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Stephen AmbroseAmbrose Ecological Services Pty Ltd

Statutory Instruments Protecting theEnvironmental Values of SOP

1. Commonwealth Environment Protection & BiodiversityConservation Act, 1999 (EPBC Act):

- wetlands protected by international treaty (Ramsar Convention);- wetlands protected by international treaty (Ramsar Convention);- nationally-listed threatened species, populations & ecological

communities;- nationally-listed migratory & marine species.- processes threatening the national status of threatened biota.

2. NSW National Parks & Wildlife Act, 1974

Protection of the State’s natural and cultural heritage, including NSWnative species and their habitats.

3. NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995 (TSC Act)

- NSW-listed threatened species, populations and ecologicalcommunities and their habitats.communities and their habitats.

- processes threatening the NSW status of threatened biota.

4. Environmental Planning & Assessment Act, 1979 (EP & A Act).

Facilitates major project and infrastructure delivery & economicdevelopment in NSW, while strengthening environmentalsafeguards and community participation.

5. Sydney Olympic Park Authority Act, 2001 (SOPA Act)

Requires SOPA to implement the principles if ecological sustainabledevelopment (ESD). Establishes the protection of the Park’s naturalheritage as a key function of SOPA.

Key Document: SOP Biodiversity Management Plan (introduced 2010, lastrevised 2014)

6. Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No. 24 – Homebush Bay(SREP 24).

Regulation of land-use at Homebush Bay.

7. State Environmental Planning Policy No. 14 – Coastal Wetlands(SEPP 14)

Recognition of environmentally significant coastal wetlands. Applies toHomebush Bay Wetlands.

Species Status CurrentRecord

Occ.Record

Hist.Record

Notes

Little Tern E (TSC) X

Black-tailed Godwit V (TSC) X Newington NR &Waterbird Refuge(last seen late 1990s)(last seen late 1990s)

Broad-billed Sandpiper V (TSC) X

Curlew Sandpiper V (TSC) X

Great Knot V (TSC) X

Australasian Bittern E(EPBC & TSC)

X X Narawang Wetland &Brickpit(periodic visitor)

Freckled Duck V (SC),M (EPBC)

X X Waterbird Refuge(occasional visitor)

Threatened Waterbirds Currently Recorded at SOP

Curlew Sandpiper Australasian Bittern Freckled Duck

Threatened Terrestrial Birds Recorded in SOP(4 spp.)

Species Status CurrentRecord

Occ.Record

Hist.Record

Notes

Eastern Grass Owl V (TSC) X Last recorded in 1982 inwetland near Bennelongwetland near BennelongRd.

Swift Parrot E(EPBC & TSC)

X Last recorded in 1991 inBicentennial Park.

Black-chinned Honeyeater V (TSC) X Last recorded in 1940s.

White-fronted Chat V, EP (TSC) X Known populationconsists of 3 male birds(2014) – salt marsh flats.

Threatened Terrestrial Birds Recorded in SOP

Eastern Grass Owl Swift Parrot

Black-chinned Honeyeater White-fronted Chat

Migratory Shorebirds Recorded in SOP Since 200631 species recorded historically in Homebush Bay, 12 in SOP since 2000.

Species Status Max No.2000-2006

Max No.Since 2007

Bar-tailed Godwit C, J, R 70 240

Common Greenshank C, J, R 6 1

Common Sandpiper C, J, R 5 1

Curlew Sandpiper C, J, R, E 37 8Curlew Sandpiper C, J, R, E 37 8

Marsh Sandpiper C, J, R 3 1

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper C, J, R 280 100

Red-necked Stint C, J, R 8 3

Pacific Golden Plover C, J, R 1 15

Ruddy Turnstone C, J, R - 1

Ruff C, J, R 1 -

Pectoral Sandpiper J 1 -

Eastern Curlew C, J, R 1 1

Migratory Shorebirds

Bar-tailed Godwit Red-necked Stint Common Greenshank

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Pacific Golden Plover Eastern Curlew

East Asian – Australasian Migratory Shorebird Flyway

Black-winged StiltResident shorebird in SOP wetlands. Breeding (Wilson ParkRemediation Ponds, Waterbird Refuge, Badu Mangroves) regionally-significant.

Latham’s SnipeLatham’s SnipeListed Migratory Species under EPBC Act.

Reliably inhabits Narawang Wetland, but also found in other wetlandsin SOP. 60-100 individuals recorded prior to 1990s, but has declinedsince due to habitat loss & disturbances. Current population c. 12 - 17individuals & stable.

Chestnut TealHomebush Bay Wetlands (esp. Waterbird Refuge & Mason ParkWetland) provide habitat for one of the largest concentrations ofChestnut Teal in NSW (> 300 birds).

Regionally-significant Species

Chestnut Teal Latham’s SnipeChestnut Teal Latham’s Snipe

Black-winged Stilt Red-rumped Parrot

Red-rumped Parrot:

SOP is the most easterly breeding distribution of species.Population in decline, ranging from 50 individuals (2004) to 18individuals (2008). 35 individuals in 2013.

Raptors:

SOP has a rich & diverse raptor community: 14 species (9 residentspecies, 5 occasional visitor species, 5 species nest in SOP).

Raptor Species in SOP

Species Resident Breed Occ. Visitor Park Areas

Australian Hobby X Open woodland.

Australian Kestrel X X Woodland, grassland, open sedgeareas.

Barn Owl X ? Open woodland.

Black Falcon X X Hunts in woodland. Roosts in treesnear wetlands.

Southern Boobook X ? Woodland & open grassland.

Brown Goshawk X X Treed areas. Nests in woodlandNewington NR.Newington NR.

Black-shouldered Kite X X Open grassland (esp. Woo-la-ra, theBrickpit, Newington Armory.

Collared Sparrowhawk X X Treed areas. Nests in woodland inNewington Nature Reserve.

Pacific Baza X One record, migratory.

Peregrine Falcon X Most park areas.

Spotted Harrier X Open woodland & Brickpit.

Swamp harrier X Saltmarsh and grassland areas.

Wedge-tailed Eagle X Open woodland & grasslands

White-bellied Sea-eagle X X Nests in Newington NR.

Raptors Breeding in SOP

White-bellied Sea-eagle

Brown GoshawkCollared Sparrowhawk

Raptors Breeding in SOPBlack-shouldered Kite

Australian Kestrel

Black-shouldered Kite

Local Threats to Waterbirds & Migratory Shorebirds

1. Inadequate habitat quantity or quality; habitat fragmentation.

2. Inappropriate hydrological regimes, September – March.

3. Mangrove encroachment into mudflats & saltmarsh habitats.

4. Saltmarsh encroachment into mudflat areas.4. Saltmarsh encroachment into mudflat areas.

5. Reduction of sight lines due to mangroves & casuarinas close tofood & roosting areas.

Local Threats to Waterbirds & Migratory Shorebirds

6. Trampling of habitats & disturbance to birds due to:

(a) contractor access & work requirements; and(b) public off-path & nocturnal access to WaterbirdRefuge & Newington NR.Refuge & Newington NR.

7. Increased demand for public access, noise & lighting.

8. Predation by foxes and cats.

9. Reduction of food abundance as a result of loss of waterquality.

Management of Threats to Shorebirds & Waterbirds

1. Tidal flushing of Newington NR wetlands (since 1997) andWaterbird Refuge (since 2007).

2. Removal of mangrove seedlings from mudflat and saltmarshhabitats.habitats.

3. Management of the spread of casuarinas where encroachmentthreatens shorebird habitat & mature trees reduce sight lines.

4. Public access to wetland perimeters restricted during the summermigration period.

Woodland Bird Report Card for SOP

59 woodland bird species recorded at SOP, 31 (52.5%) consideredwoodland dependent.

19 woodland dependent species, declining in abundance in Sydneyregion, 6 of these species at risk of decline in SOP:

Double-barred Finch Red-browed Finch Red-browed Finch Spotted Pardalote Superb Fairy-wren White-browed Scrubwren Yellow-rumped Thornbill

1. Low population viability of some species due to small size, lowgenetic variability, geographical isolation & small area ofavailable habitat.

2. Ongoing habitat modification, fragmentation or removal.

3. Low extent of high-quality woodland bird habitat in landscapedparkland areas; low habitat connectivity.parkland areas; low habitat connectivity.

4. Competition with aggressive bird species, e.g. Noisy Miners,Rainbow Lorikeets, Grey Butcherbirds, Aust Magpies, PiedCurrawongs.

5. Disturbance to birds, damage to habitat, by uncontrolled orunauthorised public access & off-lead dogs.

6. Pressures for increased public access, noise & lighting.

7. Predation by foxes, cats, ravens, gulls & other birds.

Some Local Hooligans

Noisy Miner Grey Butcherbird Pied Currawong

Rainbow Lorikeet

Australian White Ibis Australian Magpie

1. Conservation of remnant forest.

2. Staged removal of woody weeds (e.g. lantana) & shrub plantingin selected areas since 2006.= structurally complex habitat with developed shrub layer for= structurally complex habitat with developed shrub layer forwoodland birds.

3. Planting shrub and tree species in landscape areas that providestructural diverse woodland habitats.

4. Increased connectivity between woodland bird hotspots, e.g.Brickpit, Newington NR and Narawang Wetland.

5. Provision of nest boxes for hollow-dependent bird species (e.g.Red-rumped Parrot).