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Coexistence of Threatened Species and Maintenance Works . Paul Collins and Elizabeth Dixon. The Shoalhaven. The balancing act. National Park Vegetated land = Threatened flora and fauna habitat. Threatened species??? I haven’t seen any…. Green and Golden Bellfrog. Protected Federally - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Coexistence of Threatened Species and Maintenance Works
Coexistence of Threatened Species and Maintenance Works Paul Collins andElizabeth Dixon
The Shoalhaven
The balancing actNational ParkVegetated land
= Threatened flora and fauna habitat
Over 100 threatened species some occur near riparian areas4
Others near the coast5
And some, like these orchids in bushland6
And others in drains.or so we thought7
Threatened species??? I havent seen any..Weve tried this approach..really no point ignoring them. The key message of this presentation is that if you put systems in place your core work can continue.
8Green and Golden BellfrogProtected FederallyProtected in NSWHas a Recovery PlanCrippled by disease
Struggling to survive everywhere except in the Shoalhaven
Favourite habitat
SwampSwampEquestrian CommonCouncil operated CemeteryWorrigeeUrban area
Tragedy of the common.
From This
To ThisThe perfect conditions early 2010Heavy summer rainfallPonding where previously dryRepeat intense rain eventsOther frogs to eatFlushing of predator fishNearby swampOvercoming killer fungus
= millions of frogs +Blocked drains
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!work
=Big problemsFrogs invading urban area need to educateFrogs and graves dont mixDisruption of drain maintenance no dig, slash or sprayHalt to construction projectsDelays to DAsConfusion Complaints of floodingWork crews scared of being finedCant maintain the equestrian or sporting fields
Had to find a way to continue maintenance without having a significant impact on the frogs
Sustainable management = gather more information
What = significant impact? Traffic Casualties?Slashing?What = sustainable impact?20Large Events scheduled threat of cancellation
Short term Response Mayor appeal for public understandingInvolved NPWSJoint media release stressing the positive nature of breeding eventLetterbox drops - educationEcologist in to advise rope off areas to minimise impact Up-skill ground crews to identify the frogSet mitigation measures for equestrian events
Too hop to handle
Back to the issues surrounding the Common21
One of the mitigation measuresSimple but effective!Working with the Media
Make your staff available, dont leave it to chance Educate no overnight solution
Stopping Australia from mowing its lawnThe most powerful frog in the nationReality vs a good story
23Life and death along the food chainHop PropertyCarnivorous devil frog a danger to domestic pets
GGBF before 20101998 became aware of GGBF at Culburra Beach2000 Mgmt Plan developed for drainage maintenance2000 to 2009 Drought, No Frogs for many years2008/09 GGBF study to test the need for current restrictions - but too dry to be conclusive, defer till 09/10
26GGBF 2010 +Summer 2009/10 Wet conditionsEarly 2010 - massive increase in GGBF numbersNew areas affectedMore activities affected drains, roadsides, mowingA extra study required atWorrigee & Crookhaven River FloodplainStudies lead to standardoperating procedures
Valuable InformationStudies & local experts:Suitable habitat areasActual sightings locations recordedBreeding times & locations Foraging times & locationsDispersal corridorsControl Measures to mitigateimpactStd Operating Procedures
Example of coded map
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Adjusting work practicesFundamental shift Environmental staff now play a key role in delivery of engineering activities & projects
Proactive use of environmental legislation to protect staff
Consistent documentation of mitigation measures
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
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
Standard Procedures were developed for Road & Drainage Maintenance activities Office of Environment & Heritage authorised these procedures & issued a Section 95(5) Certificate under the Threatened Species Conservation Act indicating a Permit to Harm is not required if these procedures are used. So Drainage & Shoulder grading & other roadside activities resume
33
Broadening this approach to other areas
E.g. Flood mitigation drains Key fish habitat Acid sulfate soils Endangered Ecological Communities Threatened SpeciesNext stockpile sites, work adjacent to Nat Pk EstatesThe less you know the more conservative your operations will be34Lessons LearntSustainable solutions are possibleEmbed qualified help ecologists into works and services maintenance and construction teamsDevelop processes to mitigate impactsKnow the legislation and protect your staff Get to know the population/speciesTalk to OEH and NPWS very helpfulUse the legislation e.g. TSC Act, Infrastructure SEPPEducate your work crewsAvoid, mitigate, demonstrate no significant impact
Excellence in the Environment Awards Highly commendedCategory:Natural Environment Protection and Enhancement: On Ground Works
Sharing good outcomes - not always second natureKeynote Case study at Happy Maintaining
Questions?