ecological community assessment · explosive ordnance logistics reform project - point wilson...

28-Feb-2020Prepared for – Department of Defence – ABN: 68 706 814 312

Department of Defence28-Feb-2020

Ecological CommunityAssessment

Explosive Ordnance Logistics Reform Project - Point WilsonEcological Community Assessment –


AECOM

Ecological Community Assessment

Client: Department of DefenceABN: 68 706 814 312

Prepared byAECOM Australia Pty LtdLevel 10, Tower Two, 727 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3008, AustraliaT +61 3 9653 1234 F +61 3 9654 7117 www.aecom.comABN 20 093 846 925

28-Feb-2020

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AECOM has prepared this document for the sole use of the Client and for a specific purpose, each as expressly stated in the document. No otherparty should rely on this document without the prior written consent of AECOM. AECOM undertakes no duty, nor accepts any responsibility, to anythird party who may rely upon or use this document. This document has been prepared based on the Client’s description of its requirements andAECOM’s experience, having regard to assumptions that AECOM can reasonably be expected to make in accordance with sound professionalprinciples. AECOM may also have relied upon information provided by the Client and other third parties to prepare this document, some of whichmay not have been verified. Subject to the above conditions, this document may be transmitted, reproduced or disseminated only in its entirety.



AECOM

Quality InformationDocument Ecological Community Assessment

Ref

Date 28-Feb-2020

Prepared by Anneke Monte

Reviewed by Chris White

Revision History

Rev Revision Date DetailsAuthorised

Name/Position Signature

A 07-Feb-2020 Draft Chris WhiteAssociate Director -Environment

B 25-Feb-2020 For issue Chris WhiteAssociate Director -Environment

C 28-Feb-2020 For issue Chris WhiteAssociate Director -Ecology



AECOM

Table of ContentsGlossary iAbbreviations ii1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Project background 11.2 Scope of work 11.3 Study area 2

2.0 Legislative context 52.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 5

3.0 Methods 63.1 Desktop assessment 63.2 Field-based assessment 6

3.2.1 Detailed site assessment 63.2.2 Vegetation Quality Assessment (VQA) 6

3.3 Assumptions and limitations 74.0 Results 8

4.1 Desktop assessment 84.1.1 Protected Matters Search Tool results 84.1.2 NatureKit 8

4.2 Field assessment 84.2.1 Site description 84.2.2 Vegetation Quality Assessment (Habitat Hectares) 10

5.0 Listed ecological communities 136.0 Project impacts 177.0 Summary and recommendations 198.0 Reference 20

List of FiguresFigure 1 Local context of the Point Wilson Explosive Area (PWEA) 3Figure 2 Project footprint (the study area) at PWEA 4Figure 3 Mapped ecological values of the study area 12Figure 4 NTGVVP diagnostic flowchart 14Figure 5 Extract of Page 17 (DESWPC 2011) 16

List of TablesTable 1 Summary of PMST results – Ecological communities at Point Wilson 8Table 2 EVC mapping within 5 km of study area derived from NatureKit 8Table 3 Vegetation Quality Assessment of the study area 10Table 4 Summary of the key diagnostic and condition threshold assessment 15



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GlossaryTerm Definition

Bioregion Biogeographic areas that capture the patterns of ecological characteristics inthe landscape or seascape, providing a natural framework for recognisingand responding to biodiversity values.

BioregionalConservation Status(BCS of an EVC)

A state-wide classification of the degree of depletion in the extent and/orquality of an Ecological Conservation Class (EVC) within a bioregion incomparison to the State’s estimation of its pre-1750 extent and condition.

Diameter at BreastHeight (DBH)

The diameter of the trunk of a tree measured over bark at 1.3m above groundlevel.

Ecological VegetationClass (EVC)

A type of native vegetation classification that is described through acombination of its floristic, life form and ecological characteristics, andthrough an inferred fidelity to particular environmental attributes. Each EVCincludes a collection of floristic communities (i.e. lower level in theclassification that is based solely on groups of the same species) that occuracross a biogeographic range.

EVC Benchmark A standard vegetation-quality reference point relevant to the vegetation typethat is applied in habitat hectare assessments. Represents the averagecharacteristics of a mature and apparently long-undisturbed state of the samevegetation type.

First party offset Where vegetation is offset on the same property to that where it has beenremoved, or on an alternative property where the land is managed by theparty requiring the offset.

Gain target The amount of gain that needs to be achieved to offset a loss measured inhabitat hectares.

Habitat Hectares A site-based measure of quality and quantity of native vegetation that isassessed in the context of the relevant native vegetation type.

Habitat Score The score assigned to a habitat zone that indicates the quality of thevegetation relative to the Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) benchmark –sum of the site condition score and landscape context score usuallyexpressed as a percentage or on a scale of zero to 1.

Large Trees (LT) A tree with a DBH equal to or greater than the large tree diameter asspecified in the relevant EVC benchmark. In habitat zones all trees mediumand above are classed as LTs.

Offset Zone An offset area of native vegetation consisting of a single vegetation type(EVC) with similar quality under the same proposed management regime.

Recruitment The production of new generations of plants, either by allowing naturalecological processes to occur (regeneration etc.), by facilitating suchprocesses such as regeneration to occur, or by actively revegetation(replanting, reseeding). See revegetation.

Revegetation Establishment of native vegetation to a minimum standard in formerly clearedareas, outside of a habitat zone.



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Term Definition

Scattered trees Canopy trees within an area where at least 75% of the total understorey plantcover is weeds or non-native plants and the overall canopy cover for a group(i.e. Three or more) of trees is less than 20%.

Small Tree (ST) A tree with a DBH less than the large tree diameter in the relevant EVCbenchmark but less than the DBH for a medium old tree.

Third party offset Where vegetation from another party’s property is traded as native vegetationcredits.

AbbreviationsAbbreviation ExpansionAECOM AECOM Pty Ltd

AFT Approved for Tender

AQIS Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service

BCS Biodiversity Conservation Status

DAWE Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment

Defence Department of Defence

DBH Diameter Breast Height

DELWP Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

DLP Defects Liability Period

EO Explosive Ordnance

EOLRP Explosive Ordnance Logistics Reform Project

EPBC Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

ESM Defence Environment and Sustainability Manager

EVC Ecological Vegetation Community

First Party Guide First party offset guide – How to establish a first party offset site (DELWP2018)

Guidelines Victorian Government’s ‘Guidelines for the removal, destruction or loppingof native vegetation’

Ha Hectares

Kms Kilometres

MNES Matters of National Environmental Significance

NTGVVP Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plains

NVIM Native Vegetation Information Management

NVR Native Vegetation Removal

PWEA Point Wilson Explosives Area

WONS Weeds of National Significance



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1.0 Introduction

1.1 Project backgroundAECOM Australia (AECOM) was engaged by the Department of Defence (Defence) to undertake adetailed ecological community assessment for the Explosives Ordnance Logistics Reform Program(EOLRP), to be conducted within Point Wilson Explosives Area (PWEA).

The EOLRP works comprise capital works at existing Defence Explosive Ordnance (EO) depotsaround Australia. The EOLRP works include a mix of facilities, including office facilities for siteadministration, specialist EO storage facilities, warehousing for non-explosive stores, ammunitionprocess buildings, roads, hardstand and other supporting engineering services.

The scope of works at PWEA includes development of the following new facilities:

· Site administration facility;

· Wharf side hardstand for temporary storage of containers;

· A new Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) compliant container inspection stand;and

· Container de-stuffing hardstand.

As part of this project there is a requirement to remove remnant native vegetation to make spaceavailable for EOLRP buildings and infrastructure. Defence have advised that an ecological communityassessment is required to determine whether the ecological community proposed for removal is athreatened ecological community protected under the Commonwealth Environment Protection andBiodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). An assessment of the vegetation and ecologicalcommunities has previously been conducted at PWEA for the EOLRP project in 2016, however it wasdetermined that a reassessment was required to:

a. confirm the vegetation to be impacted still meets the criteria for the threatened ecologicalcommunity, and

b. to confirm the exact area to be impacted for the purpose of obtaining a Part 13 Permit from theDepartment of Agriculture, Water and Environment (DAWE) for the removal of the threatenedecological community.

The focus of this report is the project footprint of the wharf side hardstand for temporary storage ofcontainers (the study area) incorporating the area to be occupied by the hardstand, the area to beimpacted by construction activity around the hardstand, and the area to be disturbed for supportingcivil works at the PWEA.

1.2 Scope of workThe purpose of this assessment is to identify whether protected ecological communities are presentwithin the study area in accordance with Victorian and Commonwealth legislation and guidelines.Based on the findings, recommendations will be provided to Defence on whether permits or otherapprovals are required under legislation for the clearing of the communities that are present.

The scope of works for the ecological community assessment is to:

· Undertake a desktop review to determine whether any flora, fauna or ecological communitieshave been previously identified within the study area that are protected under the EPBC Act;

· Undertake a site assessment to identify ecological values within the study area and map nativevegetation communities that are present (Note: under Victorian guidelines, a native vegetationcommunity is considered to be present if more than 25% of the perennial vegetation cover of anarea is native);

· Note any incidental records of Commonwealth and Victorian listed species within the study area;



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· Based on site assessment results, determine whether the study area contains ecologicalcommunities protected under Commonwealth or Victorian legislation;

· Based on the site assessment results, determine the total area to be impacted by the EOLRPproject that contains a protected ecological community (if any); and

· Provide a report detailing the method, findings and recommendations in terms of whether a Part13 Section 201 General Permit under the EPBC Act, will be required for the removal of vegetationwithin the study area.

1.3 Study areaThe study area is located at the Point Wilson Explosives Area (PWEA) which is a 326-hectare sitelocated on the northern shore of the Geelong Arm of Port Phillip Bay as shown in Figure 1. The site isapproximately 60 kilometres from Melbourne, accessible from the Princes Highway eight kilometres tothe northwest. The site is in close proximity to Avalon Airport.

The project footprint for the wharf-side temporary container storage hardstand is located in the southeast of the PWEA site, immediately south of the road next to the wharf. The location of the study area(presented in relation to the PWEA site) is shown in Figure 2.

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PROJECT ID

LAST MODIFIEDCREATED BY

60494488PK06 FEB 2020

LEGENDSite Boundary

DATUM: GCS_WGS_1984

Explosive Ordnance LogisticsReform ProjectPoint Wilson Explosives Area, VIC

Map Document: (\\aumel1fp001.au.aecomnet.com\projects\604X\60494488\4. Tech work area\4.99 GIS\02_Maps\2020\01\Collector_PtWilson\F1_Site_Location.mxd)

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LEGENDGeneralAssessmentAreaSite Boundary

DATUM: GCS_WGS_1984

Explosive Ordnance LogisticsReform ProjectPoint Wilson Explosives Area, VIC

Map Document: (\\aumel1fp001.au.aecomnet.com\projects\604X\60494488\4. Tech work area\4.99 GIS\02_Maps\2020\01\Collector_PtWilson\F2_Assessment_Area.mxd)

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2.0 Legislative contextThe primary legislation that was considered during the assessment process is the EPBC Act as thePWEA is a Defence site and therefore the site is Commonwealth land.

2.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999One of the main aims of the EPBC Act is to provide for the conservation of biodiversity and theprotection of the environment, particularly those aspects that are considered to be Matters of NationalEnvironmental Significance (MNES). The EPBC Act defines nine MNES as follows:

· World heritage properties;

· National heritage places;

· Wetlands of international importance (listed under the Ramsar Convention);

· Listed threatened species and ecological communities;

· Migratory species protected under international agreements (JAMBA, CAMBA, ROKAMBA);

· Commonwealth marine environment;

· Great Barrier Reef Marine Park;

· Nuclear actions (including uranium mines); and

· A water resource, in relation to coal seam gas development and large coal mining development.

Under the EPBC Act, actions1 that are likely2 to have a significant impact upon MNES are required tobe referred to the Commonwealth Environment Minister for approval.

Of these MNES, wetlands of international importance and listed threated species and ecologicalcommunities are relevant to the EOLRP project at PWEA. A significant impact assessment wasundertaken during the planning phase for the EOLRP project and it was determined that the project isunlikely to have a significant impact on MNES. On this basis, a referral for the project was notconsidered necessary

It was, however, determined that the project may require the removal of limited areas of protectedecological communities at Point Wilson and at other project sites. It was determined that a Part 13 -Section 201 General Permit for Threatened Species and Ecological Communities with SupplementaryForm C would need to be obtained from Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (DAWE)prior to the removal of areas of these communities.

1 Under the EPBC Act an ‘action’ includes any project, development, undertaking, activity or series of activities.2 Under the EPBC Act ‘likely’ refers to when the potential for a significant impact on the environment to be real or not a remotechance or possibility.



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3.0 Methods

3.1 Desktop assessmentA desktop review of the previous ecological assessment that was completed for the EOLRP wasundertaken. This was the “Ecology Assessment Report – 30% CDR Report – Explosive OrdnanceLogistics Reform Program – Works Package 2” (AECOM, September 2016).

The following databases were accessed as part of the AECOM Ecology Assessment Report (AECOM2016) for records of ecological communities within the study area and surrounding landscape, and forgeneral environmental information:

· EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool (PMST) administered by DAWE accessed on 24August 2016 incorporating a 10 km buffer from the centre of the study area; and

· NatureKit administered by the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning(DELWP) for Ecological Vegetation Classes, Bioregions, and administrative boundaries availableat: http://maps.biodiversity.vic.gov.au/viewer/?viewer=NatureKit and accessed August 2016.

3.2 Field-based assessment3.2.1 Detailed site assessmentAECOM undertook a detailed site assessment on 24 January 2020 and on 19 February 2020 toassess the extent and quality of all native vegetation within the study area. The assessment wasundertaken by a DELWP-accredited Habitat Hectares ecologist using the Habitat Hectaremethodology. This method was adopted as it provides a clearly defined, scientific and defendablemethod for assessing the species composition and quality of a patch of native vegetation. This methodalso ensures that the assessor collects the information that is required to assess a patch of nativevegetation against EPBC threshold criteria for protected ecological communities with the potential tooccur in the area. Habitat for potentially present threatened fauna/flora/ecological communities,identified during the desktop assessment (Section 4.1), was noted during the assessment. Plantedvegetation was also mapped on site.

3.2.2 Vegetation Quality Assessment (VQA)Native vegetation in Victoria is classified into Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVC’s), EVC’s can besynonymous with EPBC Act listed ecological communities. Therefore identifying the EVC of an areacan be a key step in determining whether an EPBC Act-listed ecological community is present. EachEVC has been assigned a benchmark for assessing vegetation quality through a Habitat Hectareassessment. The EVC benchmarks have been prepared for each of the Victorian bioregions.

Native vegetation within the study area was assessed according to the prescriptions of Victoria’sGuidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation (DEWLP, 2017). Under theGuidelines, native vegetation is considered to be either a patch or scattered tree, where:

A patch is defined as:

‘an area of vegetation where at least 25 per cent of the total perennial understoreyplant cover is native”, or “an area with three or more native canopy trees where thedrip line of each tree touches the drop line of at least one other tree, forming acontinuous canopy” or “any mapped wetland included in the Current wetlands map,available in DELWP systems and tools’ (DELWP 2017, pg. 6).

And a scattered tree is defined as:

‘a native canopy tree that does not form part of a patch”, where a native canopy tree isdefined as “a mature tree that is greater than 3 metres in height and is normally found inthe upper layer of the relevant vegetation type’ (DELWP 2017, pg. 6).

Scattered trees can be classified as large or small so long as they consist of a canopy species for therelevant EVC. Large scattered tree Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) is specified in the relevant EVC

http://maps.biodiversity.vic.gov.au/viewer/?viewer=NatureKit



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benchmark description. Small scattered trees are those less than the EVC benchmark for a large treebut greater than 3 meters in height.

A VQA was undertaken using the Habitat Hectares method as described in the Vegetation QualityAssessment Manual – guidelines for applying the habitat hectare scoring method (DSE, 2004) for allpatches of native vegetation. Individual patches are termed Habitat Zones (HZ) in accordance withDELWP terminology.

3.3 Assumptions and limitationsThe findings of this report are subject to the following assumptions and limitations:

· Mapping was conducted using a hand-held Garmin GPS unit, a hand-held Smartphone and aerialphoto interpretation. The accuracy of the mapping is subject to the accuracy of the unit andaccess to satellite information (generally < 6 metres). As such, these points should not be reliedon for detailed design purposes.

· The assessment was conducted in mid-summer (January and February) at a time whenherbaceous life forms are less likely to be present due to climatic conditions. This was reflected insite conditions where only one herbaceous species was recorded. It is possible that the qualityand diversity of the ecological communities would be different if surveyed again during theoptimum survey period (spring). It is unlikely, however, that the extent or area of NTG VVP wouldchange if a survey were undertaken in spring as perennial tussock grass species are thedominant life form within NTG VVP communities and it is unlikely that seasonally abundantherbaceous species would change the percentage cover of native species such that an areawould be considered to meet the 50% cover threshold based on herbaceous species.

· The assessment was restricted to the identified survey area only, as demarcated on site bytemporary fencing that had been erected by the Managing Contractor (Watpac). No assessmentor evaluation of the area beyond the fence line was undertaken and we have assumed that theconstruction demarcation erected by Watpac is correct.



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4.0 Results

4.1 Desktop assessment4.1.1 Protected Matters Search Tool resultsThe Protected Matters Search Tool (PMST) completed as part of the AECOM Ecology AssessmentReport (AECOM 2016) identified a number of MNES that may occur, or for which suitable habitat mayoccur within the study area.

The PMST search from 24 August 2016 identified the ecological communities, shown in Table 1, aspotentially occurring at or within 10km of Point Wilson.Table 1 Summary of PMST results – Ecological communities at Point Wilson

MNES Number of occurrences

Listed threatened speciesand ecological communities

Four threatened ecological communities:· Grassy Eucalypt Woodland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain;· Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain;· Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands (Freshwater) of the Temperate

Lowland Plains; and· White Box-Yellow Box- Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland

and Derived Native Grassland.

4.1.2 NatureKitThe study area, and 10 km buffer, falls within the Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregion. Based on DELWPEVC modelling, there is potential for two EVCs to occur within 10 km of the study area (Table 2).These EVCs and their Biodiversity Conservation Status (BCS) in the Victorian Volcanic PlainBioregion is listed in Table 2.Table 2 EVC mapping within 5 km of study area derived from NatureKit

EVC No. EVC Name Victorian Volcanic Plain BCS

EVC 132 Plains Grassland Endangered

EVC 302 Coastal Saltmarsh/Mangrove Shrubland Mosaic Endangered

4.2 Field assessment4.2.1 Site descriptionThe study area is located in the south-eastern part of PWEA close to the transition from grassland toCoastal Saltmarsh. There is an existing hardstand area with buildings and a large water tank to thenorth with a well-used gravel track passing through the area from the north-west to the south-east andseparating the grassland into two parts. A second, smaller and less formal track goes from north tosouth with grasses naturally regenerating across the track and effectively joining the two grasslandson either side of it.

The site is mostly flat with a gradual slope to the east. There are no natural waterways within a sitealthough a man-made culvert and associated waterway is located in the western weed patch and apipe outlet from the hardstand is present in the eastern weed patch and HZ2.

The site is dominated by perennial grassland with a low to very low density of herbaceous weedspecies and no woody weed species. Herbaceous weed species that were observed included:

· Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle;



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· Heliotropium europaeum Common Heliotrope;

· Hypochaeris glabra Smooth Cat’s ear;

· Marrubium vulgare Horehound; and

· Plantago lanceolata Ribwort.

The three weed patches (see Plate 1 for an example) are dominated by perennial exotic grass speciesincluding:

· Avena fatua Wild Oats;

· Aira sp. Hair-grass;

· Pennisetum clandestinum Kikuyu;

· Vulpia sp. Fescue; and

· Lagurus ovatus Hare’s-tail grass.

Two Nassella trichotoma Serrated Tussock plants were found within the native vegetation patches.Grassy weed and herbaceous weed species were also found within the native vegetation patcheshowever these plants occupied less than 25% of the vegetative cover within these patches.

No native trees or woody species were observed in the area. A single, dead Lycium ferocissimumAfrican Box-thorn was found in the southern weed patch. This patch also contained three Tamarixaphylla Tamarisk or Athel Pines (Plate 2) which form the start of a planted avenue of the species. Boththe African Box Thorn and the Tamarisk are listed Weeds of National Significance. The Tamarisk islikely to be associated with the homestead that was previously located in the area and which isconsidered to have heritage value.

Plate 1 Weed patch east of existing buildings Plate 2 Planted vegetation – Tamarisk trees

Fauna species observed consisted of:

· Acanthiza reguloides Buff-rumped thornbill;

· Shorebirds flying overhead including Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae Silver gulls, Pelecanusconspicillatus Australian Pelicans and terns (Gelochelidon sp.);

· Lepus europaeus European hare;

· Flocks of sheep; and

· Evidence of reptile presence including burrows.

No threatened species were observed.



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4.2.2 Vegetation Quality Assessment (Habitat Hectares)Two Habitat Zones (both of which are EVC 132_61 Plains Grassland, separated by a road) and twoareas of vegetation dominated by weeds, were mapped across the site during the Vegetation QualityAssessment. The Habitat Hectare scores of each zone are presented in Table 3.Table 3 Vegetation Quality Assessment of the study area

Habitat Zone HZ1 HZ2EVC 132_61 132_61

Bioregion Victorian VolcanicPlains

VictorianVolcanic Plains

Bioregional Conservation Status (BCS) Max Endangered Endangered

Site

Con

ditio

n

Large Old Trees (Note: Treeless EVC) 10 0 0Tree Canopy Cover (Note: Treeless EVC) 5 0 0Lack of Weeds 15 9 9Understorey 25 10 5Recruitment 10 3 3Organic Litter 5 4 5Logs 5 0 0Total Site Score 75 26 22

Standardiser (Treeless EVC – Plains Grassland) - 1.36 1.36Standardised Site Score - 35.36 29.92

Land

scap

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onte

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Patch Size 10 1 1Distance to Core Area 5 4 4Neighbourhood 10 4 4Total Landscape Score 25 9 9

Habitat Score 100 45 39Habitat Points = Score/100 1 0.45 0.39Total area of Habitat Zone (ha) 0.2098 0.0598Habitat Hectares (Hha) 0.0944 0.0233

These patches represent a total of 0.2696 hectares (ha) of native vegetation. HZ1 is 0.2098 ha (Plate3) and HZ2 is 0.0598ha (Plate 4) with both areas containing Plains Grassland which has beendetermined as they are both treeless, have vegetation less than 1m tall, are dominated by nativegraminoid species. It is assumed they also contain a number of native herbaceous species noting thatthese species are more likely to be observed in Spring/early summer. The soils are fertile, crackingbasalt soils that are likely to periodically become water-logged depending on rainfall. Species typical ofthe EVC were observed throughout the area.

The HZs exhibited a low species diversity, particularly as no herbaceous species were observed andthese species typically occupy 30% of Plains Grassland cover. The native species that were observedin the HZ’s were restricted to five native perennial grass species (Two Austrostipa sp., Bothriochloamacra, Poa sp. and Rytidosperma caespitosa).

Bryophytes and soil crusts were evenly distributed across the HZs with good inter-tussock spacing andopportunity for recruitment. Organic matter was present and dominated by native organic litter for themost part. No logs were observed although occasional large, basaltic rocks were present scatteredthrough the area.

The VQA scores (Table 3) show that HZ1 has moderately higher quality than HZ2. The low diversity,small patch sizes and proximity to areas of greater disturbance (i.e. hardstand area and roads) reducethe value of these areas in the landscape context. However, it should be noted that the HZ1 boundarywas defined using the temporary construction fence and that it appeared as though the grassland wascontiguous on the other side of the fence. As such, HZ1 is considered to be part of a larger patch.

The ecological values mapped during the site assessment are presented in Figure 3.



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Plate 3 HZ1 – Plains Grassland south of track Plate 4 HZ2 – Plains Grassland north of track

HZ1

HZ2

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PROJECT ID


60494488PK20 FEB 2020

LEGEND

Ecological CommunitiesNatural Temperate Grasslandof the Victorian Volcanic PlainsWeed Dominated

EOLRP HardstandConstruction CompoundSite Boundary

DATUM: GCS_WGS_1984

Explosive Ordnance LogisticsReform Project

Point Wilson Explosives Area, VIC

Map Document: (\\aumel1fp001.au.aecomnet.com\projects\604X\60494488\4. Tech work area\4.99 GIS\02_Maps\2020\01\Collector_PtWilson\F3_Ecological_Communities.mxd)

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Ecological Communities

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5.0 Listed ecological communitiesBased on the vegetation quality assessment and the determination that the native vegetation patchesmeet the criteria for the Plains Grassland EVC, it was determined that an assessment was requiredagainst the DAWE condition threshold for Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian VolcanicPlains (NTGVVP), considered Critically Endangered under the EPBC Act. NTGVVP is considered tobe consistent with Plains Grassland although additional threshold criteria are assessed to determinewhether the patch is of sufficient quality to be considered to be part of the EPBC community.

A diagnostic and condition threshold assessment was completed to determine if the study areacontains patches of NTGVVP. This was completed in accordance with the Nationally ThreatenedEcological Communities of the Victorian Volcanic Plain: Natural Temperate Grassland & GrassyEucalypt Woodland – A guide to identification, assessment and management of nationally threatenedecological communities (Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population andCommunities (DSEWPAC 2011). The diagnostic flowchart is shown in Figure 4 below with responsesto questions provided in Table 4.



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Figure 4 NTGVVP diagnostic flowchart



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Table 4 Summary of the key diagnostic and condition threshold assessment

# Question CommentSTEP 1: Is the Natural Temperate Grassland or Grassy Eucalypt Woodland ecologicalcommunity present at my site?1 Does the patch occur within or near the Victorian

Volcanic Plain as shown on the map at page173?If YES, proceed to question 2.

Yes, the site is located on the VictorianVolcanic Plain near Geelong in Victoria.

2 Is the site dominated by native vegetation (i.e. anative vegetation remnant)? If uncertain selectYES.If YES, proceed to question 3.

Yes, the site is dominated by nativeperennial grasses such as Austrostipa sp,Bothriochloa macra, Poa sp. andRytidosperma caespitosa.

3 Are trees absent or sparse such that theprojective foliage cover of native trees in thepatch is 5% or less?If YES, proceed to question 4.

Yes, native trees are absent.

4 Is the ground vegetation layer dominated bynative grasses and/or other native herbs?If YES, the grassland ecological community ispresent. Go to Step 2 question 5

Yes, the ground vegetation layer isdominated by native grasses whichrepresent between 66% to 92% of thecover of vegetation.

STEP 2: Is the patch of sufficient quality for national listing?For GRASSLAND ecological communities

5 Is the patch bigger than or equal to 0.05hectares (e.g. 10 x 50m OR 20 x 25m)?If YES, proceed to question 6

Yes, HZ 1 is 0.2098ha and HZ 2 is 0.0598ha.

6 The dominant native species represent at least50% of the native species and the perennialtussock cover; ORNon-grass weeds comprise less than 30% ofground cover; ORNative forbs (wildflowers) comprise at least 50%of total vegetation cover during spring – summer.If YES, The patch of the ecological community isof sufficient quality to consider EPBC protection.

Yes, the dominant species are native andreflect the Key Species associated with thecommunity (as defined within theconsiderations that accompany thediagnostic flowchart) including Austrostipasp, Bothriochloa macra, Poa sp. andRytidosperma caespitosa.AND non-grass weeds represent less than3% cover for both patches.Note: native forb diversity cannot bedetermined as the assessment wasundertaken in January which is outside ofthe specified survey period of September toNovember, as defined within theconsiderations that accompany thediagnostic flowchart.

3 Refer to Figure 3 in this Appendix



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Figure 5 Extract of Page 17 (DESWPC 2011)



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6.0 Project impactsThe project footprint of the wharf-side temporary container storage hardstand includes the area to beoccupied by the hardstand, the area to be disturbed for supporting civil works at the PWEA and thearea to be impacted by construction activity around the hardstand. The area to be occupied by thehardstand and where civil works will occur is the construction footprint and the area to be impacted bythe construction activity is the EOLRP Hardstand Construction Compound. Each component of theproject footprint is shown in Figure 6.

Environmental impacts from the construction and operation of the EOLRP Hardstand ConstructionCompound include the following:

· Removal of 0.2696 ha of Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain;

· Potential increase in erosion and sedimentation of nearby waterways during construction;

· Potential increase in dust creating air pollution and construction vehicles, machinery andequipment creating noise pollution during construction; and

· Potential introduction and spread of weed species.

A project-specific Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) has been developed byWatpac to guide construction and minimise environmental impacts. Key management measuresinclude:· Establishment of temporary fencing to clearly delineate the area where construction activities,

including vegetation removal, may occur and prevent construction traffic from entering areas withenvironmental values, such as NTGVVP;

· Protection of vegetation that will remain using hoarding and barriers;

· Implementation of measures to minimise the introduction and spread of weed species, including,but not limited to the following:

- Defined traffic pathways for vehicles moving through site; and

- Vehicle and machinery wash down prior to demobilising from site.

· Sediment and erosion control including installation of silt fencing and stockpile management;

· Implementing of bunding and establishment of chemical storage areas where required; and

· Establishment of appropriately designed waste storage and handling areas to manageconstruction waste and to prevent uncontrolled release into the environment.

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PROJECT ID


60494488PK20 FEB 2020

LEGEND

EOLRP HardstandConstruction CompoundConstruction Footprint

Ecological CommunitiesNatural Temperate Grasslandof the Victorian Volcanic PlainsWeed Dominated

Site Boundary

DATUM: GCS_WGS_1984

Explosive Ordnance LogisticsReform Project

Point Wilson Explosives Area, VIC

Map Document: (\\aumel1fp001.au.aecomnet.com\projects\604X\60494488\4. Tech work area\4.99 GIS\02_Maps\2020\01\Collector_PtWilson\F4_ImpactedArea_Hardstand_Construction.mxd)

F6Figure


Area to be impacted by HardstandConstruction

SITE



19AECOM

7.0 Summary and recommendationsThe detailed ecological community assessment identified that Plains Grassland (EVC132) is presentwithin the study area and that the grassland is moderate to low quality, noting that species diversitycould not be fully assessed due to the timing of the site assessment. Assessment against thediagnostic features and characteristics for NTGVVP, which is Critically Endangered under the EPBCAct, determined that the community is present within the study area.

Based on this determination, approval is required from DAWE for any clearing of the community ordevelopment close to a particular site of the community. An application for a permit to kill, injure, take,trade, keep or move a listed threatened ecological community in a Commonwealth area, under Part13, Section 200 of the EPBC Act will need to be submitted to DAWE to obtain this approval.

It is recommended that this application be submitted as soon as possible to avoid project delays.



20AECOM

8.0 ReferenceAECOM (2016) Ecology Assessment Report – 30% CDR Report – Explosive Ordnance LogisticsReform Program – Works Package 2, September 2016.

Department of Environment Land Water and Planning (DELWP) (2020). NatureKit website. Siteaccessed January 2020: http://maps.biodiversity.vic.gov.au/viewer/?viewer=NatureKit.

Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (DAWE) (then the Department of the Environmentand Energy) (2016). Protected Matters Search Tool website. Site accessed August 2016:https://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/pmst/index.html

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) (2004). Vegetation Quality Assessment Manual -guidelines for applying the habitat hectare scoring method. Department of Sustainability andEnvironment. Melbourne, Victoria.

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPC) (2011).Nationally Threatened Ecological Communities of the Victorian Volcanic Plain: Natural TemperateGrassland & Grassy Eucalypt Woodland – A guide to identification, assessment and management ofnationally threatened ecological communities Environment Protection and Biodiversity ConservationAct 1999.

http://maps.biodiversity.vic.gov.au/viewer/?viewer=NatureKit

https://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/pmst/index.html

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