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Kilcoy Solar Farm – Revegetation Plan: Draft

Reference: R.B22885.004.00.Revegetation Plan

Date: April 2018 Confidential

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Document Control Sheet

BMT WBM Pty Ltd Level 8, 200 Creek Street Brisbane Qld 4000 Australia PO Box 203, Spring Hill 4004 Tel: +61 7 3831 6744 Fax: + 61 7 3832 3627 ABN 54 010 830 421 www.bmt.org

Document: R.B22885.004.00.Revegetation Plan

Title: Kilcoy Solar Farm – Revegetation Plan: Draft

Project Manager: Brad Grant

Author: Suanne Richards

Client: Ethos Urban

Client Contact: Morgan Randle

Client Reference:

Synopsis: This Revegetation Plan was prepared to support a Development Application for the Kilcoy Solar Farm. The plan provides revegetation specifications for waterways within a Bioregional Corridor and provides details on site condition, planting specifications, habitat features, weed control and monitoring and maintenance requirements for a 12 month period.

REVISION/CHECKING HISTORY

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Kilcoy Solar Farm – Revegetation Plan: Draft i

Contents


Contents

1 Background 1

1.1 Objectives 1

1.2 Scope 1

1.3 Key Legislation 1

1.4 Responsibilities and Obligations 4

2 Methodology 5

2.1 Data Review 5

2.2 Field Survey 5

3 Ecological Condition of the Site 7

3.1 Topography and Soils 7

3.2 Waterways 7

3.3 Pre-Clearing Vegetation and Site History 8

3.4 Matters of Environmental Significance 9

3.5 Site Ecological Condition and Values 9

3.5.1 Vegetation Communities 10

3.5.1.1 Alluvial Plains 10

3.5.1.2 Waterways 11

3.5.1.3 Hills and Gullies 12

3.5.2 Fauna Habitat and Assemblage 12

3.5.3 Threatened Taxa and Communities 14

3.5.3.1 Flora 14

3.5.3.2 Fauna 16

4 Revegetation Specifications 20

4.1 Site Planning and Preparation 20

4.2 Revegetation Zones and Planting Species 21

4.3 Revegetation Methods 27

4.3.1 Tubestock 27

4.3.1.1 Water 27

4.3.1.2 Mulch 27

4.3.2 Brush-matting 27

4.3.3 Long-stem Planting 27

4.4 Weed Control 29

4.5 Habitat Features 30

Kilcoy Solar Farm – Revegetation Plan: Draft ii

Contents


4.6 Access and Signage 30

4.7 Maintenance and Monitoring 30

5 References 32

List of Figures

Figure 1-1 Revegetation Site and Matters of Environmental Significance 3

Figure 4-1 Waterway Revegetation Plan Stream Orders 5 to 4 25

Figure 4-2 Waterway Revegetation Plan Stream Orders 3 to 2 26

Figure 4-3 Planting Guidelines (DLWC, 2001) 28

List of Tables

Table 3-1 Recommended Minimum Watercourse Setbacks and Revegetation Treatment Areas 8

Table 3-2 Pre Clearing Regional Ecosystems for the Site (Based on 2015 Pre Clearing RE Mapping (V10) and Current REDD, Qld Herbarium) 9

Table 3-3 Fauna Habitat Features and Values 13

Table 3-4 Threatened Flora Values For The Region 14

Table 3-5 Threatened Fauna Values For The Region 16

Table 4-1 General Staging of Project Activities 22

Table 4-2 Recommended Revegetation Species 22

Table 4-3 Target Riparian Weeds 30

Kilcoy Solar Farm – Revegetation Plan: Draft 1

Background


1 Background

Sunshine Energy Australia is proposing a renewable energy facility (solar farm) on over 2,100

hectares of land located approximately 15 kilometres west of Kilcoy, south-east Queensland. To

demonstrate compliance with Somerset Regional Council’s Planning Scheme, this Revegetation

Plan (the plan) was prepared for waterways on the following Lots designated under the Scheme’s

Biodiversity Corridor (the site):

• Lot 120 CG2692.

• Lot 2 SP203488.

• Lot 1 RP28556.

• Lot 2 SP210633.

• Lot B AD5039.

The aim of this plan is to restore native riparian vegetation and habitat condition of waterways to

enhance their contribution to the Regional Biodiversity Corridor. This plan provides conceptual

figures and supporting information on the location, site conditions, and revegetation specifications

for proposed waterway setbacks, including monitoring and maintenance requirements. Bank

stabilisation and erosion rehabilitation works are not addressed in this plan.

1.1 Objectives

The objective of this plan is to revegetate the riparian setbacks of waterways designated under the

Planning Scheme’s Biodiversity Corridor, using native vegetation compatible with pre-disturbance

conditions, in order to:

• Restore natural riparian vegetation functions in terms of habitat provision and waterway

protection; and

• Restore and enhance habitat connectivity within the Biodiversity Corridor.

1.2 Scope

This plan applies to proposed waterway setback treatment areas within the Biodiversity Corridor

(refer Figure 1-1 ).

1.3 Key Legislation

This plan has been developed with consideration of the following biodiversity-related legislation,

where applicable:

• Local: Somerset Regional Council Planning Scheme. Under the Scheme, Performance

Outcome (PO) 5 of the Biodiversity Code requires development to provide for restoration and

enhancement of land in the Biodiversity Corridor to restore and enhance functionality as a

corridor. PO3 of the Catchment Management Code also requires development to maintain and

rehabilitate riparian vegetation.


Background


• State: protection of matters of state environmental significance (MSES) listed under the

Vegetation Management Act 1999 (VM Act) and/or Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act); and

management of invasive pests listed under the Biosecurity Act 2014.

• Federal: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)

(protection of matters of national environmental significance (MNES), including listed threatened

communities and species).



Background


1.4 Responsibilities and Obligations

Potential stakeholders and their roles and responsibilities for revegetation and management of the

waterways within the site include:

• Somerset Regional Council: Somerset Regional Council Planning Scheme;

• Department of Environment and Heritage: Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened (EVNT)

species listed under the NC Act;

• Department of Natural Resources and Mines: Regulated Vegetation under the VM Act;

• Biosecurity Queensland: biosecurity matters regulated under the Biosecurity Act 2014;

• Construction Contractor: Implementation of the Construction Environmental Management Plan

addressing vegetation clearance and reinstatement; and

• Revegetation Contractor: Implementation of this plan to revegetate riparian setbacks of

waterways designated under the Planning Scheme’s Biodiversity Corridor.


Methodology


2 Methodology

Environmental attributes and management considerations for the site relevant to riparian

revegetation were identified based on data review and field survey.

2.1 Data Review

Key data sources reviewed to inform this plan included the following:

• Current and historic aerial photography.

• Somerset Regional Council Planning Scheme biodiversity overlays.

• 2015 Pre Clearing and Remnant Regional Ecosystem Mapping (Queensland Herbarium v10).

• Chenoweth EPLA and Bushland Restoration Services (2012) South East Queensland

Ecological Restoration Framework: Manual. Prepared on behalf of SEQ Catchments and South

East Queensland Local Governments, Brisbane.

• Ryan, T.S. (ed.) (2017) Technical Descriptions of Regional Ecosystems of Southeast

Queensland, (March, 2017). Queensland Herbarium, Department of Science, Information

Technology, Innovation and the Arts: Brisbane.

• Queensland Herbarium (2017). BioCondition benchmarks for Regional Ecosystems, (March,

2017). Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation: Brisbane.

• Regional Ecosystem Description Database, (March, 2017). Department of Science, Information

Technology and Innovation: Brisbane.

• Queensland Government SPP Interactive Mapping System – in regard to the State’s biodiversity

interests.

• Extracts of the following public access databases: Queensland Government WildNet Wildlife

Online; Atlas of Living Australia; and the Commonwealth Government on-line Protected Matters

search tool.

• Vegetation management reports. Department of Natural Resources and Mines.

2.2 Field Survey

A field survey of the site was undertaken to assess vegetation and habitat condition, focusing on

riparian corridors, to identify planting and management specifications for revegetation zones within

proposed waterway setbacks. The survey was conducted by a qualified ecologist with more than

20 years survey experience in south-east Qld. The following details were collected during the

survey:

• Site features including soils, topography and drainage.

• A list of dominant flora species, including weeds and species of special significance, for each

strata with estimates of height and cover/abundance.


Methodology


• Verification and identification of areas of flora conservation significance including, threatened

communities and taxa.

• Description of broad fauna habitat values within, and adjacent to, waterways including notable

records on the following:

○ habitat trees (i.e. trees with nests or hollows).

○ feed trees (particularly for gliders and bats).

○ threatened species habitat indicators.

• Disturbance history and management considerations such as weeds, fire, access, fencing,

erosion and clearing.


Ecological Condition of the Site


3 Ecological Condition of the Site

The following section describes the site’s attributes relevant to riparian revegetation, including soils,

topography, pre-clearing and current vegetation, significant fauna values and biodiversity

management considerations. The site description is summarised from the Kilcoy Solar Farm

Preliminary Ecological Assessment Report (BMT, 2018) which should be read in conjunction with

this plan.

Non-native species are denoted with an asterisk (*).

3.1 Topography and Soils

The main physical features of the site include:

• lowland alluvial plains and gently undulating lower slopes across the central and northern parts

of the site.

• hills and lowlands with rocky outcrops across the southern half of the site with footslopes

ranging in slope from 1 to 5% and steep middle and upper slopes ranging from 3 to >15%.

• significant erosion in some waterways due to extensive clearing and high grazing pressure, with

minor slope instability on the middle and upper slopes.

3.2 Waterways

The majority of the site drains in a northerly direction towards Neara Creek, a fifth order stream that

maintains permanent water throughout the year. The remainder of the site is dissected by 3rd order

to first order ephemeral waterways.

Figure 1-1 identifies waterways across the site and recommended minimum setbacks for

stormwater quality and riparian management. Recommended setbacks are based on stream

ordering and are broadly consistent with the SPP State Intersect Guidance Material - Water Quality

(DILGP 2017), but also consider watercourse structure and condition and ecological values based

on site survey. Using high resolution aerial photography, the high banks of stream orders 5 to 2

were mapped and confirmed in the field survey. Watercourses of stream order 1 were

predominantly confined to the lower foothills and did not support watercourse features, such as

high banks. Setbacks for stream order 1 were developed from the centreline determined by aerial

photography and site survey.

Based on the stormwater quality and ecological assessments of the site, Table 3-1 provides

recommendations for minimum watercourse setback and treatments for the entire Kilcoy solar farm

(the study area). This plan relates only to waterways designated under the Bioregional Corridor.

However, revegetation specifications detailed in Section 4 could be applied to all waterway

setbacks across the study area.




Table 3-1 Recommended Minimum Watercourse Setbacks and Revegetation Treatment Areas

Watercourse Recommended Minimum Setback and Treatment

Stream Order 5 • - 30m buffer from left and high bank.

• - bank stabilisation (earthworks / revegetation) of eroding and erosion prone sites.

• - within Strategic Biodiversity Corridor, 30m buffer to incorporate:

(i) 15m wide riparian planting from high bank (in accordance with the Revegetation Plan)

(ii) 15m vegetated open space (pasture) for stormwater treatment

Stream Order 4 • - 30m buffer from left and high bank

• - bank stabilisation (earthworks / revegetation) of eroding and erosion prone sites


(i) 15m wide riparian planting from high bank (in accordance with Revegetation Plan)





(i) 10m wide riparian planting from high bank (in accordance with Revegetation Plan)




Stream Order 1 • - 10m buffer from centreline


3.3 Pre-Clearing Vegetation and Site History

The site is dominated by cleared grazing land. Pre-clearing mapping indicates it supported a

mosaic of eucalypt woodlands dominated by Eucalyptus tereticornis, Eucalyptus crebra and

Eucalyptus melanophloia on the hills and lowlands overlaying granitic rock (land zone 12) with

minor patches of vine forest in the protected gullies. Low-lying floodplains associated with Neara

Creek supported E. tereticornis woodland with Eucalypts, Casuarina and Melaleuca fringing the

waterways (land zone 3). Table 3-2 summarises pre-clearing vegetation communities mapped

across the site.




Table 3-2 Pre Clearing Regional Ecosystems for the Site (Based on 2015 Pre Clearing RE Mapping (V10) and Current REDD, Qld Herbarium)

RE VMA Class Biodiversity Status

Description

12.12.12 Of concern Of concern Eucalyptus tereticornis, Corymbia intermedia, E. crebra +/- Lophostemon suaveolens woodland on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks

12.12.13 Least concern No concern at present

Araucarian Complex microphyll to notophyll vine forest on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks

12.12.7 Least concern No concern at present

Eucalyptus crebra woodland on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks

12.12.8 Of concern Of concern Eucalyptus melanophloia woodland on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks

12.3.3 Endangered Endangered Eucalyptus tereticornis woodland on Quaternary alluvium

12.3.7 Least concern Of concern Eucalyptus tereticornis, Casuarina cunninghamiana subsp. cunninghamiana +/- Melaleuca spp. fringing woodland

12.9-10.7 Of concern Of concern Eucalyptus crebra +/- E. tereticornis, Corymbia tessellaris, Angophora spp., E. melanophloia woodland on sedimentary rocks

12.9-10.8 Endangered Endangered Eucalyptus melanophloia, E. crebra woodland on sedimentary rocks

3.4 Matters of Environmental Significance

Based on BMT (2018), the following section describes environmental trigger mapping for the site

validated by field survey (refer to Figure 1-1):

• The regulated vegetation management map shows 17.3 ha of RE12.12.12 and 8.0 ha of RE

12.12.8 ha of Category B (remnant vegetation) across the site. An additional, 16 ha of remnant

RE12.12.12 has been mapped on site;

• No vegetation management wetlands, Essential Habitat or high risk areas on the flora survey

trigger map have been mapped on, or directly adjacent to, the site;

• Under the SEQ Regional Plan 2017, the site has been mapped within a regional biodiversity

corridor which has been identified as having rehabilitation opportunities to enhance east-west

connectivity between Benarkin State Forest, Deer Reserve State Forest and D’Aguilar National

Park;

• The regional biodiversity corridor mapped under the Regional Plan has been adopted under the

Somerset Region Planning Scheme as part of the biodiversity overlay; and

• Approximately 203 ha of Bushland Koala Habitat has been mapped within the site.

3.5 Site Ecological Condition and Values

The following section describes the flora and fauna condition and values of the site based on field

survey.




3.5.1 Vegetation Communities

Prior to disturbance the site would have supported E. tereticornis woodland on the floodplains with

fringing Eucalypt, Casuarina and Melaleuca along the waterways. Mixed Eucalypt woodlands

would have dominated the hills and lowlands with minor patches of vine forest in the protected

gullies. The majority of this vegetation, including riparian communities, has been cleared for

grazing and the site has been regularly cleared and burned to minimise native regrowth. Native

vegetation is restricted to habitats which are difficult to access with machinery, including steep

slopes, protected rocky gullies, narrow riparian reaches of Neara Creek, and isolated pockets of

fringing vegetation on ephemeral drainage channels.

As a result of the long-term, regular and intensive land management practices, the site is

dominated by native and exotic pasture of very low habitat diversity and complexity. Nine broad

vegetation communities were identified across the alluvial plains, watercourses, slopes and gullies

of the site, including:

• Pasture on alluvial plains.

• E. tereticornis open woodland on alluvial plains.

• Melaleuca viminalis riparian fringe.

• Macrophyte beds of open waterbodies.

• Swamp grasslands in waterlogged soils.

• Isolated riparian fringe.

• Dry rainforest in protected gullies.

• Mixed eucalypt woodland on granitic hills.

• Pasture on granitic slopes.

The vegetation and fauna habitat characteristics of the various landforms across the site are

described below.

3.5.1.1 Alluvial Plains

The alluvial floodplains of Neara Creek would have originally supported open E. tereticornis

woodland, over a sparse shrub understorey and a dense groundcover of native grasses. These

floodplains have been intensively cleared, burned and grazed and are now dominated by cultivated

pastures dominated by Heteropogon contortus, Bothriochloa decipiens and Bothriochloa bladhii.

Other species recorded in the pasture included:

• Grasses and herbs: Chloris gayana*, Themeda triandra, Leptochloa decipiens*, Panicum spp.*,

Paspalum dilatatum*, Andropogon virginicus*, Imperata cylindrica, Melinis repens*,

Cymbopogon refractus, Ambrosia artemisiifolia*, Verbena spp.*, Sida cordifolia*, Conyza

bonariensis*, Onopordum acanthium*, Tagetes minuta*, Capsella bursa-pastoris*, Gomphrena

celosioides*, Hypochaeris radicata*, Macroptilium lathyroides*, Macroptilium atropurpureum*,

Tridax procumbens*, Cyperus polystachyos, Bidens pilosa*, Juncus usitatus




Sparse and isolated shrubs: Acacia spp., Gomphocarpus physocarpus*, Opuntia stricta*,

Asclepias curassavica*, Crotalaria pallida*, Lespedeza subjuncea

Sparse and isolated trees: E. tereticornis, Corymbia tessellaris, Angophora subvelutina,

Lophostemon suaveolens, Ficus spp., Mallotus philippensis

Given the site’s history of regular clearing and burning and high grazing pressure, there was very

limited shrub and tree recruitment within the pasture. However, several large, isolated E.

tereticornis averaging 15-25m+ in height, have been retained and several of these contained

hollows (refer to Section 3.5.2 for a description of fauna habitat values).

The alluvial plains in the north of the site supported E. tereticornis open woodland averaging 10-15

m in height and 10-20% canopy cover with emergents to 20m tall. Other canopy species included

Eucalyptus crebra, Corymbia citriodora and Eucalyptus melanophloia. There was no shrub layer

and the groundcover averaged 70-80% cover dominated by the widespread pasture species

described above.

No remnant vegetation was recorded on the alluvial plains of the site.

No threatened flora taxa listed under the EPBC Act and/or NC Act were recorded on the alluvial

plains and none are expected to occur given the site’s long history of intensive clearing, burning

and grazing.

3.5.1.2 Waterways

The most continuous and established riparian vegetation has been retained along the sandy

reaches of Neara Creek, dominated by fringing Melaleuca viminalis, averaging 5 m in width on the

left and right banks. The remainder of the site is dissected by numerous highly disturbed

waterways that are largely devoid of riparian vegetation, with severe erosion in some reaches.

Dominant woody riparian species, which occurred as isolated individuals or fragmented copses,

included Acacia salicina, Melaleuca bracteata, M. viminalis, Casuarina cunninghamiana, Casuarina

littoralis, Lantana camara*, E. tereticornis, Corymbia tessellaris, Angophora subvelutina,

Lophostemon suaveolens, Ficus coronata, Maclura cochinchinensis, Brachychiton discolour,

Erythrina vespertilio, Alphitonia excelsa, Melia azedarach, Acacia maidenii, Mallotus philippinensis

and Ficus fraseri. Sparse woody riparian weeds recorded included Vachellia farnesiana*,

Baccharis halimifolia*, Lantana camara*, Xanthium pungens* and Opuntia stricta*.

Grasses associated with the waterways subject to waterlogging included Imperata cylindrica,

Cynodon dactylon, Pseudoraphis spinescens, Paspalum dilatatum* and Pennisetum

alopecuroides*. Other widespread species included, Bidens pilosa*, Macroptilium atropurpureum*,

Macroptilium lathyroides*, Crotalaria pallida*, Asclepias curassavica* and Lomandra hystrix.

Neara Creek supported standing open water at the time of survey. Associated wetlands comprised

fringing sedge/grass lands of Eleocharis dulcis, Leersia hexandra, Schoenoplectus validus,

Cyperus spp., Persicaria spp., Eclipta prostrata, Ludwigia peploides*, Bacopa monnieri,

Phragmites australis and Typha sp.. Dense instream macrophyte beds of Potamogeton

tricarinatus, Potamogeton crispus, Ottelia ovalifolia, Triglochin procera and Azolla sp. also occurred

at various locations.




No mappable remnant riparian vegetation was recorded along the waterways of the site.

No threatened flora taxa listed under the EPBC Act and/or NC Act were recorded within or adjacent

to the waterways, and none are expected to occur given the site’s long history of intensive clearing

and grazing.

3.5.1.3 Hills and Gullies

Copses of remnant and regenerating Eucalypt woodland have been retained on the steep slopes

and foothills of the site, which are difficult to access for clearing purposes.

Woodlands comprised a mixed canopy of E. tereticornis, C. tessellaris, E. crebra, Corymbia

intermedia and/or E. melanophloia, averaging 15-20 m in height and ranging from 10 to 30% cover.

The sub-canopy generally comprised mixed eucalypts averaging 10-12 m height and 10% cover. A

tall tree layer of Acacia spp, Allocasuarina torulosa and A. excelsa averaging 4-6 m in height and

10% cover occurred at some sites over a sparse shrub layer of L. camara*, M. philippinensis and

M. cochinchinensis. The dense groundcover (80-90% cover) comprised H. contortus, I. cylindrica

and T. triandra with mixed pastures as described above.

Fire-protected, rocky gullies on the lower slopes of the site supported isolated copses of dry

rainforest comprising a closed canopy of M. viminalis, M. bracteata, Ficus coronata, Brachychiton

discolor, Alectryon subdentatus, Melia azedarach, Drypetes deplanchei, Erythrina vespertilio, A.

excelsa, C. tessellaris, A. maidenii, Diospyros germinate, Cupaniopsis parvifolia, Mallotus

philippinensis, Ficus fraseri and Ficus coronata.

Remnant vegetation on the hills is analogous to RE’s 12.12.12 and 12.12.8.

No threatened flora taxa listed under the EPBC Act and/or NC Act were recorded within the site,

and none are expected to occur given the site’s long history of intensive clearing, burning and

grazing.

3.5.2 Fauna Habitat and Assemblage

Five broad fauna habitat types were recorded on site and the fauna features of each of these are

described in Table 3-3. Some of the more significant fauna habitat observations included:

• The site is dominated by pasture. Other habitats included (in order of dominance): mixed

eucalypt woodland; riparian fringe; wetlands; and, dry rainforest in protected gullies;

• All habitats showed a very high degree of disturbance;

• There was very low habitat complexity across the majority of the site as a result of intensive

landuse practices, i.e. low prevalence of pools, logs, dense leaf litter, rocks/stones, dense

shrubs;

• Eucalypt woodlands in the north and the south of the site provided potential habitat for koala,

and hollow bearing trees could support arboreal mammals and hollow nesting birds;

• Protected rocky gullies on the foothills supported waterholes and dry rainforest canopy species

potentially suitable for reptiles and frugivorous birds;




• Neara Creek supported open pools and macrophyte beds, which may support locally

widespread and disturbance-resilient aquatic and semi-aquatic taxa;

• With the exception of Neara Creek and its confluences, the majority of watercourses were highly

degraded, devoid of riparian vegetation and waterholes and provided limited habitat qualities,

including poor connectivity values;

• Observations and evidence of fauna usage across the site was very low. Low numbers and

diversity of birds were recorded, and all observations included locally common and widespread

taxa. Notably no macropods were identified during the survey and there was very little evidence

of mammal usage (i.e limited scats / trunk scratch marks).

Due to its current condition and history of intensive land use, the fauna assemblage of the site is

expected to be of relatively low diversity and abundance. Birds are expected to be the dominant

vertebrate group present whilst the number of mammals is expected to be low. In particular, very

few arboreal mammals are expected due to the low abundance of large hollow bearing trees

observed in survey sites. Reptile numbers and diversity are also expected to be low due to the poor

habitat quality for this fauna group. Common frog species tolerant of disturbed conditions are likely

to occur. A wide range of introduced species listed under the Biosecurity Act 2016 are expected to

occur on site including, European rabbits and European fox.

Table 3-3 Fauna Habitat Features and Values

Habitat Broad Description Fauna Habitat features Potential Fauna Values

Pasture Dominant habitat type of the site. Comprised of native and exotic grasslands with limited habitat features. History of intensive land use and disturbance (regular clearing, burning and grazing).

• - Dense seeding native grass cover

• - Scarce logs / litter / rocky outcrops

• - Very low evidence of fauna usage

Very low habitat potential for local and significant fauna.

Mixed Eucalypt Woodland on Hills

Eucalypt woodlands on steep slopes. Some evidence of clearing, canopy thinning, burning and cattle grazing but relatively undisturbed compared with the lower lying landforms.

• - Small to large hollows

• - Small to large logs

• - Small to large rocks

• - Dense leaf litter

• - Dense grass cover

• - Scattered shrub cover

• - Scattered fleshy fruiting plants

• - Common nectar / pollen

Provides potential habitat for arboreal mammals, including koala, and a wide variety of woodland dependant bird and reptile species.

Mixed Eucalypt Woodland on Floodplains

Open eucalypt woodland on alluvial plains. Understorey and groundcover highly modified due to regular burning.


• - Very scarce logs / litter / rocks/ leaf litter / shrubs

• - Dense grass cover

Provides potential habitat for arboreal mammals, including koala, and a wide variety of woodland dependant bird species.

Riparian Fringe Confined to Neara Creek. • - Dense tree/shrub/grass cover

• - Scattered fleshy fruiting plants

• - Sparse small hollows

• - Sparse logs

Provides habitat for local fauna but has very low potential to support significant species given disturbed condition and limited extent.




Habitat Broad Description Fauna Habitat features Potential Fauna Values

• - Rock cover

• - Low evidence of fauna usage

Wetlands Confined to flood prone, low-lying areas making. Subject to sedimentation, erosion and cattle pugging.

• - Waterholes

• - Dense native aquatic macrophytes and semi-aquatic grasslands and sedgelands

• - Rock cover

• - Very sparse to no riparian canopy cover

• - Evidence of fish and bird usage

Provides habitat and water source for local fauna but has very low potential to support significant species given disturbed condition and limited extent.

Dry Rainforest in Protected Gullies

Isolated copses of dry rainforest species restricted to protected, rocky gullies.

• - Waterholes

• - Dense canopy cover


• - Small to large logs

• - Small to large rocks

• - Dense leaf litter

• - Sparse grass cover

• - Scattered shrub cover

• - Common fleshy fruiting plants

• - Common nectar / pollen

•

Provides potential habitat for arboreal mammals, frugivorous birds and reptile species.

3.5.3 Threatened Taxa and Communities

Database records and habitat modelling for the region identified several threatened and migratory

species, and a threatened ecological community (TEC), listed under the NCA and/or EPBC as

potentially occurring in the area. The following section describes their potential for occurring on site

based on the results of the field survey.

3.5.3.1 Flora

One threatened vegetation community and eleven threatened flora species listed under the EPBC

and/or NC Act, have the potential to occur within the vicinity of the site. Table 3-4 summarises the

habitat requirements of these matters and their potential occurrence on site. Based on the site

survey, it is considered unlikely any of these matters would occur, either due to the lack of suitable

habitat or the high levels of site disturbance as a result of clearing, burning and grazing.

Table 3-4 Threatened Flora Values For The Region

Matter EPBC* NC* Habitat requirements Known/Potential to Occur on Site

Lowland Rainforest of Subtropical Australia

CR - Occurs:

• On basalt and alluvial soils

• At <300 m above sea level

• Areas with high annual rainfall (>1,300 mm)

Does not occur on site. The site occurs in an area typically too dry (rainfall <1,000 mm) to support this community. Pre-clearing mapping has not identified it





• >2 km from the coast.

Corresponds to REs 12.3.1, 12.5.13, 12.8.3, 12.8.4, 12.8.13, 12.11.1, 12.11.10, 12.12.1 and 12.12.16.

as occurring on site, or in the near vicinity.

Wandering pepper-cress

Lepidium peregrinum

EN - Tussock grassland fringe of riparian open forest dominated by Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Casuarina cunninghamiana.

Not identified on site and unlikely to occur. Riparian and floodplain vegetation of Neara Creek provides poor quality habitat given high disturbance levels.

Bluegrass Dichanthium setosum

VU - Associated with heavy basaltic black soils and red-brown loams with clay subsoil, and variety of Eucalyptus spp. and tussock grasses.

Not identified on site and unlikely to occur in disturbed pasture of the site.

Macadamia nut

Macadamia integrifolia

VU VU Mild frost-free areas with reasonably high rainfall, typically in remnant rainforest.

Not identified on site and highly unlikely to occur due to lack of suitable rainforest habitat.

Austral toadflax

Thesium australe

VU VU Species is semi-parasitic on roots of a range of grass species, including kangaroos grass. Occurs in shrubland, grassland or woodland.

Not identified on site. Low potential to occur in native groundcover of open eucalypt woodlands on less disturbed hills and slopes in the south of the site.

Three-leaved Bosistoa

Bosistoa transversa

VU - Lowland subtropical rainforest. Not identified on site and unlikely to occur due to lack of suitable rainforest habitat.

Mt Berryman Phebalium

Phebalium distans

CR EN Semi-evergreen vine thicket on red volcanic soils, or adjoining communities.

Not identified on site and highly unlikely to occur due to lack of suitable SEVT habitat.

Quassia Samadera bidwillii

VU VU Lowland rainforest, rainforest margins, open forest and woodlands, adjacent to temporary or permanent watercourses. Commonly associated with spotted gum, grey gum, white mahogany, forest red gum, pink bloodwood, grey ironbark, gum-topped box, Gympie messmate, and broad-leaved ironbark.

Not identified on site and unlikely to occur given history of clearing, burning and grazing.

Blotched Sarcochilus

Sarcochilus weinthalii

V E Grows on the upper branches of trees in dry rainforest.

Not identified on site but has potential to occur in dry rainforest patches of protected, rocky gullies.

Southern Corynocarpus

Corynocarpus rupestris

V Found in Araucarian notophyll vineforest often on red basaltic slopes

Not identified on site and unlikely to occur given lack of Araucarian vine forest

Cudgerie Hernandia bivalvis

NT Mainly grows in rainforest on rock pavements and outcrops with shallow soils in vine thicket or

Not identified on site but has some potential to occur in dry rainforest patches of





microphyll vine forest protected, rocky gullies.

Rhaponticum australe

V V Grows in eucalypt open forest with a grassy understory and in grasslands on black clay soil.

Not identified on site but has some potential of occurring in less disturbed eucalypt woodlands of the hills in the south of the site.

3.5.3.2 Fauna

Table 3-5 summarises the threatened fauna species recorded in the region, their habitat

preferences and potential occurrence on site. There is a low potential for most threatened to occur

due to the isolated distribution of available habitat and it’s disturbed condition as a result of regular

clearing, burning and grazing.

Table 3-5 Threatened Fauna Values For The Region

Matter EPBC* NC* Habitat requirements Occurrence

Red goshawk

Erythrotriorchis radiatus

VU EN Riverine forests, eucalypt woodland, open forest, tall open forest, gallery rainforest, swamp sclerophyll forest, and rainforest margins, near permanent water.

Possibly uses riparian vegetation of Neara Creek.

UNLIKELY

Osprey Pandion Haliaeetus

M SLC Wetlands with access to extensive areas of open fresh water.

Possibly uses riparian vegetation and waterholes of Neara Creek.

UNLIKELY

Fork-tailed swift

Apus pacificus M SLC Occurs over riparian woodland, tea-tree swamps, low scrub, heathland, saltmarsh, treeless grassland, sandplains covered with spinifex, open farmland, and inland and coastal sand dunes.

Possibly supported over any habitat on the site, however there have been no sightings in the local area.

POSSIBLE

White-throated needletail

Hirundapus caudacutus

M SLC Occurs over wooded areas or in clearings between remnant vegetation.

Possibly supported over any habitat on the site, however there have been no sightings in the local area.

POSSIBLE

Common sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucos M SLC Muddy margins of inland wetlands. Possibly uses riparian vegetation and waterholes of Neara Creek.

UNLIKELY

Sharp-tailed sandpiper

Calidris acuminata M SLC Muddy margins of shallow fresh or brackish wetland with inundated or emergent sedges, grass, saltmarsh or other low vegetation. Also utilise flooded paddocks and ephemeral wetlands.


UNLIKELY





Curlew sandpiper

Calidris ferruginea CR, M EN Inland lakes and waterbodies with bare edges of mud or sand.


UNLIKELY

Pectoral sandpiper

Calidris melanotos M SLC Fresh to saline wetlands, including inundated grasslands and lakes, with open fringing mudflats and low, emergent or fringing vegetation such as grass or samphire.


UNLIKELY

Latham’s snipe

Gallinago hardwickii

M SLC Open, freshwater wetlands with low, dense vegetation.

Possibly occurs following inundation of fields during flood events

POSSIBLE

Eastern curlew

Numenius madagascariensis

CR, M EN Wetlands with open sandflats or mudflats.

No suitable wetlands at site or surrounds

UNLIKELY

Australian painted snipe

Rostratula australis

EN VU Shallow terrestrial freshwater wetlands, including inundated or waterlogged grassland. Requires bare wet mud with nearby upper and canopy cover for nesting.

Possibly occurs following inundation of fields during flood events

POSSIBLE

Black-breasted button-quail

Turnix melanogaster

VU VU Drier low closed forests, particularly semi-evergreen vine thicket, low microphyll vine forest, araucarian microphyll vine forest, and araucarian notophyll vine forest.

May use small copses of dry rainforest in protected gullies, but habitat quality is poor due to fragmented and disturbed condition.

UNLIKELY

Squatter pigeon

Geophaps scripta scripta

VU VU Remnant or regrowth open forests to sparse, open-woodlands and scrub within 3 km of water body and with an overstorey dominated by Eucalyptus, Corymbia, Acacia or Callitris species. Preferred groundcover is native, perennial tussock grasses or mix of tussock grasses and low shrubs or forbs. Relies on deep leaf litter.

Habitats across the site possibly support this widespread species.

POSSIBLE

Oriental cuckoo

Cuculus optatus M SLC Monsoonal rainforest, vine thickets, wet sclerophyll forest or open casuarina, acacia or eucalypt woodlands.

Possibly occurs in remnant vegetation

POSSIBLE

Regent honeyeater

Anthochaera phrygia

CR EN Box-ironbark eucalypt woodland, dry sclerophyll forest or riparian vegetation.


POSSIBLE

Eastern bristlebird

Dasyornis brachypterus

EN EN Occupies a broad range of vegetation types with low, dense, ground or understorey vegetation, such as grassland, sedgeland, heathland, swampland, scrubland, grassy sclerophyll forest and woodland, and rainforest.


POSSIBLE

Painted honeyeater

Grantiella picta VU VU Mistletoes in eucalypt forests or woodlands, riparian woodlands of






black box and river red gum, box-ironbark-yellow gum woodlands, acacia-dominated woodlands, paperbark, casuarinas, callitris, and trees on farmland or gardens.

POSSIBLE

Black-faced monarch

Monarcha melanopsis

M SLC Rainforest ecosystems, including semi-deciduous vine-thickets, complex notophyll vine-forest, notophyll rainforest, mesophyll thicket/shrubland, warm temperate rainforest, dry rainforest, and cool temperate rainforest.

May use small copses of dry rainforest in protected gullies, but habitat quality is poor due to fragmented and disturbed condition.

UNLIKELY

Spectacled monarch

Monarcha trivirgatus

M SLC Dense vegetation in rainforest, moist forest or wet sclerophyll, but also drier forest and woodlands.


POSSIBLE

Yellow wagtail

Motacilla flava M SLC Well-watered open grasslands and fringes of wetlands.


UNLIKELY

Satin flycatcher

Myiagra cyanoleuca

M SLC Heavily vegetated gullies in eucalypt-dominated forests and taller woodlands.

No suitable habitat on site or in surrounding area.

UNLIKELY

Rufous fantail

Rhipidura rufifrons M SLC Wet sclerophyll forests, often in gullies dominated by eucalypts with a dense shrubby understorey, as well as subtropical and temperate rainforests.

No suitable habitat or sightings of species on site or in surrounding region.

HIGHLY UNLIKELY

Swift parrot Lathamus discolor CR EN Breeds in Tasmania but overwinters in mainland flowering woodlands and forests, with preferential feeding in inland box-ironbark and grassy woodlands, and Eucalyptus robusta and Corymbia maculata woodland.

No suitable habitat or sightings of species on site or in surrounding area.

HIGHLY UNLIKELY

Large-eared pied bat

Chalinolobus dwyeri

VU VU Fertile woodland valley habitat in close proximity to sandstone cliffs, as well as rainforest and moist eucalypt forest habitats at high elevation.

No sandstone cliffs or rainforest habitat in area.

HIGHLY UNLIKELY

Grey-headed flying-fox

Pteropus poliocephalus

VU - Woodlands with Eucalyptus blossoms and/or rainforest fruits, located within 5 km of a known camp or along migratory pathways.

Recorded flying-fox camps are located at Kilcoy (~15 km east) and Linville (~10 km northwest). Flying-foxes may pass over the site as part of migratory movements, and utilise eucalypt and riparian vegetation on site, but habitat quality is poor due to highly fragmented and disturbed condition.

POSSIBLE

Northern quoll

Dasyurus hallucatus

EN - Eucalypt forest or woodland habitat with high structural diversity containing large diameter trees,

May utilise eucalypt and riparian vegetation on site, but habitat quality is poor





termite mounds or hollow logs for denning purposes. Alternatively, rocky habitats of high relief that are rugged and dissected or that include fields or caves.

due to highly fragmented and disturbed condition and lack of structural diversity.

UNLIKELY

Spot-tailed quoll

Dasyurus maculatus

EN EN Mature wet forest habitat, with suitable den sites (e.g. hollow logs, tree hollows, rock outcrops, caves) and abundance of food (e.g. birds and small mammals).

May utilise eucalypt and riparian vegetation on site, but habitat quality is poor due to highly fragmented and disturbed condition and lack of structural diversity.

UNLIKELY

Greater glider

Petauroides volans

VU VU High abundance/diversity taller, montane, moist eucalypts forests or woodlands.

May utilise eucalypt and riparian vegetation on site, but habitat quality is poor due to highly fragmented and disturbed condition.

POSSIBLE

Brush-tailed rock-wallaby

Petrogale penicillata

VU VU Rocky habitats, including loose boulder-piles, rocky outcrops, steep rocky slopes, cliffs, gorges and isolated rock stacks.


POSSIBLE

Koala Phascolarctos cinereus

VU VU Eucalypt-dominated forest, woodland and semi-arid communities.

Individual koalas may occur in eucalypt woodlands and riparian vegetation. Site is mapped as koala habitat under the planning scheme.

POSSIBLE

Adorned delma

Delma torquata VU VU Eucalypt-dominated woodland and open forest in land zones 3 (alluvium), 9 (undulating country on fine-grained sedimentary rocks) and 10 (sandstone ranges).


UNLIKELY

Dunmall’s snake

Furina dunmalli VU VU Forests and woodlands on black alluvial cracking clay and clay loams dominated by brigalow, other wattles, native cypress, or bull-oak. Alternatively, various blue spotted gum, ironbark, white cypress pine and bull-oak open forest and woodland associations on sandstone derived soils.


UNLIKELY


Revegetation Specifications


4 Revegetation Specifications

The aim of this plan is to restore native riparian vegetation and habitat condition of waterways to

enhance their contribution to the Biodiversity Corridor. Revegetation specifications have been

based on site condition surveys and RE technical descriptions for pre-clearing RE’s. Habitat

requirements of Koala and preferred habitat conditions for other conservation significant taxa, such

as frugivorous birds, gliders and flying foxes, have also been considered in the revegetation

specifications.

Given it’s highly cleared and disturbed condition, active planting will be undertaken within the

waterway setbacks. Assisted regeneration to encourage natural recruitment from the seedbank or

surrounding habitats is not feasible given the highly degraded condition of the waterways and

surrounds.

Although erosion is a natural process in waterways, the site has some extensive bank erosion due

to intensive vegetation clearing and cattle grazing. A site assessment will need to be carried out by

appropriately qualified personnel to identify eroding sites requiring active remediation and to

develop site-specific bank stabilisation techniques. Proposed bank restoration works should be

detailed in a site rehabilitation plan to be read in conjunction with this revegetation plan.

The following section provides specifications for the following:

• Site planning and preparation;

• Proposed plantings including revegetation zones, species mix and planting densities;

• Planting methods, including details on mulch and watering;

• Weed control priorities and techniques;

• Restoration and enhancement of habitat values;

• Fencing, signage and access control requirements; and

• Maintenance and monitoring over a 12 month establishment phase.

4.1 Site Planning and Preparation

A general staging of project activities relevant to waterway revegetation is shown in Table 4-1 and

described in detail below.

Prior to revegetation, a site assessment of the finalised waterway setbacks will be required to

confirm the extent of revegetation works and to determine materials and resources required. This

will include confirmation of the following:

• Quantities, type and source of planting stock, mulch, geotextiles, tree guards and herbicides;

• Adequate water source for planting and maintenance;

• Planting and weeding tools and machinery;

• Installation of habitat features; and




• Fencing and signage specifications.

Planting stock of local provenance will be sourced from a local supplier with expertise in riparian

and eucalypt woodland propagation.

Vegetation clearing limits for construction will be detailed in site drawings and pegged out on site

prior to construction. This will include locations of vegetation protection zones, sidetracks and

locations for the stockpiling of site materials. No activities should occur within the vegetation

protection zones. Areas of topsoil and vegetation to be stockpiled for reuse or removal will also be

pegged out on site.

The site assessment will need to determine how native vegetation and topsoil will be removed,

handled and stored and will be detailed in the construction management plan for the project.

Cleared native vegetation in good condition will be stockpiled and used as mulch or brush-matting

in waterway revegetation, where appropriate. Cleared vegetation with a significant proportion of

weeds, or surplus to site requirements, will be disposed of in green waste. Good quality topsoil will

be stockpiled separately for use in site rehabilitation and weed infested topsoil will be disposed of

in green waste. Pre-spraying weeds prior to site clearing will help reduce weed propagules and

their spread during rehabilitation and revegetation.

4.2 Revegetation Zones and Planting Species

Based on the waterway and riparian vegetation descriptions detailed in Section 3, three broad

revegetation zones are recognised for the site as follows:

• Stream Orders 5 to 41: Sandy reaches of Neara Creek support the most continuous and

established riparian vegetation of the site. Enhancement planting to be carried out to extend the

riparian buffer and to increase vegetation diversity and habitat resources;

• Stream Orders 3 to 2: highly disturbed ephemeral waterways that are largely devoid of riparian

vegetation, with isolated wetlands and erosion in some reaches. Active planting to be carried

out to restore woody riparian vegetation;

• Stream Order 1 (gullies of hills): no obvious watercourse features, such as high banks,

waterbodies, wetland vegetation or riparian fringe. Active planting to be carried out to reduce

erosion and sedimentation and to increase woody vegetation cover and habitat values.

For stream orders 5 to 2, the lower and mid banks will be planted with flood tolerant mat rushes

and riparian trees to provide shade, fauna habitat, bank protection and to reduce flow velocities in

flood events. The upper banks of stream orders 5 to 1 will be planted with a mix of woodland

species and rocky gullies will incorporate dry rainforest taxa.

and provide conceptual details of proposed revegetation specifications for each zone. Based on

the site survey and data review, recommended planting species for the site are summarised in

Table 4-2. Given the diverse and widespread availability of native grasses and sedges across the

site, it is anticipated groundcovers will naturally recruit within the riparian zones. With the exception

of Lomandra spp., which are poorly represented on site but are useful bank stabilisers, the planting

palette focuses on the re-introduction of woody canopy species. Trees have been extensively

1 There are no Stream Order 4 waterways across the site, but occur in the study area to the east.




cleared from the site and are likely to be poorly represented in the seed bank due to long-term and

intensive land management practices. Re-establishment of woody riparian cover will also contribute

significantly to the habitat values of the Bioregional Corridor.

Eucalypt and Melaleuca species will make up 50% or more of the plantings, with E. tereticornis

being the dominant species to be planted in all zones based on its koala habitat values. Prior to

revegetation, the site assessment of the finalised waterway setbacks will confirm the final species

mix and planting densities based on site condition.

Plantings will be established at a high density to promote rapid vegetation cover to reduce the risk

of weed invasion and erosion. To achieve this, groundcovers will be planted at least 2-5 plants/m2

and trees will be spaced at 1.5 m centres to promote rapid canopy cover. Higher density plantings

may occur at the peripheries of the revegetation sites to reduce edge effects. Species will be

planted in proportions reflecting the pre-disturbance vegetation composition and to promote fauna

habitat (refer to and ). Plantings will be randomly placed and staggered and straight planting rows

will be avoided.

Table 4-1 General Staging of Project Activities

Key Activities Planning Construction Revegetation

Revegetation Plan

Pre-construction site assessment

Construction Management Plan

Site approvals

Sourcing of rehabilitation materials, services and plant propagules

Site fencing and signage

Pre-clearing weed control

Vegetation and topsoil clearing

Vegetation and topsoil stockpiling and disposal

Solar farm construction

Waterway rehabilitation

Weed control

Planting and site revegetation

Maintenance and Monitoring

Table 4-2 Recommended Revegetation Species

Species Common Name Plant Form Bank Position

Preferred Soils

Special Biodiversity Values

Lomandra hystrix Mat Rush Groundcover L,M S,C,A

Lomandra longifolia Mat Rush Groundcover L,M S,C,A

Acacia salicina Sally Wattle Small Tree L,M C,A





Preferred Soils


Alectryon subdentatus

Hard Alectryon Small Tree Rocky Gullies

R

Alphitonia excelsa Red Ash Small Tree U R,S,C,A

Acacia maidenii Maiden's Wattle Tree M, U C, A

Allocasuarina torulosa

Forest She-Oak Tree U R,C,S,A

Angophora subvelutina

Rough-barked Apple

Tree M,U S,C,A Koala habitat tree / Hollow-bearing on maturity

Brachychiton discolor

Lacebark Tree U R,C

Casuarina cunninghamiana

River Sheoak Tree L,M R,C,A

Corymbia intermedia

Pink Bloodwood Tree U R,C,S,A Koala habitat tree

Corymbia tessellaris

Moreton Bay Ash Tree M,U R,S,C,A Koala habitat tree / Hollow-bearing on maturity

Cupaniopsis parvifolia

Small-leaved Tuckeroo

Tree Rocky Gullies

R Koala habitat tree

Diospyros geminata Queensland Ebony

Tree Rocky Gullies

R

Drypetes deplanchei

Yellow Tulipwood Tree Rocky Gullies

R Fruit eaten by birds

Erythrina vespertilio Bat's Wing Coral Tree

Tree Rocky Gullies

R

Eucalyptus crebra Narrow-leaved Ironbark

Tree U R,C,S,A Koala habitat tree

Eucalyptus melanophloia

Silver-leaved Ironbark

Tree U R,C,S,A Koala habitat tree

Eucalyptus tereticornis

Forest Red Gum Tree M,U R,S,C,A Preferred Koala food tree / Hollow-bearing on maturity

Ficus coronata Creek Sandpaper Fig

Tree L,M,U R,S,C,A Fruit a valuable food source for birds, bats and possums

Ficus fraseri Sandpaper Fig Tree L,M,U R,S,C,A Fruit a valuable food source for birds, bats and possums

Ficus obliqua Small leaved Moreton Bay Fig

Tree M,U R, C,A Fruit a valuable food source for birds, bats and possums

Ficus opposita Sandpaper Fig Tree L,M,U R,S,C,A Fruit a valuable food source for birds, bats and possums

Ficus platypoda Small leaved Moreton Bay Fig

Tree M,U R, C,A Fruit a valuable food source for birds, bats and possums

Lophostemon suaveolens

Swamp Mahogany

Tree M,U R,S,C,A Koala habitat tree / Hollow-bearing on maturity

Mallotus philippensis

Red Kamala Tree M,U R,S,C,A

Melaleuca Black Tea Tree Tree L,M C,A Koala habitat tree





Preferred Soils


bracteata

Melaleuca viminalis Weeping Bottlebrush

Tree L,M C,A Koala habitat tree

Melia azedarach White Cedar Tree M,U R,C,A

Bank Position: L (low bank), M (middle bank), U (upper bank).

Preferred Soils: R (rocky), S (sandy), C (clay), A (alluvium).


Error! No text of specified style in document.


Figure 4-1 Waterway Revegetation Plan Stream Orders 5 to 4




Figure 4-2 Waterway Revegetation Plan Stream Orders 3 to 2




4.3 Revegetation Methods

4.3.1 Tubestock

Figure 4-3 illustrates best–practice planting guidelines prepared by DLWC (2011), which will be

adopted for this plan. Provided soil moisture is adequate, tubestock planting will be carried out from

September through to November to avoid frosts, and will avoid hot weather and drought periods.

Tubestock will be well-watered prior to planting out. Holes will be dug deeper and twice as wide as

the tubestock and filled with water and allowed to drain. A handful of weed-free mulch will be

placed into each hole. Seedlings will be removed from the tubestock and placed into the planting

hole and topsoil will be backfilled to the same level as the top of the soil in the tubestock. Trees

may require protection from wind and herbivores through the use of tree guards.

4.3.1.1 Water

Tubestock will be watered in ensuring the water soaks in around the root area and that roots are

not exposed after watering.

4.3.1.2 Mulch

Outside of the flooding zone, light mulch will be placed around the plantings avoiding contact with

the stem. Weed-free vegetation cleared during construction will be stockpiled and composted for

use as mulch in the planting program (refer to section 4.1). Geotextiles (e.g. jute) will be used in

favour of mulch below the flooding zone as these are less likely to wash away in flooding events.

4.3.2 Brush-matting

Brush-matting involving the redistribution of cleared native vegetation with seeds or fruit capsules

will be undertaken at sites above the flooding zone to stabilise soils, provide micro-habitat and

provide a seed source for natural recruitment. To ensure maximum success, seed-bearing stems

and branches from cleared native shrubs and trees should be stockpiled at a stage when they hold

viable seed. The harvested stems can then be laid over the revegetation area for soil stabilisation

and seed germination.

4.3.3 Long-stem Planting

Although revegetating eroding sites is difficult, the use of long-stem plants may be useful for bank

restoration in these areas as they are less likely to wash away during floods. As discussed above,

the site rehabilitation plan to be prepared by appropriately qualified personnel will provide details of

bank stabilisation techniques, including revegetation. Tree species selection in the rehabilitation

plan should conform with this plan.




Figure 4-3 Planting Guidelines (DLWC, 2001)




4.4 Weed Control

Weeds can degrade riparian habitats by competing with native plants and disrupting ecological

processes, such as fire frequency and intensity. As weeds can spread quickly after soil disturbance

and can be introduced via machinery, vehicles, nursery stock and mulches, weed hygiene

practices will be undertaken prior to vegetation clearing and topsoil disturbance and will be an

ongoing management issue during construction and site revegetation.

Targeted weed control during waterway revegetation will focus on highly invasive, dominating or

difficult to control species which have the potential to transform native vegetation and associated

habitats. Table 4-3 lists the dominant, aggressive weeds recorded within waterways of the study

area, which may have the greatest impact on waterway revegetation2. Due to regular clearing and

burning of the site, weed cover and diversity was very low within the riparian corridors. Following

removal of cattle and site construction, it is anticipated that a higher diversity and density of weeds

will be introduced and established on site during the revegetation establishment phase. Regular

monitoring will need to be carried out to identify new pest species and to target areas for follow-up

weed treatment.

The technique of weed control to be used, i.e chemical, manual and/or mechanical removal, will

depend on the nature of the target weeds and site condition. Manual weed control and spot

herbicide application will be used when target weeds are growing in close proximity to native

vegetation, including planted species.

Pre-spraying weeds prior to site clearing will help reduce weed propagules and their spread during

rehabilitation. Herbicide spraying will also be undertaken following topsoil redistribution and

profiling prior to initial site planting. To avoid damage, vegetation to be protected will be

appropriately signed and fenced and spraying will only be undertaken in calm, dry weather.

Planting and/or mulching will be carried out soon after post-construction to prevent more weeds

from establishing.

All operators controlling weeds on site must have sufficient training to ensure non-target plants and

habitats are protected.

2 Pennisetum alopecuroides is a widespread groundcover within the waterways of the site. There is some uncertainty on the endemicity of this species. Given its high value as a bank stabiliser and an important component of ephemeral wetlands, it is recommended that P. alopecuroides is maintained across the site.




Table 4-3 Target Riparian Weeds

Species Common Name Status under Biosecurity Act 2014

Weed of National Significance

Environmental Risk

Baccharis halimifolia* Groundsel Restricted Invasive Plant

Can become abundant in vegetation along watercourses and in coastal woodlands and forest areas.

Lantana camara* Lantana Restricted Invasive Plant

* Forms thicket along waterways

Macroptilium atropurpureum*

Siratro Invasive Plant Siratro is also a problem

in revegetation sites where it smothers young trees and

shrubs before they become established.

Vachellia farnesiana* Mimosa Forms thicket along waterways

4.5 Habitat Features

Following construction, the following features will be installed to restore and enhance habitat values

in the waterway revegetation zones:

• Cleared logs and vegetative litter stockpiled following clearing will be re-distributed within

waterway setbacks above the flooding zone to increase habitat complexity; and

• Brush-matting will be applied to enhance natural recruitment and to provide habitat and create

micro-niches.

4.6 Access and Signage

Dedicated access will be provided across the site to limit the impacts of foot and vehicle traffic on

waterway revegetation. Interpretive signage will be installed at key locations to inform site

contractors and visitors of the revegetation works.

4.7 Maintenance and Monitoring

Maintenance and monitoring will be required to enhance success of the waterway revegetation

program and will be required for several years following planting. The following section outlines

maintenance and monitoring practices and responsibilities over a 12 month establishment phase,

including, reporting, record keeping and any necessary permits, licenses or qualifications required

by contractors who will be responsible for implementing the works.

The 12 month maintenance and monitoring schedule will include the following activities:

• Watering: watering requirements will be site specific depending on weather conditions. As a

benchmark, the schedule will consist of watering every day for week 1 following planting, twice




per week for weeks 2-6, and weekly from weeks 6-12. Deep soaking will be preferred over light

watering to promote deep-rooting and will take place early in the morning or late in the evening.

In the event the soils become hydrophobic, a wetting agent will be applied;

• Weed control: manual weed control and spot herbicide application will be used as required. All

weed control operators must have sufficient training to ensure non-target plants and habitats are

protected;

• Replenishing mulch supplies: as required;

• Repairing tree guards, fencing and signage: as required;

• Supplementary planting: replacement plantings to be undertaken as required;

• Regular monitoring will be undertaken to assess revegetation progress, to determine the

suitability of methods employed, to identify site management issues, such as new pest

invasions, and to determine future maintenance requirements. Site record sheets and

permanent photo monitoring points will be used for recording and monitoring revegetation

progress. The monitoring schedule will consist of weekly site visits for the first month, fortnightly

visits for months 2-4 and monthly visits thereafter.


References


5 References

BMT (2018). Kilcoy Solar Farm Preliminary Ecological Assessment Report prepared for Ethos

Urban, April 2018.

DLWC (2001). Coastal Dune Management: A Manual of Coastal Dune Management and

Rehabilitation Techniques, Coastal Unit, DLWC, Newcastle NSW Department of Land and Water

Conservation 2001.

1

BMT has a proven record in addressing today’s engineering and environmental issues.We aim to continue to enhance our services, capabilities and areas of application to meet the community’s future development and environmental protection needs.

www.bmt.org

Brisbane Level 8, 200 Creek StreetBrisbane Queensland 4000PO Box 203 Spring Hill QLD 4004Tel +61 7 3831 6744Fax +61 7 3832 3627Email [email protected]

MelbourneLevel 5, 99 King StreetMelbourne Victoria 3000Tel +61 3 8620 6100Fax +61 3 8620 6105Email [email protected]

Newcastle 126 Belford StreetBroadmeadow New South Wales 2292PO Box 266 BroadmeadowNew South Wales 2292Tel +61 2 4940 8882Fax +61 2 4940 8887Email [email protected]

Adelaide5 Hackney RoadHackney Adelaide South Australia 5069Tel +61 8 8614 3400Email [email protected]

Northern RiversSuite 5 20 Byron Street Bangalow New South Wales 2479Tel +61 2 6687 0466Fax +61 2 6687 0422Email [email protected]

Perth Level 420 Parkland RoadOsborne Park WA 6017PO Box 2305 Churchlands WA 6918Tel +61 8 6163 4900Email [email protected]

SydneySuite G2, 13-15 Smail StreetUltimo Sydney New South Wales 2007Tel +61 2 8960 7755Fax +61 2 8960 7745 Email [email protected]

London1st Floor, International HouseSt Katharine’s WayLondonE1W 1UNTel +44 (0) 20 8090 1566Email [email protected]

AberdeenBroadfold HouseBroadfold Road, Bridge of DonAberdeenAB23 8EEUKTel: +44 (0) 1224 414 200Fax: +44 (0) 1224 414 250Email [email protected]

Asia Paci�cIndonesia O�cePerkantoran Hijau ArkadiaTower C, P FloorJl: T.B. Simatupang Kav.88Jakarta, 12520Indonesia Tel: +62 21 782 7639Fax: +62 21 782 7636Email asiapaci�[email protected]

Alexandria4401 Ford Avenue, Suite 1000AlexandriaVA 22302USATel: +1 703 920 7070Fax: +1 703 920 7177Email [email protected]

Documents

Kilcoy Solar Farm – Revegetation Plan: Draft · 2018. 8. 17. · Kilcoy Solar Farm – Revegetation Plan: Draft 1 Background G:\Admin\B22885.g.bmg Kilcoy Solar\R.B22885.004.00.Revegetation