completed.
•
Within 100 m of a wetland NOT listed as being of ‘high ecological value’. Should the
project site be within 100 m of a wetland NOT listed as being of high ecological value,
then the project can only be deemed eligible for a Green Star certified rating if the Wetland
Protection Measures (as outlined below) have been completed.
Wetland Protection Measures include:
•
A site-specific Wetland Management Plan to be produced and implemented; and
•
All points are achieved in Emi – 5 ‘ Watercourse Pollution’ and in Emi – 7 ‘ Light
Pollution’
The eligibility requirements for Green Star certified Rating of the proposed lecture theatre
development at RMIT, Bundoora relates directly to the proximity of the development to the
existing wetland and the ecological value of that wetland. As per our assessment and subsequent
letter report dated 22 July 2009, the wetland is not deemed significant under a state or national
register, is not listed under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and is not listed in the directory
of important wetlands in Australia (DSE 2009). Therefore under the Green Star rating criteria, the
wetland is not considered to be of ‘high ecological value’. However, although it is not listed as
being of ‘high ecological value’, the proposed development is located within 100 m of the wetland
and as such a Wetland Management Plan is required to meet the Eco- Conditional Requirements.
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RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
The objective of the Wetland Management Plan is to identify existing values and outline
management actions required for the protection, maintenance and enhancement of these values.
The Plan provides detailed management activities required throughout the construction process to
ensure the flora and fauna values are not compromised by the proposed development. The Wetland
Management Plan provides direction for the management of flora and fauna values of the area to
be implemented over a 5-year timeframe. The works required to fulfil the aims of the Plan may
vary year to year.
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2 Study Area
The study area is located within the RMIT campus at the corner of Plenty Road and Mc Kimmies
Road, Bundoora (Figure 1), approximately 18 km north-east of the Melbourne central business
district. The proposed lecture theatre development site is located within an area previously cleared
of all remnant vegetation and is maintained as an exotic lawn. The wetland is located
approximately 70 m to the north-east of this development zone. It is artificial and was constructed
on the site of a natural depression. The wetland is fed predominantly by storm water and surface
run-off from the surrounding area. Revegetation works have been undertaken, in addition to natural
recruitment of flora species.
The study area is located within the Whittlesea City Council and the Victorian Volcanic Plain
Bioregion. The project area is zoned as Public Use Zone - Education (PUZ2). The site is not
subject to an Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO) under the Whittlesea Planning Scheme.
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Figure 1 Study area: RMIT University, Bundoora.
Wetland and
surrounding
vegetation
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3 Methods
3.1 Database and information review
The following database and literature pertaining to the wetland and surrounding area was reviewed
to identify ecological values:
3.2
•
Flora records within 5 km of the study area (referred to as the Flora Data Review Area –
flora DRA) held in the Flora Information System (FIS), a state-wide database maintained
by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE 2007a). This FIS was used to
generate an inventory of plant species recorded within 5 km of the study area;
•
Fauna records within 5 km of the study area (referred to as the fauna Data Review Area –
fauna DRA) held in the Victorian Fauna Display (DSE 2007b), a CD-ROM version of the
Atlas of Victorian Wildlife (AVW) database, a state-wide database maintained by the
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE 2007b);
•
A search for flora and fauna species listed under the Commonwealth Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), using the EPBC Protected
Matters Search Tool (DEWHA 2009) for species listed as potentially occurring (or potential
habitat occurring) within 5 km of the study area;
•
A search for BioSites associated with the site using a CD-ROM version of the Sites of
Biodiversity Significance (BioSites) and Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) for the Port
Phillip and Western Port Regions, maintained by DSE (DSE 2005b);
•
Aerial photography provided by the Client and from Google Earth; and
•
Ecological Vegetation Class mapping/modelling (both extant and pre-1750) (DSE 2009) of
the area.
•
Ecological reports or other literature and unpublished reports of the immediate or
surrounding area (e.g. Eco-Conditional Requirements – Green Building Council of
Australia).
Field Survey
A brief site visit was conducted on 10 July 2009 by a Senior Botanist and a Zoologist. The site visit
aimed to identify the flora and fauna values of the wetland and the eligibility of the proposed
lecture theatre to meet criteria for a Green Star Rating.
3.3 Field Assessment
Data collected during the ecological assessment of the wetland included:
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RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
•
An inventory of indigenous and exotic flora species found in the study area (excluding
planted vegetation away from the wetland);
•
Identification and mapping of Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs);
•
An inventory of vertebrate fauna found in the study area, based on direct observation and
indirect evidence (diggings, scats, tracks, nests, burrows, etc.) (See Appendix 3);
•
Identification of fauna habitats present;
•
Assessment of the likelihood of occurrence of threatened flora and fauna species;
•
Identification of key issues and threats; and
•
Identification of management opportunities for protection and enhancement of current
ecological values.
3.3.1 Fauna
Site inspection and habitat assessment
The project area was assessed for its habitat value to native fauna and potential to support
threatened indigenous fauna. The assessment involved a review of aerial photographs and other
maps, to gain an appreciation of the vegetation cover and to place the project area in a broader
landscape context.
During the site inspection, the habitat assessment focused on the extent of native vegetation cover,
composition and structure, as well as other features important in determining habitat quality. For
example, the presence or absence of nectar-producing and hollow-bearing trees, the level of
disturbance (e.g. weed invasion) and shading, and ground layer characteristics including, leaf litter,
logs and rocks. Other habitat attributes noted included:
•
connectivity (habitat links or corridors);
•
presence of specific habitat features (e.g. swamps, drainage lines); and
•
structural heterogeneity of the vegetation.
Fauna inventory and diurnal searches
All vertebrate species, either directly observed or heard calling (e.g. birds and frogs), during the
site visit were recorded to compile a ‘snap shot’ inventory of fauna species utilising the area.
Searches were carried out for amphibians and reptiles and involved raking litter on the ground,
searching among fallen clumps of bark and overturning rocks, logs, fallen branches as well as
human-generated debris. The observer also searched for indirect evidence used to detect the
presence of animals, including bird nests, possum dreys, scats (droppings), diggings, tracks and
burrows (Triggs 1996).
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3.4
Conservation Status
Species conservation status is determined by reference to DSE’s Advisory List of Threatened
Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria (DSE 2007b), DSE’s Advisory List of Rare or Threatened Plants in
Victoria (2005), listings under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) and
the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
The conservation status of Ecological Vegetation Classes was determined by reference to DSE’s
EVC bioregional benchmarks webpage (DSE 2009b).
3.5
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
The scientific names, common names, and systematic orders of fauna species follow the Atlas of
Victorian Wildlife (DSE 2007a).
Plant taxonomy and the use of common names follow Walsh and Stajsic (2007) and DSE (2004),
with the exception of one species (Triglochin procerum s.l. [broad erect leaves]). This
unrecognised taxa has been allocated the phrase name ‘broad erect leaves’ by Ecology Australia.
An asterisk (*) preceding the plant is used to signify non-indigenous taxa, which are those that
would not naturally occur in the particular habitat. A hash (#) is used to denote native plants that
are not indigenous in the relevant vegetation types.
3.6
Limitations
As for most flora surveys, the seasonality of some plant species may be a limitation. Some species
may have been overlooked because they are inconspicuous in winter, when the survey was
conducted, or have been identified to genus level only due to the absence of fertile material. These
limitations are most unlikely to alter the findings regarding overall quality and conservation
significance of the vegetation.
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4 Existing Conditions
4.1
Flora
4.1.1 Plant species
A total of 47 indigenous, cultivated and naturalised plant species was recorded in and directly
adjacent to the wetland, of which 21 (44.7%) are indigenous and 26 (55.3%) are exotic. See
Appendix 1 for the flora species inventory.
Emergent and fringing vegetation of the wetland is dominated by indigenous graminoids, most
notably River Club-sedge (Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani), Common Spike-sedge (Eleocharis
acuta), Tall Spike-sedge (Eleocharis sphacelata), Narrow-leaf Cumbungi (Typha domingensis),
Water Ribbons (Triglochin procera s.l. [broad erect leaves]), Common Blown-grass
(Lachnagrostis filiformis s.l), Green Rush (Juncus gregiflorus), Finger Rush (Juncus subsecundus)
and Pale Rush (Juncus pallidus). The indigenous floating-aquatic Running Marsh-flower (Villarsia
reniformis) is common in shallow water throughout. Indigenous and exotic tree and shrub species
are planted at varying densities around the wetland and include River Red-gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis), Giant Honey-myrtle (#Melaleuca armillaris ssp. armillaris), Swamp Paperbark
(Melaleuca ericifolia) and an exotic Myrtaceous shrub (*Leptospermum sp.). The majority of
plantings are relatively recent (c. < 10 years old), though some older plantings of non-indigenous
trees are present within and adjacent to the wetland site. Several large, remnant River Red-gums
are scattered around the edge of the wetland.
While the majority of indigenous species present have been planted (with the exception of the large
River Red-gums and a few ubiquitous herbaceous species), successful recruitment of many
wetland species is evident and the health of vegetation is generally good. Additional revegetation
(largely of non-indigenous native species) of various ages occurs to the north-west and to the south
of the wetland.
4.1.2 Vegetation communities
Department of Sustainability and Environment 1750 Ecological Vegetation Class modelling (DSE
2009) identifies EVC 55 Plains Grassy Woodland as comprising the pre-European vegetation of
the study area, while extant EVC modelling (DSE 2009) identifies no EVCs currently occurring
within the vicinity of the wetland.
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As the majority of vegetation within the study area is planted it does not technically comprise an
EVC, though due to the nature of wetland vegetation 1 it is considered reasonable to attribute an
EVC in this situation. Therefore, the structure and composition of wetland vegetation aligns most
closely with EVC 308 Aquatic Sedgeland (in deeper, more permanent water) and EVC 653
Aquatic Herbland (on shallowly inundated wetland margins).
4.1.3 Significant plant species
A search of the Flora Information System (FIS) and Environmental Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation (EPBC) databases within 5 km of the study area (the flora data review area [DRA])
was undertaken. The FIS database search returned records of 16 State or Nationally significant
plant species within the DRA (erroneous records excluded) (Table 1); none of these records were
from the study area. A search of the EPBC database returned five additional flora species (not
identified in the FIS search) which may have a likelihood of occurrence within the DRA (Table 1).
Of the 21 species identified as having a likelihood of occurrence within the study area, none have a
likelihood of occurrence higher than negligible (Table 1).
Table 1
Significant plant species recorded within a 5 km radius of the study area
using the ‘Flora Information System’ and the ‘EPBC protected matters
search tool’, with their likelihood of occurrence. RMIT Bundoora, July
2009
Key:
Status: VROT = Victorian rare or threatened: r = rare, e = endangered, v = vulnerable, k = insufficiently
known; FFG = Listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988: f = FFG listed;
EPBC = Listed under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999: V =
Vulnerable, E = Endangered; Census = Walsh and Stajsic (2007): E = endangered in Australia, e =
endangered in Victoria, K = insufficiently known in Australia., k = insufficiently known in Victoria.
Likelihood of occurrence: N = negligible; L = low; M = moderate; H = high
VROT
EPBC
FFG
Species with a diamond (♦) after their name were not recorded within the 5 km search on the Flora
Information System database, but were identified using the EPBC protected matters search tool.
V
f
E
1
r
e
v
Species name
Amphibromus fluitans ♦
Billardiera scandens s.s.
Caladenia amoena
Caladenia oenochila
Common name
River Swamp Wallaby-grass
Velvet Apple-berry
Charming Spider-orchid
Wine-lipped Spider-orchid
Likelihood of
occurrence
N
N
N
N
The structure and composition of planted wetland vegetation is relatively dynamic (c.f. terrestrial
vegetation), with plantings capable of forming ± functional vegetation communities (capable of
natural recruitment) within a matter of years. It is also common for indigenous wetland plant
species to be dispersed to the site (largely by water birds).
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RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
f
V
f
E
f
V
f
f
C
E
4.2
v
r
r
k
e
v
e
r
v
r
r
k
v
e
k
r
k
Carex tasmanica ♦
Corybas fimbriatus
Cymbonotus lawsonianus
Desmodium varians
Dianella amoena ♦
Eucalyptus leucoxylon subsp. connata
Eucalyptus X studleyensis
Eucalyptus yarraensis
Glycine latrobeana
Goodia medicaginea
Levenhookia sonderi
Montia fontana subsp. fontana
Pimelea spinescens subsp. spinescens ♦
Prasophyllum frenchii ♦
Pterostylis planulata s.l.
Pterostylis smaragdyna
Sclerolaena muricata var. muricata
Curly Sedge
Fringed Helmet-orchid
Bear's-ear
Slender Tick-trefoil
Matted Flax-lily
Melbourne Yellow-gum
Studley Park Gum
Yarra Gum
Clover Glycine
Western Golden-tip
Slender Stylewort
Water Blinks
Plains Rice-flower
Maroon Leek-orchid
Flat Rustyhood
Emerald-lip Greenhood
Black Roly-poly
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Fauna
Fauna habitats
Three fauna habitats are present in the proposed development zone and surrounding area:
•
Exotic lawn;
•
Artificial wetland; and
•
Remnant indigenous and non-indigenous planted trees/shrubs.
The area proposed for development has been cleared and is now dominated by exotic lawn of low
habitat value.
The artificial wetland supports emergent aquatic plants and fringing vegetation. A small vegetated
island is also located in the centre of the wetland. The emergent vegetation provides habitat (e.g.
shelter/nesting/foraging/basking) for common waterbirds (e.g. Australian Wood Duck Chenonetta
jubata and Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa) and various frog species (e.g. Common Froglet
Crinia signifera or Southern Brown Tree Frog Litoria ewingii). The open water provides foraging
habitat for Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos and Australasian Grebe
Tachybaptus novaehollandiae recorded during the assessment.
Surrounding the wetland, scattered large remnant River Red-gums with multiple hollows provide
important nesting habitat for birds such as Crimson Rosella Platycercus elegans elegans, Eastern
Rosella Platycercus eximius, Red-rumped Parrot Psephotus haematonotus and Australian Wood
Duck Chenonetta jubata). Furthermore, small hollows and fissures in the Red-gums and other
eucalypts may provide roosting habitat for microchiropteran bat species (e.g. White-striped Freetail
Bat Tadarida australis). Planted trees and shrubs also provide resources for locally-common fauna
species (e.g. Galah Eolophus roseicapilla, Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala, Red Wattlebird
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Anthochaera carunculata, White-eared Honeyeater Lichenostomus leucotis and Superb Fairy-wren
Malurus cyaneus).
Fauna records
A total of 23 fauna species were recorded in or directly adjacent to the wetland. This included 22
birds (three exotic) and one native mammal (see Appendix 3).
A search of the DSE database, Atlas of Victorian Wildlife (AVW) within a 5 km radius of the
study area was undertaken. Most fauna recorded within this area on the AVW (DSE 2007c) are
locally common fauna species. Fauna listed as threatened under the EPBC Act, FFG Act, or
regarded as threatened in Victoria (DSE 2007b) and recently recorded on the AVW (last 20 years)
are given in Appendix 4.
Of these threatened fauna species recorded, most are considered to have a low likelihood of regular
occurrence within the wetland and surrounding environments due to the absence of suitable habitat
or the disturbed and modified surroundings. The EPBC-listed Grey-headed Flying-fox may
occasionally utilise flowering and fruiting trees in the area and is considered to have a moderate
likelihood of occurrence. However, as there is no proposal to remove and/or disturb these trees,
impacts are most unlikely to occur. The wetland does contain some suitable habitat for EPBClisted Growling Grass Frog but as the artificial wetland is isolated from known populations and the
surrounding environs are highly modified and disturbed, this species is considered to have a low
likelihood of regular occurrence.
4.3
Landscape context of the wetland
The wetland is located within an area of isolated and highly modified open space within the RMIT
campus. As noted above, the area surrounding the wetland is comprised of exotic mown lawn (e.g.
sporting fields), planted vegetation, and scattered indigenous remnant and planted trees. RMIT
campus is surrounded by urban development and road infrastructure. The study site is separated by
Plenty Road from a large expanse of habitat to the east within the Plenty Gorge Parklands. The
wetland is also isolated from other water bodies, including Darebin Creek that is located
approximately 1.3 km to the west of the wetland, by high density urban development and road
infrastructure.
4.4
Current threats to the conservation of the wetland values
A number of threats and management issues were identified during the site assessment. Threats to
wetland habitat include: high sediment load; pollutants (e.g. fertiliser/herbicide runoff, oil/petrol
from roads, dog faeces and litter); uncontrolled access to the wetland by people and dogs and weed
invasion.
Active management is required to counteract threatening processes and maintain and/or enhance
existing conditions.
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Current Management
RMIT University currently undertakes a range of management activities within the area, including
mowing/slashing, weed control, litter removal and landscaping; however these are undertaken for
amenity values and not strictly for biodiversity conservation and maintenance.
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5 Wetland Management Plan
The Wetland Management Plan is required to protect and enhance wetland values over a five year
timeframe. The plan provides a list of issues and management actions to be implemented prior to,
during and post construction of the proposed lecture theatre. All protocols must be implemented to
comply with requirements for the protection of wetland values as stated in the Eco-Conditional
requirements for Green Star certified rating. A summary of the management actions required and
timing of implementation (works program) is provided in Section 7.
The following management plan elements outline environmental issues and threats associated with
the proposed development, and identify management actions required to maintain and enhance
ecological values of the wetland:
•
Construction protocols including:
o
Security fencing.
o
Stormwater management and pollution control.
o
Soil erosion and sediment management.
o
Litter management.
o
Hazardous substances.
•
Weed management.
•
Revegetation.
•
Feral animal control.
•
Domestic animal control.
•
Fauna-friendly lighting.
•
Habitat management.
•
Environmental awareness and other user-related issues.
The issues, objectives, management actions, timing/frequency, and monitoring requirements
associated with each of the above elements are detailed below.
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5.1
Construction protocols
To protect the wetland values, a variety of protocols and mitigation measures must be implemented
prior to, during and post construction of the lecture theatre. These include:
5.1.1 Security fencing
PLAN
ELEMENT
Security fencing
Issues
If not clearly defined the extent of the works zone is likely to spread.
Environmental values of the wetland may be compromised by the input of materials
from the adjacent construction zone (e.g. wind blown debris and vandalised
materials).
Objectives
To reduce risk to the wetland from inputs from the construction zone.
Management
Actions
• Install temporary security fencing around the entire construction zone to delineate
the works area, and to act as a barrier to wind blown debris leaving the
construction site.
• No works may take place outside construction zones.
• Fences are not to be moved during the entire construction period.
• No machinery or associated construction equipment (e.g. trucks, service vehicles
and low loaders, overburden, waste, storage materials, etc.) shall be permitted
outside the prescribed work area and access roads.
• Damage to fencing must be repaired immediately.
Timing and
frequency
• Fencing to be installed prior to any construction works.
Monitoring
• Weekly inspection of fences (and maintenance if required) by the site manager to
ensure fences are working effectively, and to ensure that all works are being kept
to designated construction areas.
5.1.2 Stormwater management and pollution control
PLAN
ELEMENT
Stormwater Management and Pollution Control
Issues
Stormwater entering the wetland has the potential to impact on water quality.
Aquatic ecosystems such as the wetland are highly susceptible to damage from
eroded soil and other contaminants from construction sites (EPA 1991).
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Under the current design (Steve Skotanis Winward Structures, pers. comm.),
stormwater collected from the development area will not enter the wetland but be
diverted past the wetland.
Objectives
1. To minimise the generation of contaminated stormwater (EPA 1996).
2. To reduce risk to the wetland from contaminated stormwater.
Management
Actions
Stormwater management
• Adequate treatment measures (e.g. geotextile sediment fencing) must be installed
to ensure quality of stormwater leaving the construction zone meets Melbourne
Water and EPA standards.
• Install geotextile sediment fencing around the construction zone wherever there is
possibility of run-off.
• Install rock structures in areas where high water flows are expected. This will
retard water-flow and thus reduce erosion.
• Minimise the quantity of uncontaminated stormwater entering the cleared
construction area. This can be achieved by constructing cut-off or intercept drains
to redirect stormwater away from the cleared area to stable (vegetated) areas or
effective treatment installations.
• Ensure damage to sediment fences, rock structures etc. are repaired immediately.
De-watering construction zone
• De-water by pumping water, wherever practical, on to a vegetated area within the
construction zone of sufficient width to remove suspended soil, or to sediment
control devices.
• If water must be pumped from the construction zone into the wetland (or a
drainage system discharging to a natural waterway), ensure that the level of
suspended solids never exceeds the regulatory water quality standard.
• Supervise all pumping and implement precautions to ensure that turbidity of
pumped water is minimised.
Timing and
frequency
• Stormwater control and treatment devices to be installed prior to any construction
works.
Monitoring
• Weekly inspection and maintenance program to ensure the efficiency of
stormwater diversion structures.
• Increase monitoring of stormwater diversion structures during prolonged periods
of rain and storm events.
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5.1.3 Soil erosion and sediment management
PLAN
ELEMENT
Soil erosion and sediment management
Issues
Sediment entering the wetland (e.g. airborn or in stormwater run-off) has the
potential to impact on water quality and subsequently aquatic flora and fauna
populations.
Aquatic ecosystems such as the wetland are highly susceptible to damage from
eroded soil and other contaminants from construction sites (EPA 1991).
Objectives
1. To minimise the quantity of soil lost (through wind and/or water erosion)
during construction.
2. To reduce risk to the environment from soil eroded (by wind or water) from
construction zones.
3. To minimise on-site impacts resulting from soil erosion (e.g. stockpile losses,
clean-up costs, downtime after rain, dust).
Management
Actions (in
accordance
with EPA
1996)
Soil erosion
• Coordinate work schedules, if more than one contractor is working on a site, so
that there are no delays in construction activities resulting in disturbed land
remaining unstabilised.
• Program construction activities so that the area of exposed soil is minimised during
times of the year when the potential for erosion is high, for example during
summer when intense rainstorms have increased likelihood and when dust
generation is at its greatest.
• Stabilise the site and install and maintain erosion controls so that they remain
effective during any pause in construction. This is particularly important if a
project stops during the wetter months.
• Mulch, roughen and seed (with sterile grasses) cleared slopes and stockpiles where
no works are planned for more than 28 days.
• Cultivating disturbed surfaces will increase infiltration of rainfall and decrease the
velocity of water across a slope during rain and therefore reduce erosion. Deep
ripping which leaves the surface rough and cloddy will also reduce the wind
velocity at the soil surface reducing dust.
• Keep the areas of land cleared to a minimum, and the period of time areas remain
cleared to a minimum.
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• Rehabilitate cleared areas promptly.
Suspended sediments
• Identify drainage lines and install control measures to handle predicted stormwater
and sediment loads generated in the local-catchment.
• Sediment filtering controls should be placed on all drainage lines. Silt loads should
be treated as close to their source as possible using effective sediment traps such as
geotextile ‘silt fences’.
• All fencing around the construction zone should include geotextile ‘silt fences’
wherever run-off is a possibility.
• Install sediment control measures before construction commences.
• Ensure that contingency plans are in place for unusual storm events.
• Ensure maintenance is immediately carried out on damaged sediment-control
structures. Where necessary enhance or redesign control structures to increase
functionality.
Dust (see also soil erosion)
• Ensure in the project schedule that the area of cleared land is minimised during the
drier months of the year, when dust generation is at its greatest.
Timing and
frequency
• Install sediment control measures prior to construction works.
Monitoring
• Weekly inspection, maintenance and cleaning program for sediment run-off
control structures.
• Continually assess the effectiveness of sediment control measures and make
necessary improvements.
• Maintain a record of inspections.
5.1.4 Litter management
PLAN
ELEMENT
Issues
Litter management
The input of litter into ‘natural’ and landscaped environments such as the wetland
reduces aesthetic appeal and landscape amenity value, and encourages further
littering.
Depending on the quantity and type, litter will also degrade fauna habitat values,
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including potential impacts on water quality
1. To ensure litter and waste generated within the construction zone does not end
up in the wetland area.
Objectives
2. To maintain the wetland as a litter free environment.
Management
Actions
• Provide adequate litter/waste disposal within the construction zone so that litter
cannot be blown or washed from the site.
• Store and dispose of hazardous waste appropriately.
• Manage waste disposal so that pest animals (e.g. foxes, rats, Common Myna and
cats) are not encouraged in the construction zone (e.g. for harbour or food
resources).
• Continue to regularly remove litter from the wetland.
Timing and
frequency
• Litter/waster disposal facilities to be installed prior to any construction works.
• Ongoing litter removal from wetland (monthly).
• Ongoing monitoring of the adequacy of litter management within the
construction zone.
Monitoring
• Site manager responsible for monitoring litter management within (or generated
from) the construction zone.
• Continue to undertake regular inspection of the wetland and immediate
surrounding area to ensure on-going litter removal and management.
5.1.5 Hazardous substances
PLAN
ELEMENT
Hazardous Substances
Issues
Hazardous substances may impact on the environmental values of the wetland.
Objectives
To ensure that hazardous substances (fuel and chemicals) are stored and handled in a
safe manner, and that any materials that escape do not cause environmental damage to
the wetland.
Management
Actions (in
accordance
with EPA
1996)
•
Minimise hazardous substances stored onsite.
• Onsite storage of hazardous substances to be situated in a manner that will reduce
potential impacts to the wetland and other surrounding ecologically sensitive areas
(e.g. remnant trees and planted vegetation).
• Install bunds and take other precautions to reduce the impacts of spills.
• Implement a contingency plan to handle spills, so that environmental damage is
avoided. It should consider issues such as cleaning up spills which have entered
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the wetland, disposal or reuse of recovered residues, and contacting key company
and government agency personnel to advise them of emergency situations.
• Ensure the transport, storage and usage of hazardous substances is in accordance
with Material Safety Data Sheet prescriptions.
• See Section 5.2 for prescriptions regarding herbicide usage.
Timing and
frequency
Ongoing.
Monitoring
• Weekly monitoring of hazardous substance storage area to ensure materials are
stored correctly and that safety measures are in place and functioning.
• Maintain an incident register.
5.2
Weed management
PLAN
ELEMENT
Weed Management and Hygiene
Issues
Competition from weeds is a serious threat to indigenous wetland vegetation. It is
therefore necessary to not only control existing weed populations within and adjacent
to the wetland, but to ensure that construction activities to do result in the proliferation
of weeds on site.
Objectives
1. Manage existing (and future) weed populations within and adjacent to the
wetland.
2. Ensure weed populations are not allowed to proliferate within the construction
zone.
3. Maintenance of revegetation plantings.
Management
Actions
Weed management within construction zones
Mechanical control (e.g. mowing or brush-cutting) and/or chemical control (herbicide
application) will be required to manage weed populations within the construction site
(e.g. on spoil heaps or along fence-lines). Weed species must not be allowed to
proliferate in the construction zone.
Weed management within the wetland
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Mechanical control (e.g. mowing or brush-cutting) and chemical control (herbicide
application) will be required to manage weed populations within and directly adjacent
to the wetland. All weed control within the wetland should be undertaken by qualified
weed control contractors who hold an Agricultural Chemical Users Permit.
Table 2 contains nine weed species that are required to be managed within the
wetland, and provides control techniques for each. These species are recommended
for management based on their invasive potential as well as practicability of control.
This list is not exhaustive and other weed species will require management both now
and in the future (e.g. to facilitate revegetation works). It is also recommended that a
narrow ‘spray border’ is maintained between wetland vegetation and adjacent lawn (to
minimise weed encroachment).
Note: all herbicide usage must be in accordance with the following:
• The use of herbicides over water in the wetland will be avoided where practicable.
Where unavoidable, only herbicides legally certified for use in such situations (as
specified on the product label) will be used. Application methods resulting in low
levels of off-target damage (e.g. cut/paint) will be favoured over spray application.
• All use of herbicides (and associated additives) will be in accordance with the
product label. Off-label use of herbicides may be permitted where approval has
been granted from a state government department (e.g. Department of
Sustainability and Environment or Department of Primary Industries).
• Site-specific herbicide planning (application methods, chemicals used, weather
conditions, plant phenology, etc.) will be employed to reduce off-target herbicide
damage (detrimental application of herbicide to plant species that have not been
targeted for control). While this generally applies to plants in and around the point
of herbicide application, it may also refer to organisms (flora and fauna) some
distance away.
Timing and
frequency
• Ongoing (three to four times a year as necessary). Contractors must ensure that
timing and frequency of weed control is such that seed-set is avoided, and that
revegetation works are not ‘swamped’ by weeds.
Monitoring
• Ongoing monitoring of weed populations within the construction zone to be
undertaken by the site manager.
• Monitoring of weed hygiene practices (condition of machinery entering the site
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and/or functioning of clean-down bay) to be undertaken by the site manager for the
duration of construction.
• Ongoing monitoring of weed populations within the wetland to be undertaken by
the qualified weed management contractors.
Table 2
Weed species requiring management within wetland, RMIT Bundoora,
July 2009
Control method(s)
A
1
Herbicide treatments
Herbicide applied to foliage with spray, wick applicator, etc.; annuals must be sprayed well before seed ripening.
2
Cut down and concentrated herbicide immediately applied to stump or stems, or bark “frilled” and herbicide applied.
B
3
Physical treatments
Physical removal – most plants can be physically removed by hand-weeding or with tools when small and/or isolated but soil
disturbance is kept to a minimum.
Species name
Aster subulatus
Cirsium vulgare
Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon
Cyperus eragrostis
Dactylis glomerata
Holcus lanatus
Melaleuca armillaris ssp. armillaris
Paspalum distichum
Pennisetum clandestinum
Common name
Aster-weed
Spear Thistle
Couch
Drain Flat-sedge
Cocksfoot
Yorkshire Fog
Giant Honey-myrtle
Water Couch
Kikuyu
Control method
1,3
1
1
1,3
1
1
2
1
1
5.2.1 Non-indigenous plantings
Several non-indigenous native species have been planted within the immediate vicinity of the
wetland, though only one species (Giant Honey-myrtle, #Melaleuca armillaris ssp. armillaris) is
considered problematic, and therefore identified for removal (Table 2). A myrtaceous shrub
(*Leptospermum sp.) likely to be L. lanigerum (Wooly Tea-tree), has been planted extensively on
the eastern banks of the wetland. While this species is indigenous to the region, the provenance of
the plantings is ambiguous, and they should therefore not be utilised as a source of propagation
material for further plantings.
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5.3
Revegetation
PLAN
Revegetation
ELEMENT
Issues
Revegetation within the wetland (i.e. the water body and adjoining beds) is
recommended as a follow-up measure to weed-control activities, and to enhance
submerged-aquatic vegetation. Revegetation will provide competition for exotic
species where weed control (removal) has created opportunities for
invasion/reinvasion of the same or other undesirable exotic species, as well as
enhancing landscape amenity values.
Objectives
1. Utilise indigenous plant species to infill areas of bare substrate resulting
from weed control.
2. Enhance the submerged-aquatic plant diversity of the wetland.
Management
Revegetation of species given in Table 3 is to be undertaken as per the following:
Actions
Revegetation method: planting of tubestock is the only revegetation method to be
utilised, because of massive competition from weeds in direct seeding or facilitation
of natural recruitment.
Sources of propagating material: all revegetation should utilise indigenous species
propagated from material (seeds, cuttings, divisions) obtained from the nearest
natural populations locally or regionally, with the appropriate DSE permits and
protocols to avoid harm to the source populations by overexploitation. All sources of
material should be recorded by the contractor(s) or other parties involved in
revegetation. Planted populations are unfortunately often unreliable as sources of
material because much non-indigenous material is used in some sectors of the
revegetation industry. All plants and propagation material must be correctly
identified and named before being utilised in revegetation.
Documentation: document the various components of the revegetation program
(e.g. locations and dates of seed collection, provenance of revegetated plants used at
a particular site, weed control, monitoring, etc.) the success rates of future
revegetation can be increased as a greater understanding of ‘what works’ is
achieved.
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Planting: autumn to spring planting (of terrestrial species) and spring planting (of
emergent and aquatic species) is recommended, allowing for optimal growing
conditions (moisture availability and increasing soil temperature). Plants should be
watered at the time of planting (to reduce air pockets around the root zone), though
follow-up watering should not be necessary.
Monitoring: it is essential that all revegetation plots be monitored. Effectively timed
monitoring will allow various degradation processes (e.g. weeds or waterbird
grazing) to be managed before they adversely affect the revegetation.
Maintenance: timing should coincide with ecological timelines (e.g. undertake
weed control before seed-set) and always seek to optimise the health of the plants
used in the revegetation. All plant losses should be replaced unless mortality has
been the result of unmanageable site conditions (e.g. prolonged drought). If
mortality is due to grazing from waterbirds it will be necessary to ‘net’ any new
plantings until they establish.
Contractors: it is recommended that revegetation is undertaken by the same
contractors undertaking weed management works. The contractors must be familiar
with indigenous and exotic flora and wetland restoration/revegetation.
See ‘Planting’ above.
Timing and
frequency
Ongoing.
Monitoring
Table 3
Plant species suitable for revegetation, RMIT Bundoora wetland, October
2009.
Structural Role of Plants
A Structural dominant of the vegetation stratum – the sole or predominant species locally or across
broader expanses or the whole vegetation zone; with high overall cover within particular location
B
C
D
E
Localised structural co-dominant (with other species) in vegetation stratum
Scattered thinly or discontinuously as small groups or isolated individuals (trees/shrubs and perennial
herbs); with low overall cover.
Scattered and infrequent across a wide area
Localised stands/aggregates in defined environments
Revegetation Zones
Zone 1 Riparian (banks of wetland); * = close to water
Zone 2 Dryland
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Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Aquatic (emergent)
Aquatic (submerged and/or floating)
Ephemeral (intermittently saturated)
Vegetation
Zones
1, 2
3
3
1, 5
3
2
3
1, 5
1, 5
Structural Role
of Plants
Species
Common Name
Acacia melanoxylon
Alisma plantago-aquatica
Baumea articulata
Carex appressa
Crassula helmsii
Dianella amoena
Eleocharis acuta
Juncus amabilis
Juncus flavidus
Blackwood
Water Plantain
Jointed Twig-rush
Tall Sedge
Swamp Crassula
Matted Flax-lily
Common Spike-sedge
Hollow Rush
Yellow Rush
Leptospermum lanigerum
Woolly Tea-tree
1*
C
Lomandra longifolia ssp.
longifolia
Spiny-headed Mat-rush
2
C
Lycopus australis
Melicytus dentatus
Myriophyllum crispatum
Persicaria decipiens
Persicaria prostrata
Australian Gypsywort
Tree Violet
Upright Water-milfoil
Slender Knotweed
Creeping Knotweed
3
1, 2
3, 4
3, 4
1, 3
B
B
C
B
C
Poa labillardierei var.
labillardierei
Common tussock grass
1, 2
B
Potamogeton cheesemanii
Potamogeton ochreatus
Rumex bidens
Themeda triandra
Red Pondweed
Blunt Pondweed
Mud Dock
Kangaroo Grass
4
4
3
2
B
B
C
B
Triglochin procerum s.l. (broad
erect leaves)
Broad-leaf Water-Ribbons
3
C
B
C
D
B
B
C
C
C
C
5.4 Feral animals
PLAN
ELEMENT
Feral Animals
Issues
Introduced animals pose a threat to the biodiversity values of the wetland and
surrounding environs.
Foxes
• Fox predation is outlined as a threatening process under the Flora and Fauna
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Guarantee Act 1988 (see Mansergh and Markes 1993), in the National Mammal
Action Plans (marsupials and rodents, Lee 1995; Maxwell et al. 1996) and in
reviews dealing with impacts of fox predation on native vertebrates (e.g.
Saunders et al. 1995; Smith and Quin 1996; DEWHA 2008a).
• A fox control program should only be considered if it is possible to incorporate
fox control activities into an integrated and co-ordinated fox control program
over a large area. It should be noted that under the Victorian Catchment and
Land Protection Act 1994, the fox is declared vermin, and all land owners and
managers within a catchment are obliged to undertake fox control (Saunders et
al. 1995).
• Small reptiles and waterbirds in the wetland area may be at particular risk from
the threat of predation.
Cats
• Feral cats pose a significant threat to native wildlife through predation
(Bezuijen and McMahon 1999; Webb et al. 1995; Barratt 1995, 1998). Cats
appear to selectively prey upon small mammals, particularly nocturnal ground
and tree-dwelling species. After mammals, birds appear to be the most preyed
upon fauna (Bezuijen and McMahon 1999).
Threat Abatement Plans for the European Fox (DEWHA 2008a) and Feral cats
(DEWHA 2008b) provide further background information on biology and current
management practices for control of these introduced species.
Objectives
1. Protect native fauna species and/or habitat, by monitoring and if
possible controlling feral exotic fauna within the wetland area.
2. To minimise habitat opportunities for feral animals through the
elimination of harbour sites.
3. To ensure that construction activities do not promote feral animals
within the landscape.
Management
Actions
• During the construction process for the new lecture theatre, ensure that litter
and other wastes are appropriately disposed of and do not attract and/or
provide harbour for feral animals (e.g. foxes, rats, Common Myna and cats).
• If feral animals are present, investigate the possibility of control through
liaison and coordination with surrounding land managers (Parks Victoria,
City of Whittlesea, Melbourne Water and DSE).
• If required, engage a suitably qualified contractor to undertake feral animal
control on-site.
• Active fox dens recorded at any location across the RMIT campus should be
reported immediately and a feral animal control contractor engaged as soon
as possible.
• All actions should be documented.
Timing and
• Implement pest animal monitoring at the commencement of this plan.
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frequency
Monitoring
• Monitor for signs of active fox dens, feral cats and active warren entrances.
This can give an indication as to when (and if) control actions are required.
• Document control programs.
• Make regular inspections to ensure that litter and other wastes are stored or
disposed of correctly.
5.5 Domestic animal control
PLAN
ELEMENT
Domestic animal control
Issues
• RMIT University discourages pets being brought onto the campus grounds.
Furthermore their policy states that any pets brought onto RMIT grounds must
be restrained at all times (Peter Heaney, Grounds and Garden Coordinator,
RMIT, pers. comm.). However, this policy is hard to enforce and numerous dogs
are exercised within the RMIT grounds, including the wetland area.
Domestic dogs:
• Can pose a threat to native wildlife, although more often via indirect processes
rather than direct predation. Dogs being exercised irresponsibly may cause
individuals or flocks of foraging or roosting birds to take flight. They may also
flush birds from nests during the breeding period.
• Nutrient enrichment or eutrophication associated with dog faeces can exacerbate
weed infestation and increase pollution of storm water, as well as transmit
potential diseases to humans (from faeces), especially children.
Objectives
1. To minimise impacts of domestic animals on native fauna and habitat
within the wetland area.
2. To encourage responsible ownership of domestic dogs when utilising the
wetland area.
Management
Actions
• Encourage responsible pet ownership by pet owners through information
presented in signage. For example, signage should remind residents that the
RMIT campus and specifically the wetland is an ‘On-leash Area’. Signage could
also display the potential impacts of dogs through disturbance to wildlife and
nutrient enrichment of the wetland.
• Provide specific bins and bags to encourage responsible removal of faeces from
open space areas. This will also avoid nutrient-enrichment of the wetland.
Timing and
frequency
• Introduce management actions at the commencement of this plan.
• On-going community education.
Monitoring
• Initiate random patrolling of open space areas to ensure that management
measures are effective.
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5.6 Fauna-friendly lighting
PLAN
ELEMENT
Fauna-friendly lighting
Issues
Artificial lighting can alter the habitat suitability for some species, particularly
nocturnal native fauna.
Impacts from light pollution may include:
• Interruption of natural behaviours (e.g. attraction or avoidance to the light) or
impact on the light-sensitive cycles of many species.
• Exposure to greater levels of predation risks of nocturnal native species whose
eyesight may be hindered by bright lights.
• Disruption of navigational abilities causing disorientation including structuralrelated mortality, attract insects and impede the ability of nocturnal frogs to
locate and capture prey (Cornell and Hailman 1984, Buchanan 1993).
• Predatory birds and reptiles, usually active only during the day, will sometimes
forage at night under artificial lights (Longcore and Rich 2004), disadvantaging
the prey species over time.
Objectives
To minimise the impact of artificial light spill on nocturnal fauna species and their
wetland habitat.
Management
Actions
• Install and utilise only the minimum amount of light needed for safety.
• Minimise light spillage and impacts to fauna through the design of lighting.
Such as:
o Eliminate naked bulbs and lighting pointing upward (where practicable).
o Use narrow spectrum bulbs as often as possible to lower the range of
species affected by lighting.
o Lighting should be designed as ‘down lights’ and not directly spill outside
the area where light is required. Using a down light and motion sensor
lighting in order to reduce light spill and the associated secondary impact
on nocturnal fauna species potentially utilizing the adjoining vegetation.
o Shield or cut lighting to ensure that light reaches only areas needing
illumination.
o Use embedded lights if possible to illuminate pathways.
o Positioning lighting closer to the ground to minimise disorientation of bird
species.
• Do not use flood lighting adjacent to vegetation or directed onto the wetland.
Timing and
frequency
• Implement strategies at the commencement of this plan.
• Install appropriate lights and replace as required.
Monitoring
N/A
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5.7
Habitat management
PLAN
ELEMENT
Habitat management
Issues
The wetland and surrounding environs currently provide habitat for a variety of fauna
species.
The development of the proposed new lecture theatre should not impact on existing
values.
Objectives
• To maintain and enhance habitat values within wetland and surrounding terrestrial
environs.
Management
Actions
• Continue to maintain a mosaic of open and dense patches of aquatic vegetation to
encourage use by a variety of water-dependent fauna. This can be achieved by
ensuring that future revegetation activities continue to utilise a range of plant lifeforms and species.
• Where possible, provide terrestrial habitat components for shelter/refuge (e.g.
tussock-forming grasses, rocks and logs) for frogs and reptiles.
• Retain or augment large woody debris in both terrestrial and wetland habitat.
Fallen limbs from indigenous trees should be utilised to augment fauna habitat
values.
• Retention of hollow bearing trees surrounding the wetland.
Timing and
frequency
• Undertake yearly assessment and monitoring of fauna habitat values within the
wetland and undertake management as required.
Monitoring
•
•
• Engage a consultant to undertake yearly fauna habitat assessment and monitoring
to ensure that wetland values are maintained.
5.8 Environmental awareness and other user-related issues
PLAN
ELEMENT
Environmental awareness and other user related issues
Issues
Prior to and during construction, all contract workers must be made aware of the
requirements of the Wetland Management Plan and their associated responsibilities
through an induction process so that at least a minimum level of environmental
awareness is achieved.
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RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
Other users of the wetland area could be informed of the ecological values,
management and protective measures through interpretive signage.
Objectives
Contractor induction
1. Outline the general objectives, purpose and general requirements of the
Wetland Management Plan.
2. Outline the benefits of good environmental practices.
3. Outline the actions to be followed in the event of an emergency.
4. Identify areas of sensitivity (e.g. wetland) or values for protection (e.g.
remnant scattered trees).
5. Outline the management structure, definition of roles, communication
methods, reporting and incident management.
Community awareness
Install interpretive signage which would aim to:
1. Provide an educational experience for users of the area;
2. Encourage visitors to protect and care about the wetland and surrounding
environment; and
3. Minimise the environmental damage caused by various activities (e.g.
littering, dog swimming) by explaining the potential consequences.
Management
Actions
Timing and
Draft 0.1
• Key representatives from contracting companies should take part in a site
induction whereby all elements of this management plan are outlined by the Site
Manager. All other employees must be made aware of the management plan
elements by the various contractor representatives.
• Investigate the feasibility of installing interpretive signage in the wetland area to
enhance user understanding and enjoyment and provide incentive (knowledge)
to protect this area. Signage could display:
o Fauna habitat values of the area and where activities could have a
potentially degrading impact (e.g. littering or dogs ‘off-leash’).
o Information discouraging the feeding of ducks in the wetland. Feeding
ducks artificial food (e.g. bread) may cause a number of problems
including:
o Poor nutrition, which could lead to health problems.
o An imbalance of populations to favour those species that are
commonly fed.
o Eutrophication of the water body.
o Information on wetland health including: the prohibition of stocking with
exotic fish; impacts of dogs on wetland flora and fauna; and the dumping of
rubbish.
• Investigate opportunities to involve the community or students in environmental
monitoring such as water quality testing.
• Preparation of educational signage within six months of commencement of this
Draft for review
35
RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
frequency
Monitoring
Draft 0.1
plan
• The Contractor should maintain a record of all environmental training
undertaken by all employees.
Draft for review
36
6 Legislative and Policy Framework
Legislation or policy
Scope
Where it applies
Relevance to the development and Wetland Management Plan
Pertains to matters of national environmental significance
including Ramsar Wetlands, listed threatened species and
Ecological communities, listed migratory species and
Commonwealth Marine Areas.
Public and Private land.
Five EPBC-listed fauna species have been recorded on the AVW database within 5 km of
the study area. One of these species, Grey-headed Flying-Fox (listed as Vulnerable under
the EPBC Act) is considered to have a moderate likelihood of regular occurrence in the
study area. However, as the proposed development does not require the removal of any
potential foraging/roosting trees, impacts to this species are most unlikely.
Federal
Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999
The proponent is obliged to refer matters to the Commonwealth
Environment Minister if such values may be affected by a
proposed action. The Department of the Environment, Water,
Heritage and the Arts decides whether there will be a
significant impact and if it needs to be a ‘controlled action’.
The commonwealth can intervene to modify or block an action
if it deems this necessary for the protection of a species or
community of national significance.
National Strategy for the
Conservation of Australia’s
Biological Diversity
A referral is necessary
whenever a proposed
action is considered likely
to impact on a species or
ecological community
listed in the Act.
Maintenance of flora and fauna communities and ecological
processes
Private and public land.
RMIT has the responsibility to protect biological diversity and promote ecologically
sustainable development.
The FFG Act lists species and ecological communities
recognised as rare or threatened in Victoria. Under the Act,
there are also provisions for listing of threatening processes and
Protected Flora. Protected Flora include those species listed as
threatened under the Act, plant species that belong to listed
communities and plant species that are not threatened, but
require protection for other reasons (e.g. from over-collection orchids).
Public land (may have
implications for private to
the extent planning
authorities enforce).
Eighteen FFG-listed fauna species have been recorded on the AVW within 5 km of the
study area. None of these species are considered to have a moderate or higher likelihood of
occurrence in the study area.
Public and private
Some proposed uses and management of protected fauna must be licensed under the Act. A
permit is required from DSE under the Act to ‘take’ protected wildlife such as possums.
State
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act
1988
The full extent of the FFG Act only applies to Public land, but
the intent of the Act also applies to other land tenures through
the Action Statements, Victoria’s Biodiversity Policy, and
through the planning scheme referral process. This is the
State’s primary legislation for flora and fauna.
Wildlife Act 1975
Lists protected fauna species.
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37
RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
Legislation or policy
Scope
Where it applies
Relevance to the development and Wetland Management Plan
Catchment and Land Protection
Act 1994 (CaLP Act) (amended
2003)
Provides a legislative framework for the management of land
including the control of declared noxious weeds and pest
animals. The 2007 amendments include a revised list of
noxious weeds and increased maximum penalties for poor land
management.
Private and public land. If
pest plants or animals are
detected (or other poor
land management
practices identified) land
managers are given notice
and fined if no action is
taken.
Noxious weeds that are declared under the Act and found within the area will require
control. If land managers are given notice and no action is undertaken, a fine may be issued.
Pest animal control must also be undertaken by the land manager.
Private and public land.
Proposed developments which include losses of native vegetation or indigenous trees, are
subject to a ‘Net Gain’ assessment. Three steps need to be addressed in order to fulfil the
requirements of Net Gain:
Victoria's Native Vegetation
Framework
Is a policy for the protection, enhancement and revegetation of
native vegetation in Victoria. The Framework is based on the
principle of 'Net Gain'. Net Gain is the outcome for native
vegetation and habitat where individual losses are avoided
where possible. The losses and gains are determined by a
combined quality-quantity measure over a specified area and
period of time.
•
•
•
avoid adverse impacts;
If impacts cannot be avoided, minimise impacts through appropriate
consideration in planning; &
Identify appropriate offset options.
There are no Net Gain implications for the proposed development.
Planning and Environment Act
1987 (Amended 2003)
Sets out objectives for planning in Victoria. One of these
objectives is ‘to provide for the protection of natural and manmade resources and the maintenance of ecological processes
and genetic diversity’.
This Act established Native Vegetation retention controls (c.
52.17): these require a planning permit to remove, destroy or
lop native vegetation (subject to certain exemptions).
Draft 0.1
Draft for review
Private or public land of
greater than 0.4 ha. The
0.4 ha threshold does not
necessarily apply if the
land is affected by a
planning overlay (e.g.
ESO, SLO). DSE is a
mandatory referral
authority for applications
to remove:
•
more than 15 trees <
40 cm DBH
(diameter at breast
eight;
•
more than 5 trees >
.40 cm DBH;
•
more than 0.5 ha of
an Endangered,
Vulnerable or Rare
EVC;
•
more than 1.0 ha of
a Depleted or Least
Concern EVC.
Is implemented through the City of Whittlesea with permits required to remove native
vegetation.
38
RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
Legislation or policy
Scope
Where it applies
Relevance to the development and Wetland Management Plan
Environment Protection Act
1970 (Amended 2006)
The Environment Protection Act 1970 established the powers,
duties and functions of the EPA. The aims of the Act include
the sustainable use and holistic management of the environment
and encouraging a co-operative approach to environment
protection.
Private and public land.
The stormwater and run-off needs to be managed to protect all waterways and native
vegetation.
State Environmental Protection
Policy (Waters of Victoria) 1999
State Environmental Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria)
1999 sits under the Environment Protection Act 1970. The State
Environment Protection Policies (SEPPs). SEPPs are important
as they provide goals and blueprints to protect the environment
for the community both now and into the future. The SEPP
Waters of Victoria details the uses and values of our water
environments (beneficial uses), sets measurements and
indicators so we know how well they are being protected
(environmental quality objectives) and outlines what needs to
be done to protect them (attainment program).
Private and public land.
The stormwater and run-off needs to be managed to protect all waterways and native
vegetation.
Victorian Water Act (1989)
The Victorian Water Act (1989) was designed to enable
integrated management of surface water and groundwater and
to eliminate inconsistencies in the treatment of surface water
and groundwater resources and waterways. The mechanism to
achieve this is through the development of water management
plans and licensing provisions.
Private and public land.
The stormwater and run-off needs to be managed to protect all waterways and native
vegetation.
Domestic (Feral and Nuisance)
Animal Act 1994.
The purpose of this Act is to promote animal welfare, the
responsible ownership of dogs and cats and the protection of
the environment by feral and nuisance dogs and cats.
Private and public land.
Uncontrolled domestic dogs, cats and feral foxes may directly and indirectly impact on
environmental values of the wetland.
Victoria’s Biodiversity Strategy
2002
The Biodiversity Strategy complements the FFG Act and
details actions to ensure biodiversity is managed in a manner
that is ecologically sound and sustainable, preventing further
loss of habitat and ensuring a better management of existing
habitats. The Strategy encourages Victorian organisations and
individuals to better understand and appreciate the State’s
diverse flora and fauna and ecosystems, and to take an active
part in the their conservation and management for future
generations.
All habitat and their
associated flora and fauna
populations on private and
public land
The identification of threatened species in the study area requires the land manager to
ensure that any new developments and activities are consistent with the Strategy and will
not seek to harm threatened species.
The Urban Stormwater Best
Practice Environmental
Management Guidelines
(BPEMG) (CSIRO 1999)
The Best Practice Guidelines are used to assist urban catchment
managers protect storm water quality and urban run-off into
waterways. It includes environmental performance objectives,
tools, best practices and examples of storm water management
plans.
Private and public land.
The stormwater and run-off needs to be managed to protect the waterways and native
vegetation.
Local
Draft 0.1
Draft for review
39
RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
Legislation or policy
Scope
Where it applies
Local Planning Policy
Contains the Local Planning Policies - zones, overlays and
particular provisions in the planning scheme.
Public and private land. A
planning scheme is
binding on all people and
corporations on every
Minister, government
department, public
authority and municipal
council.
Draft 0.1
Draft for review
Relevance to the development and Wetland Management Plan
Permits are likely to be required to remove native vegetation.
As no remnant indigenous vegetation is proposed for removal, this does not apply to the
construction of the lecture theatre.
40
7 Works Program and monitoring guidelines
Table 4
Works program
Year
Action
no.
Management action
Timing of action
1
1
Fencing of construction zone (Section 5.1.2)
Prior to construction
1
2
Installation of stormwater and sediment control devices/procedures (Sections 5.1.3 and 5.1.4)
Prior to construction
1
3
Create onsite hazardous substances storage area, and identify spill management procedures (Section
5.1.6)
Prior to construction
1
4
Install clean-down facility within the construction zone if necessary (Section 5.2)
Prior to construction
1-5
5
Undertake contractor induction (Section 5.8)
Prior to contractor
undertaking on-site works
1-5
6
Weed control within the wetland (Section 5.2)
Ongoing (3 to 4 times a
year as required)
1-5
7
Weed control within construction zone (Section 5.2)
Ongoing as required
1-5
8
Revegetation of wetland (Section 5.3)
As required post weed
control. Autumn to spring
planting (see Section 5.3)
1-5
9
Remove litter from wetland (Section 5.1.5)
Monthly
1-5
10
Fallen limbs from indigenous trees to be placed within wetland area as fauna habitat components
(Section 5.7)
As required
1
11
Provide specific bins and bags to encourage responsible removal of dog faeces (Section 5.5)
Within 6 months of
Draft 0.1
Draft for review
41
RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
Year
Action
no.
Management action
Timing of action
implementation of this plan
1
12
Investigate the potential for the wetland and surrounding area to be designated as an ‘on-leash’ zone
(Section 5.5)
Upon implementation of
this plan
1-5
13
Investigate the feasibility of undertaking feral animal control by liaising with relevant land managers
(e.g. Parks Victoria, City of Whittlesea, and DSE) (Section 5.4)
Upon implementation of
this plan
1
14
Investigate the feasibility of installing interpretive signage in the wetland area (Section 5.8)
Upon implementation of
this plan
1
15
Investigate the feasibility of installing fauna-friendly lighting around the wetland (Section 5.6)
Upon implementation of
this plan
Table 5
Monitoring guidelines
Monitoring
element
Monitoring guidelines
Timing/frequency
Agency responsible
for monitoring
Sediment control
structures
Ensure stormwater control structures/procedures are not damaged and are
functioning adequately
Weekly for duration of
construction
Construction site
manager, RMIT
Stormwater control
structures
Ensure stormwater control structures/procedures are not damaged and are
functioning adequately
Weekly for duration of
construction
Construction site
manager, RMIT
Fencing
Ensure perimeter fencing is secure
Weekly for duration of
construction
Construction site
manager, RMIT
Draft 0.1
Draft for review
42
RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
Monitoring
element
Litter management
Hazardous
substances
Weed management
and revegetation
Domestic animal
control
Draft 0.1
Monitoring guidelines
Timing/frequency
Agency responsible
for monitoring
Ensure sediment fencing is installed correctly, not damaged and fully
functioning
Weekly for duration of
construction
Construction site
manager, RMIT
Ensure litter/waste within the construction zone is secured
Weekly for duration of
construction
Construction site
manager, RMIT
Ensure monthly litter removal is being undertaken within the wetland
Monthly
RMIT, Weed/reveg
contractor
Ensure hazardous substances are stored correctly and that safety
measures/procedures are in place and functioning
Weekly for duration of
construction
Construction site
manager, RMIT
Ensure an incident register is maintained
Weekly for duration of
construction
Construction site
manager, RMIT
Monitor effectiveness of previous weed control activities, and identify
upcoming weed-control requirements
Per site visit
Weed/reveg
contractor
Determine the scope of revegetation required following successful weed
control
As required
Weed/reveg
contractor
Determine the success of previous revegetation and identify plant losses to
be replaced
Per site visit
Weed/reveg
contractor
Document degradation processes resulting in significant loss of plantings
Per site visit
Weed/reveg
contractor
Undertake random patrolling of open space areas to ensure that management
measures are effective
As required
RMIT
Draft for review
43
RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
Monitoring
element
Monitoring guidelines
Timing/frequency
Agency responsible
for monitoring
Fauna Habitat
Management
Engage a consultant to undertake yearly fauna habitat assessment and
monitoring to ensure that wetland values are maintained.
Yearly
RMIT/ fauna
consultant
Draft 0.1
Draft for review
44
RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
8 References
Barratt, D.G. (1995). Predation and movement by house-based domestic Cats Felis catus (L.) in
suburban and rural habitats – preliminary findings. In: ‘People and Nature Conservation.
Perspectives on Private Land usee and Endangered Species Recovery.’ (Eds. A. Bennett,
G. Backhouse and T. Clark. (Surrey Beatty and Sons, Chipping Norton).
Barratt, D.G. (1997). Predation by House Cats, Felis catus (L.), in Canberra, Australia. I. Prey
composition and preference. Wildlife Research 24, 263-277.
Barratt, D.G. (1998). Predation by House Cats, Felis catus (L.), in Canberra, Australia. II.
Factors affecting the amount of prey caught and estimates of the impact on wildlife.
Wildlife Research 25, 475-487.
Bezuijen, M.R., and McMahon, A.R.G. (1999). A review of the ecological impacts of semiurban development and domestic cats. (Ecology Australia Pty. Ltd., Fairfield,
Melbourne).
Buchanan, B. W. 1993. “Effects of enhanced lighting on the behaviour of nocturnal frogs.”
Animal Behaviour. 45: 893-899.
Cooke, B.D. (1987) The effects of rabbit grazing on regeneration of She-Oaks Allocasuarina
verticillata and saltwater ti-tree Melaleuca halmaturorum, in the Coorong National Park,
South Australia. Australian Journal of Ecology 13: 11 – 20
Cornell, E.A., and J.P. Hailman. 1984. “Pupillary responses to two Rana Pipiens - complex
anuran species.” Herpetologica. 40: 356-366.
DSE (2004). ‘Victorian Flora Species Index – including vascular and non-vascular taxa’.
(Department of Sustainability and Environment: East Melbourne.)
DSE (2005). ‘Advisory List of rare and threatened flora in Victoria - 2005.’ (Department of
Sustainability and Environment: East Melbourne.)
DSE (2007). ‘Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria - 2007.’ (Department
of Sustainability and Environment: East Melbourne.)
DSE (2007a). ‘Flora Information System. Database’. (Arthur Rylah Institute: Heidelberg.)
DSE (2007b). Advisory List of threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria - 2007. (Department of
Sustainability and Environment: East Melbourne).
DSE (2007c). Victorian Fauna Display. (DSE/Viridians Biological Databases: Brighton East).
DSE (2009a). Biodiversity Interactive Map. Available on the Department of Sustainability and
Environment website, accessed 17 July 2009. http://nremapsc.nre.vic.gov.au/MapShare.v2/imf.jsp?site=bim_external
DSE (2009b). EVC bioregional benchmarks webpage. Available on the Department of
Sustainability and Environment website, accessed 17 July 2009
DEWHA (2008a). Threat Abatement Plan for predation by the European Red Fox. Department
of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.
Draft 0.1
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RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
DEWHA (2008b). Threat Abatement Plan for predation by feral cats. Department of the
Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.
DEWHA (2008c). Threat Abatement Plan for competition and land degradation by rabbits.
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Commonwealth of
Australia, Canberra.
EPA (1991) Construction techniques for sediment pollution control. (Environment Protection
Authority, Melbourne.)
EPA (1996). Environmental Guidelines for Major Construction Sites. (Environment Protection
Authority, Melbourne.)
KBR (2003) Whittlesea Stormwater Management Plan Volume 1 – Summary. Prepared for City
of Whittlesea by Kellogg Brown and Root Pty Ltd.
Lee, A.K. (1995). The Action Plan for Australian Rodents. Australian Nature Conservation
Agency, Canberra, ACT.
Longcore, T., and C. Rich. 2004. “Ecological Light Pollution.” Frontiers in Ecology and the
Environment. 2(4): 191-198.
Mansergh, I. & Marks, C. (1993) Action Statement No. 44. Predation of native wildlife by the
introduced Red Fox Vulpes vulpes (Flora and Fauna Branch, Department of NATURAL
Resources and Environment, Melbourne)
Marks C. A. and Bloomfield T. E. (1999) Distribution and density estimates for urban foxes
(Vulpes vulpes) in Melbourne: implications for rabies control. Wildlife Research 26(6)
763 – 775.
Maxwell, S., Burbridge, A., and Keith, M. (eds) (1996) The 1996 Action Plan for Australian
Marsupials and Monotremes. (Environment Australia, Canberra).
Morton, A., Tagg, D., Wallis, R., and Lewis, C. (1999) An integrated Strategy for a fox control
program in the Dandenong Creek Valley. Unpublished report prepared for the Dandenong
Creek Valley Co-ordinated Fox control committee (Deakin University, Clayton).
Norman, F.I. (1988) Long – term effects of rabbit reduction on Rabbit Island, Wilson’s
Promontory Victoria. Victorian Naturalist 105: 136 – 141.
Saunders, G., Coman, B., Kinnear, J., and Braysher, M. (1995) Managing Vertebrate Pests:
Foxes. (Bureau of Resource Sciences, Canberra)
Seebeck, J. and Clunie, P. (2004) Action Statement No. 80. Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act
1988 Predation of Native Wildlife by the Cat Felis catus. The State of Victoria,
Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne Victoria.
Smith, A.P. and Quin, D.G. (1996) Patterns and causes of extinction and decline in Australian
conilurine rodents. Biological Conservation, 77, 243 – 267.
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RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
Appendix 1
Plant species inventory for the wetland and immediate surrounds, RMIT
University, Bundoora (10 July 2009).
Key:
*
Exotic species
#
Victorian native species that is non-indigenous to the study area
MONOCOTYLEDONS
Cyperaceae
*
Bolboschoenus caldwellii
Carex appressa
Cyperus eragrostis
Eleocharis acuta
Eleocharis sphacelata
Isolepis sp.
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani
Salt Club-sedge
Tall Sedge
Drain Flat-sedge
Common Spike-sedge
Tall Spike-sedge
Club Sedge
River Club-sedge
Juncus articulatus
Juncus gregiflorus
Juncus pallidus
Juncus subsecundus
Jointed Rush
Green Rush
Pale Rush
Finger Rush
Triglochin procera (broad erect
leaves)
Water Ribbons
Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon
Dactylis glomerata
Holcus lanatus
Lachnagrostis filiformis
Lolium rigidum
Paspalum distichum
Pennisetum clandestinum
Poa annua
Couch
Cocksfoot
Yorkshire Fog
Common Blown-grass
Wimmera Rye-grass
Water Couch
Kikuyu
Annual Meadow-grass
Typha domingensis
Narrow-leaf Cumbungi
Aster subulatus
Cassinia arcuata
Cirsium vulgare
Conyza spp.
Hypochoeris radicata
Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum
Senecio quadridentatus
Sonchus asper s.s.
Sonchus oleraceus
Aster-weed
Drooping Cassinia
Spear Thistle
Fleabane
Flatweed
Jersey Cudweed
Cotton Fireweed
Rough Sow-thistle
Common Sow-thistle
Dichondra repens
Kidney-weed
Crassula helmsii
Swamp Crassula
Lotus sp 1.
Trefoil
Juncaceae
*
Juncaginaceae
Poaceae
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Typhaceae
DICOTYLEDONS
Asteraceae
*
*
*
*
*
*
Convolvulaceae
Crassulaceae
Fabaceae
*
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47
RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
Lotus sp 2.
Trifolium repens var. repens
Vicia sativa
Trefoil
White Clover
Common Vetch
Lythrum hyssopifolia
Small Loosestrife
Malva sp. (naturalized)
Modiola caroliniana
Mallow
Red-flower Mallow
Villarsia reniformis
Running Marsh-flower
Corymbia maculata
Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Leptospermum sp.
Melaleuca armillaris subsp. armillaris
Spotted Gum
River Red-gum
Tea-tree
Giant Honey-myrtle
Epilobium billardierianum subsp.
cinereum
Grey Willow-herb
*
Persicaria decipiens
Polygonum aviculare s.s.
Rumex conglomeratus
Slender Knotweed
Hogweed
Clustered Dock
*
Galium aparine
Cleavers
*
Solanum nigrum s.s.
Black Nightshade
*
Plantago lanceolata
Plantago coronopus
Ribwort
Buck’s-thorn Plantain
*
*
*
Lythraceae
Malvaceae
*
*
Menyanthaceae
Myrtaceae
#
*
#
Onagraceae
Polygonaceae
*
Rubiaceae
Solanaceae
Veronicaceae
*
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48
RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
Appendix 2 Fauna species inventory for the wetland and the immediate surrounds, RMIT
University, Bundoora (10 July 2009).
Key:
Listed under the Marine (M) and Migratory (Mi) provisions of the EPBC Act.
Common Name
Scientific Name
Status
Birds
Crested Pigeon
Ocyphaps lophotes
Australasian Grebe
Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
Little Pied Cormorant
Phalacrocorax melanoleucos
Australian White Ibis
Threskiornis molucca
M
Australian Wood Duck
Chenonetta jubata
Mi
Rainbow Lorikeet
Trichoglossus haematodus
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Cacatua galerita
Galah
Eolophus roseicapilla
Crimson Rosella
Platycercus elegans elegans
Eastern Rosella
Platycercus eximius
Red-rumped Parrot
Psephotus haematonotus
Welcome Swallow
Hirundo neoxena
M
Magpie-lark
Grallina cyanoleuca
M
Noisy Miner
Manorina melanocephala
Red Wattlebird
Anthochaera carunculata
Grey Butcherbird
Cracticus torquatus
Australian Magpie
Gymnorhina tibicen
Australian Raven
Corvus coronoides
Spotted Turtle-Dove*
Streptopelia chinensis
Common Blackbird*
Turdus merula
Common Myna*
Acridotheres tristis
Common Starling*
Sturnus vulgaris
Mammals
Common Brushtail Possum
Draft 0.1
Trichosurus vulpecula
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49
RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
Appendix 3 Terrestrial Fauna species listed as threatened and/or under the Migratory or
Marine-Overfly Schedules of the EPBC Act, threatened under the FFG Act, or classified as
threatened in Victoria (DSE 2007) and previously recorded within 5 km of the study area and
their Likelihood of Occurrence (LRO) in the study area
Key
EPBC – Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
NAP – National Action Plan
FFG – Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988
DSE – Status according to DSE (2007c): Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria – 2007.
CE – Critically Endangered; EN – Endangered; VU – Vulnerable; NT – Near Threatened
L – Listed under the FFG Act 1988.
Mi – Migratory species under the EPBC Act 1999
M – Marine overfly species under the EPBC Act 1999
Last – Year of last record
LO – Likelihood of regular occurrence
Common Name
Scientific Name
EPBC
Stubble Quail
Coturnix pectoralis
M
Diamond Dove
Geopelia cuneata
Buff-banded Rail
Gallirallus philippensis
M
Baillon's Crake
Porzana pusilla palustris
M
Purple Swamphen
Porphyrio porphyrio
M
Pied Cormorant
Phalacrocorax varius
Australian Pelican
Pelecanus conspicillatus
M
Silver Gull
Larus novaehollandiae
Mi, M
Pacific Gull
Larus pacificus pacificus
Mi, M
Masked Lapwing
Vanellus miles
Mi
Banded Lapwing
Vanellus tricolor
Mi
Black-fronted Dotterel
Elseyornis melanops
Mi
Latham's Snipe
Gallinago hardwickii
Mi, M
Bush Stone-curlew
Burhinus grallarius
Mi
Australian White Ibis
Threskiornis molucca
M
Straw-necked Ibis
Royal Spoonbill
Threskiornis spinicollis
Platalea regia
M
NA
P
FF
G
DS
E
Las
t
LO
Birds
Draft 0.1
L
NT
L
VU
NT
Draft for review
NT
NT
NT
L
EN
VU
200
5
200
1
200
3
200
3
200
6
200
1
200
2
200
4
200
2
200
4
200
1
199
7
200
1
200
1
200
4
200
3
200
Negligible
Low
Lowmoderate
Lowmoderate
High
Low
Lowmoderate
High
Negligible
High
Low
Low
Low
Low
High recorded
High
Low
50
RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
Little Egret
Egretta garzetta
M
L
EN
Great Egret
Ardea alba
Mi, M
L
VU
Nankeen Night-Heron
Nycticorax caledonicus hilli
M
Australian Little Bittern
Ixobrychus dubius
Magpie Goose
Anseranas semipalmata
Mi, M
Australian Wood Duck
Chenonetta jubata
Mi
Black Swan
Cygnus atratus
Mi
Plumed Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna eytoni
Mi, M
Australian Shelduck
Tadorna tadornoides
Mi
Pacific Black Duck
Anas superciliosa
Mi
Chestnut Teal
Anas castanea
Mi
Grey Teal
Anas gracilis
Mi
Australasian Shoveler
Mi
Pink-eared Duck
Anas rhynchotis
Malacorhynchus
membranaceus
Hardhead
Aythya australis
Mi
Blue-billed Duck
Oxyura australis
Mi
Musk Duck
Biziura lobata
Mi, M
VU
Spotted Harrier
Circus assimilis
Mi
NT
Grey Goshawk
Accipiter novaehollandiae
Mi
Brown Goshawk
Accipiter fasciatus
Mi, M
Collared Sparrowhawk
Accipiter cirrhocephalus
Mi
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Aquila audax
Mi
Little Eagle
Hieraaetus morphnoides
Mi
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Haliaeetus leucogaster
Mi, M
Whistling Kite
Haliastur sphenurus
Mi, M
Black-shouldered Kite
Elanus axillaris
Mi
Australian Hobby
Falco longipennis
Mi
Draft 0.1
NT
NT
L
EN
N
VU
VU
Mi
Draft for review
VU
L
N
L
EN
VU
VU
2
199
0
200
3
200
2
200
3
200
7
200
6
200
6
200
1
200
1
200
6
200
6
200
6
200
2
199
1
200
4
200
3
199
7
199
1
200
1
200
2
199
9
200
5
200
2
199
8
200
0
200
5
200
2
Low
Low
Lowmoderate
Low
Low
High recorded
High
Low
Low
High
moderate high
moderate high
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Moderate
Low
51
RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
Mi
Black Falcon
Falco subniger
Mi
Brown Falcon
Falco berigora
Mi
Nankeen Kestrel
Falco cenchroides
Mi, M
Southern Boobook
Ninox boobook
M
Barking Owl
Ninox connivens
Powerful Owl
Masked Owl
Ninox strenua
Tyto novaehollandiae
novaehollandiae
Blue-winged Parrot
Neophema chrysostoma
Swift Parrot
Lathamus discolor
M
EN,
M
Dollarbird
Eurystomus orientalis
M
Azure Kingfisher
Ceyx azurea
Sacred Kingfisher
Todiramphus sanctus
M
Rainbow Bee-eater
White-throated
Needletail
Merops ornatus
Mi, M
Hirundapus caudacutus
Mi, M
Fork-tailed Swift
Apus pacificus
Mi, M
Pallid Cuckoo
Cuculus pallidus
M
Fan-tailed Cuckoo
Cacomantis flabelliformis
M
Brush Cuckoo
Cacomantis variolosus
M
Black-eared Cuckoo
Horsfield's BronzeCuckoo
Chrysococcyx osculans
M
Chrysococcyx basalis
M
Shining Bronze-Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx lucidus
M
Welcome Swallow
Hirundo neoxena
M
Tree Martin
Hirundo nigricans
M
Rufous Fantail
Rhipidura rufifrons
M
Satin Flycatcher
Myiagra cyanoleuca
M
Flame Robin
Petroica phoenicea
M
Pink Robin
Petroica rodinogaster
M
Draft 0.1
VU
NT
NT
EN
L
EN
L
VU
L
EN
L
EN
NT
Draft for review
NT
200
6
200
2
199
7
200
5
200
4
200
1
200
1
200
1
200
2
200
1
198
9
200
2
200
2
200
1
199
1
198
9
200
1
200
0
198
6
199
0
200
1
199
3
200
4
200
1
200
2
198
9
199
2
199
9
Moderate
Low
Low moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Low
Low
Low
Low
Lowmoderate
Low
Lowmoderate
Lowmoderate
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
High recorded
moderate
Low
Low
Low
Low
52
RMIT Bundoora: Wetland Management Plan
Hooded Robin
Melanodryas cucullata
NT
Magpie-lark
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
Grallina cyanoleuca
M
Coracina novaehollandiae
M
Speckled Warbler
Chthonicola sagittata
Brown Songlark
Cincloramphus cruralis
Mi
Rufous Songlark
Cincloramphus mathewsi
Mi
Little Grassbird
Australian ReedWarbler
Megalurus gramineus
Mi
Acrocephalus australis
Mi
Brown Treecreeper
Climacteris picumnus victoriae
Silvereye
Black-chinned
Honeyeater
Zosterops lateralis
Melithreptus gularis
NT
Painted Honeyeater
Grantiella picta
NT
L
VU
Regent Honeyeater
Xanthomyza phrygia
EN,
Mi
EN
L
CE
Australian Pipit
Anthus australis
M
Diamond Firetail
Stagonopleura guttata
Little Raven
Corvus mellori
M
Cattle Egret
Ardea ibis
Mi, M
NT
L
L
NT
NT
VU
NT
M
NT
NT
L
VU
199
1
200
4
200
3
199
0
199
1
199
2
200
3
200
3
199
0
200
2
199
1
199
0
200
1
199
3
200
1
200
5
200
5
Low
High recorded
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
moderate
Low moderate
Mammals
Fat-tailed Dunnart
Sminthopsis crassicaudata
Koala
Phascolarctos cinereus
Grey-headed Flying-fox
Pteropus poliocephalus
VU
199
1
200
1
198
4
VU
200
5
NT
NT
VU
VU
L
Low
Low
Moderate
Reptiles
Lace Monitor
Varanus varius
Low
Frogs
Brown Toadlet
Pseudophryne bibronii
Southern Toadlet
Pseudophryne semimarmorata
Growling Grass Frog
Litoria raniformis
VU
VU
L
EN
199
2
197
4
200
4
Galaxiella pusilla
VU
VU
L
VU
199
4
IK
EN
VU
Low
Low
Low
Fish
Eastern Little Galaxias
Draft 0.1
Draft for review
Low
53