The balancing act National Park Vegetated land = Threatened
flora and fauna habitat
Slide 4
Slide 5
Slide 6
Slide 7
Slide 8
Threatened species??? I havent seen any..
Slide 9
Green and Golden Bellfrog Protected Federally Protected in NSW
Has a Recovery Plan Crippled by disease Struggling to survive
everywhere except in the Shoalhaven
Slide 10
Favourite habitat
Slide 11
Slide 12
Swamp Equestrian Common Council operated Cemetery Worrigee
Urban area
Slide 13
Tragedy of the common.
Slide 14
From This To This
Slide 15
The perfect conditions early 2010 Heavy summer rainfall Ponding
where previously dry Repeat intense rain events Other frogs to eat
Flushing of predator fish Nearby swamp Overcoming killer fungus =
millions of frogs + Blocked drains
Slide 16
The expansion of the population over the last two years
represents the most significant natural recovery of any threatened
vertebrate species in the state! Fat and healthy!
Slide 17
work =
Slide 18
Big problems Frogs invading urban area need to educate Frogs
and graves dont mix Disruption of drain maintenance no dig, slash
or spray Halt to construction projects Delays to DAs Confusion
Complaints of flooding Work crews scared of being fined Cant
maintain the equestrian or sporting fields
Slide 19
Had to find a way to continue maintenance without having a
significant impact on the frogs Sustainable management = gather
more information
Slide 20
What = significant impact? Traffic Casualties? Slashing? What =
sustainable impact?
Slide 21
Large Events scheduled threat of cancellation Short term
Response Mayor appeal for public understanding Involved NPWS Joint
media release stressing the positive nature of breeding event
Letterbox drops - education Ecologist in to advise rope off areas
to minimise impact Up-skill ground crews to identify the frog Set
mitigation measures for equestrian events Too hop to handle
Slide 22
One of the mitigation measures Simple but effective!
Slide 23
Working with the Media Make your staff available, dont leave it
to chance Educate no overnight solution Stopping Australia from
mowing its lawn The most powerful frog in the nation
Slide 24
Life and death along the food chain Hop Property
Slide 25
Carnivorous devil frog a danger to domestic pets
Slide 26
GGBF before 2010 1998 became aware of GGBF at Culburra Beach
2000 Mgmt Plan developed for drainage maintenance 2000 to 2009
Drought, No Frogs for many years 2008/09 GGBF study to test the
need for current restrictions - but too dry to be conclusive, defer
till 09/10
Slide 27
GGBF 2010 + Summer 2009/10 Wet conditions Early 2010 - massive
increase in GGBF numbers New areas affected More activities
affected drains, roadsides, mowing A extra study required at
Worrigee & Crookhaven River Floodplain Studies lead to standard
operating procedures
Slide 28
Valuable Information Studies & local experts: Suitable
habitat areas Actual sightings locations recorded Breeding times
& locations Foraging times & locations Dispersal corridors
Control Measures to mitigate impact Std Operating Procedures
Slide 29
Example of coded map
Slide 30
Slide 31
Slide 32
Adjusting work practices 1.Fundamental shift Environmental
staff now play a key role in delivery of engineering activities
& projects 2.Proactive use of environmental legislation to
protect staff 3.Consistent documentation of mitigation measures
4.Life cycle determines when key works can occur: No digging during
hibernation (winter) Slashing occurs while frogs underground or
with a pre- inspection by an environmental officer Coded maps
dictate primary habitat extra controls here
Slide 33
Outcomes Procedures developed for road & drainage
maintenance OEH authorised procedures & issued a Section 95(2)
Certificate under TSC Act Maintenance Activities resume Capital
works - piped an open drain - REF required frog habitat areas -
depressions & suitable plantings for refuge Equestrian Common
drain not widened road raised to divert water away from camping and
horse stalls avoid GGBF & acid sulphate issues Cemetery
development to factor in a frog habitat area as a feature rather
than a constraint
Slide 34
Broadening this approach to other areas E.g. Flood mitigation
drains Key fish habitat Acid sulfate soils Endangered Ecological
Communities Threatened Species Next stockpile sites, work adjacent
to Nat Pk Estates The less you know the more conservative your
operations will be
Slide 35
Lessons Learnt Sustainable solutions are possible Embed
qualified help ecologists into works and services maintenance and
construction teams Develop processes to mitigate impacts Know the
legislation and protect your staff Get to know the
population/species Talk to OEH and NPWS very helpful Use the
legislation e.g. TSC Act, Infrastructure SEPP Educate your work
crews Avoid, mitigate, demonstrate no significant impact
Slide 36
Excellence in the Environment Awards Highly commended Category:
Natural Environment Protection and Enhancement: On Ground Works
Sharing good outcomes - not always second nature Keynote Case study
at
