part of the range. Coomallo IBA is within 5 km of the survey area, with the actual Coomallo
Reserve lying adjacent to the eastern boundary of the survey area. This IBA supports
populations of Carnaby's Black Cockatoo (up to 40 breeding pairs), and is identified as an
important breeding area for the species (Dutson et al. 2009)
. In addition to Carnaby’s Black
Cockatoo, the Coomallo IBA is known to maintain five other bird species recognised as globally
important populations. These are the Western Long-billed Corella, Regent Parrot, Rufous
Treecreeper, Blue-breasted Fairywren and Western Spinebill.
GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834 | 17
3.5.4
Pre-European vegetation associations and extent
Broad scale (1:250,000) pre-European vegetation mapping of the Geraldton Sandplains area
was completed by Beard (1979) at an association level. The mapping indicates that three
vegetation associations are present within the survey area:
Medium woodland; marri & wandoo (association 4)
Mosaic: Shrublands; hakea scrub-heath / Shrublands; dryandra heath (association 1031)
Mosaic: Medium woodland; marri, wandoo, powder bark / Shrublands; dryandra heath
(association 1032).
The pre-European mapping was adapted and digitised by Shepherd et al. (2002). The extents
of the vegetation associations have been determined by the State-wide vegetation remaining
extent calculations maintained by DPaW (latest update May 2016
–
Government of Western
Australia (GoWA) 2015). The current extent remaining of vegetation association 1032 is greater
than 30 % of the pre-European extent at all scales (e.g. State, IBRA Bioregion, IBRA Sub-region
and Local Government Area (LGA), and is therefore above the 30 % threshold level
3
.
Vegetation association 4 has less than 30 % of its pre-European extent remaining as the State
level, however is greater than 30 % at the IBRA Bioregion, IBRA Sub-region and Local
Government Area (LGA) level. Vegetation association 1031 has less than 30 % of its pre-
European extent remaining as the LGA level, however is greater than 30 % at the State, IBRA
Bioregion and IBRA Sub-region level. The extent remaining for each association is summarised
in Table 5.
Table 5
Pre-European vegetation extents (Beard 1979, GoWA 2015)
Vegetation
association
Scale
Pre-
European
extent (ha)
Current
extent (ha)
Remaining
(%)
% Current
extent in all
DPaW
managed
lands
4
State: Western
Australia
1,054,279.89 293,916,.91 27.88
22.74
IBRA Bioregion:
Geraldton
Sandplains
5,336.70
2,130.04
39.91
18.87
IBRA Sub-region:
Lesueur Sandplain
5,336.70
2,130.04
39.91
18.87
LGA: Shire of
Dandaragan
6,476.43
2,777.00
42.88
21.28
1031
State: Western
Australia
269,490.91
88,606.02
32.88
42.30
IBRA Bioregion:
Geraldton
Sandplains
241,349.97
83,154.99
34.45
44.13
IBRA Sub-region:
Lesueur Sandplain
241,349.97
83,154.99
34.45
44.13
LGA: Shire of
Dandaragan
230,488.23
67,978.55
29.49
52.13
1032
State: Western
Australia
8,317.21
6,472.06
77.82
79.23
3
The 30 % threshold level is the level below which species loss appears to accelerate exponentially at an
ecosystem level (EPA 2000).
18 | GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834
Vegetation
association
Scale
Pre-
European
extent (ha)
Current
extent (ha)
Remaining
(%)
% Current
extent in all
DPaW
managed
lands
IBRA Bioregion:
Geraldton
Sandplains
8,317.21
6,472.06
77.82
79.23
IBRA Sub-region:
Lesueur Sandplain
8,317.21
6,472.06
77.82
79.23
LGA: Shire of
Dandaragan
3,075.84
2,653.17
86.26
78.06
3.6
Conservation significant ecological communities
A search of the EPBC Act PMST database did not identify any Commonwealth listed TECs
within the study area. However, a search of the DPaW TEC database identified the presence of
two TECs within the study area. The two TECs include:
Lesueur-Coomallo Floristic Community A1.2, listed as Endangered under the WC Act.
This community is described as species-rich heath with emergent Hakea obliqua on sand
with faithful species of Hakea obliqua and Beaufortia aff. elegans and constant species of
Dasypogon bromeliifolius and Stirlingia latifolia over well-drained grey sand over pale
yellow sand on lateritic uplands. Associated species include Allocasuarina humilis,
Calothamnus sanguineous, Hibbertia hypericoides, Hypocalymma xanthopetalum and
Schoenus subflavus. This community is found north of the survey area, within Lesueur
National Park
Lesueur-Coomallo Floristic Community D1, listed as Critically Endangered under the WC
Act. This community comprises a species-rich low heath, on moderately to well-drained
lateritic gravels on lower slopes and low rises, dominated by Allocasuarina microstachya
with A. ramosissima, A. humilis, Baeckea grandiflora, Borya nitida, Calytrix flavescens,
Calothamnus sanguineous, Conostylis androstemma, Cryptandra pungens, Banksia
armata, Gastrolobium polystachyum, Hakea auriculata, H. incrassata, H. aff. erinacea,
Hibbertia hypericoides, Hypocalymma xanthopetalum, Melaleuca trichophylla, Petrophile
chrysantha, Schoenus subflavus and Xanthorrhoea drummondii. This community has
previously been recorded within the survey area.
The database search also identified the presence of three PECs within the study area. The
three PECs have all previously been recorded within the survey area and include:
Lesueur-Coomallo Floristic Community DFGH (Priority 1) is described as mixed species-
rich heath on lateritic gravel with Hakea erinacea, Melaleuca platycalyx and Petrophile
seminuda: a fine scale mixture of four floristically-defined communities occurring on
lateritic slopes. The four communities include 'D' Heath and woodlands on gravelly hills
and slopes, 'F', 'G' and 'H' Heath on duplex soils, on benched slopes and broad valleys.
Community 'D' comprises of five subtypes. D1: Allocasuarina microstachya Heath, D2:
Hakea undulata Heath (Gravel type), D3: Leucopogon Heath, D4: Darwinia neildiana
Heath and D5: Petrophile chrysantha Heath. Community 'F' comprises of Hakea erinacea
Heath, Community 'G' of Melaleuca platycalyx Heath and 'H' of Petrophile seminuda
heath
Lesueur-Coomallo Floristic Community M2 ( Melaleuca preissiana woodland) (Priority 1) is
described as a Melaleuca preissiana woodland along sandy drainage lines with faithful
GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834 | 19
species of Anigozanthos pulcherrimus and constant species of Chamaescilla corymbosa,
Petrophile brevifolia and Xanthorrhoea reflexa
Petrophile chrysantha low heath on Lesueur dissected uplands (Gp200-170) (Priority 2) is
described as a Petrophile chrysantha low heath on Lesueur dissected uplands.
Associated species include Banksia armata and Hakea undulata.
3.7
Flora
3.7.1
Flora diversity
A search of the NatureMap database identified 1,595 plant taxa, representing 91 families and
371 genera, which have previously been recorded within the study area. This total comprised
1,506 native flora taxa and 89 naturalised (non-native) flora taxa. Dominant families include
Myrtaceae (228 taxa), Proteaceae (185 taxa), Fabaceae (167 taxa) and Asteraceae (77 taxa).
The NatureMap database search is provided in Appendix C.
3.7.2
Conservation significant flora
Desktop searches of the EPBC Act PMST database, NatureMap database, and the DPaW
TPFL and WA Herbarium databases identified the presence/potential presence of 190
conservation significant flora taxa within the study area.
The desktop searches recorded:
36 taxa listed as Threatened under either the EPBC Act and/or the WC Act
14 Priority 1 taxa listed by the DPaW
47 Priority 2 taxa
64 Priority 3 taxa
29 Priority 4 taxa.
The locations of conservation significant flora registered on the DPaW databases are provided
in Figure 2, Appendix A. A Likelihood of Occurrence assessment for the conservation significant
flora is provided in Appendix D.
3.7.3
Introduced flora (weeds)
A search of the NatureMap (DPaW 2016) database identified 89 introduced flora taxa previously
recorded within the study area. One is listed as a Declared Pest (s22) under the Biosecurity and
Management Act 2007 (BAM Act), * Asparagus asparagoides, with C3 management required in
the whole of state. None are listed as a Weed of National Significance (WoNS) (DotEE 2016d).
3.8
Fauna
3.8.1
Fauna diversity
A search of NatureMap identified 187 vertebrate native fauna taxa previously recorded within 20
km of the survey area. This total included 17 mammals (three introduced), 10 amphibians, 111
birds, 47 reptiles and 2 fish. The EPBC Act PMST indicated the potential presence of nine
additional fauna taxa within 20 km of the survey area.
3.8.2
Conservation significant fauna
Searches of the EPBC Act PMST and NatureMap database identified the presence/potential
presence of 16 conservation significant fauna species (Appendix E). Species identified by the
PMST as marine and migratory marine were excluded from this assessment as no marine
20 | GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834
habitats were present within or nearby the survey area, however species identified by the PMST
as migratory terrestrial and wetland were considered as part of this assessment.
In addition to the 16 species identified by the database searches, five additional species were
also considered for this assessment as a result of a review of the species listed under
Schedules 1-3 and 5-7 of the WC Act (revised 20 November 2015) to occur within the DPaW
Swan region (DPaW 2015).
GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834 | 21
4.
Field results
4.1
Vegetation
4.1.1
Vegetation types
Fourteen vegetation types (VT) were identified and described from the survey area (Table 6 and
Figure 3, Appendix A). The soil type varied throughout the survey area from white/grey sandy
soils on slopes and plains to heavy brown/light brown clay loam soils in drainage lines. Sandy
loam soils were also found throughout the survey area on slopes and plains. The varying soil
types also had varying degrees of lateritic gravel present, from no gravel through to lateritic
boulders. The survey area is dominated by woodlands comprising of either Eucalyptus wandoo
(VT10), Corymbia calophylla (VT09) or a mixed woodland of Eucalyptus todtiana, Banksia
attenuata and B. menziesii (VT05) (27.61%, 30.99% and 11.02% of the survey area
respectively). VT01 is the most restricted vegetation type and occurs on light brown clay/sandy
loam soils on slopes with lateritic gravel occupying only 0.11 ha of the survey area. VT03 and
VT07 are associated with Melaleuca species along drainage lines, with VT10 also occurring in
the valleys between low rises. The remaining seven vegetation types are all heathlands with the
vegetation rarely exceeding 1500 mm and comprised of a range of species at varying densities.
The areas recovering from previous material extraction activities along the eastern boundary of
the survey area is comprised of a similar species composition as the surrounding vegetation
and has not been mapped as a separate vegetation type. Areas identified as cleared/highly
disturbed (VT14) are areas that have been cleared for pasture species with emergent/isolated
Corymbia calophylla, Eucalyptus wandoo and Melaleuca rhaphiophylla trees.
4.1.2
Other significant vegetation
All of the native vegetation within the survey area is considered significant vegetation as defined
by the EPA and DPaW (2015) due to the majority of the survey area being classified in a
Pristine condition that contains different combinations of taxa associated with a variety of
heathlands and provides a linkage between Lesueur National Park and Coomallo Nature
Reserve. In addition, the vegetation is a refuge for a number of conservation significant flora
that occur throughout the survey area in a variety of vegetation types.
22 | GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834
Table 6
Vegetation associations recorded during the field survey
Vegetation types
Description
Landform and
substrate
Extent (ha) and
Locality
Representative photograph
Allocasuarina
microstachya
heathland (VT01)
Heathland of Allocasuarina microstachya with
A. humilis, Banksia armata, Hakea incrassata,
Hibbertia hypericoides, Hypocalymma
xanthopetalum and Melaleuca ? trichophylla
over sparse rushland Schoenus
? nanus/ latitans, S. subflavus and isolated
sedges of Lepidobolus quadratus (P3) over
isolated grasses Neurachne alopecuroidea
with Xanthorrhoea drummondii.
Light brown
clay/sandy loam soils
on slopes with
lateritic gravel.
0.11 ha
Quadrat: HR01
Petrophile
chrysantha
heathland (VT02)
Heathland of Petrophile chrysantha with
Banksia armata, Calothamnus sanguineus,
Daviesia nudiflora, Hakea anadenia, Hakea
erinacea and Hibbertia hypericoides over
sparse rushland Schoenus ? nanus/ latitans,
and isolated sedge Lepidosperma squamatum
with isolated herbs ? Craspedia sp., Burchardia
sp., Tetratheca paucifolia and Anigozanthos
humilis over isolated grasses Neurachne
alopecuroidea.
Grey sandy clay soils
on slopes with
lateritic gravel.
4.26 ha
Quadrat: HR04
Melaleuca
preissiana open
woodland (VT03)
Melaleuca preissiana open woodland over
sparse shrubland M. ? delta and Acacia saligna
over open heathland Verticordia sp.,
Calothamnus quadrifidus and Hakea varia over
isolated herbs Drosera ? macrantha,
Chamaescilla corymbosa, Trachymene pilosa
and Tricoryne elatior.
Grey sandy drainage
lines.
3.64 ha
Quadrat: HR02
GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834 | 23
Vegetation types
Description
Landform and
substrate
Extent (ha) and
Locality
Representative photograph
Melaleuca
platycalyx
heathland and
Eucalyptus wandoo
subsp. pulverea
woodland (VT04)
Eucalyptus wandoo subsp. pulverea woodland
over Melaleuca platycalyx heathland with
Gastrolobium polystachyum, Banksia armata,
Calothamnus sanguineus, G. spinosum,
Hakea neospathulata and Hibbertia
hypericoides over isolated herbs Tetratheca
paucifolia and Opercularia vaginata with
sparse grassland of Neurachne alopecuroidea
and Xanthorrhoea drummondii.
Orange sandy clay
soils on hill crest and
slopes with lateritic
pebbles.
29.27 ha
Quadrat: HR03
Eucalyptus
todtiana, Banksia
attenuata and B.
menziesii
woodland (VT05)
Eucalyptus todtiana, Banksia attenuata and
Banksia menziesii woodland over heathland
Adenanthos cygnorum subsp. cygnorum,
Eremaea spp., Hibbertia spp., Banksia
candolleana and Jacksonia floribunda over
sparse herbland Blancoa canescens,
Conostylis spp., Drosera spp. and Johnsonia
pubescens subsp. pubescens.
White sandy plain.
219.93 ha
Quadrat: HR10;
HR12
Xanthorrhoea and
Kingia heathland
(VT06)
Xanthorrhoea spp. and Kingia australis
heathland with Banksia spp., Calothamnus
spp., Cryptandra spp., Hakea spp., Hibbertia
spp. over isolated rushes Caustis dioica and
Schoenus spp. and sparse herbland of
Conostylis spp., Drosera spp. and Stylidium
spp.
White sandy soils on
slopes and plains
with lateritic gravel.
160.24 ha
Quadrat: HR09;
HR11; HR14; HR16;
HR18
24 | GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834
Vegetation types
Description
Landform and
substrate
Extent (ha) and
Locality
Representative photograph
Melaleuca
rhaphiophylla
woodland (VT07)
Melaleuca rhaphiophylla woodland with
Eucalyptus rudis over open shrubland Pimelea
argentea, M. viminea, Calothamnus
quadrifidus and Trymalium odoratissimum over
open heathland Hypocalymma angustifolium,
M. platycalyx and Acacia spp. over open
herbland *Lysimachia arvensis, *Romulea
rosea and *Ursinia anthemoides.
Brown clayey loam
soils on drainage
lines and seasonally
wet flats.
31.67 ha
Quadrat: HR08;
HR15
Ecdeiocolea
monostachya
herbland (VT08)
Ecdeiocolea monostachya herbland with
Drosera spp. and Burchardia sp. with open
heathland Allocasuarina microstachya,
Banksia armata, B. shuttleworthiana, Daviesia
nudiflora, Hibbertia hypericoides and
Opercularia vaginata over isolated rushes
Schoenus ?nanus/latitans.
Grey sandy soils on
slopes.
24.01 ha
Quadrat: HR13
Corymbia
calophylla
woodland (VT09)
Corymbia calophylla woodland over heathland
Acacia spp., Banksia shuttleworthiana,
Conospermum sp., Hibbertia hypericoides and
Hakea spp. over isolated rushes
Lepidosperma sp., Mesomelaena
pseudostygia and Schoenus ?clandestinus
with isolated grasses Neurachne
alopecuroidea and Xanthorrhoea preissii.
Grey sandy soils on
slopes and plains.
618.12 ha
Quadrat: HR06;
HR19
GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834 | 25
Vegetation types
Description
Landform and
substrate
Extent (ha) and
Locality
Representative photograph
Eucalyptus wandoo
subsp. pulverea
woodland (VT10)
Eucalyptus wandoo subsp. pulverea woodland
over isolated heath Banksia armata, Acacia
pulchella, Hakea lissocarpha, Hypocalymma
angustifolium and Macrozamia fraseri over
sparse herbland Drosera spp., *Romulea
rosea, Trachymene pilosa and Lagenophora
huegelii with sparse grassland Neurachne
alopecuroidea, Rytidosperma sp. and
Xanthorrhoea drummondii.
Brown clay loam
soils on slopes and
drainage lines.
550.73 ha
Quadrat: HR05
Banksia attenuata
open heathland
(VT11)
Banksia attenuata open heathland over
Eremaea asterocarpa, Hibbertia hypericoides,
Hypocalymma xanthopetalum, Melaleuca
?tinkeri, Stirlingia latifolia and Strangea
cynanchicarpa over sparse rushland
Mesomelaena pseudostygia and Schoenus
spp. with isolated herbs Conostylis spp.,
Drosera spp. and Stylidium spp.
White sandy soils on
slopes.
16.64 ha
Quadrat: HR20
Mixed heath with
isolated clumps of
mallee (VT12)
Heathland of Allocasuarina humilis, Cryptandra
pungens, Hakea anadenia, Hibbertia
hypericoides, Conostephium preissii and
Hypocalymma xanthopetalum with isolated
clumps of mallee Eucalyptus drummondii, E.
wandoo subsp. pulverea and Corymbia
calophylla over sparse rushland Lepidosperma
spp. and Schoenus spp. with isolated herbs
Conostylis spp., Drosera spp. and Stylidium
spp. and sparse grassland Neurachne
alopecuroidea, and Xanthorrhoea drummondii.
Orange sandy loam
soils on slopes with
occasional lateritic
pebbles.
85.04 ha
Quadrat: HR07
26 | GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834
Vegetation types
Description
Landform and
substrate
Extent (ha) and
Locality
Representative photograph
Melaleuca
?concreta
heathland (VT13)
Melaleuca ?concreta heathland with
Calothamnus quadrifidus, Hakea lissocarpha,
M. platycalyx and Verticordia sp. over isolated
herbs Borya sphaerocephala, Drosera spp.
and Stylidium sp. with isolated rushes Ficinia
nodosa and Mesomelaena pseudostygia.
Brown sandy loam
soils on slopes with
occasional lateritic
pebbles.
3.14 ha
Quadrat: HR17
Pasture with
emergent trees
(VT14)
Pasture species with emergent/isolated
Corymbia calophylla, Eucalyptus wandoo
subsp. pulverea and Melaleuca rhaphiophylla
trees.
-
247.94 ha
GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834 | 27
4.1.3
Vegetation condition
The vegetation condition within the survey area was rated as between Pristine and Completely
Degraded. The majority of vegetation throughout the survey area was rated as Pristine; in these
areas the vegetation was pristine, or nearly so with no obvious signs of disturbance when
removed from the access tracks. Areas mapped as Excellent appeared to be affected by more
recent fires, with the occasional weed species present. The areas mapped as Very Good are
largely restricted to creeklines and bordering previously cleared areas. These areas have a
higher density of herbaceous introduced species present in the understorey with numerous
diggings and grazing by feral pigs. The areas mapped as Degraded are areas that have been
historically cleared for material extraction where a few native species are recovering. The area
mapped as Completely Degraded is largely restricted to the area surrounding the homestead
and the cleared paddock area within the central eastern boundary of the survey area. These
areas are comprised of isolated native trees over predominantly * Arctotheca calendula.
The extents of the vegetation condition ratings mapped within the survey area are provided in
Table 7 with the vegetation condition of the survey area mapped in Figure 4, Appendix A.
Table 7
Extent of vegetation condition ratings within the survey area
Vegetation Condition
Extent (ha)
Pristine
1220.51 ha
Excellent
502.69 ha
Very Good
19.06 ha
Degraded
4.54 ha
Completely Degraded
247.94 ha
Total
1994.74 ha
4.2
Conservation significant ecological communities
The known location of the TEC ‘Lesueur
-
Coomallo Floristic Community D1’ and the three PECs
(‘Lesueur
-
Coomallo Floristic Community DFGH’; ‘Lesueur
-Coomallo Floristic Community M2
( Melaleuca preissiana
woodland)’; ‘
Petrophile chrysantha low heath on Lesueur dissected
uplands (Gp200-
170)’) that were identified during the desktop search as occurring
within the
survey area (See Section 3.6.2) were targeted during the field survey. The conservation
significant ecological communities identified within the survey area and the associated
vegetation types are described below:
Lesueur-Coomallo Floristic Community D1, listed as Critically Endangered under the WC
Act. VT01 is associated with this TEC. Quadrat data from HR01 contain most of the
species that are identified with this TEC. In addition, the density of the Allocasuarina
within this vegetation type stands out in the landscape amongst the heath
VT03 is associated with the Lesueur-Coomallo Floristic Community M2 ( Melaleuca
preissiana woodland) Priority 1 PEC. Quadrat data from HR02 contains all the species
identified in the community description from DPAW, with the exception of Anigozanthos
pulcherrimus which may have been missed during the survey due to the species not
being in flower. No other areas identified within the survey area contained the density of
Melaleuca preissiana along the drainage lines
VT04 is associated with the Lesueur-Coomallo Floristic Community DFGH Priority 1 PEC,
in particular ‘D’ heath and woodlands on gravelly hills and slopes. The woodland is
characterised with Eucalyptus wandoo with the quadrat and observational data from
HR03 containing all five species identified within the subtypes. Locally, Melaleuca
platycalyx was one of the more dominant shrubs
28 | GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834
VT02 is associated with the Petrophile chrysantha low heath on Lesueur dissected
uplands (Gp200-170) Priority 2 PEC. Quadrat data from HR04 contains the three species
identified in the community description from DPAW. In addition, no other heath areas
within the survey area contained similar species composition.
4.2.1
Flora diversity
The field survey recorded 344 taxa (including subspecies and varieties) representing 51 families
and 149 genera within the survey area. This total comprised 330 native species and 13
introduced (exotic) species. Due to the absence of adequate flowering parts and/or fruiting
bodies required for identification, nine taxa could only be tentatively identified to family and 56
taxa could only be tentatively identified to genera. Due to the high floral diversity of the survey
area and the numerous conservation significant taxa previously recorded within the study area
(See section 3.6.4), there is no certainty that collections without flowering or fruiting material are
common or conservation significant flora identified in the desktop assessment.
Dominant families recorded from the survey area included:
Proteaceae (59 taxa)
Fabaceae (45 taxa)
Myrtaceae (39 taxa)
Haemodoraceae (18 taxa)
Cyperaceae (13 taxa)
Orchidaceae (13 taxa).
Annual species represented 6.12 % of all recorded plant species within the survey area. The
average species richness for the 20 quadrats was 38.55 +/- 1.74 (mean +/- standard error of the
mean), with a range of 25 to 53 species per quadrat.
A flora species list for the survey area is provided in Appendix D.
4.2.2
Conservation significant flora
The location of conservation significant flora recorded during the survey is presented in Figure
3, Appendix A.
EPBC Act and WC Act
One EPBC Act and WC Act listed flora taxa was recorded within the survey area during the
2016 survey, Hakea megalosperma (listed as Vulnerable under both the EPBC Act and WC
Act). Hakea megalosperma (Plate 2) is known from 91 records (DPaW 2016). Most of the
records are located within the region surrounding Jurien Bay, with a single record located north
of Albany near the Stirling Ranges. This species was recorded from two locations within the
survey area (Figure 3) with up to 12 shrubs (including juveniles) recorded within 20 m at each
location.
GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834 | 29
Plate 2
Hakea megalosperma
recorded within survey area (J Foster)
DPaW Priority Listed Flora Taxa
Eight Priority flora taxa were recorded from the survey area:
Acacia retrorsa (Priority 2)
Grevillea delta (Priority 2)
Thelymitra variegata (Priority 2)
Hensmania stoniella (Priority 3)
Lepidobolus quadratus (Priority 3)
Stylidium ?hymenocraspedum (Priority 3)
Stylidium ?torticarpum (Priority 3)
Hakea neurophylla (Priority 4).
Acacia retrorsa (Plate 3) is known from 33 records (DPaW 2016). All of the records are located
within the region surrounding Jurien Bay. This species was recorded from three locations within
the survey area on slopes and in drainage lines (Figure 3). Species confirmed by Michael Hislop
from the WA Herbarium (Accession Number 6917).
Plate 3
Acacia retrorsa
recorded within survey area (M Gannaway)
Grevillea delta (Plate 4) is known from 22 records (DPaW 2016). All of the records are located
within the region surrounding Jurien Bay. This species was recorded from a single location
30 | GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834
within the survey area on the lower slope, adjacent to a drainage line (Figure 3). Species
confirmed by Michael Hislop from the WA Herbarium (Accession Number 6917).
Plate 4
Grevillea delta
recorded within survey area (J Foster)
Thelymitra variegata (Plate 5) is known from 52 records (DPaW 2016). Records are mainly
scattered along the coastal areas from Perth to Albany, with two records located in the
Wheatbelt. A single record is located north of Perth near Lesueur National Park. This species
was recorded from a single location within the survey area on a white sandy plain (Figure 3).
Plate 5
Thelymitra variegata
recorded within survey area (J Foster)
Hensmania stoniella (Plate 6) is known from 44 records (DPaW 2016). All of the records are
located within the region surrounding Jurien Bay. This species was recorded from a single
location within the survey area on the upper slope of a low rise with white sandy soil (Figure 3).
Species confirmed by Michael Hislop from the WA Herbarium (Accession Number 6917).
GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834 | 31
Plate 6
Hensmania stoniella
recorded within survey area (J Foster)
Lepidobolus quadratus (Plate 7) is known from 46 records (DPaW 2016). All of the records are
located within the region surrounding Jurien Bay. This species was recorded from two locations
within the survey area on the mid and upper slopes of a low rise with clayey sandy soil (Figure
3). Species confirmed by Michael Hislop from the WA Herbarium (Accession Number 6917).
Plate 7
Lepidobolus quadratus
recorded within survey area (J Foster)
Stylidium ?hymenocraspedum (Plate 8) is known from 27 records (DPaW 2016). All of the
records are located within the region between Jurien Bay and Lancelin. This species was
recorded from two locations within the survey area on grey sandy slopes of a low rise (Figure 3).
This species had insufficient flowering material to confirm to species, however the basal leaves
and labellum align with the description for this species.
32 | GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834
Plate 8
Stylidium
?
hymenocraspedum
recorded within survey area (J
Foster)
Stylidium ?torticarpum (Plate 9) is known from 59 records (DPaW 2016). The records are
spread along the coast from the north of Geraldton to the south of Lancelin. This species was
recorded from a single location within the survey area on brown clay loam soils within a
drainage line (Figure 3). This species had insufficient flowering material to confirm to species,
however the basal leaves and seed capsule align with the description for this species.
Plate 9
Stylidium
?
torticarpum
recorded within survey area (J Foster)
Hakea neurophylla (Plate 10) is known from 33 records (DPaW 2016). The records are spread
along the coast from the north of Geraldton to the south of Lancelin. This species was recorded
from two locations within the survey area on grey sandy soils on slopes (Figure 3). This species
had sufficient flowering material to positively identify at the WA Herbarium.
GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834 | 33
Plate 10
Hakea neurophylla
recorded within survey area (J Foster)
Likelihood of Occurrence
A Likelihood of Occurrence assessment was conducted post-field survey for all conservation
significant flora taxa identified in the desktop assessment (Appendix D). This assessment took
into account previous records, habitat requirements, efficacy of the survey, intensity of the
survey, flowering times and the cryptic nature of species.
The Likelihood of Occurrence assessment post-field survey concluded that seven taxa are
known to occur, two are likely to occur, 152 may possibly occur and the remaining 29 taxa are
unlikely or highly unlikely to occur within the survey area. A summary of the outcomes of
species considered as known or likely to occur is provided below (Table 8). The large number of
conservation significant taxa that are considered possibly to occur is due to the survey area
comprising of a varied landscape with a range of soils and landforms that align with the habitat
considered suitable for the species. In addition, most of the conservation significant taxa have
been recorded in the adjacent Lesueur National Park and Coomallo Nature Reserve.
Table 8
Summary of Likelihood of Occurrence Assessment
Species
State (WC
Act/ DPaW
listing)
Federal
(EPBC Act
listing)
Likelihood of Occurrence
Hakea megalosperma
VU
VU
Known
–
species was recorded
from within the survey area.
Acacia retrorsa
P2
-
Known
–
species recorded within
the survey area.
Grevillea delta
P2
-
Known
–
species was recorded
within the survey area.
Thelymitra variegata
P2
-
Known
–
species was recorded
from within the survey area.
Hensmania stoniella
P3
-
Known
–
species was recorded
from within the survey area.
34 | GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834
Species
State (WC
Act/ DPaW
listing)
Federal
(EPBC Act
listing)
Likelihood of Occurrence
Lepidobolus quadratus
P3
-
Known
–
species was recorded
from within the survey area.
Stylidium
?hymenocraspedum
P3
-
Likely
–
infertile specimen of this
species was potentially recorded
from within the survey area.
Stylidium ?torticarpum
P3
-
Likely
–
infertile specimen of this
species was potentially recorded
from within the survey area.
Hakea neurophylla
P4
-
Known
–
species was recorded
from within the survey area.
4.2.3
Introduced flora
The majority of the survey area is in a Pristine condition with the presence of introduced species
generally restricted to the cleared paddock area, along creeklines and the borders of vegetation
adjacent to previously cleared areas (see Section 4.1.3). Thirteen introduced taxa were
recorded within the survey area during the field survey (Appendix D). The most commonly
recorded weed species in the survey area include *Arctotheca calendula, *Hypochaeris glabra
and *Romulea rosea.
Weeds of National Significance and Declared Pests
No introduced species listed as a Declared Pest plant under Section 22 of the BAM Act or a
WoNS (DotEE 2016d), was recorded within the survey area.
4.2.4
Other significant flora
No other significant flora as defined by the EPA and DPaW (2015) was identified within the
survey area during the field survey.
4.3
Fauna
4.3.1
Fauna habitat
Seven main fauna habitat types were recorded during the field survey, which broadly aligned
with the vegetation associations described in section 4.1.1 and mapped in Figure 3, Appendix A
and include:
Wandoo Woodlands
Marri Woodland
Eucalyptus todtiana, Banksia attenuata/menziesii low Open Woodland
Minor drainage lines and seasonally inundated areas and dams
Heathlands on sandy soils
Heathlands on lateritic soils
Scattered trees of Wandoo and Marri in paddock.
GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834 | 35
The topography of survey area is undulating ranging from gentle to steep slopes with valleys
and small hills present. Several creek lines (from three drainage systems) drain to the east and
south, dividing the undulating terrain and low hills within the survey area. Soils were
predominantly sandy-clay grey loams in the valleys or white to orange sands in the heaths, with
some heaths along elevated areas having lateritic gravels or capping. Occasional exposed
lateritic ridgelines were also recorded on small hils.
The habitat types for the survey area are described in Table 9.
Habitat connectivity
The fauna habitats of the survey area are part of a contiguous largely intact area of remnant
vegetation within the local area and greater study area. To the north west of the survey area lies
Mount Lesueur National Park (26,987 ha) and Beekeeper Nature Reserve (120,000 ha) and to
the east Coomallo Nature Reserve (9,200 ha) with numerous areas of vegetated remnant
(freehold) lands surrounding. Outside of the reserved remnant areas the land has been
extensively cleared for agriculture and is part of the Western Australian Wheatbelt, with portions
of the western boundary of the survey area abutting cleared agricultural land. Within the survey
area a portion (248 ha) of land has previously been cleared. This area has some large habitat
trees scattered throughout, which could be utilised by some fauna species.
The ephemeral drainage lines are part of a larger network of watercourses ultimately draining
into the much larger tributaries of the Hill River and Coomallo Creek linking the survey area to
surrounding environments.
The southern boundary of the survey area borders Jurien Road and provides a barrier to some
fauna moving south through the landscape. Apart from the cleared area within the survey area,
a portion of agricultural land to the west and Jurien Road (and other minor access tracks) fauna
movement is largely unrestricted. Overall, the habitats within the survey area are largely
contiguous through the local area and mostly well connected with habitats through the greater
study area.
Disturbance
Portions of the habitats within the survey area have been impacted to some degree by past
disturbances including land clearing, dams, minor roads, fire and grazing. Minor roads make up
a very small area of impact and were probably maintained by farmers for access and fire
control. A small dwelling and associated infrastructure is present north of the large cleared area.
Cattle and horse grazing is evident in portions of the survey area, particularly in the cleared
areas or bushland adjacent to the cleared area. Feral pest disturbance was also present in
selected areas with pig activity most prevalent in the north and west and evidence of rabbits
also recorded in the survey area.
There were only small areas impacted by recent fire (less than 5 years) with the majority of the
survey area being longer unburnt (> 20 years) or a mosaic of old fire scars. Most of the recent
fire scars were in close proximity to the dwelling and infrastructure near the centre of the survey
area.
Habitat value
The survey area provides significant habitat diversity for many native fauna species, including
species of conservation significance. This is due to the diversity and quality of habitat types (e.g.
good to excellent structural and floristic diversity within each habitat type), good connectivity and
for supporting known and potential habitat values for conservation significant fauna species
(see Table 9). The habitats within the survey area are mostly intact, variable in composition and
well connected with habitats within the local area and greater study area.
36 | GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834
Aerial photography indicates the habitats of the survey area are well represented within the local
area and are probably well represented within the greater study area. The adjoining Mt Lesueur
National Park (and Beekeepers Nature Reserve) and Coomallo Nature Reserve are also known
to have high value (e.g. habitat quality) habitats for conservation significant fauna, with the
survey area linking these two highly important areas. The survey area plus the national park and
reserve create an area of approximately 158,187 ha of continuous habitat.
Important Bird Areas
Five avian species considered important populations were recorded during the field syurvey and
include the Western Long-billed Corella ( Cacatua pastinator
), Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo
( Calyptorhynchus latirostris), Blue-breasted Fairy Wren ( Malurus pulcherrimus), Western
Spinebill ( Acanthorhynchus superciliosus) and Rufous Treecreeper ( Climacteris rufa). They are
all considered to be part of “Globally Important Bird Populations” in this region (
Dutson et al.
2009). Of these species, the Western Long-billed Corella and
Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo
were
recorded breeding in Wandoo in the survey area.
GHD | Report for Main Roads Western Australia - Hill River Offset Property, 61/34834 | 37
Table 9
Fauna habitat types within survey area
Description
Indicative photograph
Wandoo Woodland
–
580 ha
Vegetation association: VT10 (550.73 ha), VT04 (29.27 ha)
This habitat type occurs across a large portion of the survey area in the valleys or areas of low rises and is
mostly dominated by Wandoo (Eucalyptus wandoo) with little understorey, however some areas had an
understorey of Melaleuca platycalyx heath of 30% cover. The overstorey consist of open woodland of
Wandoo trees (DBH >300 mm) at approximately 26 trees per hectare. These trees were often large (to 20
m) and provided small, medium and large hollows. Large hollows were present in approximately three trees
per hectare (based on stem density counts of trees with DBH > 300 mm). The shrub/midstorey layer was
sparse but sometimes moderate to dense in small patches and consisted of Acacia, Banksia and Hakea
species.
The soils consisted of brown clay loam with small areas of gravel incursion. Stony areas are present around
valley crests and in some areas formed small breakaways however these were small and scattered.
The majority of the Wandoo Woodland area appeared long unburnt (> 20 years) given the lack of historical
fire scar evidence. Some small areas (particularly those woodlands closest to the homestead) had more
recent burn scares (<5 years).
The woodland provides good denning and breeding opportunities for small native ground mammals, birds
and reptiles. Seven species of bird were recorded nesting in this habitat. The Western Long-billed Corella,
Ringneck Parrot ( Barnardius zonarius semitorquatus), Tree Martins ( Petrochelidon nigricans), Galah
( Eolophus roseicapilla)
and Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo were all recorded nesting in hollows while Australian
Raven ( Corvus coronoides) and Whistling Kite ( Haliastur sphenurus) were nesting in large trees. Animal
tracks, digs and occasional small burrows were recorded in this habitat type, most of which were from
Echidna ( Tachyglossus aculeatus) .
Fallen branches and logs were common in this habitat type with many having a range of hollow sizes. The
persistence of logs is probably an artefact of the lack of fire history. Leaf-litter and other forms of non-
vascular ground cover (dead plant material) was common beneath trees and shrubs.
Habitat value for fauna species of conservation significance
High value
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