Biodiversity Strategy: Maldhangilanna

Biodiversity Strategy: Maldhangilanna

2 3BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY: MALDHANGILANNA WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY: MALDHANGILANNA WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL

Acknowledgement of CountryMaldhangilanna is Wiradjuri for working together.

Wagga Wagga City Council acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of this land, the Wiradjuri people, and pays respect to Elders, past and present and emerging. Council has a long history and association with local First Nations Peoples communities within the Local Government Area.

Council values the diversity of the local community and supports reconciliation by working consistently in partnership with the local Wiradjuri and First Nations community, ensuring the process is based on respect, trust and a spirit of openness.

Foreword

Firstly, you can’t have a biodiversity value without a Wiradjuri cultural value. Our people have been looking after this land for thousands of years. Our connection to the environment goes beyond the physical – it is part of our culture and part of our identity. Our modern society and the impacts of climate change are threatening that very identity.

We need to change the way we think about the environment and what we are leaving behind for our children.

Ngangaana-gu karrai billa’s, dya karrai billa’s durai, ngangaana ngningu.

Look after the land and the rivers and the land and the rivers will look after you.

Uncle James Ingram, Wiradjuri Elder

Cover image: Kadisha Lee, 2020.


Contents

Acknowledgement of Country ...........................................................................2

Foreword ............................................................................................................3

Mayor’s message ...............................................................................................7

Stakeholder and community participation ........................................................9

Introduction ......................................................................................................11Aim of the Strategy ..........................................................................................................11

What is biodiversity? ........................................................................................................12

Legislative framework for biodiversity ............................................................13Commonwealth legislation ..............................................................................................13

New South Wales legislation ...........................................................................................13

Internal policy ...................................................................................................................15

External policy .................................................................................................................16

Wagga Wagga Local Government Area ..........................................................19Aboriginal cultural heritage ..............................................................................................19

Terrestrial biodiversity ......................................................................................................19

Aquatic biodiversity .........................................................................................................22

Biodiversity threats ..........................................................................................25Key threatening processes ..............................................................................................25

Threatened species of the Wagga Wagga LGA ...............................................................28

Connecting biodiversity areas .........................................................................29Wildlife corridors ..............................................................................................................29

Key fish habitat mapping .................................................................................................32

Strategic objectives and actions .....................................................................34Planning for biodiversity ..................................................................................................36

Strengthening our natural assets ....................................................................................38

Managing biosecurity.......................................................................................................42

Educating and collaborating ............................................................................................44

Implementation ................................................................................................46Monitoring and reporting .................................................................................................46

Appendix ..........................................................................................................48

References .......................................................................................................54

Image: Chloe Smith


Mayor's message

Wagga Wagga has a beautiful and diverse array of native plants, animals and ecosystems. Despite our natural wealth, we have experienced major declines in biodiversity over the last 200 years, with over 90% of our landscape being cleared. An increasing number of plants and animals are threatened with extinction and many of our ecosystems and habitat are facing similar declines, particularly in the context of climate change. Reducing this impact on biodiversity requires a long-term approach and needs to incorporate effective mitigation and adaptation strategies.

As Mayor it is with great pleasure to introduce this Biodiversity Strategy: Maldhangilanna as a means to implement effective actions which can only be achieved through improved partnerships with landholders, local government, state government, non-government organisations, and community groups at a local and regional level.

Maldhangilanna presents an opportunity to actively foster partnerships that will link people, plants, animals and the landscape. This will help create a legacy of a resilient, balanced and healthy natural environment with a community that is connected to nature and place, and in turn actively protects and enhances biodiversity, and the associated benefits to health and wellbeing.

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga, Councillor Greg Conkey OAM


Image: Chloe Smith

Stakeholder and community participation

Council would like to thank all of the stakeholders who took part in face to face consultations and who submitted comments and feedback to help develop the Wagga Wagga City Council Biodiversity Strategy: Maldhangilanna.

This has included the following contributors:

• Charles Sturt University• Department of Defence – Kapooka• Department of Planning, Industry and Environment – Biodiversity & Conservation Division• Department of Primary Industry – Fisheries• ErinEarth• Girl Guides• Local Land Services• Mawang Gaway • Murrumbidgee Landcare• NSW Farmers Association • Rural Fire Services• Wagga Wagga High School• Wiradjuri Interest Group

We would also like to thank the hundreds of community members who contributed submissions and comments during the development of the Strategy. Many ideas contained within the Strategy have originated from submissions, participation and discussion with members from the community. Thank you for volunteering your time.


Aim of the StrategyThe benefits gained from biodiversity are shared by everyone and so is the responsibility to address its serious decline. The Wagga Wagga City Council Biodiversity Strategy: Maldhangilanna (the Strategy) aims to increase awareness and address a wide range of key threatening processes impacting biodiversity. This will be achieved by working together to preserve and take care of biodiversity within the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area (LGA).

It is recognised that protecting biodiversity is the responsibility of all levels of government and the community. The Strategy identifies a number of stakeholders other than Council, which includes government and non-government agencies that have biodiversity conservation and natural resource management as a priority.

The Strategy is a ten-year document that outlines the legislative framework associated with biodiversity conservation, internal and external policy context, key threatening processes, threatened species within the Wagga Wagga LGA, connecting biodiversity areas, strategic objectives and actions and monitoring and reporting.

Following an extensive consultation process, the feedback identified a number of themes, which was divided into four main focus areas, with strategic objectives and underlying actions including:

• Planning for Biodiversity• Strengthening our Natural Assets• Managing Biosecurity• Educating and Collaborating

The Strategy has identified objectives and actions that will be delivered throughout the next ten years by Council and other stakeholders. These objectives and actions will aim to meet the overarching target of increasing the extent of EPBC listed native vegetation cover in the LGA by 10% (1,900ha) by 2030.

Introduction

Image: Chloe Smith


Commonwealth legislation

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999The Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) protects the listed Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES). Under the EPBC Act actions that are likely to have a significant impact on MNES are subject to a detailed assessment and approval process. Within the Wagga Wagga LGA there are currently 38 endangered ecological communities, plants, birds, fish, frogs, mammals, reptiles and migratory species that are categorised as MNES.

New South Wales legislation

Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 The Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 includes provisions for threatened species protection that councils must consider. Threatened species and endangered ecological communities listed within this Act are to be considered when undertaking an environmental assessment in accordance with Part 4 or 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

Created under the Act is the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme. The scheme is a framework to avoid, minimise and offset impacts on biodiversity from development and clearing and to ensure land that is used to offset impacts is secured in-perpetuity. The Biodiversity Offset Scheme also provides funds for landowners to manage their land for conservation through Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements.

Biodiversity Certification addresses the potential impacts on biodiversity during the early planning stages of land use change. It encourages planning authorities and landholders to design their development footprint in a way that avoids and minimises impacts on biodiversity values and protects those areas. The current Biodiversity Certification of the Wagga Wagga LEP expires in December 2020, however this will be updated in line with the Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Biosecurity Act 2015 The Biosecurity Act 2015 provides a framework to manage biosecurity risks from animal and plant pests, diseases, weeds and contaminants. Management of these risks include locating, containing and eradicating any new entries and effectively minimising the impacts of those pests, diseases, weeds and contaminants that cannot be eradicated through robust management arrangements. The Act also imposes general biosecurity duty obligations on all landholders and land managers to control pest species.

Crown Land Management Act 2016 The Crown Land Management Act 2016 aims to improve the way Crown Land is managed and facilitated, giving consideration to environmental, social, cultural heritage and economic factors. The Act acknowledges the spiritual, social, cultural and economic importance of Crown land to First Nations People and recognises and facilitates First Nations People/communities involvement in the management of Crown land.

Biologicaldiversity

Nutrientcycling

Lowerextinction

rates

Pollination

Health

Ecosystemservices

Physical Mental

Whybiodiversity

mattersEconomic

gain

Tourism

Healthservices

Agriculture

Fuels Fibres

Food Water

AmenityFigure 1:Benefits of

biodiversity

Legislative framework for biodiversity

What is biodiversity?

The benefits of biodiversity are shared by everyone and our way of life is dependent on a strong, diverse ecosystem.

Biological diversity is the variety of all life forms; plants, animals, the genes they contain and the ecosystems in which they live. Species and ecosystems are interconnected and interdependent, and all people are reliant on ecosystem goods and services (food, water, health and recreation) delivered by the natural environment. Direct impacts on one species may have a flow-on effect on other species, highlighting the need for a whole system approach to biodiversity conservation.

Research supporting a link between nature and psychological wellbeing is extensive, and encompasses a wide range of benefits such as restoration from mental fatigue, improved stress recovery, and positive changes to mood and self-esteem. (Schebella, et al., 2019)

Actions such as increasing the amount of vegetation not only helps with biodiversity, but has the added benefit of drawing down carbon from the atmosphere.


Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 is the principal planning legislation for NSW. This Act provides the statutory basis for environmental assessment of development in conjunction with State Environmental Planning Policies and Local Environmental Plans. Determining authorities have a legal obligation to consider the environmental impact of all activities and development under this Act.

Fisheries Management Act 1994 The Fisheries Management Act 1994 aims to conserve, develop and share the fishery resources of NSW for the benefit of present and future generations. This Act protects fish habitats, marine vegetation and threatened species, including those species found in inland rivers and waterbodies.

Local Government Act 1993 The Local Government Act 1993 states that ecologically sustainable development requires the effective integration of economic and environmental considerations in decision-making processes. A number of principles underpin ecologically sustainable development and can be used to guide our decision making and actions. These include:

• The precautionary principle• Intergenerational equity• Biodiversity and ecological diversity• Improved economic valuation including environmental factors.

Local Land Services Act 2013 The Local Land Services Act 2013 allows the various regional Local Land Services to manage and deliver social, economic and environmental interests of the State in accordance with any State priorities for biosecurity, natural resources management and agricultural advisory services. This Act also regulates the clearing of native vegetation on rural land.

National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 aims to conserve the natural environment including habitat, ecosystems and processes, and biological diversity. The Act also conserves landscapes and natural features of significance and objects, places or features of cultural value within the landscape by fostering public appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of nature and cultural heritage.

Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 The Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 is the key piece of environment protection legislation administered by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority. The Act provides the operational framework for pollution control and licensing for regulated activities as well as significant investigation and enforcement powers.

Rural Fires Act 1997 The Rural Fires Act 1997 aims to provide prevention, mitigation and suppression of bush and other fires, coordination of bush firefighting and bush fire prevention throughout the State. This Act aims to protect persons from injury or death, property infrastructure and environmental, economic, cultural, agricultural and community assets from damage arising from fires. This Act also protects the environment by requiring certain activities referred to be carried out having regard to the principles of ecologically sustainable development.

State Environmental Planning Policy No.44 Koala Habitat ProtectionThe State Environmental Planning Policy No.44 Koala Habitat Protection (SEPP 44) encourages the conservation and management of natural vegetation areas that provide habitat for koalas. Local councils cannot approve development in an area affected by the policy without an investigation of core koala habitat. SEPP 44 identifies the Wagga Wagga LGA as having potential koala habitat.

State Environmental Planning Policy (Vegetation in Non-Rural Areas) The State Environmental Planning Policy (Vegetation in Non-Rural Areas) 2017 (Vegetation SEPP) works together with the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and the Local Land Services Amendment Act 2016 to create a framework for the regulation of native vegetation clearance in NSW. It applies to non-rural zoned areas and regulates clearing of native vegetation on urban land and land zoned for environmental conservation/management that does not require development consent.

Wagga Wagga Local Environment Plan 2010 The Wagga Wagga Local Environment Plan 2010 (LEP) is the principal legal document for guiding the planning decisions for the Wagga Wagga LGA. The plan allows Council to regulate the ways in which all land both private and public may be used and protected through zoning and development controls. Biodiversity Certification was conferred on the LEP in 2010 and allows development in identified areas to proceed without the need for detailed biodiversity assessment.

Internal policy The Strategy will rely on the mechanisms of the Integrated Planning and Reporting framework for consultation, review, resourcing and reporting. Council has many plans and strategies which need to be considered to ensure that development of any new strategy will tie in with and complement the existing documents where possible. The Biodiversity Strategy has clear linkages with the following key plans:

Community Strategic Plan 2040The Community Strategic Plan 2040 (CSP) is Council’s overarching strategic document. It aims to provide strategic direction that best reflects the expressed future of the community.

One of the five strategic directions is “Our Environment” with the following key objectives:

• “We plan for the growth of the city” • “We protect and enhance our natural areas”• “Create and maintain a functional, attractive and health promoting built environment”• “We create a sustainable environment for future generations”.

Other key corporate documents that the Strategy has strong linkages to include:

• Draft Local Strategic Planning Statement • Recreation, Open Space and Community Strategy & Implementation Plan • Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan• Active Travel Plan• Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan • Roadside Vegetation Management Plan • Cultural Plan


External policy The Strategy has been heavily influenced by a number of external agencies that are involved in biodiversity conservation and natural resource management. Some of these key agency strategies or programs are listed below.

Australia’s Strategy for Nature The Commonwealth’s Australia’s Strategy for Nature 2010-2030 is a guiding framework that applies across all sections of government, business and the community. This strategy aims to set out priorities which will direct efforts to achieve healthy and resilient biodiversity and provide a basis for living sustainably.

NSW Saving our Species PlanSaving our Species is a state-wide program that aims to secure threatened plants and animals in the wild in NSW. The program consults extensively with experts and applies independent peer reviewed science to species, populations of a species and ecological communities projects, provides targeted conservation projects and encourages partnerships with community, corporate and government in threatened species conservation.

NSW Invasive Species Plan The NSW Invasive Species Plan 2018-2021 supports the NSW Biosecurity Strategy 2013-2021 and identifies key deliverables to help prevent new incursions, eliminate or contain existing populations and effectively manage already widespread invasive species. The Plan includes weeds, vertebrate and invertebrate pests in terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments.

National Carp Control Plan The National Carp Control Plan (NCCP) also links strongly to the NSW Invasive Species Plan 2018-2021 and aims to control carp populations within waterways throughout Australia.

Local Land Services Strategic Plans The Local Land Services State Strategic Plan and the Riverina Local Land Services Strategic Plan outline the vision, goals and strategies through which biodiversity, natural resource management, emergency management, biosecurity and sustainable agriculture goals will be achieved.

Riverina Natural Resource Management StrategyThe Riverina Natural Resource Management Strategy 2019-2023 (RNRMS) describes in further detail the approach, focus areas and activities that Local Land Services will deliver particularly in regard to natural resource management. The strategy focuses on delivering projects that strengthen the capacity of the rural communities and on-farm benefit to increase productivity, resilience and sustainability of landholders.

Riverina Murray Regional Plan 2036The Riverina Murray Regional Plan 2036 establishes a framework to grow the region’s cities and local centres and strongly supports the protection of high-value environmental assets while developing a strong, diverse and competitive economy.

Special Activation Precinct Wagga Wagga Draft Master Plan The Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct draft Master Plan identifies performance criteria for amenity, environmental performance and infrastructure provision that will allow it to become an Eco-Industrial precinct which will include carbon neutrality, 100% energy self-sufficiency, best practice water cycle initiatives and preservation of vegetation wherever possible.

Image: Chloe Smith


Wagga Wagga Local Government AreaWagga Wagga snapshot

Council manages various types of infrastructure and assets including parks and gardens, sporting grounds and natural areas. Only a small portion of land is zoned as E2 – Environmental Conservation.

There is also a small portion of land (0.8%) managed by the State of NSW which is zoned as E1- National Parks. The majority of land within the Wagga Wagga LGA is privately owned.

4826

Land

total square kilometres of LGA

of LGA is is privately owned rural zoned land

95%

kilometres of high conservation roadside

563

of LGA is government-owned land managed for conservation

0.8%loss of native vegetation since European settlementNSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee

90%

Declared Aboriginal Places of Significance

5

seedlings planted on Council-managed land since 2000

50,000

total threatened species in LGA:

• 53 birds• 3 fish• 8 frogs• 18 mammals• 2 reptiles• 10 migratory species• 64 plants

163

endangered ecological communities

5

Flora and Fauna

Key points

The Wagga Wagga LGA is the centre of the Riverina and is made up of the city and nine surrounding villages, making up the largest inland city in NSW. It boasts a diverse mix of urban, industrial and agricultural areas with a diverse array of native plants, animals and ecosystems.

Aboriginal cultural heritageWagga Wagga is located on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River in the heart of Wiradjuri Country and contains five declared Aboriginal Places: Wollundry Lagoon and Tony Ireland Park, Wiradjuri Reserve and Gobba Beach, Bomen Lagoon, Bomen Axe Quarry, and Flowerdale Lagoon. Parts of the Pomingalarna Park Reserve are currently under investigation to be declared an Aboriginal Place of Significance.

A declared Aboriginal Place of Significance is an area that is deemed to have special significance for Aboriginal culture. Declaring Aboriginal Places is a way of recognising and legally protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage, whilst allowing permissible activities on that area. It is also important to acknowledge the First Nations Peoples have a special connection to Country and the whole landscape is sacred.

The Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS) indicates that there are currently 848 Aboriginal sites identified throughout the Wagga Wagga LGA, though there are many more yet to be discovered and recorded. These include a combination of artefacts (stone, bone, shell, glass and ceramic), earth mound/shell artefacts, earth mound/hearth, quarry, scarred (modified) trees and burials. The majority of Aboriginal sites or artefacts are usually found near rocky outcrops, sand dunes and watercourses such as rivers, floodplains and billabongs. This is one of the reasons Aboriginal cultural heritage values and biodiversity values are so closely linked.

Terrestrial biodiversitySince European settlement in the 1830s more than 90 per cent of the native vegetation cover has been cleared for agriculture and urban development (NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee, 2011). The remaining 10 per cent exists in pockets and is threatened by over clearing, isolation, grazing, climate variability, inappropriate wood collection and weed invasion. Very few remnants are in good condition, mostly being restricted to a small number of traveling stock reserves and routes, roadsides and private land.

The Wagga Wagga LGA is part of the NSW South Western Slopes bioregion. In the slightly higher rainfall eastern hilly country, woodlands and open grassy woodlands of white box (Eucalyptus albens) are dominant. To the west these give way to vegetation communities dominated by grey box (Eucalyptus microcarpa), yellow box (Eucalyptus melliodora), Blakely's red gum (Eucalyptus blakelyi) and white cypress pine (Callitris glaucophylla). Other tree species characteristic of the bioregion include red stringybark (Eucalyptus macrorhynca) on higher slopes, with black cypress pine (Callitris endlicheri), kurrajong (Brachychiton populneum) and red ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon) occupying the lower slopes.

Valley flats and riparian areas are dominated by river she-oak (Casuarina cunninghamiana) and river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) (NSW OEH, 2016).

The Wagga Wagga LGA also encompasses the Matong, Kockibitoo, Currawananna (also known as Currawarna) and Murraguldrie State Forests and the Berry Jerry and Livingstone National Parks which are home to many threatened species.

Soil biodiversity plays a critical role in the environment as it provides vital habitats for micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, as well as insects and other organisms. A teaspoon of topsoil typically contains a vast range of different species and up to 6 billion microorganisms.(NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment , 2020). Invertebrates are also important as they are the ecological glue that holds ecosystems together. They are a food source for many vertebrates and provide ecological services such as nutrient cycling, pest control and pollination.


Niyambaa / Yandhang / Bangu Squirrel glider

The Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) is a nocturnal marsupial that has a membrane between the front and back limbs that enables them to glide through to air from tree to tree. Blue-grey to brown-grey in colour, the Squirrel Glider has dark facial markings between the eyes to the mid-back. Diet varies seasonally and consist of Acacia gum, eucalypt sap, nectar, honeydew and manna, with invertebrates and pollen providing protein.

The Squirrel Glider is currently classified as Vulnerable under the NSW legislation and as an Endangered Population in the Wagga Wagga LGA. The species is currently facing a number of threats including habitat loss and degradation, fragmentation of habitat, loss of hollow bearing, loss of understorey food resource, mortality due to entanglement on barb wire and predation of exotic predators i.e. cats, foxes and wild dogs (NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, 2020).

Grey-crowned Babbler

Grey-crowned Babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis) eastern subspecies has a distinctive scimitar shaped billed, with a broad white eyebrow and a pale grey crown stripe. A dark band passes from the bill through the eye, separating the pale throat and brow giving a masked look. The bird inhabits Open Box-Gum Woodlands on the slopes, and Box-Cypress-Pine and Open Box Woodlands on alluvial plains.

Listed as vulnerable under NSW legislation, the Grey-crowned Babbler lives in family groups that consist of a breeding pair and young from previous breeding seasons. A group may consist of up to fifteen birds. They feed on invertebrates, either by foraging on the trunks and branches of eucalypts and other woodland trees or on the ground, digging and probing amongst litter and tussock grasses. Major threat consists of loss of woodland habitat, infestation of weeds, inappropriate fire regimes, climate change and nest predation (NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, 2020).

The Grey-crowned Babbler is Charles Sturt University’s flagship species.

Burany Swift parrot

The Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolour) is a small parrot that is bright green with red around the beak, throat and forehead. The red on the throat is edged with yellow and has a blue-purple crown. Often seen with lorikeets, the thin, long, dark red tail easily distinguishes them apart.

The species breed in Tasmania during spring and summer, migrating to the Australian south-eastern mainland between February and October. Occurring in areas where eucalypts are flowering profusely or where there is abundant lerp (from sap-sucking bug) infestations. Favoured feed trees include White Box, Mugga Ironbark, Grey Box, and Yellow Box.

The Swift Parrot is currently classified as Critically Endangered under Commonwealth legislation and Endangered under the NSW legislation.

Habitat loss and fragmentation from forest harvesting, residential/industrial development, agricultural clearing, and deterioration and dieback is a major threat to the Swift Parrot. Other key threats include reduction in food availability, weed invasion impacting on habitat health and predation of cats (Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, 2020).

Berre / Billerang / Woorike Silver Banksia

Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata) belongs to the Proteaceae family. Its natural occurrence is throughout south-eastern Australia. It can occur as a shrub or small tree. Typically, it is a medium sized shrub about 2 metres high with a similar spread. Leaves are up to 60mm long and 3 to 13mm wide. Their upper surface is dark green with the lower surface white and hairy, appearing silvery in the wind. Small serrations may be found on the leaf edges and tips. The pale-yellow flowers are arranged in pairs and densely packed in cylindrical spikes which are up to 100mm long. The seeds are enclosed in follicles attached to a woody cone.

Silver banksias produce copious amounts of nectar and are ideal for attracting wildlife into gardens. The main pollinators are nectar feeding birds, in particular honeyeaters. Other pollinators include insects and small mammals such as the gliders and possums. Seeds are also eaten by cockatoos, particularly the Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo (Austrralian National Herbarium, 2020)

The Silver Banksia is Wagga Wagga’s floral emblem.

Case studies


Roadside vegetationWithin the Wagga Wagga LGA there is an extensive road network that connects the rural landscape and includes a combination of principal, secondary and minor roads as well as tracks. The vegetation within the adjoining roadside reserves is diverse and ranges from native woodland to scattered paddock trees. Many of the vegetation communities within roadside reserves are listed as threatened ecological communities under both Commonwealth and State legislation and hold significant conservation value.

Roadside vegetation can vary considerably and occurs in patches of variable size and is often highly fragmented. This increases the importance of roadside vegetation as stepping stones between remnant patches. Remnants provide valuable wildlife habitat and support areas of core habitat when linked to other vegetation across the landscape.

Council has recognised the significance of roadside reserve networks and the benefits these areas provide toward maintaining diverse and functional ecosystems to support native fauna and has developed a Roadside Vegetation Management Plan that will help guide management practices that will maintain or improve conservation significance within the roadside reserves. Council also recognises the need to minimise potential conflict and ensure roadside vegetation is managed to ensure a balance between biodiversity and the ability to maintain community infrastructure and public safety.

BushfiresBushfires are a natural part of Australia’s environment. Many of Australia’s native plants are fire prone and combustible, and numerous species depend on fire to regenerate. Natural ecosystems have evolved with fire, along with biological diversity, which has been shaped by both historic and contemporary fires. First Nations Peoples have been using fire as a land management tool for thousands of years (Geoscience Australia, 2019)

Whether a bushfire will occur depends on the presence of fuel, oxygen and an ignition point source. Fire intensity and speed depends on ambient temperature, fuel load, fuel moisture, wind speed and slope. (Geoscience Australia, 2019) One way to minimise the effects of bushfires is through hazard reduction or fuel reduction and cultural burning. This is a process that takes place before fire season where the fuel load is reduced by controlled burns, mechanical clearing (slashing undergrowth) or reducing ground fuel load by hand. (NSW Rural Fire Service, 2019)

Fire practice continues to be used to clear land for agricultural purposes and to protect properties from intense uncontrolled fires (Geoscience Australia, 2019). The loss of biodiversity in fires can also be severe. Almost three billion animals are estimated to have been killed or displaced from the 2019 ‘Black Summer’ bushfires, including 143 million mammals, 246 billion reptiles, 180 million birds and 51 million frogs (Van Eeden, et al., 2020).

Aquatic biodiversityThe Fisheries Management Act 1994 defines fin-fish, crustaceans, molluscs, worms, insects and other aquatic invertebrates as ‘fish’. Due to the degradation of inland river systems such as the loss of aquatic habitat, aquatic biodiversity is in decline. Aquatic habitats differ from terrestrial habitats and are more susceptible to damage and loss.

The Murrumbidgee River is the most prominent water course in the Wagga Wagga LGA. It provides the city centre with numerous recreational opportunities and is an important source of irrigation for various types of agricultural activities in the Riverina district. The Murrumbidgee River also has a great deal of cultural significance for the Wiradjuri community, the traditional owners of this land.

In Wiradjuri, Marrambidya Bila means big water, big boss

As well as the Murrumbidgee River, the Wagga Wagga LGA has a number of other water bodies, including:

• Lake Albert• Wollundry Lagoon• Flowerdale Lagoon • Bomen Lagoon• Marrambidya Wetlands• Many streams, creeks and wetlands

These water bodies (even those that do not permanently hold water) represent important habitat for both aquatic and terrestrial animals and are considered ‘Key Fish Habitat’. Figure 3 illustrates the key fish habitats identified in the Wagga Wagga LGA.

At different times, these water bodies have suffered from water shortages, damaging floods, bank erosion, salinity, litter and pollution, cold water releases that upset breeding cycles, algae and invasion by carp and weeds.


FloodingGiven the proximity of the Murrumbidgee River, parts of the Wagga Wagga LGA are prone to flooding. A large part of the city centre remains on the floodplain and is protected from flooding by levee banks. Due to river regulation and flood mitigation works, the area of floodplains inundated by natural flood flows has been reduced. This reduces the area available for nutrient cycling and affects many ecological processes. As a result, floodplain productivity, fish productivity and flood dependent populations are reduced.

Areas have experienced riverine flooding on numerous occasions, requiring large scale evacuations and resulting in considerable damage. The Floodplain Management Plan identified a number of factors such as development, storage dams, levees and vegetation as well as other factors that have contributed to the increased roughness (measure of the amount of frictional resistance water experiences when passing over land and channel features) of the flood plain, which has contributed to potential flood height increases.

The Vegetation Management Plan, developed in response to this, identified a number of vegetation management activities that could be implemented to reduce “roughness” on the flood plain. However, the modelled flood level reduction predicted from the vegetation management actions was less than expected and impacted negatively on erosion and ecological processes. The Vegetation Management Plan identified a number of opportunities to manage new growth as well as exotic plants such as willows and weeds. These actions will not provide wide scale flood level reduction but will manage new growth and weed densities so as not to increase flood levels into the future.

Stormwater run-off Stormwater is rainwater that runs off impervious surfaces such as roofs, roads and pavements and green spaces, which is transported by the stormwater system. Unlike the sewerage system, the stormwater is untreated and discharges into natural waterways.

Stormwater can carry various pollutants including litter, soil, organic matter, grease, oil and metals collected from roads and properties, and fertilisers and pesticides from gardens and parks. The pollutants entering the stormwater system and the waterways can cause severe environmental issues from damage to infrastructure (i.e. roads, culverts and stormwater pipes), algae blooms, entanglement of fauna, and contamination of water.

Salinity Salinity is the build-up of salt in the upper layer of soil that had been brought to the surface by rising groundwater. This may be caused by removal of vegetation, overwatering of gardens and lawns, leaking underground water pipes and changes in land use.

Salinity may cause the life span of infrastructure such as roads and footpaths to be reduced, damage to houses foundations, reduced water quality in creeks and rivers, and loss of vegetation where the soils are too saline for plants to grow.

Image: Chloe Smith

Biodiversity threats

Key threatening processesA key threatening process is defined as a process that threatens or may threaten the survival, abundance or evolutionary development of a native species or ecological community. The Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 lists 21 key threatening processes and the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 identifies 39 (Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, 2020).

Once a process has been nominated, the Threatened Species Scientific Committee considers the process for inclusion in a proposed priority assessment list. Once the list is finalised it becomes available for the public and experts to comment. After the assessment the relevant Minister decides whether a threatening process is eligible for listing under the EPBC Act or BC Act (Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, 2020).

The following is a narrative summarising and grouping the main key threatening processes that occur within the Wagga Wagga LGA.

Clearing of native vegetationClearing of native vegetation refers to the removal of endemic species of trees, shrubs, herbs, forbs, groundcovers and native grasses. These vegetation communities provide habitat for native fauna. Other activities that impact habitat include removal of timber for firewood and collection of rocks for use in urban backyards. The removal of these naturally occurring objects have degraded many native environments that provide habitat, foraging areas and protection against predation and the elements.

Clearing of native vegetation often results in flow-on effects including dryland salinity, soil and bank erosion, increased greenhouse gas emissions, increased habitat for weed and pest species, loss of leaf litter, and changes to soil biota. These flow-on effects are also considered key threatening processes and are detailed below.

Another major flow-on effect is fragmentation, the process by which initially contiguous areas of habitat are separated into a number of smaller areas. This creates small isolated populations with limited gene flow between populations, leading to inbreeding issues, reduced potential to adapt to environmental change and reduced resilience to disease. The hostility of the surrounding (cleared) environment is a major factor in limiting movement of species between patches.

Weed and pest species The main pest species in the Wagga Wagga LGA include Red Deer, Fallow Deer, Pigs, Goats, Rabbits, Foxes, Feral Dogs and Cats. Foxes are a major predator of native animals and ground nesting birds. The other noted pest mammal species are destructive to the environment, causing detrimental impacts on the habitat of native species. Introduced herbivorous animal species, including deer, goats and rabbits compete for food and habitat, and carnivorous animal species prey upon native animals. These and other introduced animals can also damage native plants and degrade natural habitats. Carp are a major pest species founded in the Murrumbidgee River and tributary creeks. Carp are a vigorous species that out compete our native fish for food, habitat and breeding sites.

Weeds within Wagga Wagga LGA have potential to pose a serious threat to our natural environment, agricultural productivity and the health of the community. Weeds are those plant species that can potentially bring harm to individuals and the broader community. They are difficult to control and have potential to spread quickly within and outside the Wagga Wagga LGA.


Invasion of escaped garden plants including aquatic plantsThe invasion of escapee garden plants, including aquatic plants, can compete with native plants for resources such as light and nutrients. They can aggressively invade areas, displacing native plants and animals. There are also a number of invasive native species that have a similar impact.

Plant and animal diseaseA variety of plant and animal diseases are listed as key threatening processes, and while not necessarily prevalent in the Wagga Wagga LGA some can spread easily and do pose a risk. This includes infection of amphibians with Chytrid fungus, Psittacine beak and feather disease affecting endangered parrot species, and infection of native plants by Phytophthora, Myrtaceae rust and Psyllid associated die-back.

Altered fire regimes Periodic burning plays an important role in the development and maintenance of grassy ecosystems. However, frequent burning can limit recruitment of flora species, cause local extinctions of fire sensitive species, facilitate the spread of some exotics (e.g. Coolatai Grass), reduce habitat (fallen logs, hollow trees, leaf litter) and threaten fauna populations. Where fires occur very close together in time, key features can be disrupted. If high frequency fire is sustained it will consequently lead to a loss of plant species, a reduction in vegetation structure and a corresponding loss of animal species.

Alteration of the natural flow regimes Three processes that have predominantly altered flows in rivers and streams and their floodplains and wetlands in NSW are the construction of dams, including weirs and off-river storages, diversion of flows, extraction for irrigation and the construction of levees, bridges and other structures. A high proportion of these alterations have major effects on the area of floodplains inundated by natural flood flows. This reduces the area available for nutrient cycling and affects many ecological processes. As a result, floodplain productivity, fish productivity and flood dependent populations are reduced. (NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, 2019)

Loss of hollow bearing trees Hollows are developed by decaying fungi within the trunks and branches of trees. Once the decayed material collapses, an internal cavity is developed, and access is provided by branches breaking. The creation of a hollow can take up to 150 years to develop. There are a number of species including threatened species that are reliant on hollows for shelter and nesting. With limited hollows available, the survival of already threatened species is at risk. (NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, 2019)

Removal of dead wood and treesDead trees and branches often contain hollows used by many native species for habitat. A reduction in hollows limit the ability of many native species to breed or avoid predators. Fallen timber also provides camouflage, and protection for some ground dwelling native species. Removal of dead wood may also result in the removal of plants, altering the habitat and may introduce weeds and disease.

Climate changeClimate change is predicted to be the greatest long-term threat to biodiversity in many regions and is listed as a key threatening process in State and Commonwealth legislation. Projections of future changes in climate NSW include increasing temperatures and temperature extremes, increasingly severe droughts, rising sea levels, possible decreasing rainfall, regional flooding and reduced water availability in the Murray Darling Basin (NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, 2020).

Temperature and rainfall fluctuate greatly, with large variability in seasonal and regional climatic conditions bringing heatwaves, storms, droughts, floods and bushfires, which can have devastating effects on the environment, human life and property. This process exacerbates natural variability, making it more difficult to manage our landscapes and ecosystems and the human activities that depend on them. Communities already affected by climate variability will be challenged by a climate shift, and there will be additional demands on things like our emergency services and health system.

Scientists agree that the earth’s rising temperatures are causing a shift in our long-term weather patterns (longer and hotter heat waves, more frequent droughts, heavier rainfall, and more powerful storms) which is known as ‘climate change’. While climate change is a key threatening process in itself, it also exacerbates all of the key threatening processes listed above.

Image: Chloe Smith


Threatened species of the Wagga Wagga LGAAs a result of these key threatening processes, a total of 163 birds, fish, frogs, mammals, reptiles, migratory species, plants and ecological communities have been declared as threatened under Commonwealth and or state legislation, (see full list in Appendix 1). Table 1 lists 38 endangered ecological communities, plants, birds, fish, frogs, mammals, reptiles and migratory species that are listed as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered under the EPBC Act.

Table 1: Threatened species listed as either vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered known to occur or predicted to occur within the Wagga Wagga LGA under the EPBC Act.

Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name

Birds

Regent Honeyeater Anthochaera phrygia Australian Painted-snipe Rostratula australisAustralasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus Superb Parrot Polytelis swainsoniiCurlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensisPainted Honeyeater Grantiella picta Malleefowl Leipoa ocellataWhite-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor

Fish

Flathead Galaxias Galaxias rostratus Macquarie Perch Macquaria australasicaMurray Cod Maccullochella peelii

Frogs

Sloane’s Froglet Crinia sloanei Growling Grass Frog Litoria raniformis

Mammals

Spot-tailed Quoll, (southeastern mainland)

Dasyurus maculatus maculatus (SE mainland)

Koala (combined populations of QLD, NSW and ACT)

Phascolarctos cinereus (combined populations of Qld, NSW and the ACT)

Corben’s Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus corbeni Grey-headed Flying-fox Pteropus poliocephalus

Reptiles

Pink-tailed Worm-lizard Aprasia parapulchella - -

Migratory marine birds

Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus - -

Migratory terrestrial species

White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus Satin Flycatcher Myiagra cyanoleucaYellow Wagtail Motacilla flava

Migratory wetland species

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensisSharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata Latham’s Snipe Gallinago hardwickiiCurlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos

Plants

A spear-grass Austrostipa wakoolica Small Purple-pea Swainsona rectaSand-hill Spider-orchid Caladenia arenaria Tarengo Leek Orchid Prasophyllum petilumGreencomb Spider-orchid Caladenia tensa

Endangered ecological communties

Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) grassy woodlands and derived native grasslands of south-eastern Australia

- White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland

-

Weeping Myall Woodlands - -

Connecting biodiversity areas

Wildlife corridorsWildlife corridors are connections across the landscape that link up areas of habitat. They can be both terrestrial and aquatic, and support natural processes that occur in a healthy environment, including the movement of species to find resources.

Corridors can contribute to the resilience of the landscape in a changing climate and help to reduce future greenhouse gas emissions by storing carbon in native vegetation. They can also support multiple land uses such as conservation, farming and forestry.

Council manages various types of infrastructure and assets including parks and gardens, sporting grounds, roadsides and natural areas. Only a small portion of land is zoned as E2 – Environmental Conservation. There is also a small portion of land managed by the State of NSW which is zoned as E1 – National Parks and Nature Reserves (outlined in Figure 2). This enables the protection, management and restoration of areas of high ecological, scientific, cultural and aesthetic values. This zoning also prevents development that could destroy, damage or otherwise have an adverse effect on those values.

The E1 and E2 zoned area occupies just 0.8% of the Wagga Wagga LGA (see Figure 2). Spread throughout our rural areas there are patches of significant vegetation that represent potential high biodiversity value areas (shown in green in Figure 2). These are predominantly on privately owned land. These often occur as numerous small isolated patches that lack connectivity to resources that are required for species survival. To achieve better biodiversity outcomes these isolated patches need to be connected (indicated in red in Figure 2).

These potential corridors are indicative only and would be subject to agreement from all interested parties, requiring both public and private collaborations in many cases. The Biodiversity Offset Scheme is one mechanism that provides funds for landowners to manage their land for conservation through Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements.

A number of priority wildlife corridors have already been identified and are scheduled to be completed within the first two years of the Strategy. These will include designated areas in the Bomen Special Activation Precinct and significant areas of Council owned and managed land.

Image: Jacob Dyer


Potential High Biodiversity Value Areas

E1 – National Parks and Nature Reserves

E2 – Environmental Conservation

Potential Wildlife Corridors

Major roads

Rivers

Wagga Wagga Local Government Area boundary

Key

Wagga Wagga

Uranquinty

Mangoplah

Ladysmith

Collingullie

Galore

Currawarna

Oura

Tarcutta

Humula

Figure 2: Potential high biodiversity value areas and

potential wildlife corridors


Ladysmith

Tarcutta

ForestHill

OuraCollingullie

WaggaWagga

MountBurngoogee

Humula

Mangoplah

Uranquinty

The Rock

Galore Currawarna

Wagga Wagga key fish habitat

Key

Major rivers

Figure 3: Key fish habitat of the Wagga Wagga LGA (NSW DPI, 2007)


Strategic objectives and actions

This section outlines our four main focus areas. Each focus area details actions, stakeholders, the timeframe of each action and funding sources. Where multiple years are highlighted, this is indicative of an ongoing program or initiative.

Image: Chloe Smith

The Strategy has objectives and underlying actions for four main focus areas:

Staff will attempt to source funding for all actions marked as ‘unfunded’ which may result in the action being carried out later than indicated in the table or not at all if funding cannot be sourced. The funded or unfunded amount is calculated per annum. Potential sources of funding include:

• Existing /In-kind - Council staff time and/or existing Council budget, • GPR – General Purpose Revenue • Grants – Council will endeavour to apply for federal and state grants • External – Agencies, group or landholder obtaining funding

It is well recognised that protecting biodiversity is the responsibility of all levels of government and the community. The Strategy identifies stakeholders other than Council, which includes government and non-government agencies that have biodiversity, conservation and natural resource management as a priority.

This includes but is not limited to:

• Charles Sturt University • Department Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE)

· Department of Premier and Cabinet – Heritage (DPCH) · Biodiversity and Conservation Division (BCD) · Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) · Local Land Services (LLS)

· Murrumbidgee Landcare Incorporated (MLI)• Department Primary Industries (DPI)

· Fisheries (DPI Fisheries)• Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)• Riverina Water County Council (RWCC)• Roads and Maritime Services (RMS)• Rural Fire Service (RFS)• Community Groups• Wiradjuri Community• Landholders

Educating and collaborating

Planning for biodiversity

Strengthening our natural assets

Managing biosecurity

36 37WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCILBIODIVERSITY STRATEGY: MALDHANGILANNA BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY: MALDHANGILANNA

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PB01 Incorporate the avoid, minimise, mitigate, offset hierarchy into existing and new strategies, policies and procedures

· Council · LLS · RMS

• • • • • • • • • • Funded Existing/ In-kind

PB02 Ensure natural features are considered and protected at the planning stages of development

· Council · Landholders


PB03 Incorporate and protect cultural heritage at the planning stages of development

· Council · Wiradjuri and First Nations Community


PB04 Encourage opportunities for voluntary planning agreements for positive biodiversity outcomes



PB05 Update or develop management plans for significant natural areas

· Council • • • • • Funded$0-50k

Existing/ In-kind and grants

PB06 Review the current zoning of high value biodiversity areas and rezone to E2 where appropriate

· Council • Funded Existing/ In-kind

PB07 Develop a Master Plan for the Marrambidya Wetlands


PB08 Develop a Koala Habitat Management Plan as per SEPP44


PB09 Review and revise the native vegetation requirements of the DCP to enhance biodiversity, decrease salinity, and mitigate erosion


PB10 Incorporate biodiversity and climate resilience into Council’s Street Tree Strategy

· Council • • Funded Existing/ In-kind

Objective:Ensure that our strategies, policies, and management practices value and protect biodiversity.

Planning for biodiversity

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PB11 Manage asset protection zones in accordance with RFS sustainable environmental protection practices

· Council · RFS


PB12 Review and extend the Biodiversity Certification of the Wagga Wagga LEP

· Council · DPIE

• Funded Existing/In-kind

PB13 Review and update the Lake Albert Management Plan

· Council • • Funded$0-50K


PB14 Incorporate water sensitive urban design into developments and projects



PB15 Review as part of Council’s Long-Term Financial Plan an annual allocation to the Environmental Reserve

· Council • • • • • • • • Unfunded$40K

GPR

PB16 Plant and maintain additional shade trees on active travel routes and recreational areas

· Council • • • • • • • • • Unfunded$40K

GPR

PB17 Explore project opportunities that support shared biodiversity and Wiradjuri cultural values


• • • • • • • • • • Funded$0-50K

Existing/ In-kind

PB18 Develop and implement the Travelling Stock Route Plan of Management

· LLS • • • • • • • • • • Funded External

PB19 Investigate further declarations of Aboriginal Places in the Wagga Wagga LGA

· Council · DPCH LLS

· Wiradjuri and First Nations Community

• • Funded External

PB20 Include key fish habitat mapping in land use planning

· Council • • • • • • • • • • Funded Existing/In-kind

PB21 Review Council’s Part 4 and 5 processes to ensure compliance with the Biodiversity Conservation Act

· Council • • Funded Existing/In-kind


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SB01 Encourage landholders to adopt innovative conservation approaches to enhance biodiversity

· Council · LLS · RWCC · Community Groups

· BCT

• • • • • • • • • • Funded$0-50K

Existing and Grants

SB02 Conduct surveys of council managed land to determine conservation value and identify management actions

· Council • • • • • Funded Existing/ In-kind

SB03 Implement identified management actions to enhance biodiversity on council managed land

· Council • • • • Unfunded$50-100K

Grants

SB04 Limit vehicle access into significant natural areas where appropriate

· Council • • Unfunded$0-50K

In-kind and GPR

SB05 Investigate opportunities to utilise suitable land for Biodiversity Stewardship Sites and Biodiversity Offset Sites


• • • Unfunded$50-100K

GPR

SB06 Create wildlife corridors through partnerships with the community and landholders on public and private land


• • • • • • • • • • Unfunded$50-100K

Existing/ In-kind, GPR and grants

SB07 Protect and enhance wildlife corridors within the Bomen SAP area


• • • • Funded$100K+

Grants and partnerships

SB08 Enhance vegetation for shade and biodiversity in the rural villages

· Council · Landholders · Community Groups


Existing and grants

SB08 Utilise climate resilient and fire retardant species in revegetation projects



Objective:Protect, enhance and conserve biodiversity in urban and rural areas through revegetation and habitat rehabilitation.

Strengthening our natural assets

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SB09 Conduct urban canopy mapping and establish a tree cover target for urban areas with infrastructure friendly species

· Council • • Unfunded$50-100K

Grants

SB10 Increase infrastructure friendly plantings along pedestrian corridors and playgrounds

· Council • • • • Unfunded$50-100K

GPR and grants

SB11 Employ an indigenous Natural Areas Ranger trainee

· Council · Wiradjuri Community

• • • • • • • • • Unfunded$100K+

GPR and grants

SB12 Investigate opportunities to employ an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Land Officer


• • • • • • • • • • Unfunded$100K+

GPR and grants

SB13 Use traditional Wiradjuri land management techniques where appropriate



SB14 Collaborate with key agencies to implement the Management Plan for Aboriginal Places

· Council · DPCH · LLS · Wiradjuri and First Nations Community


SB15 Implement project based management priorities identified in the Aboriginal Places Management Plan


· LLS

• • • Unfunded $0-50K

GPR and grants

SB16 Develop and implement the One Tree for Me project

· Council • • • Unfunded$0-50K

GPR and grants

SB17 Implement the green guidepost project to promote significant roadside habitat

· Council • • • • • • • • • • Funded Existing/ In-kind

SB18 Investigate partnerships with other agencies to research and develop regenerative farming projects

· Council · CSU · LLS

• • Funded Existing/ In-kind

SB19 Build and install artificial habitat structures where appropriate

· Council · Community Groups

• • • • • • • • • • Funded$0-50K

Existing/ in-kind and grants

SB20 Implement the Wagga Wagga City Council Roadside Vegetation Management Plan


SB21 Implement NSW Saving our Species program and the Threatened Species Management Programs

· Council · DPIE · LLS

• Funded External


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SB22 Protect, conserve and rehabilitate fish habitat and native fish populations

· DPI Fisheries • • • • • • • • • • Funded External

SB23 Provide incentive funding for natural resource management and sustainable agriculture projects

· LLS · BCT

• • • • • • • • • • Funded External

SB24 Re-establishment of native grasses and ground covers where practical


SB25 Investigate opportunities to host a koala relocation project within the Wagga Wagga LGA

· Council • • • Funded Existing/ In-kind


Objective:Minimise the risk of weed and pest infestation in urban, natural and agricultural landscapes.

Managing biosecurity

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MB01 Identify and manage high impact weed and pest species

· Council · DPI · LLS · Landholders


MB02 Implement weed hygiene practices in high-risk areas to minimise spread

· Council · LLS · Landholders


MB03 Incorporate cultural burning practices into landscape management where practical

· Council · Landholders · LLS · RFS · Wiradjuri and First Nations Community


MB04 Install weed hygiene stations and red guideposts in key areas

· Council • • Funded Existing/ In-kind

MB05 Investigate and implement alternative control methods for invasive species

· Council · LLS


MB06 Manage exotic vegetation along riparian corridors and floodplains within targeted areas



MB07 Manage dense pockets of willows along the riparian corridors

· Council • • Unfunded$200K

Grants

MB08 Implement a feral cat trapping project within the Birramal Conservation Area


Grants

MB09 Manage Kangaroo population within Wagga Wagga LGA

· DPI · Landholders


MB10 Implement control actions of National Carp Control Plan

· FRDC · DPI Fisheries



Objective:Improve community awareness of the importance of biodiversity and encourage participation in conservation initiatives.

Educating and collaborating

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EC01 Provide capacity building opportunities through events and workshops to support the community in biodiversity protection and enhancement

· Council · LLS · MLI · RWCC · CSU · Community Groups


EC02 Develop and update educational material to highlight the importance of natural and cultural areas


• • • • • Funded Existing/ In-kind and grants

EC03 Develop and implement a Backyard Biodiversity community campaign

· Council · RWCC · MLI · Community Groups



EC04 Promote the importance of biodiversity and biosecurity to rural and peri-urban landholders

· Council · LLS · CSU


EC05 Develop and implement an education campaign on the importance of responsible pet ownership


Grants

EC06 Conduct school and preschool workshops educating on the importance of biodiversity

· Council · RWCC · MLI · Community Groups


EC07 Support community initiatives to enhance biodiversity through the Annual Grants Program


EC08 Run environmental events and initiatives to target litter and illegal dumping


• • • • • • • • • • Funded$0-50K


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EC09 Promote the importance of stormwater quality and water protection

· Council · RWCC

• • • • • • • • • • Funded$0-50K


EC10 Promote the Water for Wildlife project



EC11 Encourage and support community garden development



EC12 Support Landcare initiatives through local projects and small grants

· LLS · MLI



Implementation

The Strategy recognises that protecting biodiversity is the responsibility of all levels of government and the community. The Strategy identifies a number of stakeholders other than Council, which includes government and non-government agencies that have biodiversity conservation and natural resource management as a priority.

Implementation of many actions identified in the Strategy can only be achieved through partnerships and

collaboration with other key stakeholders.

Monitoring and reporting The Strategy has clear linkages with key corporate documents and the identified actions will be reported on for the relevant financial years as part of the Integrated Planning and Reporting framework and the Annual Report. Other key stakeholder agencies will also report on their identified actions through their own Annual Reporting mechanisms.

The overarching target of increasing the extent of EPBC listed native vegetation in the Wagga Wagga LGA by 10% (1,900ha) is based on NSW OEH mapping data from 2011. Reporting on this target will be done periodically, not annually and the timing will be reliant on State government timeframes for revised mapping.

Regular analysis of actions within this Strategy will be conducted to make sure individual actions and the overall Strategy remain relevant and responsive to community needs throughout the Strategy’s duration.

The Strategy will undergo a major review prior to 2030, however circumstances may occur where minor administrative changes to this document may occur. Where an update does not significantly alter this document, such a change may be made administratively. This may include a change to the name of a Council department, Commonwealth or State Government or a minor update to legislation which does not have a significant impact. Any modification that does significantly change or update the document will only be done by resolution of Council.

Image: Chloe Smith


Appendix

Full list of threatened species and endangered ecological communities under Commonwealth and NSW legislation within the Wagga Wagga LGA Table 1: Endangered Ecological Communities within the Wagga Wagga LGA

Endangered Ecological Communities Community Name

Commonwealth status NSW status

Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South-eastern Australia

Endangered Endangered

Weeping Myall Woodlands Endangered Endangered

White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland

Critically Endangered

Endangered

Fuzzy Box Woodland - Endangered

Aquatic Ecological Community of the Lower Murray River Catchment

- Endangered

Common Name Scientific Name CommonwealthStatus

NSWStatus

Birds

Magpie Goose Anseranas semipalmata N/A Vulnerable

Regent Honeyeater Anthochaera phrygia Critically Endangered


Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis N/A Endangered

Dusky Woodswallow Artamus cyanopterus cyanopterus N/A Vulnerable

Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus Endangered Endangered

Bush Stone-curlew Burhinus grallarius N/A Endangered

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Critically Endangered

Endangered

Gang-gang Cockatoo Callocephalon fimbriatum N/A Vulnerable

Glossy Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami N/A Vulnerable

Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Riverina population Calyptorhynchus lathami - endangered population

N/A Endangered population

Pied Honeyeater Certhionyx variegatus N/A Vulnerable

Speckled Warbler Chthonicola sagittata N/A Vulnerable

Chestnut Quail-thrush Cinclosoma castanotum N/A Vulnerable

Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis N/A Vulnerable

Brown Treecreeper (eastern subspecies) Climacteris picumnus victoriae N/A Vulnerable

Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera N/A Vulnerable

Southern Scrub-robin Drymodes brunneopygia N/A Vulnerable

Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus N/A Endangered

White-fronted Chat Epthianura albifrons N/A Vulnerable

Grey Falcon Falco hypoleucos N/A Endangered

Black Falcon Falco subniger N/A Vulnerable

Purple-crowned Lorikeet Glossopsitta porphyrocephala N/A Vulnerable

Little Lorikeet Glossopsitta pusilla N/A Vulnerable

Painted Honeyeater Grantiella picta Vulnerable Vulnerable

Black-breasted Buzzard Hamirostra melanosternon N/A Vulnerable

Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides N/A Vulnerable

White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus Vulnerable N/A

Shy Heathwren Hylacola cautus N/A Vulnerable

Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis N/A Vulnerable

Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor Critically Endangered

Endangered

Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata Vulnerable Endangered

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa N/A Vulnerable

Pink Cockatoo Lophochroa leadbeateri N/A Vulnerable

Square-tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura N/A Vulnerable

Hooded Robin (south-eastern form) Melanodryas cucullata cucullata N/A Vulnerable

Black-chinned Honeyeater (eastern subspecies) Melithreptus gularis gularis N/A Vulnerable

Turquoise Parrot Neophema pulchella N/A Vulnerable

Barking Owl Ninox connivens N/A Vulnerable

Table 2: Threatened species known to occur or predicted to occur within the Wagga Wagga LGA.



NSWStatus

Powerful Owl Ninox strenua N/A Vulnerable

Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis N/A Vulnerable

Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis Critically Endangered

N/A

Gilbert’s Whistler Pachycephala inornata N/A Vulnerable

Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus N/A Endangered

Scarlet Robin Petroica boodang N/A Vulnerable

Flame Robin Petroica phoenicea N/A Vulnerable

Pink Robin Petroica rodinogaster N/A Vulnerable

Superb Parrot Polytelis swainsonii Vulnerable Vulnerable

Grey-crowned Babbler (eastern subspecies) Pomatostomus temporalis temporalis N/A Vulnerable

Australian Painted-snipe Rostratula australis Endangered Endangered

Diamond Firetail Stagonopleura guttata N/A Vulnerable

Freckled Duck Stictonetta naevosa N/A Vulnerable

Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae N/A Vulnerable

Sooty Owl Tyto tenebricosa N/A Vulnerable

Fish

Flathead Galaxias Galaxias rostratus Critically Endangered


Murray Cod Maccullochella peelii Vulnerable N/A

Macquarie Perch Macquaria australasica Endangered Endangered

Frogs

Sloane’s Froglet Crinia sloanei Endangered Vulnerable

Giant Burrowing Frog Heleioporus australiacus N/A Vulnerable

Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea N/A Vulnerable

Booroolong Frog Litoria booroolongensis N/A Endangered

Littlejohn’s Tree Frog Litoria littlejohni N/A Vulnerable

Growling Grass Frog Litoria raniformis Vulnerable Endangered

Stuttering Frog Mixophyes balbus N/A Endangered

Red-crowned Toadlet Pseudophryne australis N/A Vulnerable

Bats

Large-eared Pied Bat Chalinolobus dwyeri N/A Vulnerable

Little Pied Bat Chalinolobus picatus N/A Vulnerable

Eastern False Pipistrelle Falsistrellus tasmaniensis N/A Vulnerable

Eastern Coastal Free-tailed Bat Micronomus norfolkensis N/A Vulnerable

Little Bent-winged Bat Miniopterus australis N/A Vulnerable

Large Bent-winged Bat Miniopterus orianae oceanensis N/A Vulnerable

Southern Myotis Myotis macropus N/A Vulnerable

Corben’s Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus corbeni Vulnerable Vulnerable

Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-bat Saccolaimus flaviventris N/A Vulnerable

Greater Broad-nosed Bat Scoteanax rueppellii N/A Vulnerable

Inland Forest Bat Vespadelus baverstocki N/A Vulnerable

Eastern Cave Bat Vespadelus troughtoni N/A Vulnerable


NSWStatus

Mammals

Eastern Pygmy-Possum Cercartetus nanus N/A Vulnerable

Spot-tailed Quoll, (southeastern mainland) Dasyurus maculatus maculatus (SE mainland)

Endangered Vulnerable

Squirrel Glider Petaurus norfolcensis N/A Vulnerable

Squirrel Glider in the Wagga Wagga LGA Petaurus norfolcensis – endangered population

N/A Endangered

Koala (combined populations of QLD, NSW and ACT)

Phascolarctos cinereus (combined populations of Qld, NSW and the ACT)

Vulnerable Vulnerable

Grey-headed Flying-fox Pteropus poliocephalus Vulnerable Vulnerable

Reptiles

Pink-tailed Worm-lizard Aprasia parapulchella Vulnerable Vulnerable

Striped Legless Lizard Delma impar N/A Vulnerable

Migratory marine birds

Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus Migratory N/A

Migratory terrestrial species

White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus Vulnerable Migratory

N/A

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Migratory N/A

Satin Flycatcher Myiagra cyanoleuca Migratory N/A

Migratory wetland species

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Migratory N/A

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata Migratory N/A

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Migratory Endangered

Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos Migratory N/A

Latham’s Snipe Gallinago hardwickii Migratory N/A

Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis Migratory N/A

Plants

Ausfeld’s Wattle Acacia ausfeldii N/A Vulnerable

Bynoe’s Wattle Acacia bynoeana N/A Endangered

Acacia meiantha N/A Endangered

Phantom Wattle Acacia phasmoides N/A Vulnerable

Thick-leaf Star-hair Astrotricha crassifolia N/A Vulnerable

Bossiaea fragrans Bossiaea fragrans N/A Critically Endangered

Yass Daisy Ammobium craspedioides N/A Vulnerable

Floating Swamp Wallaby-grass Amphibromus fluitans N/A Vulnerable

A spear-grass Austrostipa metatoris N/A Vulnerable

A spear-grass Austrostipa wakoolica Endangered Endangered

Claypan Daisy Brachyscome muelleroides N/A Vulnerable

Mossgiel Daisy Brachyscome papillosa N/A Vulnerable

Small Pale Grass-lily Caesia parviflora var. minor N/A Endangered

Sand-hill Spider-orchid Caladenia arenaria Endangered Endangered

Duramana Fingers Caladenia attenuata N/A Critically Endangered



NSWStatus

Crimson Spider Orchid Caladenia concolor N/A Endangered

Rosella Spider Orchid Caladenia rosella N/A Presumed Extinct

Greencomb Spider-orchid Caladenia tensa Endangered N/A

Thick Lip Spider Orchid Caladenia tessellata N/A Endangered

Small Scurf-pea Cullen parvum N/A Endangered

Darwinia peduncularis Darwinia peduncularis N/A Vulnerable

Bluegrass Dichanthium setosum N/A Vulnerable

Oaklands Diuris Diuris sp. (Oaklands, D.L. Jones 5380)

N/A Endangered

Pine Donkey Orchid Diuris tricolor N/A Vulnerable

Spike-Rush Eleocharis obicis N/A Vulnerable

Silver-leafed Gum Eucalyptus pulverulenta N/A Vulnerable

Euphrasia arguta Euphrasia arguta N/A Critically Endangered

Mueller’s Eyebright Euphrasia collina subsp. muelleri N/A Endangered

Grevillea divaricata N/A Endangered

Evans Grevillea Grevillea evansiana N/A Vulnerable

Holly-leaf Grevillea Grevillea ilicifolia subsp. ilicifolia N/A Critically Endangered

Grevillea obtusiflora N/A Endangered

Tumut Grevillea Grevillea wilkinsonii N/A Endangered

Homoranthus darwinioides N/A Vulnerable

Leafless Indigo Indigofera efoliata N/A Endangered

Spiny Peppercress Lepidium aschersonii N/A Vulnerable

Winged Peppercress Lepidium monoplocoides N/A Endangered

Lanky Buttons Leptorhynchos orientalis N/A Endangered

Fleshy Minuria Kippistia suaedifolia N/A Endangered

Rylstone Bell Leionema sympetalum N/A Vulnerable

Phebalium bifidum Phebalium bifidum N/A Endangered

Philotheca angustifolia subsp. angustifolia Philotheca angustifolia subsp. angustifolia

N/A Presumed Extinct

Hairy Geebung Persoonia hirsuta N/A Endangered

Clandulla Geebung Persoonia marginata N/A Vulnerable

Austral Pillwort Pilularia novae-hollandiae N/A Endangered

Brown Pomaderris Pomaderris brunnea N/A Endangered

Cotoneaster Pomaderris Pomaderris cotoneaster N/A Endangered

Scant Pomaderris Pomaderris queenslandica N/A Endangered

Tarengo Leek Orchid Prasophyllum petilum Endangered Endangered

Wollemi Mint-bush Prostanthera cryptandroides subsp. cryptandroides

N/A Vulnerable

Mount Vincent Mint-bush Prostanthera stricta N/A Vulnerable

Dwarf Bush-pea Pultenaea humilis N/A Vulnerable

Pultenaea sp. Genowlan Point Pultenaea sp. Genowlan Point N/A Critically Endangered

Pultenaea sp. Olinda Pultenaea sp. Olinda N/A Endangered

Woolly Ragwort Senecio garlandii N/A Vulnerable


NSWStatus

Slender Darling Pea Swainsona murrayana N/A Vulnerable

Small Purple-pea Swainsona recta Endangered Endangered

Silky Swainson-pea Swainsona sericea N/A Vulnerable

Tylophora linearis Tylophora linearis N/A Vulnerable

Veronica blakelyi Veronica blakelyi N/A Vulnerable

Round-leafed Wilsonia Wilsonia rotundifolia N/A Endangered

Keith’s Zieria Zieria ingramii N/A Endangered

Zieria obcordata Zieria obcordata N/A Endangered

Black Gum Eucalyptus aggregata N/A Vulnerable

Image: Terri Anne Allen


Wagga Wagga City Council strategies and planning documents• Wagga View – Community Strategic Plan 2040 (2017)

wagga.nsw.gov.au/city-of-wagga-wagga/council/plans-and-reports/planning-for-our-community/community-strategic-plan-wagga-view

• Draft Local Strategic Planning Statement wagga.nsw.gov.au/city-of-wagga-wagga/council/plans-and-reports/planning-for-our-community

• Recreation, Open Space and Community Strategy & Implementation Plan 2040 (2017) wagga.nsw.gov.au/city-of-wagga-wagga/council/plans-and-reports/planning-for-our-community/recreation,-open-space-and-community-strategy-and-implementation-plan-2040

• Wagga Wagga Revised Murrumbidgee River Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan 2018 (Vegetation Management Plan) wagga.nsw.gov.au/city-of-wagga-wagga/engineering-services/emergency-management/flood-management-studies-2

• Active Travel Plan 2016 wagga.nsw.gov.au/city-of-wagga-wagga/council/plans-and-reports/planning-for-our-community/active-travel-plan

• Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2021 wagga.nsw.gov.au/city-of-wagga-wagga/community/community-support/aboriginal-services/reconciliation-action-plan-2021

• Roadside Vegetation Management Plan wagga.nsw.gov.au/city-of-wagga-wagga/environment/projects/roadside-vegetation-management

NSW Government strategies, planning and management documents• Australia’s Strategy for Nature 2019-2030

australiasnaturehub.gov.au/national-strategy• NSW Saving our Species Plan

environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/threatened-species/saving-our-species-program

• NSW Invasive Species Plan 2018-2021 dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds/strategy/strategies/nsw-invasive-species-plan-2018-2021

• National Carp Control Plan carp.gov.au

• Local Land Services State Strategic Plan 2016-2026 lls.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/658492/state-strategic-plan.pdf

• Riverina Local Lands Services Strategic Plan 2016-2021 riverina.lls.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/658133/Strategicplanfinal.pdf

• Riverina Murray Regional Plan, 2036 planning.nsw.gov.au/-/media/Files/DPE/Plans-and-policies/riverina-murray-regional-plan-2017.pdf

• Riverina Natural Resource Management Strategy 2019-2023 Available from Local Lands Service upon request

• Roads and Maritime Services - Environmental Sustainability Strategy rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/about/environment/environmental-sustainability-strategy.pdf

References

• Special Activation Precinct Wagga Wagga Draft Master Plan, July 2020 https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/000-Wagga/Wagga+Wagga+Special+Activation+Precinct+Draft+Master+Plan.pdf

Other references• Austrralian National Herbarium, 2020. Information about Australia's Flora - Growing Native

Plants anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2012/banksia-marginata.html

• Biocertification report – Flora and fauna investigations of the Wagga Wagga campus of Charles Sturt University, Estella. (Feb 2009) cdn.csu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/772618/120301-Wagga-Biodiversity-Report-NGH-2009.pdf

• Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga, biodiversity enhancement zones cdn.csu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/3277453/190906-WW-Biodiversity-Map.pdf

• Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. (2020, Febrauary). Key threatening processes under the EPBC Act. Retrieved from Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/key-threatening-processes

• Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. (2020, March). Swift Parrot - profile. Retrieved from Officeof Environment and Hertiage environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10455

• Geoscience Australia. (2019, December). Bushfire. Retrieved from Geoscience Australia ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/community-safety/bushfire

• NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. (2019, August 8). Alteration to the natural flow regimes of rivers, streams, floodplains and wetlands - key threatening process listing. Retrieved from NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/threatened-species/nsw-threatened-species-scientific-committee/determinations/final-determinations/2000-2003/alteration-to-the-natural-flow-regimes-key-threatening-process-listing

• NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. (2019, May 28). Anthropogenic Climate Change - key threatening process listing. Retrieved from NSW Environment environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/threatened-species/nsw-threatened-species-scientific-committee/determinations/final-determinations/2000-2003/anthropogenic-climate-change-key-threatening-process-listing

• NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. (2019, October 8). Loss of hollow-bearing trees - key threatening process listing. Retrieved from NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/threatened-species/nsw-threatened-species-scientific-committee/determinations/final-determinations/2004-2007/loss-of-hollow-bearing-trees-key-threatening-process-listing

• NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. (2020, March). Office of Environment and Heritage . Retrieved from Squirrel Glider - Profile environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedSpeciesApp/profile.aspx?id=10604

• NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment , 2020. Soil Biodiversity environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/land-and-soil/soil-degradation/soil-biodiversity

• NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, 2020. Grey-crowned Babbler (eastern subspecies) - profile environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10660

• NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, 2020. Impacts of climate change on biodiversity environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/biodiversity/about-biodiversity/climate-change-impacts

56 BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY: MALDHANGILANNA WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL

• NSW Rural Fire Service. (2019, December). NSW Rural Fire Service. Retrieved from Hazard reduction rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/hazard-reductions

• NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee. (2011). White box yellow box Blakely’s red gum woodland - endangered ecological community listing. Retrieved from NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/threatened-species/nsw-threatened-species-scientific-committee/determinations/final-determinations/2000-2003/white-box-yellow-box-blakelys-red-gum-woodland-endangered-ecological-community-listing

• Schebella, M. F., Weber, D., Schultz, L. & Weinstein, P., 2019. The Wellbeing Benefits Associated with Perceived, 11(3), p. 28

• Van Eeden, L. et al., 2020. Australia's 2019-2020 Bushfires: The wildlife toll, Sydney: World Wildlife Fund

Contact us

PO Box 20, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650Cnr Baylis and Morrow Streets, Wagga Wagga NSW

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Image: Chloe Smith

Documents

Biodiversity Strategy: Maldhangilanna