attachment b: salt creek wind farm transmission line (mnes)

Attachment B: Salt Creek Wind Farm transmission line ‐ biodiversity assessment (MNES) Attachment B details the Salt Creek Wind Farm powerline biodiversity assessment report prepared by Brett Lane & Associates Pty Ltd (BL&A). This reports details the worst case impact on MNES regarding the proposed transmission line footprint.

Trustpower Pty Ltd

Suite 5 61–63 Camberwell Road, Hawthorn, VIC 3123

P.O. Box 337, Camberwell, VIC 3124 Ph. (03) 9815 2111

Fax. (03) 9815 2685

August 2016

Report No. 15101 (6.4)

SALT CREEK WIND FARM

POWER LINE

BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT (MNES)

Salt Creek Wind Farm Power Line - Biodiversity Assessment (MNES) Report No. 15101 (6.4)

Page | ii

CONTENTS 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................... 1

1.1. Background .............................................................................................................. 1

1.2. Proposed layout and potential impacts .................................................................. 1

2. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 4

3. METHODS ......................................................................................................................... 6

3.1. Existing information ................................................................................................. 6

3.2. Field assessments ................................................................................................... 6

3.3. Native vegetation ..................................................................................................... 7

3.3.1. Remnant patches ............................................................................................. 7

3.3.2. Scattered trees ................................................................................................. 7

3.4. Limitations of field assessments ............................................................................ 8

4. RESULTS ........................................................................................................................... 9

4.1. Site description ........................................................................................................ 9

4.2. Native vegetation ..................................................................................................... 9

4.3. EPBC Act listed threatened values ....................................................................... 65

4.3.1. Flora ................................................................................................................ 65

4.3.2. Fauna .............................................................................................................. 69

4.3.3. Ecological communities ................................................................................. 76

5. IMPACTS AND REGULATORY IMPLICATIONS ................................................................ 79

5.1. Proposed development .......................................................................................... 79

5.2. Design response to mitigate impacts on biodiversity .......................................... 79

5.3. Impacts of the proposed power line ..................................................................... 81

5.4. Implications for the proposed development under the EPBC Act ...................... 84

6. REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 87

TABLES

Table 1: Description of native vegetation sites along the proposed power line ................ 63

Table 2: EPBC Act listed flora species and their likelihood of occurrence ......................... 66

Table 3: EPBC Act listed fauna species and their likelihood of occurrence ...................... 70

Table 4: Assessment of impacts upon the vulnerable life stage of susceptible listed fauna ......................................................................................................................................... 75

Table 5: Areas (in hectare) of known or potentially occurring EPBC Act listed communities in the power line study area ................................................................... 76


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Table 6: Likelihood of EPBC Act listed matters occurring in each site within the power line study area ....................................................................................................................... 77

Table 7: Proposed native vegetation disturbance areas ..................................................... 82

Table 8: Proposed disturbance and removal of potential NTGVVP. ................................... 83

Table 9: Maximum total and disturbed area of EPBC Act species habitat ........................ 84

Table 10: Details of proposed temporary disturbance and permanent removal of NTGVVP ......................................................................................................................................... 84

FIGURES Figure 1: Study area and preferred alignment ...................................................................... 5

Figure 2 to 53: Native vegetation quality and ecological communities ............................. 11

APPENDICES Appendix 1: Salt Creek Wind Farm power line - pre-construction survey and design and

construct protocol .......................................................................................................... 90

Appendix 2: EVC benchmarks ............................................................................................... 94

Appendix 3: Design drawings ................................................................................................ 95


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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1. Background

Trustpower Pty Ltd engaged Brett Lane & Associates Pty. Ltd. (BL&A) to conduct a biodiversity assessment focusing on Matters of Nation Environmental Significance (MNES) of the proposed power line linking the approved Salt Creek Wind Farm with the Terang terminal station. The alignment totals 49 kilometres and extends between the Salt Creek Wind Farm south of Woorndoo and Terang via Mortlake in Victoria’s west.

The aim of the assessment was to provide an overview of biodiversity along the power line alignment and to assess the impacts of the proposal on MNES values. Values considered were:

Native vegetation (generally protected under Cl. 52.17 of the Moyne and Corangamite Planning Schemes)1

Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) listed threatened species and communities.

; and

For the sections of the corridor that were within the road reserve the area studied for this assessment included the entire public road reserve, both sides of any road formation, where present. Additionally, for the sections within private land a 100 metre wide zone (50 metres either side of the alignment) was surveyed and studied.

1.2. Proposed layout and potential impacts

The proposed indicative power line includes 420 power poles between 50 and 250 metres apart. Within areas of mapped native vegetation power poles will be spaced up to 250 metres apart in order to avoid as much native vegetation as possible. No temporary or permanent access tracks are required to be constructed or operated for this power line within areas of native vegetation as construction in these areas will be undertake during dry conditions, when the ground is firm and impacts from vehicles and machinery are considered negligible.

A disturbance footprint of 10x10m has been assumed, with 5x20m footprints in narrow areas (e.g. road reserves or close to native vegetation), for each proposed power pole location within areas of native vegetation.

The layout of the power line has been carefully amended based on this vegetation assessment in order to impact on as little native vegetation as possible. Of the 37.85 hectares of mapped native vegetation within the 100m wide survey corridor (study area), a maximum footprint of up to 1.689 hectares of native vegetation has the potential to be temporarily disturbed.

1 This assessment did not include habitat scoring or determination of native vegetation offsets under the state Biodiversity Assessment Guidelines. This will be the subject of a separate report to accompany a planning permit application for vegetation removal before works commence.


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36 powerpole locations of the 420 poles intersect with native vegetation. A circular area with a diameter of 2.5m will be removed (4.91m2) for each pole within areas of native vegetation, totalling 0.0177 hectare of native vegetation removal.

A habitat hectare assessment of the mapped native vegetation will take place to provide further information necessary for a planning permit application under Clause 52.17 of the Moyne and Corangamite Planning Schemes and for determining associated offset requirements.

Listed Communities

One EPBC Act listed threatened communities have potential to occur in impacted areas of remnant vegetation within the proposed power line route: Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain (NTGVVP).

The native vegetation present comprised up to eight EVCs or mosaics of these. It included up to 27.36 hectares of EPBC Act listed community within the entire study area (up to 100m wide).

As a worst case scenario (i.e. if all potential NTGVVP mapped was confirmed as such and the maximum development footprint was disturbed), 0.502 hectares of NTGVVP would be disturbed for the proposed power line, with the maximum permanent removal of this community being 0.018 hectares.

Flora species

Nine (9) EPBC Act listed flora species have potential to occur in the remnant native vegetation within the power line study area. Suitable habitat for each of the species listed below occurs within the proposed impact area:

Adamson's Blown-grass (Lachnagrostis adamsonii)

Clover Glycine (Glycine latrobeana)

Fragrant Leek-orchid (Prasophyllum suaveolens)

Maroon Leek-orchid (Prasophyllum frenchii)

Matted Flax-lily (Dianella amoena)

Spiny Peppercress (Lepidium aschersonii)

Spiny Rice-flower (Pimelea spinescens subsp. spinescens)

Trailing Hop-bush (Dodonaea procumbens)

White Sunray (Leucochrysum albicans var. tricolor)

Fauna species

Three (3) EPBC Act listed fauna species have the potential to occur in the study area. These are:

Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar)

Growling Grass Frog (Litoria raniformis)

Golden Sun Moth (Synemon plana)


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The proposed impact area (if the maximum development footprint was disturbed) affects up to 0.479 hectares of potentially suitable habitat for the Striped Legless Lizard and Golden Sun Moth, and less than 0.04 hectares of wet grassland habitat that may be suitable for the Growling Grass Frog with a combined maximum removal of 0.009 hectares of habitat for these species.

Habitat for threatened flora and fauna species that is temporarily disturbed by the proposed power line represents between 0.45% and 4.14% of the potential habitat for these species within the study area.

Summary

Given the small proportion of the listed threatened community and listed threatened species’ habitat in the power line study area affected by the proposed power line, impacts on these listed matters are likely to be negligible.


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2. INTRODUCTION Trustpower Pty Ltd engaged Brett Lane & Associates Pty. Ltd. (BL&A) to conduct a biodiversity assessment focusing on Matters of Nation Environmental Significance (MNES) of the proposed power line alignment linking the approved Salt Creek Wind Farm with the Terang terminal station. The alignment totals approximately 49 kilometres and extends between the Salt Creek Wind Farm south of Woorndoo and Terang via Mortlake in Victoria’s west.

The specific area investigated, referred to herein as the ‘study area’, comprised both private land (100-metre wide corridors within surveyed properties) and public road reserves (full width of road reserves), shown in Figure 1.

Two (2) power line options were considered during an initial biodiversity study period, an eastern and a western option. A separate report provides an overview and comparison of the biodiversity values found to exist along both alignment options (BL&A 2016a). It was found that the western option held significantly less remnant indigenous vegetation and fauna habitat, and a significantly lesser area of potential habitat for threatened flora and fauna species listed on relevant legislation. The alignment assessed and detailed herein is that preferred by Trustpower (the western option) based on the overview assessment of the biodiversity values of two options.

The assessment was undertaken to:

Map and determine the area of remnant native vegetation in the study area in accordance with Victoria’s Biodiversity Assessment Guidelines (DEPI 2013a);

Determine the potential for the occurrence of Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) listed species and communities; and

This investigation was undertaken by a team from BL&A, comprising Davide Coppolino (Senior Ecologist), Elinor Ebsworth (Senior Ecologist), Jackson Clerke (Zoologist), Inga Kulik (Senior Ecologist & Project Manager) and Brett Lane (Principal Consultant).

The two (2) alignment options, as detailed above, as well as the general study area shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Alignment options and locality

Client: Trust PowerProject No.: 15101 Created By: N. May / D. CoppolinoDate: 12/08/2016

Project: Salt Creek power line assessment

Darlingt

on - Te

rang R

d

Woorndoo - Darlington Rd

McSwains Rd

Hoses Lane

RedLane

Sisters - Garvoc Rd

Baynes St

Mt FyansLane

McLaughlansLane

Hexham

- Woor

ndoo R

d

Framlingham Rd

Gordons Lane

Winto

nsLa

ne

McLennons Lane

Woorndo

o -

Streatha

m Rd

Boortkoi Estate Lane

Darlin

gton -

Carra

nball

ac R

d

Dund

onne

ll - M

ortlak

e Rd

Boorcan Rd

McCr

ae R

d

North Rd

Royc

rofts

Rd

Race

cours

e Rd Dalvui Lane

Keilambete Rd

Purcells Lane

Pontings Rd

Occu

patio

n Lan

e

Castle Carey Rd

Woorndoo - Dundonnell Rd

Wools

thorpe

- Hex

ham

Rd

Glenormiston Rd

Six M

ile La

ne

Ellerslie - Sisters Rd

Hexham - Ballangeich Rd

Woorndoo - Chatsworth Rd

Ellerslie - Panmure Rd

Sisters - Noorat Rd

Hexham - Chatsworth Rd

Connewarren Lane

Darlington - Nerrin Rd

Mortla

ke -

Framl

ingha

m Rd

Woodcutters Lane

Terang - Framlingham Rd

Castle Carey Rd

Princes Hwy

Terang - Mortlake Rd

Mortlake - Ararat Rd

Hopkins Hwy

Hamilton Hwy

PEJARK DRAIN

BLIND CREEK

MUSTONS CREEK

LIMEC REEK

DRYS

DALE

CREE

K

STONY CREEK

SALT CREEK

MOUNT EMU CREEK

HOPKINS RIVER

BLI N

DCR

E EK

N O O R A T

T E R A N G

H E X H A M

M O R T L A K E

N O O R A TE A S T

E L L E R S L I E

E L L E R S L I E

E L L E R S L I E

W O O R N D O O

T H ES I S T E R S

G A R V O C

G L E N O R M I S T O NN O R T H

F R A M L I N G H A M

D U N D O N N E L LD A R L I N G T O N

D A R L I N G T O N

B A L L A N G E I C H

P U R N I M

K O L O R A

P U R AP U R AC H A T S W O R T H

B O O K A A R

B O O R C A N

G N O T U K

F R A M L I N G H A ME A S T

G L E N O R M I S T O NS O U T H

0 5 102.5Kilometers

LegendTerang substationWestern alignmentEastern alignmentSalt Creek Wind Farm layoutSalt Creek


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3. METHODS

3.1. Existing information

Existing flora and fauna species records and information about the potential occurrence of listed matters was obtained from an area termed the ‘search region’, defined here as the area within ten (10) kilometres of the approximate centreline of the study area, extending between the following coordinates:

Latitude 37° 57’ 26” S and longitude 142° 45’ 28” E;

Latitude 38° 04’ 50” S and longitude 142° 48’ 21” E; and

Latitude 38° 14’ 24” S and longitude 142° 55’ 02” E.

A list of the flora and fauna species recorded in the search region was obtained from the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA), a database administered by DELWP.

The ‘Vegetation/ Modelled FFG Communities’ layer in DELWP’s Biodiversity Interactive Map (DELWP 2015c) was consulted to determine which ecological communities listed as threatened under the FFG Act were modelled to potentially occur in or near the study area.

The online Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) Protected Matters Search Tool (Department of the Environment 2016) was consulted to determine whether nationally listed species or communities potentially occurred in the search region based on habitat modelling.

3.2. Field assessments

Where the power line was located in road reserves, the study area included the whole road reserve, including both sides of any road formation, where present. On private land, it included a corridor 50 metres either side of the proposed alignment (100 metres total width).

The study area (in addition to previously proposed alignment options and iterations) was surveyed on 16th September and 16th to 20th November 2015 as well as 15th April and 27th to 28th June 2016. It was inspected initially by vehicle and areas requiring closer inspection (i.e. areas where native vegetation might have been significantly obscured by overlying weeds and areas which could not be viewed directly or closely enough from a vehicle) were sampled on foot.

Each part of the study area found to support a distinct type or grouping of native vegetation (patches or scattered trees as defined in Section 3.3) was mapped at a moderately-fine scale. Mapping was undertaken by ground-truthing aerial photography. The following information was collected for each of these distinct units, referred to hereon as Vegetation Sites:

Brief descriptions of the vegetation;

Brief vegetation condition information, including:

o Native flora diversity;

o Weediness; and

o Structural intactness.


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General vegetation quality (categorised as very low, low, moderate, high or very high quality) based on the above vegetation condition information;

Presence or likelihood of occurrence of threatened terrestrial flora, fauna and ecological communities listed on the Commonwealth EPBC Act and the state FFG Act would be present.

Each Vegetation Site covered one or more areas, contained one or more patches and/or scattered trees and could contain one or more EVCs.

3.3. Native vegetation

Pre-1750 (pre-European settlement) vegetation mapping administered by DELWP was reviewed to determine the type of native vegetation likely to occur in the study area and surrounds. Information on Ecological Vegetation Classes was obtained from published EVC benchmarks. These sources included:

Relevant EVC benchmarks for the Victorian Volcanic Plain and Dundas Tablelands bioregions2

Biodiversity Interactive Maps (DELWP 2016c).

(DELWP 2015d); and

Native vegetation is defined in the Victoria Planning Provisions as ‘plants that are indigenous to Victoria, including trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses’. The Biodiversity assessment guidelines define native vegetation as belonging to two (2) categories (DEPI 2013):

Remnant patch; or

Scattered trees.

The definitions of these categories are provided below.

3.3.1. Remnant patches A remnant patch of native vegetation is either:

An area of native vegetation where at least 25 per cent of the total perennial understorey plant cover is native; and/or

Any area with three or more native canopy trees3 where the canopy foliage cover4

3.3.2. Scattered trees

is at least 20 per cent of the area.

The Biodiversity assessment guidelines define scattered trees as a native canopy tree2 that does not form part of a remnant patch of native vegetation.

2 A bioregion is defined as “a geographic region that captures the patterns of ecological characteristics in the landscape, providing a natural framework for recognising and responding to biodiversity values”. In general bioregions reflect underlying environmental features of the landscape (DNRE 1997). 3 A canopy tree is a reproductively mature tree that is greater than 3 metres in height and is

normally found in the upper layer of the relevant vegetation type. 4 Foliage cover is the proportion of the ground that is shaded by vegetation foliage when lit from

directly above.


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3.4. Limitations of field assessments

This assessment was undertaken as an overview assessment. While areas of native vegetation were mapped at a scale sufficient for informing preliminary alignment design micrositing and assessing potential impacts on MNES, the detailed extent within the mapped sites and quality of this vegetation (habitat hectare score) was not recorded, and would require further assessment for fine-scale micrositing of power poles. This information would be required for planning approval.

Some areas of roadside vegetation had been recently slashed and some areas of private land were heavily grazed and very dry. In these areas, it was difficult to make accurate conclusions of the presence of native vegetation and likely occurrence of listed matters. Where appropriate, a precautionary approach was therefore adopted in these situations i.e. the assumption of potential occurrence of listed species and communities where these have not been identified, but had the potential to occur.


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4. RESULTS

4.1. Site description

The study area (see Figure 1) is located approximately 190 to 200 kilometres west-south-west of Melbourne and is roughly centred on the Mortlake Township. It comprises a proposed power line alignment connecting Salt Creek wind farm to the Terang station.

This study area fell within the Glenelg-Hopkins catchment and the Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregion. Three prominent landscape features occurred in or near this study area:

Salt Creek (dissecting the north-western part of the study area);

Lake Keilambete (in Terang); and

Mount Shadwell (in Mortlake).

Salt Creek is a large creek extending along the far edge of the Dundas Tablelands bioregion (just north of the study area), abutting newer quaternary basalt flows. It continues roughly south-south-east, roughly following the study area. The study area crosses this creekline at one point.

Mount Shadwell comprised a prominent, dormant scoria cone volcano complex, which is skirted by rocky land and fertile clay soils.

Remaining land comprised fairly flat to very gently undulating land typical of older (i.e. more eroded) and/or less viscous lava flows. A number of the public roadsides within these parts of the study area supported moderate to very high-quality native grasslands and grassy wetlands. The formed roads in these road reserves were generally raised with a weedy embankment on each side. Some of the adjacent table-drains supported native grassland or wetland vegetation and cleared bare-earth fire breaks had been established along many road reserve edges which abutted adjacent private properties.

Predominant land uses on private land across this study area comprised stock grazing and cropping. Roadsides had been managed through fire-reduction burning, slashing and/or periodic stock grazing.

4.2. Native vegetation

A total of 28 Native Vegetation Sites—ranging from very low to very high general quality—were recorded across the study area. These are shown in Figure 2 to 54 and described in Table 1.

Native Vegetation Sites within the study area were found to support (or potentially support) the following Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs):

Plains Grassy Woodland (EVC 55_61)

Floodplain Riparian Woodland (EVC 56)

Creekline Grassy Woodland (EVC 68)

Plains Grassy Wetland (EVC 125)


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Heavier-soils Plains Grassland (EVC 132_61)

Cinder Cone Woodland (EVC 644)

Aquatic Herbland (EVC 653)

Overall, up to 37.85 hectares of native vegetation have been recorded during the assessment throughout the entire powerline study area.


11

Figure 2 to 53: Native vegetation quality and ecological communities


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Table 1: Description of native vegetation sites along the proposed power line

Site No.

Site description Condition General Quality Overall EVC Name EVC No. Bioregion General description

Patchiness of native elements

Weediness

Indigenous species diversity

and structural intactness

1 Creekline Grassy

Woodland/ Aquatic Herbland

68/653 Victorian Volcanic Plain Dominated by Typha sp.; high cover and diversity of emergent aquatic herbs Low Low-High Low-Moderate Moderate

3 Heavier-soils Plains Grassland 132_61 Victorian

Volcanic Plain Dominated by wallaby grasses, Long-hair Plume-grass and Common Wheat-grass with some Kangaroo grass High High Low-Moderate Low-

Moderate

9e Heavier-soils Plains Grassland 132_61 Victorian

Volcanic Plain

Grassland with some damps sections and shallow ponds; dominated by Kangaroo Grass with Poa spp., wallaby and spear grasses; moderate to high cover and diversity of indigenous forbes; moderate bryophyte and soil crust cover; scattered and clumped Blackwoods in some parts; varying weed cover (e.g. Brown-top Bent)

Low-Moderate

Low-Moderate Moderate-High Moderate-

High


Volcanic Plain Spear Grass dominated; high cover of forb weeds; moderate bryophyte cover Moderate High Low Low

10w Plains Grassy Woodland 55_61 Victorian Volcanic Plain

Blackwood cluster over scattered wallaby grasses and grassy weeds; low to moderate bryophyte cover Moderate Very High Low Very Low



11w Heavier-soils Plains Grassland 132_61 Victorian







Volcanic Plain

Co-dominated by Kangaroo Grass, spear grasses and wallaby grasses; high indigenous forb diversity and cover; high cover of bryophytes, lichens and soils crusts; ample bare ground for recruitment

Low Low Very High Very High




Volcanic Plain

Co-dominated by Kangaroo Grass, spear grasses and wallaby grasses; high indigenous forb diversity and cover; high cover of bryophytes, lichens and soils crusts; ample bare ground for recruitment

Low Low Very High Very High


Volcanic Plain

Grassland with some damps sections and shallow ponds; dominated by Kangaroo Grass with Poa spp., wallaby and spear grasses; moderate to high cover and diversity of indigenous forbs; moderate bryophyte and soil crust cover; scattered and clumped Blackwoods in some parts; varying weed cover (e.g. Brown-top Bent)

Low-Moderate


High


Volcanic Plain


Low-Moderate


High


Volcanic Plain


Low-Moderate


High



18 Aquatic Herbland 653 Victorian Dam dominated by Tall Spike-rush and Water Ribbons Very Low Low Moderate High-Very


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Site No.

Site description Condition General Quality Overall EVC Name EVC No. Bioregion General description

Patchiness of native elements

Weediness

Indigenous species diversity

and structural intactness

Volcanic Plain High

26 Heavier-soils Plains Grassland 132_61 Victorian

Volcanic Plain Dominated by Kangaroo Grass with low forb cover Low Low Moderate Moderate

35 Plains Grassy Wetland 125 Victorian Volcanic Plain

Dominated by wallaby grasses and Common Spike-rush with some Common Tussock-grass and semi-aquatic forbs Moderate Moderate

to High Low-Moderate Low-Moderate

36 Heavier-soils Plains Grassland/ Plains Grassy Woodland

132_61/55_61

Victorian Volcanic Plain Dominated by wallaby and spear grasses with some forbs and young Blackwoods Moderate High Low Low

38 Plains Grassy

Woodland/Scoria Cone Woodland

55_61/894 Victorian Volcanic Plain

Stands of scattered and/or clumped wattles (i.e. Blackwood and/or Black Wattle); very few scattered indigenous grasses and/or forbs in some areas Very High Very High Very Low Very Low

39 Heavier-soils plains grassland 132_61 Victorian

Volcanic Plain Common Tussock-grass, wallaby grasses, Wood Sorrel; grazed gilgai formation with scattered rocks Moderate Moderate Low Low-

medium

40 Floodplain Riparian Woodland 56 Victorian

Volcanic Plain Common Tussock-grass with scattered, dead, old trees and logs Low-Moderate

Moderate-High Low Low

41 Plains Grassy Wetland 125 Victorian Volcanic Plain Patch of Common Spike-sedge Low Low-

Moderate Very low Very low

42 Plains Grassy Woodland 55_61 Victorian Volcanic Plain Stands of Blackwoods and some Black Wattles High Very High Very low Very low

43 Plains Grassy Woodland 55_61 Victorian Volcanic Plain River Red-gums over weedy understorey High Very High Very low Very low

44 Plains Grassy Woodland 55_61 Victorian Volcanic Plain River Red-gums and one Drooping Sheoak over weedy understorey Low Very High Very low Very low

45 Cinder Cone

Woodland/Plains Grassy Woodland

644/55_61 Victorian Volcanic Plain Very small stand of Blackwoods and/or Black Wattle over weedy grasses Low Very High Very Low Very Low


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4.3. EPBC Act listed threatened values

4.3.1. Flora VBA records (VBA 2016) and the EPBC Protected Matters Search Tool (Department of the Environment 2016) indicated that within the search region there were records of, or there occurred potential suitable habitat for, 14 flora species listed under the Commonwealth EPBC Act. No flora species listed under the EPBC Act were recorded during the field surveys.

The likelihood of occurrence in the study area of species listed under the EPBC Act is addressed in Table 2. Species considered ‘likely to occur’ are those that have a very high chance of being in the study area based on numerous records in the search region and suitable habitat in the study area. Species considered to have the ‘potential to occur’ are those where suitable habitat exists, but recent records are scarce. Species that are likely or have potential to occur are highlighted in grey in Table 2.

This analysis indicates that seven EPBC Act listed flora species have potential to occur within the study area with three (3) species being likely to occur, Fragrant Leek-orchid, Spiny Rice-flower and White Sunray). These species are listed below.

Adamson's Blown-grass (endangered)

Clover Glycine (vulnerable)

Fragrant Leek-orchid (endangered)

Maroon Leek-orchid (endangered)

Matted Flax-lily (endangered)

Spiny Peppercress (vulnerable)

Spiny Rice-flower (critically endangered)

Trailing Hop-bush (vulnerable)

White Sunray (endangered)

The likelihood of each of these species to occur in the study area is given in Table 6 for each mapped native vegetation site.


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Table 2: EPBC Act listed flora species and their likelihood of occurrence

Common Name Scientific name

Conserv. status (EPBC)

Habitat Number of records

Date of last record

Likelihood of occurrence

Adamson's Blown-grass

Lachnagrostis adamsonii EN

Adamson’s Blown-grass is mainly found on roadside depressions and flats, associated with drainage lines and small sluggish

creeks, particularly where these sites are protected from wind by surrounding rises or by stands of tall grasses such as Phalaris aquatica, or sedges and rushes such as Juncus spp. or Gahnia

spp. (DSE 2000). Associated species include Streaked Arrowgrass (Triglochin striata), Plains Saltmarsh-grass (Puccinellia stricta var. perlaxa), Australian Salt-grass (Distichlis distichophylla), Common

Blown-grass (Lachnagrostis filiformis) and Beaded Glasswort (Sarcocornia quinqueflora) (Murphy 2010).

None N/A

Habitat present; although there are no existing records

in the search region, survey in the area are likely to have

been scarce – Potential to occur

Basalt Rustyhood

Pterostylis basaltica EN Known from only a few small, very localised populations that

occur amongst basalt rocks in grassland (Jones 1994). None N/A No habitat present – Unlikely to occur

Clover Glycine

Glycine latrobeana VU

In Victoria, occurs mainly in grasslands and grassy woodlands on basalt soils dominated by Kangaroo Grass or within intermittently flooded streamlines co-dominated by Yellow Gum and Scentbark over mixed grasses and shrubs (in the Grampians/Black Range

area). The species also occurs at the Nunniong Plateau in eastern Victoria within sub-alpine woodlands around 1200 metres above

sea level on red-brown clays dominated by Snow Gum over an understorey of Small-fruit Hakea, various grasses (e.g. Kangaroo Grass, tussock grasses, Bent Grass and Common Wheat-grass)

and forbs. At Reef Hills State Park in north-eastern Victoria plants occur in herb-rich woodland. At Yarra Valley Parklands and

Meruka Park near Melbourne, vegetation is described as Valley Grassy Forest, dominated by Eucalyptus melliodora (Yellow Box),

with scattered Acacia paradoxa (Hedge Wattle). Field layer comprises Austrodanthonia spp. (wallaby grasses) and various

forbs. Other former sites in this area occurred in Grassy Dry Forest with Red Box. (Carter & Sutter 2010; D.Coppolino pers. Obs.). It is

also found rarely in heathland (Carter & Sutter 2010).

8 25/03/1974

Habitat present – Potential to occur


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Date of last record


Coast Dandelion

Taraxacum cygnorum VU Woodland and scrub on limestone (Scarlett 1999). None N/A No habitat present –

Unlikely to occur

Fragrant Leek-orchid

Prasophyllum suaveolens EN

Occurs in open, species rich native grassland dominated by Themeda triandra with perennial herbs and lilies on poorly

drained red-brown soil derived from basalt (DSE 2003). None N/A

Habitat present and known to occur adjacent to the

study area (i.e. In Woorndoo Grassland

Reserve) – Likely to occur

Maroon Leek-orchid

Prasophyllum frenchii EN Favouring heathland and Grassland on black clays (Bates 1994). None N/A




Matted Flax-lily

Dianella amoena EN

Lowland grassland and grassy woodlands on well-drained to seasonally waterlogged fertile sandy loams to heavy cracking soils

derived from sedimentary or volcanic Geology. It is widely distributed from eastern to south-western Victoria (Carter 2010).

None N/A




Metallic Sun-orchid

Thelymitra epipactoides EN

Primarily in mesic coastal heathlands, grasslands and woodlands, but also in drier inland heathlands, open forests and woodlands.

(Backhouse & Jeanes 1995 in DSEWPC 2003). None N/A No habitat present –

Unlikely to occur

Salt-lake Tussock-grass

Poa sallacustris VU Margins of brackish to salt lakes (Walsh 1994). None N/A No habitat present – Unlikely to occur


68




Date of last record


Spiny Pepper-cress

Lepidium aschersonii VU

Occurs in periodically wet sites such as gilgai depressions and the margins of freshwater and saline marshes and shallow lakes,

usually on heavy clay soil (Harris & Smith 2000). Almost all sites receive some degree of soil waterlogging or seasonal flooding

(Carter 2010).

3 1/06/1983 Habitat present – Potential to occur

Spiny Rice-flower

Pimelea spinescens subsp. spinescens

CR Grasslands or open shrublands on basalt derived soils (Entwisle

1996). Prefers shallow depressions and drainage lines with moderate soil moisture (D.Coppolino pers. obs.).

None N/A Recorded north of

the study area, likely to occur

Spiral Sun-orchid

Thelymitra matthewsii VU

Slightly elevated sites to 300m in well-drained soils (sandy loams to gravelly limestone soils) in light to dense forest; sometimes in

coastal sandy flats (Weber & Entwisle 1994). None N/A No habitat present –

Unlikely to occur

Trailing Hop-bush

Dodonaea procumbens VU

Grows in low lying, often winter wet areas in woodland, low open-forest heathland and grasslands on sands and clays. Largely

confined to SW of Victoria (Duretto 1999). None N/A




White Sunray Leucochrysum albicans var. tricolor

EN Western Victoria in dry, open situations (Marriott & Marriott 1998; Lunt et. al. 1998). 3 8/12/1989

Habitat present and known to occur adjacent to the

study area (i.e. In Woorndoo Grassland

Reserve) – Likely to occur

Notes: EPBC = threatened species status under EPBC Act: EX = presumed extinct in the wild, CR = critically endangered, EN = endangered, VU = vulnerable


69

4.3.2. Fauna The review of existing information indicated that 28 fauna species listed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) have previously been recorded within the search region or for which potential habitat occurs according to the EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool. The likelihood of occurrence of these species in the study area was assessed and the results are presented in Table 3. Species that are considered likely or potential to occur are highlighted in grey in Table 3.

This analysis indicates that eight (8) listed fauna species have the potential to occur including two (2) species that are likely to occur (Southern Bent-wing Bat and Golden Sun Moth). Species with potential to occur are listed below.

Southern Bent-wing Bat (critically endangered)

Grey-headed Flying-fox (vulnerable)

Cattle Egret (migratory)

Latham's Snipe (migratory)

Striped Legless Lizard (vulnerable)

Growling Grass Frog (vulnerable)

Dwarf Galaxias (vulnerable)

Golden Sun Moth (critically endangered)

Species considered ‘likely to occur’ are those that have a very high chance of being in the study area given the existence of numerous records in the search region and suitable habitat in the study area. Using the precautionary approach, species considered to have the ‘potential to occur’ are those where suitable habitat exists, but recent records are scarce.

This assessment of potential occurrence of listed fauna species excludes:

Aquatic invertebrates given they were beyond the scope of the current investigation;

Marine fauna given that the study area is inland; and

Migratory oceanic bird species (such as albatrosses and petrels) and migratory shorebirds given that the study area is inland.


70

Table 3: EPBC Act listed fauna species and their likelihood of occurrence

Common Name

Scientific name

Conservation status Habitat

Number of

records

Date of last record Likelihood of occurrence EPBC-

thrt EPBC-mig

Mammals

Southern Bent-wing Bat

Miniopterus schreibersii bassanii

CR

Roosts in caves during the day, dispersing over a range of habitats at night. Its feeding areas tend to be

associated with major drainage systems (Menkhorst 1995).

7 28/10/2010

Habitat present and several recent records from the search

region – Likely to occur

Eastern Barred Bandicoot

Perameles gunnii EN

Originally volcanic plain native grasslands, nowadays farmland, parkland and suburban gardens (Menkhorst

1995). 5 23/02/1911 Locally extinct –

Unlikely to occur

Grey-headed Flying-fox

Pteropus poliocephalus VU

Roosts in riverine habitat in Melbourne and forages widely in flowering eucalypts and fruit trees (Menkhorst

1995). None N/A Foraging habitat present -

Potential to occur

Long-nosed Potoroo

Potorous tridactylus tridactylus

VU

In Victoria coastal heathy woodland; In Tasmania moist forest with dense shrub layer; in the north edge of

rainforest (Menkhorst 1995). None N/A

No habitat present and no records from the search region

– Unlikely to occur

Smoky Mouse Pseudomys fumeus EN

Coastal heath, heathy woodland, sub-alpine heath, dry

forest and gullies in wet forest (Menkhorst 1995). None N/A



Southern Brown Bandicoot

Isoodon obesulus obesulus

EN

Heathy forest, woodland, coastal scrub and heathland (Menkhorst 1995). None N/A Locally extinct –

Unlikely to occur

Birds

Australasian Bittern

Botaurus poiciloptilus EN

Terrestrial wetlands, including a range of wetland types but prefers permanent water bodies with tall dense vegetation, particularly those dominated by sedges, rush, reeds or cutting grass (Marchant and Higgins

1990).

None N/A




71

Common Name

Scientific name


Number of

records


thrt EPBC-mig

Australian Painted Snipe

Rostratula australis EN M (CAMBA)

Lowlands on shallow freshwater swamps with emergent vegetation and flooded saltmarshes (Marchant and

Higgins 1993). None N/A



Cattle Egret Ardea ibis

M (JAMBA, CAMBA)

Wooded lands and terrestrial freshwater wetlands and pasture, in association with cattle (Marchant and

Higgins 1990). 7 20/05/1978 Habitat present –

Potential to occur

Eastern Great Egret

Ardea modesta

M (JAMBA, CAMBA)

Occurs in a variety of wetlands including: permanent water bodies on flood plains; shallows of deep

permanent lakes, either open or vegetated with shrubs or trees; semi-permanent swamps with tall emergent

vegetation (e.g. bulrush) and herb dominated seasonal swamps with abundant aquatic flora (Marchant and

Higgins 1990).

6 5/10/1977 No recent records – Unlikely to occur

Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus

M (JAMBA,CA

MBA, ROKAMBA)

Aerial, over inland plains, sometimes above foothills or in coastal areas, over cliffs and urban areas (Higgins

1999). None N/A

No records from the search region –

Unlikely to occur

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

M (CAMBA, Bonn (A2S))

Prefer freshwater inland wetlands, in particular, permanent or ephemeral water bodies and swamps with

abundant vegetation (Marchant and Higgins 1990). 1 18/10/1991 No habitat present –

Unlikely to occur

Latham's Snipe

Gallinago hardwickii

M (JAMBA, CAMBA,

ROKAMBA, Bonn A2H)

Occurs in wide variety of permanent and ephemeral wetlands; it prefers open freshwater wetlands with

dense cover nearby, such as the edges of rivers and creeks, bogs, swamps, waterholes (Naarding 1983;

Higgins and Davies 1996).


Painted Honeyeater

Grantiella picta VU

Inhabits box-ironbark forests and woodlands and mainly feeds on the fruits of mistletoe. Strongly associated with

mistletoe around the margins of open forests and woodlands (Higgins et al. 2001; Tzaros 2005).

None N/A




72

Common Name

Scientific name


Number of

records


thrt EPBC-mig

Plains-wanderer

Pedionomus torquatus CR

This species inhabits native grasslands with sparse cover, preferring grasslands that include wallaby grass and spear grass species (Marchant and Higgins 1993).

None N/A No records from the search

region – Unlikely to occur

Rainbow Bee-eater

Merops ornatus

M (JAMBA)

Usually in open or lightly timbered areas, often near water. Occur in partly cleared land such as farmland and in sand-dunes, both coastal and inland (Higgins

1999).

None N/A No habitat present – Unlikely to occur

Rufous Fantail Rhipidura rufifrons

M (Bonn Convention

(A2H))

Primarily found in dense, moist habitats. Less often present in dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands

(Higgins et al. 2006). None N/A No habitat present –

Unlikely to occur

Satin Flycatcher

Myiagra cyanoleuca

M (Bonn Convention

(A2H))

Tall forests and woodlands in wetter habitats but not in rainforest (Higgins et al. 2006) None N/A No habitat present –

Unlikely to occur

Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor EN

Prefers a narrow range of eucalypts in Victoria, including White Box, Red Ironbark and Yellow Gum as well as

River Red Gum when this species supports abundant ‘lerp’ (Emison et al. 1987; Higgins 1999).

None N/A No records from the search


White-bellied Sea-Eagle

Haliaeetus leucogaster

M (CAMBA)

Maritime habitats, terrestrial large wetlands and coastal lands of tropical and temperate Australia and offshore

islands, ranging far inland only over large rivers and wetlands (Marchant and Higgins 1993).

None N/A No habitat present – Unlikely to occur

White-throated Needletail

Hirundapus caudacutus

M (JAMBA, CAMBA,

ROKAMBA)

Aerial, over all habitats, but probably more over wooded areas, including open forest and rainforest. Often over heathland and less often above treeless areas such as

grassland and swamps or farmland (Higgins 1999).

1 1/03/1903 No recent records – Unlikely to occur


73

Common Name

Scientific name


Number of

records


thrt EPBC-mig

Reptiles

Corangamite Water Skink

Eulamprus tympanum marnieae

EN

Basalt outcrops and dry stone walls near Lakes Corangamite and Bolac (Wilson and Swan 2003). None N/A



Striped Legless Lizard Delma impar VU

Tussock grasslands on the volcanic plains, often associated with scattered rocks and cracked soils

(Cogger 2000). 7 1/01/1989 Habitat present –

Potential to occur

Frogs

Growling Grass Frog

Litoria raniformis VU

Permanent, still or slow flowing water with fringing and emergent vegetation in streams, swamps, lagoons and artificial wetlands such as farm dams and abandoned

quarries (Clemann and Gillespie 2004).


Fish

Australian Grayling

Prototroctes maraena VU

Large and small coastal streams and rivers with cool, clear waters with a gravel substrate and altering pools

and riffles (Cadwallader and Backhouse 1983). None N/A



Dwarf Galaxias

Galaxiella pusilla VU

Barwon River to Mitchell River. Vegetated margins of still water, ditches, swamps and backwaters of creeks,

both ephemeral and permanent (Allen et al. 2002). 1 12/06/2008

Habitat present and one recent record from search region –

Potential to occur

Macquarie Perch

Macquaria australasica EN

Cool, clear water of rivers and lakes. Favours slower

moving water (Allen et al. 2002). 2 1/12/1920

No habitat present and no recent records from the search



74

Common Name

Scientific name


Number of

records


thrt EPBC-mig

Invertebrates

Golden Sun Moth

Synemon plana CR

Areas that are, or have been native grasslands or grassy woodlands. It is known to inhabit degraded grasslands

with introduced grasses being dominant, with a preference for the native wallaby grass being present

(DEWHA 2009).

None N/A Recorded north of the study area, likely to occur

Notes:

EPBC-thrt = threatened species status under EPBC Act:

EX = presumed extinct in the wild

CE = critically endangered

EN = endangered

VU = vulnerable

EPBC-mig = migratory status under the EPBC Act – M = listed migratory taxa:

Bonn Convention (A2H) - Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals – listed as a member of a family

Bonn Convention (A2S) - Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals - species listed explicitly

CAMBA - China- Australia Migratory Birds Agreement

JAMBA - Japan-Australia Migratory Birds Agreement

ROKAMBA - Republic of Korea Australia Migratory Birds Agreement


75

Of the eight (8) above-listed species, the Striped Legless Lizard, Growling Grass Frog and Golden Sun Moth are considered potentially susceptible to impacts as a result of the proposed power line. Their likelihood of occurrence in each mapped native vegetation site on the proposed power line is given in Table 6.

The remaining species are not considered to be susceptible to impacts for the reasons outlined below.

Common Bent-wing Bat (southern ssp.), Grey-headed Flying-fox, Cattle Egret and Latham's Snipe are not considered to be susceptible to impacts by the current proposal for the following reasons:

Negligible areas of habitat will be cleared, for power pole erection;

These species are highly mobile and are therefore able to flee from direct harm;

The current proposal will not affect the vulnerable stages of their lifecycle or behaviour, outlined in Table 4.

Table 4: Assessment of impacts upon the vulnerable life stage of susceptible listed fauna

Species Vulnerable life stage

Likelihood of impacts

Justification

Southern Bent-wing

Bat

Breeding and roosting Unlikely

Breeds in specific maternal caves and roosts in caves and rock crevices on escarpments. These areas will not be impacted upon

Grey-headed

Flying-fox

Camping and roosting Unlikely

Camps and roosts in dense canopies in gullies near water. These areas will not be impacted upon.

Latham’s Snipe

Foraging/roosting flights Unlikely

Extent of wetland habitat on and near the powerline for this species is limited, numbers are likely to be small and powerline collision is unlikely to occur regularly.

Cattle Egret Nesting Unlikely Nests in foliage in Swamp Woodlands and no such habitat will be impacted upon

The Dwarf Galaxias depends on permanent water, connectivity with permanent water or the presence of burrowing crayfish, whose burrows provide permanent aquatic microhabitat. As a result, the Dwarf Galaxias is not considered to be susceptible to impacts from the current proposal as the only wet areas potentially impacted upon (e.g. areas of plains grassy wetland) are prone to drying out and


76

are not connected to permanent water courses. Further, there are no existing records of Burrowing Crayfish within the search region (VBA 2016).

4.3.3. Ecological communities The ecological communities below were identified or considered potentially to occur in the study area due to the presence of suitable habitat or vegetation types.

Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain (NTGVVP) – listed as critically endangered under the EPBC Act.

Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands (Freshwater) of the Temperate Lowland Plains (SHWTLP) – listed as critically endangered under the EPBC Act.

Grassy Eucalypt Woodland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain (GEWVVP) – listed as critically endangered under the EPBC Act.

During the assessment, native vegetation sites were assessed for their likelihood of qualifying as these listed communities (see Table 6 and Figure 2 to 54). The area assessed as potentially supporting such communities within the study area are shown inTable 5. One community (NTGVVP) was found potentially to occur in the study area. The other two communities were considered absent or unlikely to occur. Table 5: Areas (in hectare) of known or potentially occurring EPBC Act listed

communities in the power line study area

Community EPBC Act

NTGVVP SHWTLP GEWVVP Maximum extent (ha) 27.363 0.000 0.000

% of study area 8.91 0.00 0.00

Based on an assessment of native vegetation in the study area against published descriptions and condition thresholds, the communities below listed in the EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool were found not to occur in the study area based on the factors described below.

Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South-eastern Australia – listed as endangered under the EPBC Act.

The field assessment found that the vegetation in study area was not and would not have been dominated by Grey Box.

White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland – listed as critically endangered under the EPBC Act.

The field assessment found that the vegetation in study area was not and would not have been dominated or co-dominated by White Box, Yellow Box or Blakely’s Red Gum.


Table 6: Likelihood of EPBC Act listed matters occurring in each site within the power line study area Si

te N

umbe

r

Likelihood of Occurrence Communities Flora Fauna

NTG

VVP

SHW

TLP

GEW

VVP

Adam

son'

s Bl

own-

gras

s

Clov

er G

lycin

e

Frag

rant

Lee

k-or

chid

Mar

oon

Leek

-orc

hid

Mat

ted

Flax

-lily

Spin

y Pe

pper

cres

s

Spin

y Ri

ce-fl

ower

Trai

ling

Hop-

bush

Whi

te S

unra

y

Strip

ed L

egle

ss L

izar

d

Gro

wlin

g Gr

ass

Frog

Gol

den

Sun

Mot

h

1 Absent Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Moderate Unlikely 3 Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely Low

9e Present Unlikely Absent Low Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Unlikely Moderate Low Moderate Moderate Unlikely High 10e Present Absent Absent Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely Moderate 10w Absent Absent Absent Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely 11e Present Absent Absent Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely Moderate 11w Present Absent Absent Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely Moderate 13e Present Absent Absent Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely Moderate 13w Present Absent Absent Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely Moderate 14e Present Absent Absent Low Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Low Moderate Unlikely Moderate Moderate Unlikely High 14w Present Absent Absent Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely Moderate 15e Present Absent Absent Low Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Low Moderate Unlikely Moderate Moderate Unlikely High 15w Present Absent Absent Low Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Low Moderate Unlikely Moderate Moderate Unlikely High 16e Present Absent Absent Low Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Low Moderate Unlikely Moderate Moderate Unlikely High 17e Present Absent Absent Low Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Low Moderate Unlikely Moderate Moderate Unlikely High 17w Present Absent Absent Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely Moderate 18 Absent Absent Absent Moderate Moderate Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely High Unlikely 26 Moderate Absent Absent Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Moderate Unlikely Unlikely Moderate Unlikely Low 35 Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely 36 Low Absent Absent Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Moderate Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely 38 Absent Absent Absent Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely


Site

Num

ber

Likelihood of Occurrence Communities Flora Fauna

NTG

VVP

SHW

TLP

GEW

VVP

Adam

son'

s Bl

own-

gras

s

Clov

er G

lycin

e

Frag

rant

Lee

k-or

chid

Mar

oon

Leek

-orc

hid

Mat

ted

Flax

-lily

Spin

y Pe

pper

cres

s

Spin

y Ri

ce-fl

ower

Trai

ling

Hop-

bush

Whi

te S

unra

y

Strip

ed L

egle

ss L

izar

d

Gro

wlin

g Gr

ass

Frog

Gol

den

Sun

Mot

h

39 Moderate Absent Absent Unlikely Low Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Low Moderate Moderate 40 Low Absent Absent Low Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely High Unlikely 41 Absent Absent Absent Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Low Unlikely 42 Absent Absent Absent Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely 43 Absent Absent Absent Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely 44 Absent Absent Absent Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely 45 Absent Absent Absent Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely


79

5. IMPACTS AND REGULATORY IMPLICATIONS

5.1. Proposed development

The proposed approximately 49 kilometre long power line connects the electricity sub-station of the Salt Creek wind farm site with the Terang terminal station in Terang, to the southeast of the wind farm site.

The indicative layout of the proposed power line includes 420 power poles at spacings of about 100 metres. Within areas of mapped native vegetation this will be extended up to 250 metres in order to avoid as much native vegetation as possible. Pole locations have been shown to ensure that impacts to native vegetation can be minimised and to demonstrate that impacts to EPBC listed communities will be negligible. Pole locations will be refined in future detailed designs within areas of non-native vegetation, largely in response to any geotechnical constraint.

Temporary or permanent access tracks are not required within areas of native vegetation for this power line as construction in these areas will be undertaken during dry conditions, when the ground is firm and impacts from vehicles and machinery are considered negligible. A temporary disturbance footprint of 10 metres by 10 metres has been assumed for each proposed power pole location within areas of native vegetation, based on advice from the proponent.

Some native woody vegetation will also need to be removed for the raising and fastening of power line cables to power poles or for pruning/removal of vegetation for powerline protection or maintenance. Requirements for this have been factored into the current assessment of impacts.

In summary, the temporary disturbance footprint assumed for the current investigation comprised the following:

36 power pole construction sites, each 10 x 10 metres in area;

A 20 metre wide impact area (i.e. 10 metres either side of the alignment) in sites that support woody vegetation (excluding areas already considered for power pole impact sites); and

A circular area with a diameter of 2.5m will be removed (2.55 m2) for each pole within areas of native vegetation, adding up to 0.018 hectare of native vegetation removal.

Temporary disturbance will occur during the construction of the pole foundation for up to one week per pole location as well as during the erection of the poles which will take one to two days per pole. Earth mats will be used to avoid permanent impacts on native vegetation through vehicle traffic and equipment laydown (see Section 5.2).

5.2. Design response to mitigate impacts on biodiversity

The proposed power line has been designed to minimise biodiversity impacts, particularly to native vegetation and listed ecological communities, through the adoption of the following specific design measures:

Two general alignment options have been investigated with the result to follow the western option which has less impact on native vegetation and Matters of Environmental Significance (see BL&A 2016a);


80

A number of further finer-scale realignments have been made to the design to reduce impacts upon native vegetation and important habitats;

Target power pole spacings have been increased from 100 metres to 250 metres within areas of native vegetation to reduce the number of poles required and resulting disturbance footprint; and

Where possible, the indicative pole locations have been positioned to avoid native vegetation and threatened species and will be further micro-sited during detailed design prior to construction to minimise impacts on native vegetation and threatened species.

The following step by step procedure will be implemented based on targeted flora surveys:

1. Survey all proposed disturbance areas (10x10 m or 5x20m) for the nine listed flora species having potential to occur during their respective flowering seasons (August, October or December).

2. Extend survey area if species are recorded within the disturbance area to allow for moving of pole location and disturbance area.

3. Move pole location into adjacent area if possible when no individuals of threatened species have been recorded in adjacent area.

4. Survey adjacent locations within the activity area (opposite roadside reserve or private land) if large areas occupied by threatened species are recorded in vicinity of proposed powerpole.

5. If large areas are found to be occupied by threatened species during the pre-construction targeted surveys, the pole will be moved to an appropriate location within the activity area, to the (opposite side of the road or to adjacent private land) provided those areas are clear of threatened species. (Pre-construction surveys will also identify alternative pole locations that avoid impacts on these species.)

The following mitigation measures will be implemented in areas of temporary disturbance:

No temporary disturbance will take place in areas where threatened flora species have been found. Where the location of the poles cannot be moved, a crane truck will be used to reach up to 14 metres over the sensitive area so that only a footprint 2.5m in diameter circle will be impacted.

Pinned down earth mats will be used to reduce impacts on any confirmed listed communities within temporary disturbance areas. It is known that the grassland community can withstand being covered for up to one week. The mats will avoid disturbance through from construction vehicles, personnel and temporary spoil excavated for the pole foundation. The construction of a pole foundation takes up to one week and the erection of the power pole takes one to two days (3 to 8 poles being erected per day, depending on the type of foundation).

Further recommendations to mitigate impacts on flora and fauna are presented in Appendix 1, drawings of foundations and power pole design are given in Appendix 3. Please note that the actual design of the poles and foundation may vary slightly in response to site conditions.


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5.3. Impacts of the proposed power line

Table 7 summarises the extent of native vegetation removal of the proposed power line. Table 8 gives the area of each EPBC Act listed community affected. Table 9 presents the area of habitat for each EPBC Act listed flora species affected.

Based on these tables, the following is evident:

A comparatively limited area of native vegetation (up to 1.712 hectares) will be disturbed along the nearly 49 kilometres of the power line. Of this, 0.360 hectares will be temporarily disturbed for power pole constructions and 1.352 hectares for lopping wooded vegetation to maintain safe powerline operations. The total area of disturbance represents about 4.46 percent of the total area of native vegetation in the study area.

Of this, about 0.260 hectares (29 percent) is the EPBC Act listed threatened community NTGVVP, which represents 0.95 percent of the extent of this community in the study area, which will be temporarily disturbed. Of this, permanent removal for the power pole footing will total 128 square metres (0.028 hectares).

Small areas (less than 0.3 hectares) of potential habitat will be disturbed temporarily for threatened flora species. This represents for most species between one (1) and two (2) percent of the total available potential habitat in the study area. As this assessment has rated areas considered having a high, moderate or low likelihood of occurrence of these species, this represents a maximum likely impact from the proposed power line on the potential habitat of these listed species.

Up to 0.26 hectares of potential habitat will be disturbed temporarily for threatened fauna species with less than two percent of the total available potential habitat for any listed fauna species in the study area being affected.

The area of native vegetation and fauna habitat removal will not exceed 0.018 hectares.

In view of the foregoing impact assessment and these values being below the thresholds for significant impacts, it is considered that the proposed power line will have an insignificant impact on biodiversity.


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Table 7: Proposed native vegetation disturbance areas

Site No. Total area (ha)

Proposed disturbance

Power poles Pruning of woody vegetation Total

1 1.601 0.010 0.000 0.006 3 1.523 0.030 0.000 0.018

9e 0.933 0.020 0.000 0.020 10e 0.203 0.000 0.000 0.000 10w 0.042 0.000 0.000 0.000 11e 1.205 0.010 0.000 0.010 11w 0.201 0.000 0.000 0.000 13e 3.332 0.030 0.000 0.030 13w 0.536 0.000 0.000 0.000 14e 4.978 0.060 0.000 0.060 14w 0.903 0.000 0.000 0.000 15e 1.389 0.020 0.000 0.020 15w 0.31 0.000 0.000 0.000 16e 1.089 0.010 0.000 0.010 17e 5.323 0.070 0.000 0.070 17w 1.094 0.000 0.000 0.000 18 0.324 0.000 0.000 0.000 26 0.395 0.000 0.000 0.000 35 0.954 0.020 0.000 0.020 36 0.787 0.030 0.549 0.579 38 4.938 0.040 0.608 0.641 39 2.641 0.010 0.000 0.010 40 2.044 0.000 0.000 0.000 41 0.325 0.000 0.000 0.000 42 0.576 0.000 0.135 0.135 43 0.139 0.000 0.060 0.060 44 0.057 0.000 0.000 0.000 45 0.007 0.000 0.000 0.000

Totals 37.849 0.360 1.352 1.712


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Table 8: Proposed disturbance and removal of potential NTGVVP.

Site No. Disturbance and removal of NTGVVP

1 0.000 3 0.000

9e 0.020 10e 0.000 10w 0.000 11e 0.010 11w 0.000 13e 0.030 13w 0.000 14e 0.060 14w 0.000 15e 0.020 15w 0.000 16e 0.010 17e 0.070 17w 0.000 18 0.000 26 0.000 35 0.000 36 0.030 38 0.000 39 0.010 40 0.000 41 0.000 42 0.000 43 0.000 44 0.000 45 0.000

Totals 0.260


84

Table 9: Maximum total and disturbed area of EPBC Act species habitat

Common Name

Total maximum areas (ha) Percentage of pot. habitat in study area

affected Within power line

study area Area impacted

Flora Adamson's Blown-grass 17.344 0.200 1.15% Clover Glycine 16.987 0.190 1.12% Fragrant Leek-orchid 14.022 0.180 1.28% Maroon Leek-orchid 14.022 0.180 1.28% Matted Flax-lily 14.022 0.180 1.28% Spiny Peppercress 15.644 0.190 1.21% Spiny Rice-flower 24.201 0.280 1.16% Trailing Hop-bush 0.933 0.020 2.17% White Sunray 14.022 0.180 1.28% Fauna Striped Legless Lizard 26.055 0.26 0.95% Growling Grass Frog 6.935 0.02 1.15% Golden Sun Moth 26.055 0.26 1.12%

5.4. Implications for the proposed development under the EPBC Act

One critically endangered ecological community listed under the EPBC Act has the potential to occur in impacted areas of remnant vegetation within the proposed power line route: Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain (NTGVVP) (see Section 3.3.1 and 4.3.3). All other listed communities found to potentially occur in the study area do not occur within proposed impact areas.

As a worst case scenario (i.e. all potential EPBC Act listed ecological communities mapped would be confirmed as such), 0.26 hectares of NTGVVP would be temporarily disturbed for the proposed transmission line (see Table 10). The potential locations for NTGVVP and SHWTLP overlap, hence it would be either one or the other assuming an overall combined disturbance area of 0.26 hectares.

The permanent removal footprint for native vegetation comprises a circle 2.5 m in diameter (4.91 m2) for each of the 36 power pole locations coinciding with native vegetation, adding up to 0.018 hectares of native vegetation to be removed. Table 10: Details of proposed temporary disturbance and permanent removal of NTGVVP

Community NTGVVP (ha) Total maximum extent within study area (ha) 27.363

Proposed maximum area of removal (ha) 0.260 Percent of value's total extent within study area (%) 0.95

Nine EPBC Act listed flora species were determined to have potential to occur in the remnant native vegetation within the power line study area. These species are listed below.


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Adamson's Blown-grass

Clover Glycine

Fragrant Leek-orchid

Maroon Leek-orchid

Matted Flax-lily

Spiny Peppercress

Spiny Rice-flower

Trailing Hop-bush

White Sunray

Suitable habitat for each of these species occurs within the proposed impact area.

Three EPBC Act listed fauna species—Growling Grass Frog, Striped Legless Lizard and Golden Sun Moth—were considered during the overview assessment to potentially occur along the power line corridor. The proposed impact area affects suitable habitat for each of these species.

It is recommended that pre-construction assessments are undertaken and/or a reptile salvage plan is implemented to mitigate any potential impacts upon these three threatened species where their habitat occurs.

The maximum proposed impact to suitable habitat for each of the above-mentioned species is presented in Table 9.

The proposed development has the potential to affect one or more MNES, as summarised in Tables 8 and 9. These potential impacts are the temporary disturbance of:

up to 0.26 hectares of potential NTGVVP;

less than 0.3 hectares (between one and two percent of the potential habitat in the study area) for most threatened flora species, approximately 0.27 hectares (just over two percent of the potential habitat in the study area)for the Spiny Rice-flower; and with of habitat;

up to 0.26 hectares of potential Striped Legless Lizard and Golden Sun Moth habitat; and

less than 0.02 hectares of wetland that potentially supports the Growling Grass Frog.

The permanent removal of native vegetation and/or fauna habitat will total 0.018 hectares (i.e. 180 square metres). This represents the ultimate, residual potential impact on MNES, which represents the worst case outcome.

As the available habitat in the study area is considered equally suited to these threatened species, the probability of a significant population impact on these species from the temporary disturbance and permanent removal of such a small proportion of the potential habitat in the study area is considered very low.

Notwithstanding this, it is proposed to ensure that impacts on these species, if present, are avoided through the adoption of a pre-construction survey and design protocol, as set out at Appendix 1.


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Although it is considered that impacts on listed matters are likely to be negligible, there is potential to reduce impacts through the adoption of the pre-construction survey and detailed design and construction protocols. Therefore, a Referral under the EPBC Act will be required for the proposed transmission line as the usual triggers for Referral are reached for some listed matters.


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6. REFERENCES Allen GR, Midgley, SH and Allen M 2002. 'Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of

Australia'. Western Australian Museum, Perth.

Backhouse, G. N. and Jeanes, J. A. (1995) The Orchids of Victoria. The Meigunyah Press, Melbourne, in Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, 2003, National Recovery Plan for twenty-five Threatened Orchid Taxa of Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales 2003 - 2007, www.environment.gov.au.

Bates, RJ 1994, 'Prasophyllum', in NG Walsh & TJ Entwisle (eds), Flora of Victoria - Volume 2: Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, Inkata Press, Melbourne, pp. 869-886.

BL&A 2016a ‘Salt Creek Wind Farm power line options – overview of biodiversity impacts.’ Consultant’s Report prepared for Trust Power Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Cadwallader PL and Backhouse GN 1983. 'A Guide to the Freshwater Fish of Victoria'. Fisheries and Wildlife Melbourne.

Carter, O & Sutter, G 2010, National Recovery Plan for the Clover Glycine Glycine latrobeana, State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne.

Carter, O. 2010, National Recovery Plan for the Spiny Peppercress Lepidium aschersonii. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne.

Carter, O, 2010, National Recovery Plan for the Matted Flax-lily Dianella amoena, Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne.

Clemann N and Gillespie GR 2004. 'Recovery Plan for Litoria raniformis, Department of Environment and Heritage, Canberra.

Cogger HG 2000, 'Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia' Reed New Holland, Sydney.

Department of Sustainability and Environment. 1999, Action Statement No. 96, Small Milkwort Comesperma polygaloides, Department of Sustainability, East Melbourne.

Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2003, Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 Action Statement No. 147: Fragrant Leek-orchid Prasophyllum sp. aff. sauvoleans (Western Basalt Plains), Department of Sustainability and Evironment, East Melbourne.

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) 2016a, Planning Schemes Online – Moyne Planning Scheme, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, East Melbourne, http:// http://planning-schemes.delwp.vic.gov.au/

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) 2016b, Planning Schemes Online – Corangamite Planning Scheme, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, East Melbourne


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Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) 2016c, Biodiversity Interactive Map 2.0. Department of Environment and Primary Industries (then DSE), East Melbourne, Victoria, viewed January 2016, http://www.depi.vic.gov.au

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) 2016d, Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) Benchmarks by Bioregion, Department of Environment and Primary Industries (then DSE), East Melbourne, Victoria, viewed January 2016, <http://www.depi.vic.gov.au>

Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) 2013, Permitted clearing of native vegetation: Biodiversity assessment guidelines (dated September 2013), Department of Environment and Primary Industries, East Melbourne, Victoria.

Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) 2014, Native Vegetation Information Management system, Department of Environment and Primary Industries, now Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, East Melbourne, Victoria, <http://nvim.depi.vic.gov.au/ >

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) 2004, Native Vegetation: sustaining a living landscape, Vegetation Quality Assessment Manual – guidelines for applying the Habitat Hectare scoring method (Version 1.3). Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne, Victoria.

Department of the Environment 2016, EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool. Department of the Environment, Canberra, viewed January 2016, http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/about-us/legislation/environment-protection-and-biodiversity-conservation-act-1999/protected

DEWHA 2009. 'Background Paper to EPBC Act Policy Statement 3.12 – Significant Impact Guidelines for the Critically Endangered Golden Sun Moth (Synemon plana)'. Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra.

Duretto, MF 1999, 'Sapindaceae', in NG Walsh & TJ Entwisle (eds), Flora of Victoria - Volume 4: Dicotyledons Cornaceae to Asteraceae, Inkata Press, Melbourne, pp. 139-149.

Emison, W. B., Beardsell, Norman, F. I., Loyn, R. H., and S. C. Bennett (1987). Atlas of Victorian Birds. Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands and the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, Melbourne.

Entwisle, TJ 1996, 'Thymelaceae', in NG Walsh & TJ Entwisle (eds), Flora of Victoria - Volume 3: Dicotyledons Winteraceae to Myrtaceae, Inkata Press, Melbourne, pp. 912-930.

Higgins PJ, Peter JM and Cowling SJ (Eds) 2006, Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 7, Boatbills to Starlings, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Higgins PJ, Peter JM and Steele WK (Eds) 2001, Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 5, Tyrant-flycatchers to Chats, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Higgins PJ (Ed) 1999, Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 4, Parrots to Dollarbirds, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.


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Higgins PJ and Davies SJJF (Eds) 1996, Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 3, Snipe to Pigeons, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Jones, D.L. & Rouse, D.T. in Banks, D.P. (ed.) 2006, Fourteen new species of Prasophyllum from eastern Australia, Australian Orchid Research 5: 155-156

Jones, DL 1994, 'Pterostylis', in NG Walsh & TJ Entwisle (eds), Flora of Victoria - Volume 2: Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, Inkata Press, Melbourne, pp. 798-831.

Lunt, I, Barlow, T & Ross, J 1998 Plains Wandering, Victorian National Parks Association Inc. and Trust for Nature, Victoria.

Marchant S and Higgins, PJ (eds) 1993, Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds, Volume 2, Raptors to Lapwings, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Marchant S and Higgins, PJ (eds) 1990, Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds, Volume 1, Ratites to ducks, Oxford University Press, Melbourne

Marriott, N & Marriott J 1998, Grassland Plants of South-Eastern Australia, Blooming Books, Hawthorn, Victoria.

Menkhorst, P 1995, ‘Mammals of Victoria’, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Murphy, A 2010, National Recovery Plan for Adamson's Blown-grass Lachnagristis adamsonii, State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne.

Naarding, J.A. 1983. Latham’s Snipe in Southern Australia. Wildlife Division Technical Report 83/1. Tasmania National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Scarlett, NH 1999, 'Taraxacum', In Walsh, N.G. and Entwisle, T.J. (eds) Flora of Victoria: Dicotyledons, Cornaceae to Asteraceae, V.4, Inkata Press, Melbourne, pp. 688-694.

Tzaros, C. 2005, Wildlife of the Box-Ironbark Country, CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.

Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA 2016), © The State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries

Walsh, NG 1999, 'Polygalaceae', in NG Walsh & TJ Entwisle (eds), Flora of Victoria - Volume 4: Dicotyledons Cornaceae to Asteraceae, Inkata Press, Melbourne, pp. 130-137.

Walsh, NG 1996, 'Amaranthaceae,' in NG Walsh & TJ Entwisle (eds), Flora of Victoria - Volume 3: Dicotyledons Winteraceae to Myrtaceae, Inkata Press, Melbourne, pp. 199-215.

Walsh, NG 1994, 'Poaceae', in NG Walsh & TJ Entwisle (eds), Flora of Victoria - Volume 2: Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, Inkata Press, Melbourne.

Weber, JZ & Entwisle, TJ 1994, 'Thelymitra', in NG Walsh & TJ Entwisle (eds), Flora of Victoria - Volume 2: Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, Inkata Press, Melbourne, pp. 840-854.

Wilson S and Swan G 2003, 'A Complete Guide to the Reptiles of Australia' Reed New Holland, Sydney.


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Appendix 1: Salt Creek Wind Farm power line - pre-construction survey and design and construct protocol

This protocol sets out procedures to ensure that significant impacts on listed threatened flora species are avoided. It is to be used before final power line design is completed to ensure that significant impacts on these species can be avoided. The protocol, is presented under the following headings:

Objective

Strategy

Procedure

Audit and reporting

The objective of this protocol is to avoid significant impacts on threatened flora species listed on the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. (EPBC Act).

Objective

The strategy for achieving this objective involves the steps below.

Strategy

Seasonally appropriate pre-construction listed plant surveys for the potentially affected plant species in areas where construction works are proposed.

Mapping of the occurrence of any such species to inform powerpole micro-siting to avoid any occurrences.

An on-site meeting of the project ecologist and powerline design engineer to:

o finalise the locations of power poles, where required, to avoid the removal of a significant number of any listed plant species (i.e. less than five individuals across the whole project of each species);

o develop construction and operational environmental management measures to ensure protection of any on-site populations of listed plant species; and

o confirm appropriate approaches to string the power line to avoid impacts to native vegetation.

Finalisation of the power line design based on the outcomes of the foregoing tasks

Documentation of:

o any revised design in the final project construction plans; and

o environmental management measures to protect populations of listed species along the power line route during construction and operation of the project.

Regular audit of implementation of this protocol as part of the project construction environmental management system, which will be to a standard required under ISO AS/NZS 14001.

Project Owner, Project Manager, Project Design Engineer, Project Environmental Manager and Project Ecologist

Responsibility


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Before the final construction design and plans are prepared the surveys need to be undertaken within 30 metres of all power poles that occur in potential habitat. The surveys must be timed for the known flowering seasons of the plants concerned (see below) to ensure maximum likelihood of detection. Species and survey months are tabulated below.

Timing

Species J F M A M J J A S O N D Adamson’s Blown Grass Clover Glycine Basalt Leek-orchid Fragrant Leek-orchid Hairy Tails Maroon Leek-orchid Matted Flax-lily Purple Blown-grass Small Milkwort Spiny Peppercress Spiny Rice-flower Trailing Hop-bush White Sunray

The table above indicates that at least three survey periods are required before sufficient information on the occurrence of listed flora species in the construction footprint can be gathered: winter and mid- to late spring.

The survey is to be undertaken in a zone within 30 metres of each power pole located in potential habitat for the listed species concerned. A construction activity zone is proposed to be located adjacent to the power pole location in accordance with the general plan shown below.

Location


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A qualified botanist experienced in indigenous plant identification is to be appointed as the project ecologist.

Procedure

This person is to undertake surveys using five metre spaced walking transects of the area within 30 metres of powerpoles located in habitat considered potentially to support the target species (the ‘survey area’).

The location of each individual plant within each survey area is to be recorded with high resolution GPS (accuracy of 1 metre or less).

Where listed plant species are found, the project ecologist is to investigate the scope for relocating the powerpole and associated construction disturbance zone around the powerpole site to avoid impacts on the plants concerned.

Where many individuals of a species are found in the survey area and limited scope exists for micro-siting powerpoles and associated works areas away from plants, the survey area is to be extended until an alternative powerpole position and associated construction activity zone free of the species can be found.

Where plants are found at a site, a map of the locations of plants is to be produced and of any (up to three) recommended alternative powerpole locations that avoid significant impacts on individuals of listed plant species at the powerpole position and in the associated construction activity zone around it.

* Mobile crane (blue)

* Elevated work platform (green)

* Drilling rig (pink)

* Concrete agitator truck (brown)


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Once the map is available, the Project Ecologist and the Project Design Engineer are to visit the site and determine a confirmed alternative powerpole position and associated construction activity zone.

A final map is to be produced showing the final powerpole position and associated construction activity zone, together with the location of individual listed plant species. This map will also include locations for temporary protective fencing that may be required to ensure inadvertent disturbance of mapped listed plant species is avoided.

Documentation and reporting

The map is to form part of the final Construction Plan and the Project Environmental Management Plan is to reference both the map and the required approach to construction at that site.

Where listed plants are not found during this survey the fact is to be documented in the Construction Plans and in the project Environmental Management Plan.

The Project Environmental Manager is to ensure that implementation of this procedure is regularly audited for conformance within the Project Environmental Management System for the project, which is to operate consistent with the requirements of ISO/AS/NZS 14001.

Audit and Non-conformance

Any non-conformance with the foregoing procedure is to be rectified within the time periods specified in the Project Environmental Management System.


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Appendix 2: EVC benchmarks

Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregion

Plains Grassy Woodland (EVC 55_61)

:

Floodplain Riparian Woodland (56)

Creekline Grassy Woodland (EVC 68)

Plains Grassy Wetland (EVC 125)

Heavier-soils Plains Grassland (132_61)

Cinder Cone Woodland (EVC 644)

Aquatic Herbland (653)

Scoria Cone Woodland (894)

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregionEVC 55_61: Plains Grassy Woodland

Description:An open, eucalypt woodland to 15 m tall. Occupies poorly drained, fertile soils on flat or gently undulating plains at lowelevations. The understorey consists of a few sparse shrubs over a species-rich grassy and herbaceous ground layer. Thisvariant occupies areas receiving approximately 500 – 700 mm annual rainfall.

Large trees:Species DBH(cm) #/haEucalyptus spp. 80 cm 8 / ha

Tree Canopy Cover:%cover Character Species Common Name10% Eucalyptus camaldulensis River Red Gum

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree 5% ITUnderstorey Tree or Large Shrub 1 5% TMedium Shrub 3 10% MSSmall Shrub 2 1% SSProstrate Shrub 1 1% PSLarge Herb 3 5% LHMedium Herb 8 15% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 3 5% SHLarge Tufted Graminoid 2 5% LTGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 12 45% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 2 5% MNGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 10% S/C

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Acacia pycnantha Golden WattleMS Acacia paradoxa Hedge WattleSS Pimelea humilis Common Rice-flowerPS Astroloma humifusum Cranberry HeathPS Bossiaea prostrata Creeping BossiaeaMH Oxalis perennans Grassland Wood-sorrelMH Gonocarpus tetragynus Common RaspwortMH Acaena echinata Sheep's BurrSH Dichondra repens Kidney-weedSH Hydrocotyle laxiflora Stinking PennywortLTG Austrostipa mollis Supple Spear-grassLTG Austrostipa bigeniculata Kneed Spear-grassMTG Themeda triandra Kangaroo GrassMTG Elymus scaber var. scaber Common Wheat-grassMTG Austrodanthonia setacea Bristly Wallaby-grassMTG Austrodanthonia racemosa var. racemosa Stiped Wallaby-grassMNG Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides Weeping Grass

Recruitment:Continuous

Organic Litter:10 % cover

Logs:10 m/0.1 ha.

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EVC 55_61: Plains Grassy Woodland - Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregion

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactMS Lycium ferocissimum African Box-thorn high highLH Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle high highLH Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow-thistle high lowLH Plantago lanceolata Ribwort high lowMH Hypochoeris radicata Cat's Ear high lowLNG Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog high highMTG Vulpia bromoides Squirrel-tail Fescue high lowMTG Romulea rosea Onion Grass high lowMTG Briza minor Lesser Quaking-grass high lowMTG Briza maxima Large Quaking-grass high low



Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregionEVC 56: Floodplain Riparian Woodland

Description:An open eucalypt woodland to 20 m tall over a medium to tall shrub layer with a ground layer consisting of amphibious andaquatic herbs and sedges. Occurs along the banks and floodplains of the larger meandering rivers and major creeks, often inconjunction with one or more floodplain wetland communities. Elevation and rainfall are relatively low and soils are fertilealluviums subject to periodic flooding and inundation.


Tree Canopy Cover:%cover Character Species Common Name20% Eucalyptus camaldulensis River Red-gum

Eucalyptus ovata Swamp Gum

Life Forms:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree 5% ITUnderstorey Tree or Large Shrub 1 5% TMedium Shrub 3 15% MSLarge Herb 2 5% LHMedium Herb 4 10% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 3 10% SHLarge Tufted Graminoid 3 15% LTGLarge Non-tufted Graminoid 1 10% LNGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 5 15% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 3 10% MNGScrambler or Climber 1 5% SCBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BL

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameT Acacia melanoxylon BlackwoodMS Bursaria spinosa ssp. spinosa Sweet BursariaMS Acacia pycnantha Golden WattleMS Myoporum sp. 1 Sticky BoobiallaLH Senecio glomeratus Annual FireweedMH Rumex brownii Slender DockSH Dichondra repens Kidney-weedSH Crassula helmsii Swamp CrassulaSH Selliera radicans Shiny Swamp-matSH Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Shining PennywortLTG Lomandra longifolia Spiny-headed Mat-rushLTG Gahnia filum Chaffy Saw-sedgeLTG Poa labillardierei Common Tussock-grassLTG Juncus kraussii ssp. australiensis Sea RushLNG Phragmites australis Common ReedMTG Lachnagrostis filiformis Common Blown-grassMTG Austrodanthonia penicillata Slender Wallaby-grassMTG Dianella revoluta s.l. Black-anther Flax-lilyMTG Bulbine bulbosa Bulbine LilyMNG Triglochin striatum Streaked ArrowgrassMNG Schoenus nitens Shiny Bog-sedgeMNG Distichlis distichophylla Australian Salt-grassEP Muellerina eucalyptoides Creeping MistletoeSC Cassytha melantha Coarse Dodder-laurelSC Calystegia sepium Large Bindweed







www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 56: Floodplain Riparian Woodland - Victorian Volcanic Plainbioregion

Recruitment:Episodic/Flood. Desirable period between disturbances is 5 years.


Logs:30 m/0.1 ha.

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactMS Rosa rubiginosa Sweet Briar high highLH Rumex conglomeratus Clustered Dock high highLH Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow-thistle high lowLH Rumex crispus Curled Dock high highLH Helminthotheca echioides Ox-tongue high lowLH Aster subulatus Aster-weed high lowLH Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle high highLH Sonchus asper s.l. Rough Sow-thistle high lowLH Plantago lanceolata Ribwort high lowMH Hypochoeris radicata Cat's Ear high lowMH Plantago major Greater Plantain high lowMH Brassica fruticulosa Twiggy Turnip high highMH Atriplex prostrata Hastate Orache high highLTG Phalaris aquatica Toowoomba Canary-grass high highLNG Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog high highMTG Cyperus eragrostis Drain Flat-sedge high highMTG Bromus catharticus Prairie Grass high lowMTG Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass high highMNG Paspalum distichum Water Couch high high



Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregionEVC 68: Creekline Grassy Woodland

Description:Eucalypt-dominated woodland to 15 m tall with occasional scattered shrub layer over a mostly grassy/sedgy to herbaceousground-layer. Occurs on low-gradient ephemeral to intermittent drainage lines, typically on fertile colluvial/alluvial soils, on awide range of suitably fertile geological substrates. These minor drainage lines can include a range of graminoid andherbaceous species tolerant of waterlogged soils, and are presumed to have sometimes resembled a linear wetland or systemof interconnected small ponds.


Tree Canopy Cover:%cover Character Species Common Name15% Eucalyptus camaldulensis River Red-gum

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree 5% ITUnderstorey Tree or Large Shrub 2 10% TMedium Shrub 5 10% MSSmall Shrub 1 1% SSLarge Herb 2 5% LHMedium Herb 6 10% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 3 5% SHLarge Tufted Graminoid 2 10% LTGLarge Non-tufted Graminoid 1 5% LNGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 10 25% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 3 10% MNGScrambler or Climber 3 10% SCBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BL

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameT Acacia melanoxylon BlackwoodT Acacia retinodes WirildaMS Hymenanthera dentata s.l. Tree VioletSS Rubus parvifolius Small-leaf BrambleSS Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa Ruby SaltbushMH Oxalis perennans Grassland Wood-sorrelSH Azolla filiculoides Pacific AzollaSH Lemna disperma Common DuckweedLTG Austrostipa bigeniculata Kneed Spear-grassLTG Poa labillardierei Common Tussock-garssLNG Phragmites australis Common ReedMTG Austrodanthonia racemosa var. racemosa Stiped Wallaby-grassMTG Austrodanthonia caespitosa Common Wallaby-grassMNG Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides Weeping GrassSC Glycine clandestina Twining Glycine







www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 68: Creekline Grassy Woodland - Victorian Volcanic Plainbioregion



Logs:20 m/0.1 ha.

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactT Salix fragilis Crack Willow high highMS Lycium ferocissimum African Box-thorn high highMS Genista monspessulana Montpellier Broom high highMS Rosa rubiginosa Sweet Briar high highMS Rubus sp. aff. armeniacus Blackberry high highLH Plantago lanceolata Ribwort high lowLH Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow-thistle high lowLH Hirschfeldia incana Buchan Weed high highLH Verbena bonariensis s.l. Purple-top Verbena high highLH Rumex crispus Curled Dock high highLH Rumex conglomeratus Clustered Dock high highLH Conium maculatum Hemlock high highLH Helminthotheca echioides Ox-tongue high lowLH Aster subulatus Aster-weed high lowLH Sonchus asper s.l. Rough Sow-thistle high lowLH Solanum nigrum sensu Willis (1972) Black Nightshade high highMH Brassica fruticulosa Twiggy Turnip high highMH Hypochoeris radicata Cat's Ear high lowMH Foeniculum vulgare Fennel high highSH Modiola caroliniana Red-flower Mallow high lowLTG Phalaris aquatica Toowoomba Canary-grass high highLTG Piptatherum miliaceum Rice Millet high highMTG Ehrharta erecta var. erecta Panic Veldt-grass high highMTG Paspalum dilatatum Paspalum high highMTG Bromus catharticus Prairie Grass high lowMTG Romulea rosea Onion Grass high lowMTG Bromus diandrus Great Brome high lowMTG Briza maxima Large Quaking-grass high lowMTG Agrostis capillaris s.l. Brown-top Bent high highMNG Dactylis glomerata Cocksfoot high highMNG Paspalum distichum Water Couch high highSC Tradescantia fluminensis Wandering Jew high high



Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregionEVC 125: Plains Grassy Wetland

Description:This EVC is usually treeless, but in some instances can include sparse River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis or Swamp GumEucalyptus ovata. A sparse shrub component may also be present. The characteristic ground cover is dominated by grassesand small sedges and herbs. The vegetation is typically species-rich on the outer verges but is usually species-poor in thewetter central areas.

Life Forms:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeLarge Herb 5 5% LHMedium Herb 6 10% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 3 10% SHLarge Tufted Graminoid 3 15% LTGLarge Non-tufted Graminoid 1 5% LNGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 8 30% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 2 10% MNGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BL

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameLH Epilobium billardierianum Variable Willow-herbLH Villarsia reniformis Running Marsh-flowerLH Epilobium billardierianum ssp. cinereum Grey Willow-herbMH Potamogeton tricarinatus s.l. Floating PondweedMH Lilaeopsis polyantha Australian LilaeopsisMH Utricularia dichotoma s.l. Fairies' ApronsSH Eryngium vesiculosum PrickfootSH Neopaxia australasica White PurslaneSH Lobelia pratioides Poison LobeliaLTG Juncus flavidus Gold RushLTG Deyeuxia quadriseta Reed Bent-grassLTG Amphibromus nervosus Common Swamp Wallaby-grassLTG Poa labillardierei Common Tussock-grassMTG Triglochin procerum s.l. Water RibbonsMTG Glyceria australis Australian Sweet-grassMTG Juncus holoschoenus Joint-leaf RushMTG Austrodanthonia duttoniana Brown-back Wallaby-grassMNG Eleocharis acuta Common Spike-sedgeMNG Eleocharis pusilla Small Spike-sedge

Recruitment: Episodic/Flood. Desirable period between disturbances is 5 years.

Organic Litter:20% cover

Logs:5 m/0.1 ha.(where trees are overhanging the wetland)







www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 125: Plains Grassy Wetland - Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregion

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactLH Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle high highMH Leontodon taraxacoides ssp. taraxacoides Hairy Hawkbit high lowMH Hypochoeris radicata Cat's Ear high lowLTG Phalaris aquatica Toowoomba Canary-grass high highLNG Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog high highMTG Briza minor Lesser Quaking-grass high lowMTG Romulea rosea Onion Grass high lowTTG Cyperus tenellus Tiny Flat-sedge high low



Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregionEVC 132_61: Heavier-soils Plains Grassland

Description:Treeless vegetation mostly less than 1 m tall dominated by largely graminoid and herb life forms. Occupies fertile crackingbasalt soils prone to seasonal waterlogging in areas receiving at least 500 mm annual rainfall.

Life Forms:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeLarge Herb 2 5% LH Medium Herb 12 20% MH Small or Prostrate Herb 4 5% SH Large Tufted Graminoid 1 5% LTGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 13 40% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 4 5% MNGBryophytes/Lichens and Soil Crust* na 20% BL

* Note: treat as one life form in this EVC

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameSS Pimelea humilis Common Rice-flowerLH Rumex dumosus Wiry DockMH Calocephalus citreus Lemon Beauty-headsMH Acaena echinata Sheep's BurrMH Leptorhynchos squamatus Scaly ButtonsMH Eryngium ovinum Blue DevilSH Solenogyne dominii Smooth SolenogyneSH Lobelia pratioides Poison LobeliaLTG Austrostipa bigeniculata Kneed Spear-grassLTG Dichelachne crinita Long-hair Plume-grassMTG Themeda triandra Kangaroo GrassMTG Austrodanthonia caespitosa Common Wallaby-grassMTG Elymus scaber var. scaber Common Wheat-grassMTG Schoenus apogon Common Bog-sedgeMNG Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides Weeping GrassMNG Thelymitra pauciflora s.l. Slender Sun-orchidMNG Microtis unifolia Common Onion-orchidSC Convolvulus erubescens Pink Bindweed

Recruitment:Episodic/Fire or Grazing. Desirable period between disturbances is 5 years.


Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment December 2004






www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 132_61: Heavier-soils Plains Grassland -Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregion

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactLH Plantago lanceolata Ribwort high lowLH Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle high highLH Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow-thistle high lowMH Hypochoeris radicata Cat's Ear high lowMH Leontodon taraxacoides ssp. taraxacoides Hairy Hawkbit high lowMH Trifolium subterraneum Subterranean Clover high lowMH Plantago coronopus Buck's-horn Plantain high lowMH Trifolium striatum Knotted Clover high lowMH Trifolium dubium Suckling Clover high lowLTG Phalaris aquatica Toowoomba Canary-grass high highLNG Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog high highMTG Romulea rosea Onion Grass high lowMTG Vulpia bromoides Squirrel-tail Fescue high lowMTG Briza minor Lesser Quaking-grass high lowMTG Bromus hordeaceus ssp. hordeaceus Soft Brome high lowMTG Briza maxima Large Quaking-grass high lowMTG Lolium rigidum Wimmera Rye-grass high lowMTG Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass high lowMTG Nassella neesiana Chilean Needle-grass high highMNG Cynosurus echinatus Rough Dog's-tail high lowMNG Juncus capitatus Capitate Rush high low



Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregionEVC 644: Cinder Cone Woodland

Description:Eucalypt woodland to 15 m tall over a diverse ground layer of grasses and herbs. Associated with tuff (volcanic ash) volcanoes.


Tree Canopy Cover:%cover Character Species Common Name15% Eucalyptus viminalis Manna Gum

Eucalyptus ovata Swamp Gum

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree 5% ITUnderstorey Tree or Large Shrub 1 5% TMedium Shrub 2 10% MSLarge Herb 2 5% LHMedium Herb 5 10% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 1 1% SHLarge Tufted Graminoid 1 20% LTGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 2 5% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 1 1% MNGGround Fern 2 20% GFScrambler or Climber 1 1% SCBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLTotal understorey projective foliage cover 85%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameT Acacia melanoxylon BlackwoodMS Leucopogon parviflorus Coast Beard-heathMS Solanum laciniatum Large Kangaroo AppleLH Senecio pinnatifolius Variable GroundselLH Rumex brownii Wiry DockLH Epilobium billardierianum Variable Willow-herbMH Acaena novae-zelandiae Bidgee-widgeeMH Geranium potentilloides Cinquefoil CranesbillSH Dichondra repens Kidney-weedLTG Poa labillardierei Common Tussock-grassMTG Lomandra filiformis Wattle Mat-rushMTG Dianella revoluta s.l. Black-anther Flax-lilyMNG Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides Weeping GrassGF Pteridium esculentum Austral BrackenGF Pellaea falcata s.l. Sickle FernSC Clematis aristata Mountain Clematis



Logs:10 m/0.1 ha.







www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 644: Cinder Cone Woodland - Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregion

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactMS Lycium ferocissimum African Box-thorn high highMH Hypochoeris radicata Cat's Ear high lowMTG Briza maxima Large Quaking-grass high lowMTG Romulea rosea Onion Grass high lowMTG Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog high high



Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregionEVC 653: Aquatic Herbland

Description:Herbland of permanent to semi-permanent wetlands, dominated by sedges (especially on shallower verges) and/or aquaticherbs. Occurs on fertile paludal soils, typically heavy clays beneath organic accumulations.

Life Forms:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeMedium Shrub 1 1% MSSmall Shrub 1 1% SSLarge Herb 2 10% LHMedium Herb 5 40% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 2 10% SHLarge Non-tufted Graminoid 1 5% LNGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 4 10% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 2 10% MNGTotal understorey projective foliage cover 85%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameLH Villarsia reniformis Running Marsh-flowerMH Myriophyllum simulans Amphibious Water-milfoilMH Potamogeton tricarinatus s.l. Floating PondweedMH Potamogeton pectinatus Fennel PondweedMH Marsilea drummondii Common NardooSH Azolla filiculoides Pacific AzollaSH Lobelia pratioides Poison LobeliaSH Lemna disperma DuckweedLNG Eleocharis sphacelata Tall Spike-sedgeMTG Triglochin procerum s.l. Water RibbonsMTG Lachnagrostis filiformis Common Blown-grassMTG Glyceria australis Australian Sweet-grassMTG Austrodanthonia duttoniana Brown-back Wallaby-grassMNG Eleocharis pusilla Small Spike-sedgeMNG Eleocharis acuta Common Spike-sedge

Recruitment:Episodic/Flood. Desirable period between disturbances is 5 years.


Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactLH Aster subulatus Aster-weed high lowLH Rumex crispus Curled Dock high lowMH Plantago coronopus Buck's-horn Plantain high highMH Cotula coronopifolia Water Buttons high highMTG Lolium rigidum Wimmera Rye-grass high lowMTG Romulea rosea Onion Grass high low



Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregionEVC 894: Scoria Cone Woodland

Description:Eucalypt woodland to 15 m tall or non-eucalypt woodland to 10 m tall over a grassy to bracken-dominated understorey with arange of herbs. Occurs on the slopes of freely-draining scoria cones and spatter areas of more coarse boulder-forming flowsources. Soils are fertile but often skeletal.

Large trees:Species DBH(cm) #/haEucalyptus spp. 70 cm 15 / haAllocasuarina spp. 40 cm

Tree Canopy Cover:%cover Character Species Common Name15% Eucalyptus viminalis Manna Gum

Allocasuarina verticillata Drooping Sheoak

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree 5% ITUnderstorey Tree or Large Shrub 1 5% TMedium Shrub 2 10% MSLarge Herb 3 5% LHMedium Herb 6 10% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 3 5% SHLarge Tufted Graminoid 1 15% LTGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 4 15% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 1 5% MNGGround Fern 2 20% GFBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 10% S/C

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameT Acacia melanoxylon BlackwoodMS Bursaria spinosa Sweet BursariaLH Senecio pinnatifolius Variable GroundselLH Rumex brownii Wiry DockLH Senecio quadridentatus Cotton FireweedMH Acaena novae-zelandiae Bidgee-widgeeMH Geranium potentilloides Cinquefoil CranesbillMH Acaena echinata Sheep’s BurrMH Viola hederacea sensu Willis (1972) Ivy-leaf VioletSH Dichondra repens Kidney-weedSH Oxalis exilis Shady Wood-sorrelLTG Poa labillardierei Common Tussock-grassMTG Lomandra filiformis Wattle Mat-rushMTG Dianella revoluta s.l. Black-anther Flax-lilyMTG Carex breviculmis Short-stem SedgeMTG Austrodanthonia pilosa Velvet Wallaby-grassMNG Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides Weeping GrassGF Pteridium esculentum Austral Bracken







www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 894: Scoria Cone Woodland - Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregion



Logs:10 m/0.1 ha

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactMS Lycium ferocissimum African Box-thorn high highMH Hypochoeris radicata Cat's Ear high lowMTG Briza maxima Large Quaking-grass high lowMTG Romulea rosea Onion Grass high lowMTG Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog high high


95

Appendix 3: Design drawings

13650

13675

13700

13725

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69 66vde+0

sta=13661.81

X=661673.45

Y=5771776.29

ht=22.00 ele=129.72

70 66vde+6

sta=13911.41

X=661715.44

Y=5772022.33

ht=28.00 ele=123.39

71 66vde+6

sta=14158.86

X=661757.06

Y=5772266.25

ht=28.00 ele=120.37

20.30

19.30

18.30

26.30

25.30

24.30

26.30

25.30

24.30

249.60

247.45

69 70 71

66KV OVERHEADLINE PROFILE FROM SALT CREEK TO TERANG

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SALT CREEK TRANSMISSION LINE

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TYPICAL LINE ROUTE AND PROFILE--

8028-DM-202 A

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TRUSTPOWER CONSULTING

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SALT CREEK WIND FARM OHTLTYPICAL BORED PILE FOUNDATIONS

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0005-TC-002 A

TYPICAL BORED PILE DIMENSIONS

attachment b: salt creek wind farm transmission line (mnes)

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