Report for Nillumbik Shire Council Structure Plan Project: Biodiversity Study - August 2013 Indigenous Design Land Management i Acknowledgements • Eddie Cheng – GIS Officer, Nillumbik

Report for Nillumbik Shire Council

Yarrambat Structure Plan Project:

Biodiversity Study

August 2013

Bruce Horkings & Ben Imbery

Yarrambat Structure Plan Project: Biodiversity Study - August 2013

Indigenous Design Land Management i

Acknowledgements

• Eddie Cheng – GIS Officer, Nillumbik Shire Council

• Paul Fyffe – Senior Strategic Planner, Nillumbik Shire Council

• Marianne Sparks – Environmental Planner, Nillumbik Shire Council

Version Control

Status Date Issued Revision Type Reviewed By Amended By

Draft 1.1 3.09.2013 First Draft B. Imbery B. Horkings

Draft 1.2 4.09.2013 Second Draft N. Cole B. Horkings

Draft 1.3 9.09.2013 Third Draft N. Cole B. Horkings

Draft 1.4 10.09.2013 Fourth Draft B. Imbery B. Horkings

Draft 1.5 15.10.2013 Fifth Draft Nillumbik Shire Council B. Horkings

Draft 1.6 15.11.2013 Sixth Draft B. Imbery B. Horkings

Draft 1.7 11.12.2013 Seventh Draft Nillumbik Shire Council B. Horkings

Final 13.12.2013 Final Revision for release to Client approved by N. Cole


Indigenous Design Land Management ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE of CONTENTS ........................................................................................................... ii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................... iii

1 PROJECT INTRODUCTION, SCOPE AND METHODS ............................................... 1

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

1.2 Project Scope ............................................................................................................... 1

1.3 Description of Methods ............................................................................................... 1

1.3.1 Data and Literature Review ................................................................................. 1

1.3.2 Field Inspection .................................................................................................... 2

2 STUDY AREA .................................................................................................................. 3

2.1 Overview ..................................................................................................................... 3

2.2 Planning ....................................................................................................................... 3

3 STUDY AREA BIODIVERSITY VALUES..................................................................... 6

3.1 Ecological Vegetation Classes .................................................................................... 6

3.1.1 Desktop Findings ................................................................................................. 6

3.2 Sites of Faunal and Habitat Significance in North East Melbourne ........................... 9

3.3 Environmental Significance Overlay: Schedule 1 (ESO1) ....................................... 11

3.3.1 Stage 2 of the ESO1 Review .............................................................................. 11

3.3.1 Stage 3 of the ESO1 Review .............................................................................. 14

3.4 Rare or Threatened Species ....................................................................................... 15

3.4.1 Rare or Threatened Flora Species ...................................................................... 15

3.4.2 Rare or Threatened Fauna Species ..................................................................... 15

3.5 Significant Ecological Communities ......................................................................... 16

3.6 Field Inspection ......................................................................................................... 16

4 RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................. 19

5 SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... 20

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................ 22

MAPS ....................................................................................................................................... 24

Map 1 – Study Area Detail .................................................................................................. 24

APPENDICES ......................................................................................................................... 25

Appendix 1 – Flora Results – Rare or Threatened Species – 5km Search .......................... 25

Appendix 2 – Fauna Results – Rare or Threatened Species – 5km Search ......................... 27


Indigenous Design Land Management iii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Indigenous Design Land Management (IDLM) has been commissioned by Nillumbik Shire

Council (NSC) to undertake a Biodiversity Study as part of the Yarrambat Structure Plan

(YSP) project. The study area as defined by Nillumbik Shire Council covers an approximate

area of 54.5 hectares and is broken into the ‘township’ area and additional land abutting to

the west of this area.

The scope for the Biodiversity Study component of the Yarrambat Structure Plan project

included the desktop assessment of a number of data sources (maps, biodiversity records,

previous reports). These information sources were then analysed and used to identify any

significant species, habitat or other notable environmental values. This analysis provides the

background for the development of recommendations made to protect flora and fauna values.

The desktop assessment identified that the study area contained the following:

• NEROC Report

o The Sites of Faunal and Habitat Significance in North East Melbourne was

released in 1997

o The fringes of 3 sites are located within the study area

o The NEROC report is the basis of the Environmental Significance Overlay:

Schedule 1 (ESO1) mapping within the Shire

• ESO1 Review (Stage 2 & 3)

o Generally found that the ESO was no longer relevant in a number of areas due

to the ongoing degradation of biodiversity values since the NEROC report was

released

o Identified 3 sites within the study area that the ESO should either be removed

or modified

o Identified 1 site containing a rare flora species within the study area

o Identified 1 site that could provide foraging habitat for 2 (endangered and

threatened) fauna species (owl’s) within the study area

o Identified 2 locations within the study areas that were on the fringes of sites

identified in the Stage 3 review


Indigenous Design Land Management iv

• Rare or threatened flora/fauna database searches in a 5km radius around the study

area:

o Found 26 flora records within the 5km search radius but only 1 record within

the study area

o Found 56 fauna records within the 5km search radius and no records within

the study area

o Found 4 records for significant ecological communities within the 5km search

radius but no records within the study area

Overall this Biodiversity Study found the study area to be a developed semi-rural landscape

with overall limited biodiversity attributes with retained native vegetation providing more of

an ‘amenity’ value than contributing to biodiversity values. Recommendations made provide

opportunities for both further development in areas with the least amount of environmental

value and appropriate protection for areas with some value.


Indigenous Design Land Management 1

1 PROJECT INTRODUCTION, SCOPE AND METHODS

1.1 Project Background

Indigenous Design Land Management (IDLM) has been commissioned by Nillumbik Shire

Council (NSC) to undertake a Biodiversity Study as part of the Yarrambat Structure Plan

(YSP) project.

1.2 Project Scope

The scope for the Biodiversity Study component of the Yarrambat Structure Plan project will

include the following:

• Undertake assessment of Yarrambat township area (study area) as identified in Figure

2.1;

• Collate, review and analyse historical data, biodiversity records, and any identified

reports;

• Identify significant species, habitat or other notable environmental values;

• Document environmental context of the study area;

• Provide recommendations to protect flora and fauna values; and

• Undertake a field inspection of the study area to confirm recommendations &

condition as necessary and relevant.

1.3 Description of Methods

1.3.1 Data and Literature Review

As part of the data and literature review, the following resources were used in undertaking

the process:

• The Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) Victorian

Biodiversity Atlas – Spatial Data (DEPI, 2013a);

• The Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) Victorian

Biodiversity Interactive Map – (DEPI, 2013b);

• Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act

1999, Protected Matters on-line search tool (DSEWPC, 2013);



• Nillumbik Shire Council: Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO1) Review, Stage

2 (Ecology Australia, 2007a);

• Nillumbik Shire Council: Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO1) Review, Stage

2 (Addendum) (Ecology Australia, 2007b);

• Sites of Faunal and Habitat Significance in North East Melbourne (Beardsell, 1997);

• Yarrambat Local Structure Plan (NSC, 2000a)

• Yarrambat Extension Area Local Structure Plan (NSC, 2000b)

• Nillumbik Biodiversity Strategy 2012 (NSC, 2012)

• Nillumbik Green Wedge Management Plan – Part 1: Background and context (NSC,

2010)

• Nillumbik Green Wedge Management Plan – Part 2: Delivering the vision (NSC,

2011)

1.3.2 Field Inspection

A field visit of the study area was undertaken on the 3rd of September 2013. The nature of

the field work was appropriate to the scope and nature of works undertaken and the

significant amount of existing data and literature available from previous studies that covered

the study area and its wider surrounds. No detailed targeted/non-targeted flora/fauna surveys

were undertaken as part of this Biodiversity Study.

The field inspection consisted of a visual assessment of the study area and surrounds with the

purpose of:

• Creating a general feel of the study area

• Comparison of aerial photography to current features on-ground features

• Visual examination of vegetation (remnant and exotic)

• Visual examination of land use and form

• Consideration to form professionally informed views for recommendations

• Consideration of ESO recommendation made by Ecology Australia

As the study site consists primarily of private property, no properties were entered or

examined in detail. Observations were made from the roadside.



2 STUDY AREA

2.1 Overview

The study area for this biodiversity assessment includes the Yarrambat Township (primarily a

cluster of some retail premises and community facilities) and some surrounding semi-rural

properties. The study area is located approximately 23km north east of Melbourne’s CBD

with the urban area of South Morang to the west and the township of Hurstbridge to the east.

The study area is located within the Highland Southern Fall Bioregion, the Port Phillip and

Westernport Catchment area and the Nillumbik Shire Council municipality. Most of the land

in the study area is cleared, but some patches of remnant native vegetation remain. Larger

native vegetation patches can be found to the west (Plenty River) and east of the study area.

Error! Reference source not found. provides the location of the approximate 54.5 hectare

study area.

2.2 Planning

The study area is primarily within the Low-density Residential Zone. A number of different

overlays exist within and around the study area. Relevant to this report, the Environmental

Significance Overlay: Schedule 1 (ESO1) affects parts of the study area (discussed further

below). Figure 2-2 shows the area of coverage of ESO1 within the study area.



Figure 2-1: Location of Study Area – Yarrambat ‘township’ and surrounds



Figure 2-2: NEROC Sites and ESO1 Coverage within Study Area



3 STUDY AREA BIODIVERSITY VALUES

3.1 Ecological Vegetation Classes

Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVC's) are a type of vegetation classification which aims to

group plant communities according to common flora species, vegetation structure and

common environmental factors such as elevation, soils and average rainfall. The study area is

located within the Highlands Southern Fall Bioregion.

3.1.1 Desktop Findings

The DEPI’s Biodiversity Interactive Map (DEPI, 2013b) displays the study area as

comprising three pre-1750’s EVC's:

• EVC 22: Grassy Dry Forest;

• EVC 55: Plains Grassy Woodland; and

• EVC 126: Swampy Riparian Complex.

Extant (current) mapping of native vegetation on site suggests that all three EVC’s are still

present across the study area, albeit in small, modified and scattered remnants. This extant

mapping is produced by the Department of Environment and Primary industry (DEPI) based

on data from 2005 and is available online (DEPI, 2013b). Figure 3-1 shows the EVC extant

mapping within the study area.

The abundant availability of biodiversity data for this area and the nature of the assessment

project did not warrant the need for extensive field truthing of EVC extant mapping.

Table 3-1 lists the bioregional conservation status of each EVC mapped within the study area

within the Highlands Southern Fall bioregion and a description of the EVC is provided

below.



Table 3-1: Ecological Vegetation Classes mapped within the study area with corresponding

Bioregional Conservation Status

Ecological Vegetation Classes Bioregional

Conservation Status

EVC 22: Grassy Dry Forest Least Concern

EVC 55: Plains Grassy Woodland Endangered

EVC 126: Swampy Riparian Complex Endangered

(DEPI, 2013c)

Figure 3-1: EVC Extant Mapping



The overall condition of each EVC was not fully evaluated or scored in any meaningful

manner, however based on observations and professional opinion each identified EVC is in

various stages of degradation generally found with a semi intact canopy and heavily disturbed

/ modified understorey general being weed dominated or managed in a slashed or domestic

garden manner. Only one site within the study area was noted as being mostly intact and of a

higher quality which is discussed further below in Section 3.4.1.

• The DSE Benchmark for EVC 22: Grassy Dry Forest describes the EVC as follows:

Occurs on a variety of gradients and altitudes and on a range of geologies. The overstorey is

dominated by a low to medium height open forest of eucalypts to 20 m tall, sometimes

resembling a woodland. The understorey usually consists of a sparse shrub layer of medium

height. Grassy Dry Forest is characterised by a ground layer dominated by a high diversity

of drought tolerant grasses and herbs, often including a suite of fern species. (DEPI, 2013c)

• The DSE Benchmark for EVC 55: Plains Grassy Woodland describes the EVC as

follows:

An open, eucalypt woodland to 15 m tall occurring on a number of geologies and soil types.

Occupies poorly drained, fertile soils on flat or gently undulating plains at low elevations.

The understorey consists of a few sparse shrubs over a species-rich grassy and herbaceous

ground layer. (DEPI, 2013c)

• The DSE Benchmark for EVC 126: Swampy Riparian Complex describes the EVC as

follows:

Structurally variable vegetation typical of swampy to waterlogged, low gradient drainage-

lines (or associated hillside soaks). The potential component EVCs of this mapping unit

include Creekline Herb-rich Woodland, Gully Woodland, Shrubby Gully Forest, Fern

Swamp, Swampy Riparian Woodland, Swampy Woodland and Swamp Scrub. (DEPI, 2013c)



3.2 Sites of Faunal and Habitat Significance in North East Melbourne

In 1997 the comprehensive study and six volume report ‘Sites of Faunal and Habitat

Significance in North East Melbourne’ was released for the then organisation North East

Regional Organisations of Councils (NEROC) (Beardsell, 1997). This report is colloquially

known as the NEROC report. This report covered 11 years of data collection ranging from

individual species surveys (flora and fauna) to habitat mapping.

The purpose of this study and associated report was to undertake a broad scale survey of

North East Melbourne (between the Hume Freeway, Yarra River and the Great Dividing

Range) to identify flora and fauna species present alongside their habitats, habitat links and

the significance of such sites based on a criteria that defines a national, state or regional

significance (Beardsell, 1997). This report was used as the basis of defining the

Environmental Significance Overlay: Schedule 1 (ESO1) within the Nillumbik municipality.

The study area falls into two biophysical zones (Management Unit), Nillumbik Lowland Hills

(NLH) to the north of Ironbark Road and east of Yan Yean Road with the remainder of the

area being located within Plenty Lowland Hills (PLH) (Beardsell, 1997). Biophysical zones

are defined as discrete geographic units that represent a combination of ecological and

geographical environs. Within each zone, sites of significance have been identified based on

extensive criteria for flora, fauna and habitat values and then further grouped into three

categories (1-3) of overall value (Beardsell, 1997).

Within the study area, the fringes of three NEROC sites and two partially functional habitat

links can be found as indicated in Figure 2-2 above and Table 3-2 below.



Table 3-2: NEROC sites and habitat links within the study area

Type Management

Unit Site No. and Name

Habitat

Significance Values

% of ha

within

Study Area

Site PLH A:

Plenty Gorge

Site 41:

Kurrak Road

(200 ha)

High

• No 'relatively intact and extensive stands' described are supported within study

area extent.

• 'Rare or Threatened' Fauna: Letter Winged Kite, Black Falcon, Masked Owl,

Barking Owl, Powerful Owl, Nankeen night Heron, Brush-tailed Phascogale.

(Recordings within 200ha site)

• 'Rare or Threatened' Flora: Wine-lip Spider Orchid, Bearded Greenhood,

Rye Beetle-grass, Slender Tick-trefoil, Yarra Gum (Recordings within 200ha

site)

4%

Site PLH C:

Diamond Creek

Site 47:

Plenty

(320 ha)

Medium

• 'Relatively intact stands' of Red Box- Red Stringybark box- stringybark

woodland potentially present within study area extent.

• 'Rare or Threatened' Fauna: Common Bent-wing Bat. (Recordings within

320ha site)

2%

Site NLH C:

Hurstbridge

Site 73:

Plenty River –

Diamond Creek Link

(500 ha)

Medium • No 'relatively intact and extensive stands' or 'partially intact or small stands'

described are supported within study area extent. 1%

Habitat

Link PLH

Partially Functional Habitat Link

(Regional Network)

Connects Site 41 to Site 47

Habitat

Link PLH/NLH

Partially Functional Habitat Link

(Regional Network)

Connects Site 47 to Site 73



3.3 Environmental Significance Overlay: Schedule 1 (ESO1)

This Environmental Significance Overlay: Schedule 1 (ESO1) is applied in the Shire of

Nillumbik to protect biodiversity significance and is mapped in accordance with the findings

of the NEROC report. This Overlay is applied to both public and private land throughout the

municipality with the dual objectives of:

• To protect and enhance sites of faunal and habitat significance as identified in the

NEROC report

• To protect and enhance regional and strategic habitat links as identified in the

NEROC report

The ESO1 is currently applied to approximately 16 hectares (29% of study area) within the

Yarrambat Structure Plan Project area.

Nillumbik Shire Council instigated a review of the ESO1 in areas that were covered by the

Township Zone, Low Density Residential Zone and selected sites within Residential 1 Zone

(Ecology Australia, 2007a; 2007b).

3.3.1 Stage 2 of the ESO1 Review

During late 2005 to 2007, the consulting firm Ecology Australia (EA) assessed the

biodiversity significance of land at over 100 sites in the Shire as part of a Council project,

Stage 2 of the Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO1) Review. This review included

both desktop analysis and field assessments and utilised a number of resources, including the

findings of the NEROC report and Biosite information (Ecology Australia, 2007a; 2007b).

Much of the current application of the ESO1 in the study area for the Yarrambat Structure

Plan Project was included in assessment sites (aside from the Primary School) for the ESO1

review project and was consequently assessed by EA. In its report, EA detailed that these

sites range from areas that contain ‘patchy tree cover’ which could provide a ‘potential

stepping stone’ link for avian species from the west to east (Plenty River to remnants east of

Yan Yean Road) through to small remnant patches, exotic vegetation dominated areas and

mostly cleared sites. EA recommended four separate reductions in application of the ESO1

on land now in the study area Yarrambat Structure Plan Project. It did so on the grounds that



the patches of land in question are no longer of sufficient biodiversity value to warrant

application of this overlay (Ecology Australia, 2007a; 2007b).

A few important findings that were identified within the Stage 2 review and are directly

relevant to the Yarrambat Structure Plan project include (Ecology Australia, 2007a; 2007b):

• Generally areas within the study area covered by the ESO1 have experienced a

significant trend of habitat degradation and a decline in biological values leading to a

change of fauna to ‘urban assemblages’ caused by the ongoing impacts of

development and native vegetation removal.

• This change from functioning ecological systems, albeit under threat from ongoing

development as identified in the NEROC report (Beardsell, 1997), to simple systems

often with only the indigenous tree canopy remaining has changed the value of

remnant vegetation patches from a biodiversity asset to that of an amenity asset.

• In re-establishing habitat links between remnant native vegetation patches in

developed areas, literature shows that increasingly rare fauna species generally will

not survive if they ‘stray or disperse’ into these areas due to the risk of death by such

vectors as predation by pets (dogs and cats) or the risk of being hit by vehicles

(Ecology Australia, 2007a; 2007b).

Figure 3.2 displays the distribution and extent of the ESO within the study area and EA’s

recommended removal of the overlay (Ecology Australia, 2007a; 2007b).



Figure 3.2: ESO Coverage and review recommendations within study area



3.3.1 Stage 3 of the ESO1 Review

As part of the Nillumbik Shire’s ongoing review process of the Environmental Significance

Overlay: Schedule 1 (ESO1), Stage 3 is reviewing application of the ESO1 in non-urban

areas of the Shire and is incorporating a process of identifying core habitat areas for flora and

fauna species (NSC, 2012). The Stage 3 review has identified two sites in the vicinity of the

study area, one of which has a portion, albeit a very small one, located within the study area.

The below table (Table 3-3) summarises the site details.

Table 3-3: ESO Review Stage 3 Sites (Abzeco, 2012 [Draft])

ESO Review

Stage 3

Site ID

NEROC Site ID Area (ha) Habitat Value

38 47 - Plenty 517 Core Habiat ( 296.41ha)

Low-Moderate Habitat (220.99ha)

55 73 – Plenty River-

Diamond Creek Link 779

Core Habitat (355.72ha)

Low-Moderate Habitat (423.36ha)

Site 38 is located adjacent to the study area encompassing the bushland area to the rear of the

primary school and adjoining properties fronting Ironbark Road (Abzeco, 2012)[Draft]. Its

habitat quality varies across the large site but is identified as an important biolink between

Plenty River and Diamond Creek for fauna (Abzeco, 2012)[Draft]. The biolink connection is

in line with that reported in the NEROC report (Beardsell, 1997) which traverses the study

area in a northwest / southeast direction from west of Yan Yean Road to south of Ironbark

Road. The biolink is considered to be an important ‘stepping stone corridor’ for maintaining

bird diversity.

Site 55 is primarily located to the northeast and east of the study area with two small sections

extending into the study area (Abzeco, 2012)[Draft]. A very small section (approximately

250m2) of the site is located within the northeast corner of the study area in the vicinity of

Young’s Road which is recorded as being of low-moderate habitat while the other smaller

area (approximately 550m2) covers the treed eastern boundary of the local sports oval area

which is identified as ‘core habitat’ (Abzeco, 2012)[Draft].



3.4 Rare or Threatened Species

3.4.1 Rare or Threatened Flora Species

A desktop search was undertaken to ascertain the recorded presence of all rare and threatened

flora species within a five kilometre radius of the study area utilising the resources identified

in Section 1.3.1. Overall records for 26 rare and threatened species were found within the

search radius and Appendix 1 lists all of these. Only one record for rare and threatened flora

species was identified within the actual biodiversity study area being Billardiera scandens

var. brachyantha (Velvet Apple-berry).

This rare (in Victoria) flora species was identified by Ecology Australia (EA) during their

ESO1 Stage 2 Review project (Ecology Australia, 2007a; 2007b). The location of this

species is on the site designated as ‘Site 103’ within the ESO1 Stage 2 Review and at the

time of this review the site was undeveloped. This site is now partially developed with a large

dwelling and detached garage located to the rear of the property. However, despite this

development, the site was still the best example of intact native vegetation within the study

area for the Yarrambat Structure Project Plan identified by IDLM during its recent field visit

and had connectivity to the larger expanse of native vegetation to the south. This Biodiversity

Study did not assess the property to determine if the rare flora species observed by EA is still

present and the exact location of the plant is not known.

3.4.2 Rare or Threatened Fauna Species

A desktop search was undertaken to ascertain the recorded presence of all rare and threatened

fauna species within a five kilometre radius of the study area utilising the resources identified

in Section 1.3.1. Overall records for 56 rare and threatened species were found within the

search radius and Appendix 2 lists all of these. No records for rare and threatened fauna

species were identified within the actual biodiversity study area.

‘Site 105’ as identified within the ESO1 Stage 2 review process was identified as providing

potential foraging habitat for the Ninox strenua (Powerful Owl) (Endangered in Victoria) and

Ninox connivens (Barking Owl) (Vulnerable in Victoria) due to the presence of small intact

remnant patches and the high density of canopy cover through much of the site. The

combination of these small patches and dense canopy cover provides important connectivity



to the west (outside of this study area) where larger native vegetation remnants exist to the

Plenty River area (Ecology Australia, 2007a; 2007b).

3.5 Significant Ecological Communities

A desktop search was undertaken to ascertain the recorded presence of any listed threatened

ecological communities under the national Environment Protection and Biodiversity

Conservation Act (EPBC Act 1999) in a radius of 5 kilometres surrounding, and including,

the study area. This search was undertaken utilising the Australian Government’s ‘Protected

Matters on-line search tool’ with the results displayed below in Table 3-4 (DSEWPC, 2013).

Table 3-4: 5 kilometre search results for threatened ecological communities

Ecological Community Name Status Type of Presence

Grassy Eucalypt Woodland of the Victorian Volcanic

Plain

Critically

Endangered

Community known to occur

within 5km search area

Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic

Plain

Critically

Endangered


within 5km search area Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands (Freshwater) of

Temperate Lowland Plains

Critically

Endangered


within 5km search area White Box - Yellow Box - Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy

Woodland and Derived Native Grassland

Critically

Endangered


within 5km search area

In undertaking the review process and the onground field inspection, no evidence was found

that identified the existence of any of the above listed intact ecological communities from the

within the study area.

3.6 Field Inspection

A field inspection was undertaken on the 3rd

September 2013 which consisted of examining

the study area surrounding landscape by foot and vehicle. It provided the opportunity to

balance the desktop assessment (EVCs, NEROC, ESO review, rare or threatened searches)

findings with a visual assessment of the study area.

Key points from the site visit are summarised below and assisted in formulating the

recommendations in Section 4:



• The site with the highest biodiversity values based on the visible intact remnant native

vegetation was 459 Ironbark Road, Yarrambat (Site 103 within EA 2007a; 2007b).

This site also contains the one found record of a rare or threatened flora species

(Velvet Apple-berry).

• The area is a developed semi-rural area with limited and very localised biodiversity

values.

• Scattered remnant vegetation occurs in some locations within the study area but

mostly consists of a eucalypt canopy with a disturbed / heavily modified understorey.

• The native vegetation located west of Yan Yean Road on the hilltop area is in better

condition (generally) than the lower lying areas. This area is a fragmented link of

native vegetation patches which provides some connectivity to core habitat areas to

the west, outside of the study area.

• Native vegetation to the east of Yan Yean Road is mostly negligible and primarily

consists of scattered planted ‘native’ gardens and shelterbelts amongst exotic pasture

and gardens.

• Figure 3.4 indicates areas within the study site and their vegetation quality (low /

medium / high).



Figure 3.4: Native vegetation quality within study area



4 RECOMMENDATIONS

In undertaking the desktop assessment utilising identified resources listed in Section 1.3.1

and a limited field based assessment, a number of recommendations can be made to inform

the Yarrambat Structure Plan Project regarding biodiversity impacts and the protection of

flora and fauna values.

These recommendations are listed below in no particular order:

• Recommendation 1:

o That application of the ESO1 is reduced in the study area as recommended by

EA (Ecology Australia, 2007a; 2007b).


o Areas identified in Figure 3.4 with a vegetation quality of:

� High – retain / implement ESO1 to ensure a high level of native

vegetation retention

� Moderate – consideration be given to applying the Significant

Landscape Overlay: Schedule 2 or similar to provide a level of

protection for native vegetation

� Low – no extra protection required aside for scattered Large Old Trees

(LOTs) or Very Large Old Trees (VLOTs)


o Where development (i.e. new dwellings, subdivision, bushfire setbacks) is to

occur in high or moderate vegetation quality areas, consideration should be

given to the potential impact on remnant or scattered native vegetation.


o Where undertaking, or encouraging property owners to undertake, any

revegetation works consider the potential impact for dwellings (existing or

future) located within the Bushfire Prone Area or Bushfire Management

Overlay and consider the potential change in Bushfire Attack Level (BAL)

rating and defendable space.



5 SUMMARY

This biodiversity study examined a number of different resources as part of the desktop

analysis process and found:

• Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs)

o 3 pre 1750 EVC’s mapped across the study area

o Extant (current) mapping shows the EVC’s still exist within the study area in a

limited capacity

• NEROC Report

o The Sites of Faunal and Habitat Significance in North East Melbourne was

released in 1997

o The fringes of 3 sites are located within the study area

o Two partially functional habitat links occur cross the study area

o The NEROC report is the basis of the Environmental Significance Overlay

(ESO) mapping within the Shire

• ESO Review (Stage 2 & 3)

o Generally found that current application of the ESO is no longer justified in a

number of areas due to the ongoing degradation of biodiversity values and

have recommended significant reduction of the ESO1 in the study area.

o Identified 1 site containing a rare flora species within the study area

o Identified 1 site that could provide foraging habitat for 2 (endangered and

threatened) fauna species (owl’s) within the study area

o Identified 2 locations within the study area’s that were on the fringes of sites

identified in the Stage 3 review

• Rare or threatened flora/fauna database searches

o Found no records within the study area for rare or threatened flora/fauna

species

o Found 4 records for significant ecological communities that could exist within

the study area

o No evidence found to support the existence of the above communities within

the study area



Overall this biodiversity study found the study area to be a developed semi-rural landscape

with overall limited biodiversity attributes with retained native vegetation providing more of

an ‘amenity’ value than contributing to biodiversity values. Recommendations in the

previous section provide opportunities for both further development in areas with the least

amount of environmental value and appropriate protection for areas with some value.



REFERENCES

ABS. (2011). 2011 Census QuickStats - Yarrambat. Retrieved August 2013, from

http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/quickstat/

SSC21533

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NV2005_EVCBCS . Melbourne: Copyright Victorian Government Departmernt of

Sustainability and Environment. The contribution of the Royal Botanic Gardens

Melbourne to the datasets is acknowledged.

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Government Department of Sustainability and Environment:

http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/about-dse/interactive-maps

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Government Department of Sustainability and Environment:

http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/about-dse/interactive-maps

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2013, from Department of Sustainability and Environment:

http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/conservation-and-environment/evc-benchmarks-highlands-

southern-fall-bioregion

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2013, from Planning Maps Online: http://services.land.vic.gov.au/maps/pmo.jsp

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and Envionment. Victoria: Department of Sustainability and Environment.

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(ESO1) Review, Stage 2. Ecology Australia.

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(ESO1) Review, Stage 2 (Addendum). Ecology Australia.

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NSC. (2010). Nillumbik Green Wedge Management Plan: Part 1 - background and context.


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NSC. (2012). Nillumbik Biodiversity Strategy 2012. Melbourne: Nillumbik Shire Council.



MAPS

Map 1 – Study Area Detail



APPENDICES

Appendix 1 – Flora Results – Rare or Threatened Species – 5km Search

Botanical Name Common Name

FFG

Act

Listing

DSE

Advisory

List

EPBC

Listing

Acacia howittii Sticky Wattle r

Adiantum capillus-veneris Venus-hair Fern L e

Amphibromus fluitans River Swamp Wallaby-grass VU

Billardiera scandens s.s. Velvet Apple-berry r

Caladenia amoena Charming Spider-orchid L e EN

Caladenia australis Southern Spider-orchid k

Caladenia oenochila Wine-lipped Spider-orchid v

Caladenia rosella Rosella Spider-orchid L e EN

Cardamine tenuifolia Slender Bitter-cress k

Carex tasmanica Curly Sedge L v VU

Cladium procerum Leafy Twig-sedge r

Desmodium varians Slender Tick-trefoil k

Dianella amoena Matted Flax-lily L e EN

Eucalyptus leucoxylon subsp. connata Melbourne Yellow-gum X v

Eucalyptus yarraensis Yarra Gum X r

Glycine latrobeana Clover Glycine L v VU

Grevillea rosmarinifolia subsp. rosmarinifolia Rosemary Grevillea r

Lachnagrostis perennis spp. agg. Perennial Blown-grass k

Melaleuca armillaris subsp. armillaris Giant Honey-myrtle r

Pimelea spinescens subsp. spinescens Plains Rice-flower v CE

Prasophyllum frenchii Maroon Leek-orchid L v EN

Pterostylis planulata s.l. Flat Rustyhood k

Pterostylis smaragdyna Emerald-lip Greenhood r

Senecio macrocarpus Large-fruit Fireweed L e VU

Thelymitra matthewsii Spiral Sun-orchid L v VU

Tripogon loliiformis Rye Beetle-grass r



KEY

Origin Commonwealth Environment Protection and

Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999

* Exotic species VU Listed as Nationally Vulnerable

# Native but some stands may be alien EN Listed as Nationally Endangered

EX Listed as Nationally Extinct

Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 CR Listed as Nationally Critically Endangered

L Listed as a Threatened in Victoria

P Protected Flora in Victoria

Advisory List of Threatened Plants in Victoria

(DSE 2005).

N Nominated for listing as Threatened in Victoria x Presumed Extinct in Victoria

I Invalid or Ineligible for listing. e Listed as Endangered in Victoria

D Delisted as Threatened in Victoria v Listed as Vulnerable in Victoria

r Listed as Rare in Victoria

k Listed as Poorly Known in Victoria



Appendix 2 – Fauna Results – Rare or Threatened Species – 5km Search

Taxon Type Scientific Name Common Name

FFG

Act

Listing

DSE

Advisory

List

EPBC

Listing

Amphibians

Litoria raniformis Growling Grass Frog L EN VU

Pseudophryne bibronii Brown Toadlet L EN

Pseudophryne semimarmorata Southern Toadlet

VU

Fish Galaxiella pusilla Dwarf Galaxias L VU VU

Maccullochella peelii Murray Cod L VU

Macquaria australasica Macquarie Perch L EN EN

Prototroctes maraena Australian Grayling L VU VU

Invertebrates Paralucia pyrodiscus lucida Eltham Copper Butterfly L EN

Synemon plana Golden Sun Moth L CE CE

Mammals Dasyurus maculatus maculatus Spot-tailed Quoll L EN EN

Dasyurus viverrinus Eastern Quoll L RX

Miniopterus schreibersii GROUP Common Bent-wing Bat L

Myotis macropus Southern Myotis

NT

Perameles gunnii Eastern Barred Bandicoot L CR EN

Petrogale penicillata Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby L CE VU

Phascogale tapoatafa tapoatafa Brush-tailed Phascogale L VU

Pteropus poliocephalus Grey-headed Flying-fox L VU VU

Sminthopsis crassicaudata Fat-tailed Dunnart

NT

Sminthopsis murina murina Common Dunnart

VU

Non-passerine Birds Alcedo azurea Azure Kingfisher

NT

Anas rhynchotis Australasian Shoveler

VU

Ardea intermedia Intermediate Egret L CR




FFG

Act

Listing

DSE

Advisory

List

EPBC

Listing

Ardea modesta Eastern Great Egret L VU

Aythya australis Hardhead

VU

Botaurus poiciloptilus Australasian Bittern L EN EN

Biziura lobata Musk Duck

VU

Chrysococcyx osculans Black-eared Cuckoo

NT

Coturnix ypsilophora australis Brown Quail

NT

Egretta garzetta nigripes Little Egret L EN

Falco subniger Black Falcon

VU

Gallinago hardwickii Latham's Snipe

NT

Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-Eagle L VU

Ixobrychus minutus dubius Little Bittern L EN

Lathamus discolor Swift Parrot L EN EN

Leipoa ocellata Malleefowl L EN VU

Lewinia pectoralis pectoralis Lewin's Rail L VU

Ninox connivens connivens Barking Owl L EN

Ninox strenua Powerful Owl L VU

Nycticorax caledonicus hillii Nankeen Night Heron

NT

Oxyura australis Blue-billed Duck L EN

Pedionomus torquatus Plains-wanderer L CR VU

Phalacrocorax varius Pied Cormorant

NT

Platalea regia Royal Spoonbill

VU

Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis

NT

Porzana pusilla palustris Baillon's Crake L VU

Rostratula benghalensis australis Australian Painted Snipe L CR VU

Tyto novaehollandiae novaehollandiae Masked Owl L EN




FFG

Act

Listing

DSE

Advisory

List

EPBC

Listing

Passerine Birds Anthochaera phrygia Regent Honeyeater L CR EN

Chthonicola sagittata Speckled Warbler L VU

Cinclosoma punctatum Spotted Quail-thrush

NT

Climacteris picumnus victoriae Brown Treecreeper (south-eastern ssp.)

NT

Melanodryas cucullata cucullata Hooded Robin L NT

Melithripterus gularis gularis Black-chinned Honeyeater

NT

Stagonopleura guttata Diamond Firetail L VU

Sternula nereis nereis Australian Fairy Tern L VU

Reptiles Delma impar Striped Legless Lizard L EN VU



KEY

Origin

* Exotic species

Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988

L Listed as a Threatened in Victoria

N Nominated for listing as Threatened in Victoria

I Invalid or Ineligible for listing.

D Delisted as Threatened in Victoria

Commonwealth Environment Protection and

Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC)Act 1999

VU Listed as Nationally Vulnerable

EN Listed as Nationally Endangered

EX Listed as Nationally Extinct

CR Listed as Nationally Critically Endangered

Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in

Victoria (DSE 2013), Advisory List of Threatened

Invertebrate Fauna in Victoria (DSE 2009).

EX Listed as Extinct in Victoria

RX Listed as Regionally Extinct in Victoria

EW Listed as Extinct in the Wild

CR Listed as Critically Endangered

EN Listed as Endangered

VU Listed as Vulnerable

NT Listed as Near Threatened

DD Listed as Data Deficient

INDIGENOUS DESIGN

1635 Main Road, Research, VIC, 3095

Melbourne | Morwell | Leongatha

ABN: 8310 4215 947

P (03) 9437 0555

F (03) 9437 2940

E [email protected]

www.iddesign.com.au

Documents

Report for Nillumbik Shire Council Structure Plan Project: Biodiversity Study - August 2013 Indigenous Design Land Management i Acknowledgements • Eddie Cheng – GIS Officer, Nillumbik