Prostanthera askania recovery plan - Office of Environment and

Draft Recovery Plan for Prostanthera askania

Prostanthera askania recovery planExecutive summary

This document constitutes the draft formal Commonwealth and New South Wales State recovery plan forProstanthera askania, and as such considers the conservation requirements of the species across its knownrange. It identifies the future actions to be taken to ensure the long-term viability of P. askania in nature and theparties who will carry out these actions.

Prostanthera askania is listed as endangered on the Commonwealth Environment Protection and BiodiversityConservation Act 1999 and as endangered on Schedule 1 of the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act1995. It is a shrub in the family Lamiaceae that grows in a very restricted geographic range of less than 12 km inthe Gosford - Wyong area of New South Wales. Currently only 10 populations are known and, in total, theseoccupy an area of less than 15 hectares. No part of any population occurs within a conservation reserve. Morethan 90% of the total number of known plants and the two largest known subpopulations occur on private land.

The natural habitat of P. askania has already been extensively cleared since European settlement and theremaining populations are fragmented. The major threat to Prostanthera askania is the further loss of plants andpopulations, and loss and fragmentation of remaining habitat, as a consequence of clearing and development forresidential, industrial and rural uses. Other threats or potential threats include roadside maintenance activities,inappropriate fire regimes. bush rock removal, weed invasion; recreational activities, dumping of rubbish andgarden waste; grazing, infection by the root-rot fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi); climate change and alterationof stream hydrology.

This draft recovery plan for Prostanthera askania was prepared by Threatened Species Unit of the EnvironmentProtection and Regulation Division�s Metropolitan Branch in accordance with the requirements of theThreatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act), and the Commonwealth Environment Protection andBiodiversity Protection Act 1999. The plan was prepared in consultation with a reference group consisting ofstakeholders responsible for the management of public lands that have occurrences of Prostanthera askania andspecialists in the biology and ecology of the species.

The overall objective of this recovery plan is to ensure the long-term survival of P. askania in the wild bypromoting the in-situ conservation of the species across its natural range. Specific recovery objectives include:• to conserve Prostanthera askania using land-use and conservation planning mechanisms;• to identify and minimise the operation of threats at sites where Prostanthera askania occurs;• to develop and implement a survey and monitoring program that will provide information on the extent and

viability of Prostanthera askania;• to provide the community with information that assists in conserving Prostanthera askania;• to raise awareness of the species and involve the community in the recovery program; and• to conduct research that will assist future management decisions. It is intended that this recovery plan will be implemented over a five-year period. The cost to implement the planover that period is estimated to be approximately $80,000 plus as yet undetermined costs for planning andimplementing on-site management. I now invite you to make written submission to the Department of Environment and Conservation regarding thisdraft recovery plan prior to the advertised closing date. Please refer to Appendix 4 for details on how to makesuch a submission. Following consideration of comments, the plan will be finalised by the Director-General andthe Minister for the Environment. SIMON A Y SMITH Deputy Director-GeneralEnvironment Protection and Regulation Division


Acknowledgments The following people and their respective organisations are thanked for their contribution to the preparation ofthis recovery plan or for their assistance in the recovery effort for P. askania :

• Deborah Stevenson, Martin Bremner, Tricia Hogbin, Robert Humphries, Sarah Burke and other staff of theThreatened Species Unit Metro, DEC.

• Gillian Towler, Louisa Murray and Barry Conn of the Botanic Gardens Trust (BGT), DEC. The BGT alsogave permission for the reproduction in this plan of illustrations and photos from their website and scientificjournal Telopea.

• Peter Cuneo, Tracey Armstrong, Debra Little and Brett Summerell (BGT).• Chris Lacey (formerly NSW NPWS Central Threatened Species Unit) who compiled the initial review of

species population data and first draft of the species profile and Jedda Lemmon (formerly NSW NPWSCentral Conservation Assessment and Data Unit) who prepared the potential habitat model (figure 3) forProstanthera junonis.

• David Tierney, Julie Garratley, Jane Jacobs and Scott Duncan (Wyong Shire Council), Rachel Lonie(Gosford City Council), Alf Britton and Adam Fawcett (Forests NSW), Stephen Bell, Robert Payne, RobertMiller, Danny O�Brien and Sirka Siltanen, for providing additional location information, knowledge oradvice.

• Ed and Kathy Manners, Alan and Bronwyn Meek and Paul Ellis-Grenier for allowing access to theirproperties.

• Wyong Shire Council for undertaking on-ground threat abatement works at P. askania sites.• Environment Australia Natural Heritage Trust Program for funding the preparation of this recovery plan.


Table of Contents1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 1

2 Legislative context ......................................................................................................................................... 1

2.1 Legal conservation status .............................................................................................................................. 12.2 Recovery plan preparation............................................................................................................................. 12.3 International obligations................................................................................................................................ 12.5 Recovery plan implementation...................................................................................................................... 12.6 Key threatening processes ............................................................................................................................. 22.7 Critical habitat ............................................................................................................................................... 22.8 Relationship to other legislation.................................................................................................................... 3

3 Conservation status ....................................................................................................................................... 3

4 Taxonomy and description ........................................................................................................................... 3

4.1 Taxonomy � what is the subject of this plan? ............................................................................................... 34.2 Description .................................................................................................................................................... 3

5 Distribution and abundance ......................................................................................................................... 5

5.1 Definitions: populations and subpopulations ................................................................................................ 55.2 Current and historical distribution................................................................................................................. 55.3 Population size and structure......................................................................................................................... 5

6 Land tenure, management and zoning ........................................................................................................ 7

6.1 Conservation reserves ................................................................................................................................... 76.2 State forest..................................................................................................................................................... 76.3 Crown land .................................................................................................................................................... 76.4 Council-owned land ...................................................................................................................................... 76.5 Freehold land................................................................................................................................................. 8

7 Habitat............................................................................................................................................................ 8

7.1 Landform, geology and soil........................................................................................................................... 87.2 Climate and altitude ...................................................................................................................................... 87.3 Associated vegetation.................................................................................................................................... 97.4 Potential habitat............................................................................................................................................. 9

8 Biology and ecology ..................................................................................................................................... 11

8.1 Habit............................................................................................................................................................ 118.2 Longevity .................................................................................................................................................... 118.3 Reproductive biology .................................................................................................................................. 118.4 Disturbance ecology.................................................................................................................................... 12

9 Previous recovery actions ........................................................................................................................... 12

9.1 Threatened species data collation and audit ................................................................................................ 129.2 Profile and environmental impact assessment guidelines ........................................................................... 129.3 Establishment of a recovery team................................................................................................................ 129.4 In situ protection ......................................................................................................................................... 129.5 Ex situ protection ........................................................................................................................................ 139.6 Survey, research and monitoring................................................................................................................. 139.7 Lower North East Regional Forest Agreement ........................................................................................... 13

10 Management issues...................................................................................................................................... 13

10.1 Threatening activities and processes ........................................................................................................... 1310.2 Limits to current knowledge........................................................................................................................ 1710.3 Community awareness ................................................................................................................................ 1810.4 Translocation and ex-situ conservation ....................................................................................................... 1810.5 Roles and interests of indigenous people .................................................................................................... 1910.6 Ability to recover ........................................................................................................................................ 19

11 Proposed recovery objectives, actions and performance criteria............................................................ 19


11.1 Recovery objective 1: To conserve P. askania using land-use and conservation planning mechanisms ...1911.2 Recovery objective 2: Implement a survey and monitoring program.........................................................2111.3 Recovery objective 3: To identify and minimise the threats operating at sites where the species occurs ..2111.4 Recovery objective 4: To provide public authorities and the community with information that assists in

conserving the species .................................................................................................................................2311.5 Recovery objective 5: To raise awareness of the species and involve the community in the recovery

program .......................................................................................................................................................2411.6 Recovery objective 6: To promote investigations into the ecology and biology of the species in order to

provide information to assist future management decisions........................................................................24

12 Implementation............................................................................................................................................25

13 Social and economic consequences .............................................................................................................25

13.1 Social consequences ....................................................................................................................................2513.2 Economic consequences ..............................................................................................................................25

14 Biodiversity benefits ....................................................................................................................................25

15 Preparation details.......................................................................................................................................26

16 Review date ..................................................................................................................................................26

References ............................................................................................................................................................29

List of tablesTable 1: Size class distribution for the known extant populations of P. askania.....................................................7Table 2: Tenure, land manager and zoning for all known Prostanthera askania sites. ...........................................8Table 3: Fire interval guidelines for P. askania.....................................................................................................16Table 4. Estimated costs, funding source and responsible parties for implementing the actions identified in the

Prostanthera askania recovery plan ..............................................................................................................27

List of figuresFigure1. Prostanthera askania. ...............................................................................................................................4Figure 2. Geographic distribution of Prostanthera askania. ...................................................................................6Figure 3. Potential habitat of Prostanthera askania ..............................................................................................10

AppendicesAppendix 1: Prostanthera askania general location details and population-specific information .....................33Appendix 2: Species profile and environmental impact assessment guidelines .................................................35Appendix 3: Site management statement proforma............................................................................................43Appendix 4: Making a submission regarding this draft recovery plan ...............................................................47


Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) Page 1

1 IntroductionProstanthera askania is a spreading shrubbelonging to the Lamiaceae family. The species isendemic to the Gosford - Wyong area of NewSouth Wales, where it occurs over a very restrictedgeographic range of less than 12 km in the upperreaches of creeks which flow into Tuggerah Lake orBrisbane Water. The species is not known to occurin any conservation reserve and the natural habitatof P. askania has been extensively cleared sinceEuropean settlement and remaining habitat islimited, fragmented and often degraded. Severalthreatening processes have been recorded operatingat P. askania sites. The main threats result directlyor indirectly from continued urban and ruralresidential and industrial expansion.

This document constitutes the formal NSW andNational recovery plan for Prostanthera askaniaand as such considers the requirements of thespecies across its known range. The recovery plandescribes the current conservation status andsummarises current biological and ecologicalknowledge of the species, documents past andcurrent management actions undertaken, and detailsa program for the next five years to promote therecovery of the species.

2 Legislative context

2.1 Legal statusProstanthera askania is listed as an endangeredspecies on Schedule 1 of the NSW ThreatenedSpecies Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act) and as anendangered species under the Commonwealth�sEnvironment Protection and BiodiversityConservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The consequences of listing a species under theTSC Act and the EPBC Act include that:• consideration must be given to the species

when assessing the impacts of developmentsand activities, with the aim of minimisingadverse impacts

• other actions that are likely to result in theharming or picking of that species or damageto its habitat must be licensed; and

• a recovery plan must be prepared.

2.2 Recovery plan preparationThe TSC Act provides a legislative framework toprotect and promote the recovery of threatenedspecies, endangered populations and endangeredecological communities in NSW. Under thislegislation the Director-General of the Departmentof Environment and Conservation (NSW) has aresponsibility to prepare recovery plans for allspecies, populations and ecological communities

listed as endangered or vulnerable on the TSC Actschedules. Similarly, the EPBC Act requires theCommonwealth Minister for the Environment toensure the preparation of a recovery plan fornationally-listed species and communities or adoptplans prepared by others, including those developedby state agencies. Both Acts include specificrequirements for the matters to be addressed byrecovery plans and the administrative process forpreparing recovery plans.

This recovery plan has been prepared to satisfy therequirements of both the TSC Act and the EPBCAct and therefore will be the only recovery plan inoperation for the species. It is the intention of theDirector-General of DEC to forward the finalversion of this recovery plan to the CommonwealthMinister of the Environment for adoption, once ithas been approved by the NSW Minister for theEnvironment.

The TSC Act requires that, when preparing arecovery plan, consideration must be given to anyspecies knowledge or interests that indigenouspeople may have in the species and the measures tobe contained in the plan. The EPBC Act requiresthat in the preparation of a recovery plan regardmust be had to the role and interests of indigenouspeople in the conservation of Australia�sbiodiversity. P askania occurs in the area of theDarkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council and inthat of interest to the Guringai Tribal LinkAboriginal Corporation. These and otherindigenous groups yet to be identified may haveknowledge of or an interest in the species or in thisrecovery plan.

2.3 International obligationsIn making a Commonwealth recovery plan, regardmust be had to assisting in the cooperativeimplementation of Australian�s internationalenvironmental responsibilities and meetingAustralia�s obligations under relevant internationalagreements, which include;• Convention on International Trade in

Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(CITES).

• Convention on Biological Diversity, ratified byAustralia in 1993

• the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation.

The actions proposed within this plan are consistentwith Australia�s obligations under theseinternational agreements.

2.4 Recovery plan implementationThe TSC Act requires that a public authority musttake appropriate measures to implement the actionsin a recovery plan for which they have agreed to beresponsible. Public authorities identified as


Page 2 Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW)

responsible for the implementation of recovery planactions are required by the TSC Act to report onmeasures taken to implement those actions. Inaddition, the Act specifies that public authoritiesmust not make decisions that are inconsistent withthe provisions of the plan.

The public authorities relevant to this plan are:• the NSW Department of Environment and

Conservation (DEC)• the NSW Department of Infrastructure

Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR)• the NSW Department of Lands• the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS)• the Hunter/Central Rivers Catchment

Management Authority• Gosford City Council• Wyong Shire Council• Energy Australia• Forests NSW.

Consequently, the actions outlined for each of thesepublic authorities must be implemented asdescribed in the Plan and public authorities thatmanage land that supports P. askania must, as theresponsible land manager, manage the site inaccordance with this plan.

The EPBC Act specifies that a Commonwealthagency must not take any action that contravenes arecovery plan and states that the Commonwealthmust implement a recovery plan on Commonwealthlands. No occurrences of P. askania are currentlyknown from Commonwealth lands.

2.5 Key threatening processesThe EPBC Act and the TSC Act provide for theidentification and listing of key threateningprocesses. A key threatening process (KTP) is aprocess that threatens, or has the capability tothreaten, the survival or evolutionary developmentof species, populations or endangered ecologicalcommunities. Several key threatening processes, aswell as a number of other factors or activities whichare identified in section 10.1, are recognised asthreatening the survival of P. askania.

Six key threatening processes currently listed underthe TSC Act 1995 are likely to, or may potentially,threaten P. askania, as discussed in section 10.1.These KTPs are:• �Clearing of native vegetation�, as defined by

NSW Scientific Committee (2001), which hasdrastically reduced and fragmented the habitatof P. askania

• �High frequency fire resulting in the disruptionof life cycle process in plants and animals andloss of vegetation structure and composition�,which is likely to threaten the viability of P.askania populations

• �Bushrock removal�• �Alteration to the natural flow regimes of

rivers, streams, floodplains & wetlands�• �Anthropogenic climate change� and• �Infection of native plants by Phytophthora

cinnamomi�.

Three key threatening processes listed under theEPBC Act are likely to, or may potentially threatenP. askania. These KTPs, essentially the same assome of those listed under the TSC Act, are:• �land clearance�• �loss of climatic habitat caused by

anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases�and

• �dieback caused by the root-rot fungus(Phytophthora cinnamomi)�.

2.6 Critical habitatThe TSC Act 1995 makes provision for theidentification and declaration of critical habitat.Under the TSC Act 1995, critical habitat may beidentified for any endangered species, population orecological community occurring on NSW lands.Once declared, it becomes an offence to damagecritical habitat (unless the action is exempted underthe provisions of the TSC Act 1995) and a speciesimpact statement is mandatory for all developmentsand activities proposed within declared criticalhabitat, unless the impact is deemed trivial ornegligible by the Director General of theDepartment of Environment and Conservation.

Under the EPBC Act 1999, critical habitat may beregistered for any nationally-listed threatenedspecies or ecological community. When adopting arecovery plan, the Commonwealth Minister for theEnvironment must consider whether to list habitatidentified in the recovery plan as being critical tothe survival of the species or ecological community.It is an offence under the EPBC Act 1999 for aperson to knowingly undertake an action that willsignificantly damage critical habitat (unless the actspecifically exempts the action). This offence onlyapplies to Commonwealth areas. However an actionwhich is likely to have a significant impact on alisted species elsewhere is still subject to referraland approval under the EPBC Act 1999.

To date, critical habitat has not been declared forP. askania under the TSC Act 1995 or the EPBCAct 1999. However, this recovery plan identifies (insections 5, 6 and 7 and Appendix 1) the habitatfeatures and locations that would contain habitatthat is critical to the survival of the species, asrequired by the EPBC Act 1999. It is not currentlyconsidered a high priority to nominate criticalhabitat for P. askania, as no demonstrableconservation outcome would accompany itsidentification and declaration. Action 1.6 of thisRecovery Plan provides a mechanism for



reconsidering the need for critical habitatnomination by the third year of implementation ofthe plan.

2.7 Relationship to other legislationThe TSC Act and the EPBC Act interact with otherNSW and Commonwealth legislation and planninginstruments in a number of ways. Legislation whichis also relevant to threatened species protection,management and recovery in NSW includes :• Environmental Planning and Assessment Act

1979• National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974• Native Vegetation Act 2003• Rural Fires Act 1997• Rural Fires and Environment Assessment

Legislation Amendment Act 2002• Local Government Act 1993• Forestry Act 1916• Forestry and National Parks Estate Act 1999

3 Conservation statusProstanthera askania is listed as endangered atboth state (TSC Act) and national (EPBC Act)levels. At the time of the determination (NSWScientific Committee 1998) the species wasconsidered to be at risk of extinction as aconsequence of the following factors:• restricted geographic range;• small total population and small numbers in

each constituent population;• threatened by land clearing; and• no populations represented in conservation

reserves.

4 Taxonomy and description

4.1 Taxonomy � what is the subject of thisplan?

Prostanthera is a genus � within the familyLamiaceae - of about 100 species which occur onlyin Australia (Harden 1992). Prostantheras areknown generally as "mint bushes" because of thearomatic foliage of many species and they arerelated to a number of well-known, commerciallycultivated plants in other genera of the family, suchas lavender, mint, thyme, oregano and sage, whichare used in cooking and for perfumes.

Prostanthera askania B.J.Conn was defined as ataxon and named by Conn (1997). It had previouslybeen referred to and was first listed on Schedule 2of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995as Prostanthera sp. Strickland State Forest. It hasalso been called Prostanthera sp. 6 andProstanthera sp. G (e.g. in Flora of New South

Wales volume 3 (Harden 1992). It has alsofrequently been referred to in keys and otherpublications (e.g. in Students flora of north-easternNew South Wales (Beadle 1984) and Flora of theSydney region (Carolin and Tindale 1994) asProstanthera incisa var. pubescens.

The collection location of the type specimen(NSW402642) - a private wildlife sanctuarypreviously known as �Askania Park� at one timeand �Forest of Tranquillity� at another1 - was thederivation of the specific epithet as well as aninformal common name, Tranquillity Mintbush. Ithas also been referred to by the common namesStrickland Mint-bush (e.g. in EnvironmentAustralia 2001) and Cut-leaf Mint-bush.

4.2 DescriptionProstanthera askania is illustrated in Figure 1. Thefollowing is a summary of the full description ofthe species, which can be found in Conn (1997):

♦ Erect, spreading to openly branched shrub, 1-2.5 m high, rarely scrambling to 3 m. Leavesand branches strongly and unpleasantlyaromatic, especially when crushed.

♦ Branches subterete, moderately covered withlong (usually 1.5-3 mm), spreading hairs,usually sparsely scattered with glands.

♦ Leaves ovate, 12-40 mm long, 8-24 mm wide;apex obtuse; base ± attenuate to truncate;margins deeply toothed with teeth 5-10 mmlong, directed slightly forward; surfaces 'dusty'green, paler below, covered with long,spreading hairs, sparsely glandular; petiole 2-8mm long, similarly hairy.

♦ Flowers in a terminal botryoid, each 4-10-flowered. Prophylls (bracteoles) persistent, 2.4-4 mm long. Calyx dull green, hairy, with tube1.5-2.5 mm long and lobes 1.8-3.5 mm long.Corolla 12-14 mm long, pale mauve to blue-mauve, markings absent. Stamens inserted 1.5-2 mm above base of corolla, filaments 2-2.2mm long. Anthers appearing to be withoutbasal appendage.

1 currently known as �Australian Rainforest Sanctuary�



Figure1. Prostanthera askania.

a, flowering branchlet; b, details of branchlet showing spreading, multicellular hairs and hemispherical sessile glands. c,detail of indentum and hemispherical sessile galnds of leaf surface. d, detail of calyx and prophylls.Scale bar: a = 30 mm; b & c = 3 mm; d = 4 mm.(Drawings by Lesley Elkan, reproduced with permission of the Botanic Gardens Trust).



5 Distribution and abundance

5.1 Definitions: populations andsubpopulations

With one exception, in this recovery plan discretegroups of Prostanthera askania plants that are notseparated from other discrete groups by more thanone kilometre are considered together as a singlepopulation2. The exception is the separation of twogroups of sites which, despite occurring just withinone kilometre of each other, have been consideredas separate populations because they occur indifferent major catchment systems. Following thisreasoning, 10 populations of P. askania have beenrecognised. Each population has been identifieduniquely by using the prefix �Pa� followed by aunique number (e.g �Pa_01�, �Pa _02�, etc.).

A subpopulation is defined as discrete group of P.askania plants that is separated from other groupswithin the same population by an arbitrary distanceof 200 metres or more. Thirteen knownsubpopulations have thus been defined for P.askania (see Appendix 1). Where a populationconsists of multiple subpopulations, eachsubpopulation has been identified uniquely by analphabetic suffix -�a�, �b�, �c�, etc. - to thepopulation identifier (e.g �Pa _01a�, �Pa _01b�,etc.).

5.2 Current and historical distributionProstanthera askania is endemic to the Gosford �Wyong area of the Central Coast region of NSW(Figure 2). It is known reliably from only 13subpopulations within 10 populations, which occurin the upper reaches of creeks that flow intoTuggerah Lakes and Brisbane Water. It has a verylimited extent of occurrence of less than 50 km2 anda linear geographic range of less than 12kilometres. Within this area the species is known tophysically occupy an area of less than 15 ha.

Recent surveys (December 2003) have reconfirmedthe location of eight populations of the species inthe catchments of Ourimbah Creek, Narara Creek,Dog Trap Gully, Chittaway Creek and Berkeley

2 Following Keith et al. (1997), and consistent with Australian usage, thisplan uses the terms �total population� and �population� instead of the terms�population� and �subpopulation�, respectively, adopted by theInternational Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources(IUCN 1994). Hence, in this plan �total population� defines the totalpopulation of P. askania across its extent of occurrence and �populations�are defined as �geographically or otherwise distinct groups in the totalpopulation between which there is little [genetic] exchange, typically lessthan one migrant per year�. A migration in the case of plant species isconsidered to be the movement of seed propagules or pollen betweenpopulations, though it is suggested that the dispersal of propagules is moreimportant to the viability of plant populations, because pollen does notusually contribute to rescue or recolonisation events. Since in the case ofP. askania there is inadequate information on a species with which toassess the extent to which genetic material is exchanged, a �population� isdefined, using the rule of thumb suggested by Keith et al. (1997), as a�geographic discontinuity� of more than one kilometre.

Creek. A further two populations are known fromthe Erina � Fires Creek catchment. The species mayalso have occurred historically in West Gosford.

P. askania occurs in the local government areas ofGosford and Wyong. All populations are within thearea of responsibility of the Hunter/Central RiversCatchment Management Authority.

Appendix 1 lists and summarises attributes of thecurrently known populations. References tosubpopulation identifiers throughout this plancorrespond to those in Appendix 1. Given concernsthat the publication of specific locational details forpopulations of P. askania may compromise itsconservation, detailed location descriptions and gridreferences will not be made publicly available.Public authorities, land managers, or others withvalid reasons for requiring the data, may requestsuch information by contacting the Department ofEnvironment and Conservation.

5.3 Population size and structureThe population size of a species is considered to bethe total number of mature individuals (IUCN1994). However, most estimates made ofpopulation sizes of Prostanthera askania fail todistinguish between mature and immatureindividuals. Hence, the total number of mature P.askania individuals across all known sub-populations remains unknown. Furthermore, eventotal numbers of individuals - mature and immatureplants together - in most populations of the speciesare unknown, since few populations have beensystematically surveyed or comprehensivelycensused, and many sites have not received adocumented visit for some time � some not withinthe past decade. Hence, there may have beensignificant changes in plant numbers since the lastestimates were made. In addition, the apparentlyclonal nature of P. askania makes it extremelydifficult to differentiate individual plants (genets),so there has been poor consistency in what has beencounted or estimated at each subpopulation or oneach occasion.

The number of P. askania individuals across all 10recognised populations is therefore unknown, but isestimated to be between 6600 and 10200 plants.This figure includes an estimated 5000-7000 plantsthat are less than one year old since regeneratingfrom fire and have not reached reproductivematurity (subpopulation Pa_05a). In the otherpopulations, comprised largely of reproductivelymature individuals, population size varies fromonly a single individual to thousands of plants,although the majority of populations support a lownumber of plants (Table 1). Six of the tenpopulations consist of fewer than 100 plants, andonly three populations support greater than 150mature plants, of which only one comprises more



Map projection: Australian Map Datum 1966 Zone 56

Prostanthera askania

Prepared by N Cork ish, Threat ened Species Unit , Met ropolit an Reg ion.Las t updated J uly 2004Copyright Depar tment of Env ironment and Conservation (NSW) July 2004.This map is not guaranteed to be free from er ror or omission. The D epart ment of Environment and Conserva tion (N SW) and it s employees disc laim liability for any act done on the in formation in the map and any cons equences o f such act s or omissions.

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than 1000 plants. In addition, the majority ofpopulations occur over a small area, with mostoccupying an area of less than 0.5ha. Only threepopulations have an area of occupancy greater thanone ha. These data are summarised in Table 1.

Table 1: Size class distribution for the known extantpopulations of P. askania

Size class# Number ofpopulations

Population identifier

≤ 5 2 Pa_06, Pa_07

≥ 5 ≤ 100 4 Pa_02, Pa_03,Pa_09, Pa_10

≥ 101 ≤ 500 2 Pa_01, Pa_08

≥ 501 ≤ 1000 0

≥ 1001 ≤ 5000 1 Pa_04

≥ 5000 ≤ 7500 1 Pa_05*

# estimates of number of mature and immature plants.* includes 5000-7000 immature plants less than 1 year old

6 Land tenure, management andzoning

Table 2 shows the distribution of P. askaniasubpopulations by tenure, land manager and localgovernment zoning. Where a subpopulation extendsacross two (or more) different tenures, it has beenrecorded as two (or more) separate sites.

While the majority of known populations occur onpublic lands of various types (Council reserves,Crown Land or State Forest), all or part of six of the13 known subpopulations occur on private freeholdlands (Table 2); these include the area occupied bythe two largest subpopulations which comprisemore than 90% of the total number of knownplants.

6.1 Conservation reservesProstanthera askania has not been recorded fromany national park, nature reserve, state conservationarea or other type of gazetted conservation reservemanaged by DEC.

6.2 State forestTwo populations (Pa_02, Pa_03) occur inStrickland State Forest which is zoned FMZ 2(Special Management Area) under Forests NSW�sForest Management Zoning (FMZ) system. As suchit is an informal reserve created by the Minister forForests, and constitutes part of the CAR3 reserve

3 Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative. The Commonwealth,State and Territory Governments agreed to the development of NationalForest Reserve Criteria, in accordance with the National Forest PolicyStatement. The Joint ANZECC/MCFFA National Forest Policy StatementImplementation Sub-committee (known as JANIS) produced a reportoutlining the criteria. Called �Nationally Agreed Criteria for theEstablishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate And Representative

system. It is managed under a management plan forbiodiversity and heritage conservation, educationand recreation purposes.

6.3 Crown LandOne population (Pa_10) is on Crown Land,occurring partly on a Crown road reserve and partlyon an adjoining Crown reserve. The Crown roadreserve is managed by the Department of Lands.The Crown reserve is dedicated for the purposes ofboth public recreation (as Reserve 73397) andtimber (as Reserve 62269). Management for thepurpose of public recreation is devolved to WyongShire Council, while management for the purposeof timber is the responsibility of Forests NSW. Thereserve is zoned 6a for �Open Space (Recreation)�As Crown Land it is not classified under the LocalGovernment Act.

Another population (Pa_09) occurs partly on theverge of Brush Road, Fountaindale, on a Crownroad reserve managed by Wyong Shire Council.

6.4 Council lands

6.4.1 Gosford LGA

Three subpopulations occur on land owned byGosford City Council zoned 6a for �Open Space(Recreation)�. These include the Alan Street reserve(Pa_05b); Katandra Reserve (Pa_06); and a reserveon The Ridgeway, Holgate (Pa_07). Part of theAlan Street reserve population (Pa_05b) is onCouncil-owned land zoned 6e for �Open Space(Proposed)� under the Gosford Planning SchemeOrdinance. These lands are classified as communityland under the Local Government Act.

A fourth subpopulation (Pa_05a) occurs west ofSiletta Road partly on Council-owned land recentlycreated as a public reserve, but which is currentlyzoned 7a (�Conservation�) and classified asoperational land under the Local Government Act.

6.4.2 Wyong LGA

Wyong Shire Council owns a reserve on Berry�sLane, Fountaindale, zoned 7a (�Conservation�), onwhich one population (Pa_08) occurs. This land isclassified as community land under the LocalGovernment Act.

In addition, the Council controls and manages theCrown Lands (Crown reserve and Crown roadreserves) referred to in section 6.3.

Reserve System for Forests in Australia,� the report sets out thecomponents of the Comprehensive, Adequate And Representative (CAR)reserve system. These components are commonly referred to as the JANIScriteria. The criteria are linked to the International Union for Conservationof Nature (IUCN) guidelines for Protected Area Management Categories.



6.5 Freehold landOf the 13 P. askania subpopulations, six occurwholly or mostly on private freehold land (Pa_01,Pa_04a, Pa_04b, Pa_04c, Pa_05a, Pa_09). Theseare all properties in areas zoned 7a for�Conservation� in both Gosford and Wyong LGAs.This zoning, however, does not preclude manytypes of development or activity (see section

10.1.1). Furthermore, the meaning of the zoningprimary purpose, �Conservation�, and the allowabledevelopments or activities within the zone differsbetween the two local government areas.

These populations constitute more than 90% of thetotal number of known plants and include the twolargest subpopulations (Pa_05a and Pa_04b).

Table 2: Tenure, land manager and zoning for all known Prostanthera askania sites.

Tenure - Land manager Council-managed land

category

No.sites*

Subpopulation identifier

Zoning � purpose§

Private property � Gosford LGA7a �Conservation� a, 3 Pa_04a, Pa_04b, Pa_05a�

Private property � Wyong LGA7a �Conservation� b 3 Pa_01, Pa_04c, Pa_09

Council reserve � Wyong Shire Council7a �Conservation� b Community 1 Pa_08

Council reserve � Gosford City Council7a �Conservation� a Operational 1 Pa_05a�

6a �Open space (Recreation)� a Community 3 Pa_05b�, Pa_06, Pa_076e �Open space (proposed)� a Community 1 Pa_05b�

Crown Land - Wyong Shire CouncilCrown reserve � 6a �Open space (Recreation)� b - 1 Pa_10�

Road reserve � 7c? - 1 Pa_09�

Crown Land � Department of LandsRoad reserve � 7c? - 1 Pa_10�

State forest � Forests NSWConservation/recreation c 2 Pa_02, Pa_03

* where a subpopulation extends across two different tenures or zoning it has been recorded as two separate sites� subpopulation occurs across more than one tenure or zoning§ as identified in the

a Gosford City Council Interim Development Order 122 or Gosford Planning Scheme Ordinance, orb Wyong Shire Council Local Environmental Plan 1991, or,c Forests NSW Forest Management Zoning system.The meaning of the zoning primary purpose and the allowable developments or activities within the zone differs between local governmentareas.

7 Habitat

7.1 Landform, geology and soilProstanthera askania is found primarily on therolling hills, footslopes and valley flats of the ErinaHills physiographic region. It usually occurs on thelower areas of undulating to moderately steepslopes of the colluvial Watagan and erosional Erinasoil landscapes. However, the species has also beenfound on ridge tops where moister forest typescarry across the ridge. It also occurs on alluvialsoils of the Yarramalong soil landscape, adjacentto, but not immediately in, drainage lines dissectingthe Watagan and Erina landscapes (Murphy 1993).

The Watagan and Erina landscapes are derivedfrom the Narrabeen Group of sandstone, siltstone,claystone and conglomerate. Outcropping boulders

of sandstone are found at several P. askanialocations. The alluvial Yarramalong soil landscapeis formed from more recent (Quaternary) geologicalprocesses.

Topsoils on which P. askania grows include loams,sandy clay loams and alluvial sands (Murphy1993), however, the specific soils occurring at siteshave not been assessed.

7.2 Climate4 and altitudeThe climate of the area is warm temperate with amaritime influence. Average annual rainfall atGosford is 1320 mm. Rainfall is generally higherand more reliable during summer although soilmoisture availability tends to remain highthroughout the year (Edwards 1979). Temperaturesare generally mild with relatively low ranges (from

4 Bureau of Meteorology data at October 2003



10 to 13.5°C) between monthly maxima andminima. The mean of maximum daily temperatureat Gosford is highest in January at 27.4°C andlowest in July at 17.4°C. Mean minimum dailytemperature is highest in February at 17.1°C andlowest in July at 4.5°C. Average monthly humidity(at 9 a.m.) ranges from 62% in October to 82% inJune.

Summer winds are usually from the south or south-east, and there is a tendency for onshore north-easterly winds on the coast in the afternoon. Winterwinds are predominantly from the south or south-west.

The altitudinal range of P. askania is 10 to 130metres above sea level, although the majority ofoccurrences are below 100 m a.s.l.

7.3 Associated vegetationThe species occurs in moist sclerophyll forest andwarm temperate rainforest communities, as well asthe ecotone between them. These communities aregenerally tall forests with a mesic understorey.Syncarpia glomulifera subsp. glomulifera(Turpentine), Allocasuarina torulosa (Forest Oak),and Eucalyptus acmenoides (White Mahogany) arecharacteristic of the wet sclerophyll community, butthe canopy species present can be highly variable(Bell 2002). At most known Prostanthera askaniasites S. glomulifera and Eucalyptus saligna (SydneyBlue Gum) occurs, but canopy species at varioussites also include E. agglomerata (Blue-leavedStringybark), E. pilularis (Blackbutt), Corymbiamaculata (Spotted Gum) and E. siderophloia (GreyIronbark), with the presence of the latter threespecies indicating a drier variant of the moistsclerophyll forest. Canopy species at rainforest sitesare also variable and include Doryphora sassafras(Sassafras), Cryptocarya obovata (Pepperberry), C.glaucescens (Jackwood), C. microneura(Murrogun), S. glomulifera, Ceratopetalumapelatum (Coachwood), Synoum glandulosumsubsp. glandulosum (Scentless Rosewood), Acmenasmithii (Lilly Pilly), Acacia irrorata (GreenWattle), Tristaniopsis collina (Mountain WaterGum), Callicoma serratifolia (Black Wattle),Archontophoenix cunninghamiana (BangalowPalm), Glochidion ferdinandi (Cheese Tree) andSloanea australis (Maiden�s Blush) (NSW NPWS2000a, Conn 1997).

Assemblages of understorey species varyconsiderably at each site and reflect a mix of moistforest/rainforest species determined by localisedhabitat conditions, prior and current disturbanceregimes (e.g. fire, weed invasion, proximity toaccess tracks, natural tree falls) and thesuccessional stage of the community. In manyinstances Prostanthera askania forms dense clumpsand so in some instances it constitutes one of the

dominant understorey species within thecommunity.

Prostanthera askania occurs in vegetationcommunities mapped in the Lower Hunter andCentral Coast Regional Environmental Strategy(LHCCREMS) as Coastal Narrabeen Moist Forest(Map Unit 6), Coastal Wet Gully Forest (MU 1),Coastal Warm Temperate � Subtropical Rainforest(MU 1a) and Coastal Narrabeen Shrub Forest (MU22) (NSW NPWS 2000a).

Known sites in the Wyong LGA occur in vegetationcommunities mapped more recently by Bell (2002)as Coastal Ranges Moist Layered Forest (MU 35),Narrabeen Warm Temperate � SubtropicalRainforest (MU 42) and Narrabeen Hunter RangesGully Dry Rainforest (MU 41).

More detailed vegetation mapping for the GosfordLGA has recently been completed (Bell 2004):known sites occur in communities mapped asCoastal Narrabeen Moist Forest (MU E6a) andCoastal Warm Temperate Rainforest (MU E1ai).

7.4 Potential habitatPotential habitat using the dataset of P. askaniarecords available at the time was modelled andmapped (figure 3) by NSW NPWS (2000b). Modelperformance indicators suggested that the modelwas not particularly robust, probably as a result ofthe low number of available records and the lowaccuracy of several of the records used.

Until this potential habitat model is revised usingthe most recent and audited dataset, potentialhabitat of P. askania for the purposes ofenvironmental impact assessment should thus beconsidered to be any of the following vegetationcommunities, as mapped in their respectiveprojects, within Gosford or Wyong localgovernment areas:• Coastal Narrabeen Moist Forest (Map Unit 6),

Coastal Wet Gully Forest (MU 1), CoastalWarm Temperate � Subtropical Rainforest(MU 1a) or Coastal Narrabeen Shrub Forest(MU 22) as mapped in the Lower Hunter andCentral Coast Regional EnvironmentalStrategy (LHCCREMS) (NSW NPWS 2000a);or

• Coastal Ranges Moist Layered Forest (MapUnit 35), Narrabeen Warm Temperate �Subtropical Rainforest (MU 42) and NarrabeenHunter Ranges Gully Dry Rainforest (MU 41)as mapped for the Wyong local governmentarea by Bell (2002); or

• Coastal Narrabeen Moist Forest (Map UnitE6a) and Coastal Warm Temperate Rainforest(MU E1ai) as mapped for the Gosford localgovernment area by Bell (2004).



Figure 3. Potential habitat of Prostanthera askania(modelled by NSW NPWS 2000b using the dataset of P. askania records available in the year 2000 overlain withcurrent accurate records)



8 Biology and ecologyThe level of information known about the biologyand ecology of P. askania is limited and only broadassumptions can be made regarding many aspects.

8.1 HabitProstanthera askania is an erect but spreading andsometimes scrambling, openly-branched shrub thatgrows from 1-3 metres high (Conn 1997). It oftenforms dense clumps and also shows a tendency atsome sites to propagate vegetatively (see section8.3.1).

8.2 LongevityThe life-span of this species is not known.However, Prostanthera askania appears to be acolonising species that takes advantage of increasedlight following natural canopy-cover disturbancewithin the moist forest and rainforest habitats inwhich it occurs, so while P. askania individualsmay persist in low light conditions, they are likelyto senesce in such conditions (C. Pennay5, pers.comm., N. Corkish, pers. obs.).The longevity andviability of P. askania seed in the soil is not known.

8.3 Reproductive biology

Little is known about the reproductive biology ofProstanthera askania. Some basic aspects of thespecies� reproductive biology (growth, flower andfruit production) are currently being studied (D.Tierney6, pers. comm.). Further work is required onthe reproductive biology and ecology of the speciesto inform successful in situ habitat managementactions.

8.3.1 Vegetative reproduction

Vegetative reproduction from subsurface epicormicbuds (suckering) has not been documented for P.askania. However, the species appears in severallocations to propagate vegetatively by �stem-layering�, by which prostrate branches take rootwhere they remain in contact with the soil N.Corkish7, pers. obs.). The age at which the speciesis capable of this is not known.

8.3.2 Reproductive maturity

The age at which P. askania is capable of floweringand producing seed is not known. Preliminaryresearch has not identified a relationship betweenflowing and age, but a positive relationship betweenplant size and flowering has been established (D.Tierney, pers. comm.). Some other Prostantheraspecies appear to flower at a young age (e.g. in P. 5 C. Pennay, former Threatened Species Officer, NSW NPWS6 D. Tierney, Environmental Systems Officer, Wyong Shire Council7 N. Corkish, Threatened Species Officer, DEC (NSW)

junonis, plants were estimated to be floweringwithin the first 3 years (Tierney and Gross 2001).

8.3.3 Phenology

Knowledge of the period, regularity and duration offlowering and fruit production in P. askania isincomplete, and the factors which influenceflowering and fruiting are unknown. Conn (1997)documented the flowering of P. askania as takingplace from June�December, primarily in the periodSeptember�December, and it is known that thetiming of both flowering and fruiting can bevariable. For instance, the flowering period for thespecies was observed to be very short during 1999and 2000 (C. Lacey8, pers. obs.), with flowerspresent for just two to three weeks duringNovember. In contrast, in the 2003-2004 season,there was a peak over spring with floweringextending into mid summer (D. Tierney, pers.comm.).

Fruiting is considered by Conn (1997) to take placefrom July�December. In the 2003-2004 seasonmost fruit (in a few populations which werestudied) set from late spring to summer (D. Tierney,pers. comm.).

8.3.4 Breeding system

Prostanthera flowers are morphologicallyhermaphrodite, having both male and female organspresent in each flower. However, the breedingsystem of P. askania is not understood and it is notknown whether P. askania is exclusively capable ofself-pollination. Studies into a congener P. junonis(Tierney and Gross 2001) showed it was capable ofself-pollination, although seed set and seed viabilitywere lower in selfed seed compared with thatresulting from open-pollinated flowers.

8.3.5 Pollination

Several species of insect have been observedvisisting the flowers of P. askania, however thesehave not been identified (C. Lacey, NSW NPWS,pers. obs.). These have included "common� mothspecies, oriented as if nectar feeding (D. Tierney,pers. obs.).

8.3.6 Seed ecology

Only preliminary observations regarding thepersistence of fruit on P. askania plants is available.In the 2003-2004 season most fruit in a few studiedpopulations dropped in March within 4-6 weeks ofseed set, suggesting that the species maintains noaerial seed bank (D. Tierney, pers. comm.).

At present there is virtually no knowledge of thesuccess or mode of dispersal of seed of P. askania.Information regarding seed dispersal, seed

8 C. Lacey, former Threatened Species Officer, NSW NPWS



longevity and viability, seed dormancy andgermination is unavailable. These are considered tobe critical aspects of the species� biology requiringinvestigation.

8.4 Disturbance ecologyObservations of plants often in canopy gaps oradjacent to tracks and of regeneration following firesuggests that Prostanthera askania may be acolonising species that takes advantage of increasedlight following natural canopy-cover disturbancewithin the moist forest and rainforest habitats inwhich it occurs. Seedling recruitment may be linkedto the breaking of seed dormancy by light as aresult of such disturbances such as forest canopyopenings and understorey fire. Reducedcompetition for other resources may also stimulateregeneration vegetatively or from seed.

The species appears to be present in only smallnumbers at sites where low light conditions prevailor that are subject to high levels of weed invasion.Occasional P. askania individuals do persist in lowlight conditions, but are likely to senesce in theabsence of a disturbance regime that is conducive torecruitment. Observations of the species indicatethat it is outcompeted by invading weed speciessuch as lantana which occupies a similarenvironmental niche (C. Pennay, NSW NPWS,pers. obs.).

P. askania is likely to be fire-sensitive given themoist forest habitats it occupies, however, its fireecology is currently unknown. A large pre-fire adultpopulation in moist Syncarpia glomulifera forestwas killed by fire in October 2002, but appears tobe successfully regenerating, apparently from seed(N. Corkish, pers. obs. of subpopulation Pa_05a),between 6 and 16 months following fire, whichsuggests that either a soil-stored seedbank or aheavy crop of seed on the adult plants (aerialseedbank) was present immediately before the fire.Continued monitoring and further studies arerequired, however, to draw firm conclusionsregarding the species� response to fire.

There have been no systematically-recordedobservations of the effects of fire frequency,intensity or seasonality on P. askania or its soilseed bank. It is not known if P. askania plants arecapable of surviving by suckering after a fire ofgreat enough intensity to destroy all above groundparts of the plant. Nor is it known what intensity offire, if any, the P. askania soil seed bank � if itmaintains one - is capable of surviving. Researchinto the fire response of the species (including itssoil seed bank) is considered to be a critical aspectof the species� biology requiring investigation.

While occasional disturbances may actually favourthe persistence of P. askania in some locations, it

can be reasonably assumed that frequentdisturbances (as a consequence of grazing, slashing,fire or other activities that destroy the above groundparts of the plant and prevent seed production) maylead to local extinctions of the species in the longterm. This will occur if the disturbances are of afrequency that prevents the plants that regeneratefrom developing to a stage where they are capableof producing seed and/or vegetatively reproducingin response to a subsequent disturbance. Inaddition, a long-term absence of disturbance maybe detrimental to population persistence given thatgrowth appears to be enhanced by disturbanceevents or canopy gaps. The critical fire or otherdisturbance frequencies for survival have not yetbeen determined, however interim recommendedminimum and maximum fire intervals are providedin section 10.1.7.

9 Previous recovery actions

9.1 Threatened species data collation andaudit

The Department of Environment and ConservationCentral Threatened Species Unit has conducted aliterature review, and checked and audited NSWherbarium, NSW NPWS Atlas of Wildlife andForests NSW records.

9.2 Profile and environmental impactassessment guidelines

A species profile and environmental impactassessment guidelines have been prepared for P.askania (Appendix 2). The aim of these documentsis to assist in the assessment of potential impacts onthe species during the preparation and review ofassessments under Parts 4 and 5 of the EP&A Actand Part 6 of the TSC Act.

9.3 Establishment of a recovery teamA recorvery team has not been established for P.askania. However, consultation has occurred withmembers of a recovery plan reference group,comprising representatives of relevant publicauthorities which will be responsible for theplanning for and/or management of this species andscientists who have special knowledge of thespecies.

9.4 In situ protection

Threat abatement works involving weed removalare being implemented at one Council-ownedP. askania site (Pa_08), as part of Wyong Council�sbush regeneration program. Council intends tomonitor the site for weeds annually.



9.5 Ex situ protectionNumerous cuttings of P. askania have beencollected, propagated and planted with varyingsuccess by the Botanic Gardens Trust (BGT). Thesecuttings were sourced from at least two, possiblythree, different wild populations. Propagated plantshave survived between 1 and 14 years.

No seed collections appear to have been made todate. One reason may have been that the seed ofProstanthera species is difficult to collect andmaintain in storage (P. Cuneo9, pers. comm.). Thegenus is a target group for research on seedviability and the requirements for successfulconservation storage, and in this context P. askaniais a candidate, subject to funding, for the SeedquestNSW program to be carried out by the BGT inpartnership with the �Millennium Seedbank�program of the United Kingdom�s Royal BotanicGardens at Kew (P. Cuneo, pers. comm.).

The BGT does not have, nor does it intend tocollect, cutting or seed material to cover the rangeof geographical, morphological or geneticvariability across the total population of the species(P. Cuneo, pers. comm.).

9.6 Survey, research and monitoringThe following survey, research and monitoringactivities have been implemented:• The majority of P. askania populations known

at the time were surveyed in January 2001 byChris Pennay of the NSW NPWS CentralThreatened Species Unit. At each sitepopulation size and area were estimated, andhabitat information and potential threats werenoted. Assessment of some other populations iscurrently being undertaken by DEC.

• NSW NPWS (2000b) mapped predicted habitatfor P. askania in the Lower Hunter and CentralCoast region (figure 3).

• Research to collect basic growth andreproduction data (flowering and fruitproduction) commenced in Spring 2003 at twosites in Wyong LGA.

• Monitoring of seedling recruitment, survivaland growth is proposed for subpopulationPa_05a, but is subject to agreement by theprivate land-holder.

9.7 Lower North East Regional ForestAgreement

The Lower North East Regional Forest Agreementresulted in the issue of a Threatened SpeciesLicence (TSL) to Forests NSW as part of theIntegrated Forestry Operations Approvals. Under

9 P. Cuneo, Manager, Natural Heritage, Botanic Gardens Trust, DEC

(NSW)

that licence, Forests NSW must meet a number ofconditions that relate to surveying for or protectingP. askania before or during harvesting or otherspecified forestry activities on State forest or otherCrown timber lands.

10 Management issuesThe management and conservation of Prostantheraaskania requires the development of a recoveryprogram which considers:(i) the factors that threaten the survival of

P. askania;(ii) limits to current knowledge;(iii) the social, political and organisational

parameters that may affect the success orotherwise of the program;

(iv) any special knowledge or interests thatindigenous people may have in the speciesor the measures in the plan; and

(v) the economic factors which may influencethe plan�s implementation.

This section addresses these points as well ascommunity awareness of the species; considerationof a translocation and ex-situ conservation program;and consideration of the ability of the species to�recover�.

10.1 Threatening activities and processesThe threats operating at P. askania sites aredescribed below. The main threats to the survival ofP. askania are habitat loss and fragmentation due toclearing and other modifications, including thatresulting from roadside maintenance activities andinappropriate fire regimes. Other threats orpotential threats include bush rock removal, weedinvasion, recreational activities, dumping of rubbishand garden waste, grazing, infection by the root-rotfungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi), climate changeand alteration of stream hydrology.

10.1.1 Clearing for residential, industrial orrural purposes

Clearing of native vegetation is listed as a keythreatening process for many threatened species,populations and ecological communities �including P. askania � under both the NSWThreatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSCAct) and the Commonwealth EnvironmentProtection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999(EPBC Act). For further information about this keythreatening process see the NSW ScientificCommittee Determination Advice 01/17 and therelevant Commonwealth Threatened SpeciesScientific Committee listing advice10. It isconsidered to be the major threat to the survival ofP. askania. Clearing results not only in the removal

10 see DEH websitewww.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/ktp/clearing.html



or destruction of vegetation, but also encompassesthe alteration of habitat causing changes to habitatstructure and floristic composition, which mayoccur through road/track construction, mechanicalfuel hazard reduction activities, or slashing andherbicide spraying along road verges.

Clearing of native vegetation in the Gosford �Wyong area has occurred over many years andcontinues to occur for residential, industrial andrural development. Population growth in this area islikely to place P. askania under increasing pressurefrom such development. Clearing of nativevegetation in the area of occurrence of the specieshas almost certainly directly destroyed populationsof P. askania. At least one subpopulation in theGosford suburb of Niagara Park is thought to havebecome locally extinct following clearance ofnative vegetation for residential subdivision (R.Payne, pers. comm.).

Clearing in the Gosford � Wyong area has alsoresulted in the fragmentation of P. askania habitat,with populations and subpopulations of the speciesseparated by severely modified or totally clearedareas. Fragmentation impacts may include thecreation of small isolated populations with limitedgene flow between them, leading to inbreedingdepression and reduced potential to adapt toenvironmental change. In addition, small isolatedpopulations may be subject to local extinction fromstochastic (random) events. Fragmentation may alsolead to the loss or severe modification of theinteractions between P. askania and other species,including those interactions � such as withpollinators � that are important for the survival ofthe species. The hostility of the surrounding clearedor modified environment is a major factor inlimiting movement of organisms between patches.Furthermore, the physical environment withinpatches themselves may be altered as a result ofcreation of edges and associated anthropogenicinfluences.

All or part of six known subpopulations occur onprivate freehold property (see Table 2). While theseproperties are all in areas zoned for �conservation�,protection against destruction or disturbance ofthese populations is not guaranteed, as in both theGosford and Wyong LGAs certain developmentsmay be carried out with or without the consent ofCouncil.11 In these zones, permissible activities caninclude recreation areas (without consent inGosford City), agriculture, dwellings,communications and utility facilities, roads, damsand other constructions. Councils should considerthe options for rezoning such sites to afford moresecure environmental protection for these 11 as identified in the Gosford City Council Interim Development OrderNo.122 (as at 22 June 2001) or Gosford Planning Scheme Ordinance, orWyong Shire Council Local Environmental Plan 1991 (as amended2 February 2001)

populations. In addition, to mitigate both direct andindirect impacts on the species, Councils shouldconsider features which could be incorporated intothe design and implementation of developmentsthat are to be constructed upslope of, or proximateto, P. askania sites. Vegetated buffers should beretained around P. askania sites to maintain theintegrity and connectivity of its habitat.

Liaison with the owners of these properties isrequired to prevent inadvertent clearing ordetrimental modification of habitat for the species.In potential habitat where P. askania is currentlyunrecorded, it is important that consent anddetermining authorities are aware of the need fortargeted survey for the species when assessing theimpacts of a development. As P. askania may onlybe present in very small numbers or even only inthe form of soil-stored seed, the species couldeasily be missed during flora surveys conducted aspart of the development assessment process.

In addition to directly impacting upon P. askaniathrough habitat loss and fragmentation, suchdevelopment and associated increases in humanpopulation can directly and indirectly affect thespecies by otherwise contributing to habitatdegradation and modifying the environmentalconditions experienced at those sites. Such impactscan result from factors including:• increased pedestrian and vehicular access to

sites, resulting in greater likelihood oftrampling, rubbish and garden waste dumping,weed infestations, bush rock removal andtransmission of the root-rot fungus(Phytophthora cinnamomi);

• more frequent fire as a consequence of bushfirehazard reduction works and arson;

• altered overland flows (and associatedproblems with sedimentation and erosion); and

• changed soil pH and nutrient levels.

These management issues are discussed in moredetail in the following sections. On-going activemanagement (including bush regeneration, fencingand liaison with residents to prevent dumping andother inappropriate activities) may be required tomitigate the indirect impacts of these developmentson the species.

10.1.2 Roadside and powerline easementmaintenance and mechanical methodsof bushfire fuel hazard reduction

At least four P. askania subpopulations (Pa_03,Pa_08, Pa_09, Pa_10) occur, at least partially, onroad verges managed by Wyong Shire Council orForests NSW. Slashing, mowing, trittering andpossibly the spraying of herbicides, are practised atsome of these locations; annual grading occursalong the access road into Strickland State Forest(Pa_03) and may occur at some of the other sites



also. Mechanical methods of bushfire fuel hazardreduction may also be carried out at some sites,especially where they are proximate to assets suchas buildings or fence lines.

One of these sites (Pa_10) is also largely underpowerlines managed by Energy Australia. Slashingof vegetation underneath these appears to haveoccurred recently (N. Corkish, pers. obs.) resultingin destruction of the aboveground parts of mostadult plants. However, several seedlings or newly-emergent vegetative growth were observedalongside scattered older plants which escapedmechanical damage.

It is possible that P. askania may tolerate infrequentdistrubances of this nature, but the species isunlikely to be able to survive repeated mechanicaldamage from mowing, slashing or grading, asdiscussed in section 8.4. Until further informationregarding the response of the species to multipledisturbances is gained, it is important that mowing,slashing and grading are excluded from P. askaniasites and that all Council and powerline utility staffand contractors responsible for planning andimplementing such activities are made aware of theoccurrence of the species.

The mitigative actions for Z. involucrata identifiedin the Threatened Species Hazard Reduction List(TSHRL) must be incorporated as a condition ofany approved bush fire hazard reduction workscarried out according to the Rural Fire Service�sBush Fire Environmental Assessment Code forAsset Protection and Strategic Fire AdvantageZones. Currently, the Threatened Species HazardReduction List requires that no slashing, tritteringor tree removal for bush fire hazard reduction workoccurs in P. askania habitat. To ensure that thiscondition is applied to Z. involucrata it is essentialthat the Atlas of NSW Wildlife (the source ofTSHRL records) contains precise locations (betterthan or equal to 100 metres) for all populations ofthe species.

10.1.3 Bush rock removal

Bush rock removal is recognised as a keythreatening process for several threatened plantspecies under the NSW Threatened SpeciesConservation Act 1995 (TSC Act). For furtherinformation about this key threatening process seethe NSW Scientific Committee DeterminationAdvice 99/25 (NSW Scientific Committee 1999)and the NPWS fact sheet �Bushrock removal: a keythreatening process� (NSW NPWS 1999). As P.askania often occurs in areas where Hawkesburysandstone outcrops, removal of bush rock isconsidered to be one of the threats to the survival ofP. askania. Legal or illegal bush rock removal insuch areas may destroy plants and degrade thehabitat of the species. Bush rock removal is

prohibited from National Parks and WildlifeService estate and from Crown Land.

The impact of this threat could be minimisedthrough land-holder, neighbour and communityeducation. Gosford and Wyong Councils shouldalso consider the inclusion in local environmentalplans of provisions regulating bush rock collection.

10.1.4 Weed invasion

Weed invasion is considered to be a threateningprocess at several P. askania sites (D. Tierney, pers.obs., N. Corkish, pers. obs.). Lantana (Lantanacamara) is the most commonly recorded weedspecies at P. askania sites and is considered to bethe most important weed requiring management.Crofton weed (Ageratina adenophora), small-leaved privet (Ligustrum sinense), large-leavedprivet (Ligustrum lucidum) and camphor laurel(Cinnamomum camphora) have been observed at orin close proximity to P. askania sites (R. Payne,pers. obs., N. Corkish, pers. obs.). Under theNoxious Weeds Act 1993, Crofton weed (Ageratinaadenophora) is declared noxious in the Gosford andWyong control area.

The management of weeds at P. askania sites willrequire targeted bush regeneration efforts. Theseefforts should aim to restore, maintain and expandsuitable habitat for the species. It is important thatland managers are aware that weed controlmeasures have the potential to impact negatively onP. askania. Caution should be applied when usingherbicides to control environmental weeds within ornear the habitat of P. askania, as its tolerance toherbicides is unknown. Manual weed managementtechniques may be appropriate.

10.1.5 Recreational activities

Recreational activities pose a threat to the healthand survival of P. askania populations at some sitesin Council reserves. These have the potential todamage P. askania plants and degrade its habitatthrough physical damage, alteration of understoreystructure and composition, and soil compaction.

In particular, the Niagara Park Council reservesubpopulation (Pa_05b) is exposed to contact withboth walkers and bicycle riders who have formedsemi-permanent tracks within the subpopulation.Ironically, it may be this disturbance which hasstimulated and allowed the persistence of thespecies, since the understorey has been kept open.Gosford City Council will need to consider optionsfor management of such activities within thisreserve.

10.1.6 Rubbish dumping

Dumped rubbish including green waste, householdrubbish and old cars have been observed at P.askania sites (N. Corkish, pers. obs.). The dumping



of such materials has the potential to damage P.askania and degrade its habitat through burial,physical damage and soil compaction. Rubbishdumping also has the potential to introduce weedpropagules to a site and encourage weed growth byaltering pH and nutrient levels in the soil.

The impact of dumping could be minimisedthrough increasing efforts in law enforcement,through land-holder, neighbour and communityeducation and regular removal of rubbish andgarden waste from P. askania habitat.

10.1.7 Inappropriate fire regimes

Due to its urban setting, the community andpolitical pressure for more frequent hazardreduction in the bushland remnants of the Gosford �Wyong area is increasing; as well, arson can beanother growing problem in such bush-urbaninterface areas. Together, these factors increase thelikelihood of more frequent fire.

High frequency is recognised as a key threateningprocess for many threatened plant species,populations and ecological communities under theNSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995(TSC Act). For further information about this keythreatening process see the NSW ScientificCommittee Determination Advice 00/06 (NSWScientific Committee 2000b). In the absence ofspecific evidence to the contrary, it must beassumed that P. askania will be adversely impactedby frequent fires (see section 8.4). Currently, theBush Fire Environmental Assessment Code(Threatened Species Hazard Reduction List)requires that no fire occurs more than once every 25years in P. askania habitat. While this interval isconsistent with the fire interval guidelinesdeveloped by the NSW National Parks and WildlifeService (NSW NPWS 2002) for wet sclerophyll,this minimum fire interval may not be appropriatefor rainforest, in which Z. involucrata also occurs.NSW NPWS (2002) recommends that fire beavoided in such vegetation. However, as discussedin sections 8.2 and 8.4, circumstantial evidencesuggests that a long-term absence of disturbancemay be detrimental to population persistence, so P.askania may be threatened by too infrequent fire orother disturbance.

Table 3 contains the recommended fire frequenciesfor P. askania sites by vegetation type and isadapted from the �Fire Interval Guidelines forBroad Vegetation Types� (NSW NPWS 2002). Itshould also be noted that, to allow for seedproduction and the accumulation of a soil seedbank,it is recommended that an additional period of threeyears in each of which seed production occursshould be added to all minimum fire intervals inthis table. It is also strongly recommended that anyshort inter-fire intervals (at or below the minimumthreshold for the type) be followed by a longer

interval with at least this additional period of threereproductive years. Recurrent burning at or belowthe minimum threshold (i.e. several successiveshort intervals) is likely to lead to a critical declineif the species is sensitive to frequent disturbance;conversely repetition of long intervals may have thesame effect if it is sensitive to infrequent fire (NSWNPWS 2002).

Table 3: Recommended fire interval guidelines forProstanthera askania

Vegetationtype

Min. fireinterval*

Max. fireinterval

Notes

Rainforest N/A N/A Fire should beavoided

WetSclerophyllforest

25 years 60 years Avoid crownfires at lowerend of intervalrange

* three productive years should be added to this minimum fireinterval to allow for seed production and the accumulation ofseedbankSource: NSW NPWS (2002)

Public authorities which approve bush fire hazardreduction activities should use the biological andecological information summarised in this recoveryplan, as well as any new data that becomesavailable in the future, to consider the immediateand cumulative impact of such activities onP. askania and to periodically assess the adequacyof the mitigative conditions applied to bush firehazard reduction works under the Bush FireEnvironmental Assessment Code.

10.1.8 Grazing and other farming activities

While the six subpopulations known to occur onprivate freehold property are all in areas zoned for�conservation�, grazing of livestock can be carriedout on those properties with the consent of Council.Additionally, grazing of stock without consent isthought to occur on land in the vicinity of some P.askania populations.

Grazing may impact directly on the species throughgrazing, or lead to degradation of vegetationstructure and floristics though trampling, erosionand the spread of weeds. Land-holders may beunaware of the presence of P. askania on theirproperty and the impact that grazing activities couldbe having on it. Liaison with these land-holders isrequired to raise their awareness of the species andthe potential impact of intense grazing, and tofacilitate the implementation of protectionmeasures, such as fencing to exclude livestock andmachinery.

10.1.9 Infection by Phytophthora cinnamomi

Infection of native plants by Phytophthoracinnamomi is listed as a key threatening process formany threatened species, populations andecological communities under both the NSW



Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSCAct) and the Commonwealth EnvironmentProtection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999(EPBC Act). For further information about this keythreatening process see the NSW ScientificCommittee Determination Advice 02/27 (NSWScientific Committee 2002b) and theCommonwealth Threat abatement plan for diebackcaused by the root-rot fungus Phytophthoracinnamomi (Environment Australia 2001)12.P askania is listed in that threat abatement plan asone of five nationally-endangered NSW speciesthreatened and susceptible to P. cinnamomi,although there is no published research evidenceregarding the species� susceptibility (BrettSummerell13, pers. comm.). However, Prostantheraspecies are very susceptible to this root pathogenand, in some areas, can be short lived (Miller 1993).It can be considered a threat to P. askania due tothe growing potential for spread of the pathogenbecause of human activities in the increasinglypopulated Gosford � Wyong area. Road and trackconstruction, vehicular access, vegetation clearing,development and adjacent development, drainageworks and pedestrian visitation are all potentialvectors for infection.

10.1.10 Climate change

Human-induced climate change is listed as a keythreatening process for many threatened species andecological communities under both the NSWThreatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSCAct) and the Commonwealth EnvironmentProtection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999(EPBC Act). For further information about this keythreatening process see the NSW ScientificCommittee Determination Advice 00/24 and therelevant Commonwealth Threatened SpeciesScientific Committee listing advice14. Given thefragmented nature of the total population ofP. askania, it is considered a threat to the survivalof P. askania as this fragmented habitat may limitthe ability of organisms to survive climate changethrough dispersal (NSW Scientific Committee2000a).

10.1.11 Hydrological change

Alteration to the natural flow regimes of rivers andstreams is recognised as a key threatening processfor several threatened plant species, populationsand ecological communities under the NSWThreatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSCAct). For further information about this keythreatening process see the NSW ScientificCommittee Determination Advice 02/12 (NSW 12 see DEH websitewww.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/tap/phytophthora/index.html13 B. Summerell, plant pathologist, Mount Annan BotanicGarden, Botanic Gardens Trust, Department of Conservation andEnvironment (NSW)14 see DEH websitewww.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/ktp/greenhouse.html

Scientific Committee 2002a). Altered flow patternsdue to urban development may be the cause ofriparian zone stream bank erosion which appears tobe directly affecting the habitat of P. askania at onesite (Pa_05b). The alteration of the water regimemay also permit establishment and spread of semi-terrestrial weed species at this and other sites.

10.1.12 Inappropriate plantings ofhorticulturally grown plants

Prostanthera askania is known to have beencultivated by at least one commercial nursery andcuttings propagated in the same catchment as wildpopulations which were different from the source ofthe propagules. Such activities carry the risk ofgenetic mixing within the wild populations, whichhas been known to produce inbreeding oroutbreeding declines in population numbers ofother plant species. It could also increase thepotential introduction of soil pathogens into thepopulations. As the exact locality of the source ofpropagated material may be unknown, the plantingof propagated P. askania plants in the vicinity ofthe wild populations should be activelydiscouraged. Information needs to be provided tolocal nurseries outlining these concerns.

10.2 Limits to current knowledgeOur ability to manage a threatened species isdependent on our knowledge of the biological andecological requirements of that species and thecircumstances which threaten populationpersistence. As outlined in section 8, we currentlyhave little understanding of the reproductivebiology and population ecology of P. askania.Greater understanding of a number of aspects willassist in the effective management of thisthreatened species, particularly if we are toconserve the species in the long-term. In addition,increased understanding will assist the decisionmaking of consent and determining authorities tomake informed judgements as to its conservationrequirements.

Future investigations should target aspects (outlinedbelow) which are relevant to the practicalmanagement of the species and its habitat:

Targeted surveySystematic survey targeted in areas of likely habitat� sheltered aspects and lower slopes, for example �within the potential habitat of the species isrequired to obtain further information on itsdistribution and conservation status and betterunderstanding of its habitat characteristics.

Reproductive maturityInvestigation of the age of reproductive maturity ofP. askania is required.



Seed ecologyInvestigation of the nature of the P. askania soilseed bank is required. This should includedetermination of the period that the soil seed bankremains viable and identification of seed dormancyand germination mechanisms.

Fire ecologyA quantitative assessment of the response of matureplants and the soil seed bank to different fireregimes is required.

Genetic investigationInvestigation is required of the level of vegetativereproduction in populations and the triggers for thistype of reproduction.

While not essential to the practical management ofthe species, further genetic investigations across thenatural range of P. askania would greatly improveour understanding of the species� populationstructure and consequently, could inform land-useand recovery planning decisions.

Phytophthora cinnamomiIn accordance with the Commonwealth threatabatement plan, the significance of P. cinnamomi asa threat to P. askania and the level of managementnecessary to mitigate it should be investigated.Such research should be designed to quantify thedisease�s importance relative to other threats to thespecies in question.

10.3 Community awarenessAn increased awareness of P. askania is required toensure that the species is appropriately consideredin statutory environmental planning and impactassessment processes, and to facilitate theimplementation of threat abatement works. Thetarget groups for awareness raising initiatives are:• public authorities;• affected private landowners; and• the general community. Public authorities with consent, determining orenvironmental planning responsibilities under theEP&A Act require an understanding of the species,particularly its known locations, habitatrequirements and sensitivity to impacts. Initiativesto assist these authorities in meeting their statutoryobligations regarding the conservation of P.askania habitat include:• preparation and distribution of a species profile

and environmental impact assessmentguidelines; and

• inclusion of all known site locations on theNPWS Atlas of NSW Wildlife.

The informed support of the private landownerswhose land contains P. askania is essential to thesuccess of the recovery program. Liaison with

affected landowners will be implemented throughthis Recovery Plan to facilitate such support. The third target audience for awareness raisinginitiatives is the general community. While someprograms, for example those run by Forests NSWand the Friends of Strickland, have been successfulat a local level, community awareness needs tooccur at a larger scale. Initiatives should aim toenhance the social benefits of the recovery programand include:• preparation of press releases to highlight the

implementation of key recovery actions; and• involvement of community members in the

implementation of recovery actions.

10.4 Translocation and ex-situconservation

10.4.1 Translocation

Translocation is defined as the deliberate transfer ofplants or regenerative plant material, from an exsitu collection or natural population, to a location inthe wild, including existing or new sites or thosewhere the taxon is now locally extinct. It is oftenraised as a possible method of conservingthreatened flora. The process, benefits and costs oftranslocation have recently been reviewed byVallee et al. (2004).

Translocation requires long-term commitment, isexpensive and often prone to failure. Manyprevious attempts at translocating threatened florahave failed for reasons which include theunsuitability of recipient sites, poor information inrelation to the species biology, ecology, and geneticvariation, and a lack of ongoing commitment to sitemaintenance and monitoring. Given the high costand risk associated with the technique, translocationshould only be considered as a last resort when allother management options are deemedinappropriate or have failed. As stated by Vallee etal. (2004), �where possible, resources will be moreeffective when directed towards conserving existingpopulations in-situ through habitat protectionand/or habitat rehabilitation measures and throughthe control of threatening processes�.

Translocation is not currently considered necessaryfor the survival of Prostanthera askania as the in-situ conservation measures proposed in thisrecovery plan are expected to meet the conservationneeds of the species. Furthermore, primarily due tothe uncertainty of success and the risks associatedwith translocation, the technique should not beconsidered by consent/determining authorities to bean appropriate means of ameliorating the impact ofa development proposal on the species (Vallee et al.2004). In addition, the use of translocation as anmitigative measure should not be considered whendetermining the potential impact of a development



(i.e. translocation does not decrease the significanceof an impact) (Vallee et al. 2004).

10.4.2 Ex-situ collection

As indicated in section 9.5, the Botanic GardensTrust does not have, nor does it intend to collect,cutting or seed material to cover the range ofgeographical, morphological or genetic variabilityacross the total population of the species.

10.5 Roles and interests of indigenouspeople

P. askania is known to occur in the area of oneLocal Aboriginal Land Council, the Darkinjung,and in the area of interest to the Guringai TribalLink Aboriginal Corporation. Strickland SF isutilised by the Mirring Womens Group. Thesegroups and other Aboriginal people in the areasaffected by this recovery plan have yet to beconsulted to determine if they have an interest inthe species or the actions proposed. Implementationof recovery actions under this plan will includeconsideration of the role and interests of indigenouscommunities in the region.

10.6 Ability to recover

10.6.1 Rarity

It is not known whether Prostanthera askania isnaturally uncommon or whether it has sufferedminor or substantial declines in population size. Itcan be reasonably assumed however, that theextensive clearing of moist sclerophyll forests andrainforests around Gosford and Wyong sinceEuropean settlement has had a substantial impacton the distribution and total population size of thespecies. The low number of plants at many extantsites and the high number of threats operating onthe species indicate that the species is likely to stillbe in decline.

10.6.2 Viability

The viability of a species can be broadly defined asthe ability of that species to be self-replacing innature. There is currently little information as to theviability of the P. askania populations identified inthis recovery plan. In the absence of a detailedassessment demonstrating otherwise (and includingconsideration of the potential P. askania soilseedbank), all P. askania populations and sitesshould be assumed to be viable.

10.6.3 Likelihood of recovery

�Recovery� in the context of this plan is to promotethe recovery of P. askania to a position of viabilityin nature, by ensuring the continued and long-termsurvival of the species in the wild.

The likelihood of recovery of P. askania in thiscontext is high provided the recovery actionsoutlined in this recovery plan are implemented,monitored and amended as required.

11 Proposed recovery objectives,actions and performance criteria

The overall objective of this recovery plan is toensure the continued and long-term survival ofProstanthera askania in the wild by promoting thein-situ conservation of the species across its naturalrange.

This plan consists of six specific recoveryobjectives that will each contribute to the overallobjectives:• conserve P. askania using land-use and

conservation planning mechanisms;• implement a survey and monitoring program

that will provide information on the extent andviability of P. askania;

• identify and minimise the operation of threatsat sites where P. askania occurs;

• provide the community with information thatassists in conserving the species;

• raise awareness of the species and involve thecommunity in the recovery program; and

• promote research questions that will assistfuture management decisions.

Specific recovery actions and performance criteriafollow.

11.1 Recovery objective 1:To conserve P. askania using land-useand conservation planningmechanisms

Only a small proportion of sites of P. askania(those within Strickland SF) occur on land that ismanaged primarily for conservation purposes. Thisobjective aims to enhance the protection afforded tosites through the following legislative mechanisms:

• conservation agreements and covenants underthe NP&W Act and Conveyancing Act 1919;

• joint management agreements and propertymanagement plans under the ThreatenedSpecies Conservation Act,

• property vegetation plans under the NativeVegetation Act and catchment action plansunder the Catchment Management AuthoritiesAct 2003;

• environmental planning instruments under Part3 of the EP&A Act and developmentstandards;

• classification of land as community land underthe Local Government Act and subsequentconsideration of the species in plans ofmanagement for such land;



• environmental impact assessment under theEP&A Act; and

• consideration of a critical habitat declarationunder the TSC Act.

Action 1.1a: The DEC Environment Protectionand Regulation Division (DEC EPRD) will adviseprivate land-holders of the presence of P. askaniaon their land and of the opportunities andadvantages of entering into conservationagreements or other covenants.

Action 1.1b: The DEC Environment Protectionand Regulation Division (DEC EPRD) will adviserelevant public authorities and public utilities(Energy Australia) of the presence of P. askaniaon lands under their control or management.

Performance Criterion 1.1: Within six months ofthe implementation of this recovery plan, all landowners or managers of land supporting P. askaniawill be notified by DEC EPRD, of the presence ofthe species, and private land-holders will beadvised of the advantages of entering into aconservation agreement or covenant.

Action 1.2: The Department of InfrastructurePlanning and Natural Resources (DIPNR) willrefer to this recovery plan and its objectives andany future advice from DEC regarding thedistribution, habitat, biology and ecology of thespecies, when preparing any new relevantenvironmental planning instruments (EPIs) orreviewing any existing relevant EPIs.

Performance Criterion 1.2: Each relevantenvironmental planning instrument prepared orreviewed by DIPNR is prepared or reviewed inaccordance with this action.

Action 1.3: Councils will prepare or review localenvironmental plans (or equivalent) anddevelopment control plans with reference to thisrecovery plan and its objectives and any futureadvice from DEC regarding the distribution,habitat, biology and ecology of the species.

Councils should consider the options for rezoningsuch sites to afford more secure environmentalprotection for P. askania populations. In particular,Wyong Shire Council should consider revising thezoning of Crown reserve 73397.

In addition, to mitigate both direct and indirectimpacts on the species, Councils should considerfeatures which could be incorporated asdevelopment controls into the design andimplementation of developments that are to beconstructed upslope of, proximate to, or betweenP. askania sites. Sufficient vegetated buffers shouldbe retained around and between P. askania sites to

maintain the integrity and connectivity of itshabitat.

Performance Criterion 1.3: Each relevant localenvironment plan and development control plan isprepared or reviewed in accordance with thisaction.

Action 1.4: Gosford City Council will ensure thatthe part of Lot 2 in DP 605752 identified in DCPNo.136 as �lands to be created as a publicreserve� is classified as community land so as tobe consistent with that purpose.

Performance Criterion 1.4: The stated land isclassified as community land within 6 months ofimplementation of this recovery plan.

Action 1.5: DEC Environment Protection andRegulation Division (EPRD) will liaise with theDepartment of Lands and Wyong Shire Council,regarding a review of the management andcurrent reservations of Lot 95 in DP 755263(being Crown reserve 62269 for timber and Crownreserve 73397 for public recreation) and theadjacent Crown road reserve, with a view toreserving and managing them primarily forenvironmental protection or nature conservation.

Such a review should include a land assessment inaccordance with Part 3 of the Crown Lands Act1989 and consideration by the reserves� managersof the preparation of plan(s) of management for thereserves. The land assessment and preparation ofsuch plan(s) should occur with reference to thisrecovery plan and any future advice provided byDEC regarding the biology and ecology of andthreats to the species. Site-specific information tobe incorporated into these each plan of managementshould include:• P. askania numbers, condition and location

details;• an assessment of existing and potential threats

to P. askania at the site;• details of threat abatement measures to be

implemented to address these threats;• description of measures and a process that

ensures that road maintenance and other fieldstaff and contractors are aware of the locationof P. askania plants and the measures to betaken to manage them; and

• details of a monitoring program to assess theeffectiveness of threat abatement measures.

Performance Criterion 1.5: The Department ofLands reviews, in liaison with DEC and WyongShire Council, the current reservations of Lot 95in DP 755263 with a view to reserving it primarilyfor environmental protection and natureconservation within 3 years of adoption of thisrecovery plan.



Action 1.6: DEC will consider the need fordeclaration of critical habitat by the third year ofimplementation of this recovery plan.

Performance Criterion 1.6: DEC will consider theneed for and prepare a submission to the Ministerregarding declaration of critical habitat by thethird year of implementation of this recovery plan.

11.2 Recovery objective 2:Implement a survey and monitoringprogram

Action 2.1: DEC Environment Protection andRegulation Division (EPRD) will coordinatesurveys to assess the size, characteristics andconservation and threat status of known P.askania populations and habitats.

Performance Criterion 2.1: Surveys of all knownP. askania populations carried out anddocumented within three years, subject to land-holder approval.

Action 2.2: DEC Environment Protection andRegulation Division (EPRD) to organise surveysof potential habitat.

Performance Criterion 2.2: At least one survey inpotential habitat to be conducted annually for P.askania.

Action 2.3: DEC Environment Protection andRegulation Division (EPRD) will design andfacilitate a monitoring program that will enablelong-term monitoring of the population dynamicsand viability of selected populations.

Performance Criterion 2.3: A long-termmonitoring program to be designed by year threeand implemented by year five, following adoptionof this recovery plan.

11.3 Recovery objective 3:To identify and minimise the threatsoperating at sites where the speciesoccurs

Actions under this objective aim to identify andmanage these threats through the implementation ofappropriate in-situ threat abatement measures inaccordance with management plans and sitemanagement statements.

Action 3.1: DEC Environment Protection andRegulation Division (EPRD), in consultation withland-holders, will prepare site managementstatements for P. askania sites located on freeholdland.

DEC Environment Protection and RegulationDivision (EPRD), in consultation with land-holders,will assess the condition of sites located on freeholdland and prepare site management statements thatdetail the specific threat abatement measuresrequired at those sites.

Performance Criterion 3.1: Site managementstatement prepared, subject to land-holderapproval, for each site on freehold land, withinthree years of the adoption of this recovery plan.

Action 3.2: DEC Environment Protection andRegulation Division (EPRD) will encourage andassist land-holders to seek funding for and carryout threat abatement measures on freehold land inaccordance with the site management statementsprepared under Action 3.1.

Performance Criterion 3.2: Funding secured andthreat abatement measures for relevant sitesimplemented in accordance with site managementstatements within five years, subject to land-holderapproval.

Action 3.3: Wyong Shire and Gosford CityCouncils will prepare a plan of management foreach area of community land on which P. askaniaoccurs.

Under the Local Government Act each area ofcommunity land directly affected by this recoveryplan (i.e. where P. askania is present) must becategorised as a �natural area� and a separate plan ofmanagement must be prepared for each area. Eachplan of management must identify objectives andperformance targets that take into accountCouncil�s obligations under this recovery plan. Itmust also incorporate the core objectives formanagement of land categorised as a natural area:these include goals to conserve biodiversity andmaintain ecosystem function and to provide for therestoration and regeneration of the land.

Relevant community land on which knownpopulations of P. askania currently occurs is:• the following Gosford City Council-owned or

-managed land:♦ Alan Street reserve, Niagara Park,

including Lots 57 and 58 in DP 713715;♦ Katandra Reserve, including Lot 3022 in

DP 714469;♦ Lot 5 in DP 711148 on The Ridgeway,

Matcham;♦ that part of Lot 2 in DP 605752 referred to

in Action 1.4 once it has been categorisedas community land.

• the following Wyong Shire Council-owned or-managed land:♦ reserve including Lot 5 in DP 808955 off

Berrys Lane, Fountaindale;



Performance Criterion 3.3: Wyong Shire andGosford City Councils will prepare a plan ofmanagement for each area of community land onwhich P. askania occurs within three years of theadoption of this recovery plan or for populationssubsequently found within three years fromnotification of the presence of the population.

Action 3.4: Councils will incorporate site-specificprotection measures for P. askania into plans ofmanagement for community land on which itoccurs and implement these measures.

Planning and implementation of such measuresshould occur with reference to this recovery planand any future advice provided by DEC regardingthe biology and ecology of and threats to thespecies. Site-specific information to be incorporatedinto each plan of management should include:• P. askania population numbers, condition and

location details;• an assessment of existing and potential threats

to P. askania at the site;• measures to be implemented to address these

threats; and• details of a monitoring program to assess the

effectiveness of threat abatement measures.

Where a plan of management has already beenprepared that does not address the matters listedabove, that plan will be amended to address thesematters.

Performance Criterion 3.4: Site-specific protectionmeasures for currently known populations to beincorporated into plans of management forcommunity land within three years from theadoption of this recovery plan. Site-specificprotection measures for populations subsequentlyfound to be incorporated into plans ofmanagement for community land within threeyears from notification of the presence of thepopulation.

Action 3.5: Wyong Shire, Gosford City Counciland Energy Australia will plan and implementsite-specific protection measures for P. askaniapopulations on Council-managed operational landor roadside sites within their respective localgovernment areas.

Excluding the land that is subject to theimplementation of Action 1.4, P. askania iscurrently known from only two Council-managedoperational land or roadside areas. These are sitesPa_09 and Pa_10 which occur in Wyong LGA.However, the species may be found at other sites inthe future. The maintenance of powerlines byEnergy Australia impacts on the population at sitePa_09.

Planning and implementation of such measuresshould occur with reference to this recovery plan

and any future advice provided by DEC regardingthe biology and ecology of and threats to thespecies. Site-specific information to be incorporatedinto these plans should be guided by that outlined inAppendix 4 and should include:• P. askania numbers, condition and location


to P. askania at the site;• measures to be implemented to address these

threats;• description of procedures that ensures that road

maintenance, powerline utility and other fieldstaff and contractors are aware of the locationof P. askania plants and the measures to betaken to manage them;

• measures to manage habitat for the species atspecific roadside locations;

• a program to monitor and evaluate theeffectiveness of the proposed identification,protection and regeneration measures.

In the interim, mowing, slashing and gradingshould be excluded from P. askania sites and allCouncil and powerline utility (Energy Australia)staff and contractors responsible for planning andimplementing such activities should be made awareof the occurrence of and measures to protect thespecies.

Performance Criterion 3.5: Site-specific protectionmeasures for currently known roadside sitesprepared and implemented within three years. Forpopulations which are subsequently foundthrough survey, site-specific protection measureswill be prepared and implemented within threeyears of notification of the presence of thepopulation.

Action 3.6: Forests NSW will plan and implementsite-specific protection measures for P. askaniapopulations in Strickland State Forest.

Planning and implementation of such measuresshould occur with reference to this recovery plan,the Threatened Species Licence and any futureadvice provided by DEC regarding the biology andecology of and threats to the species. Site-specificinformation to be incorporated into this planningshould include:• P. askania numbers, condition and location


to P. askania at the site;• details of threat abatement measures to be

implemented to address these threats;• description of measures and a process that

ensures that road maintenance and other fieldstaff and contractors are aware of the locationof P. askania plants and the measures to betaken to manage them; and



• details of a monitoring program to assess theeffectiveness of threat abatement measures.

Performance Criterion 3.6: Site-specific protectionmeasures for populations in Strickland StateForest prepared and implemented within threeyears.

Action 3.7: Councils, the Department ofInfrastructure Planning and Natural Resources(DIPNR) and other consent or determiningauthorities will assess developments and activitieswith reference to this recovery plan,environmental impact assessment guidelines andany future advice from DEC regarding thedistribution, habitat, biology and ecology of andthreats to Prostanthera askania.

Environmental impact assessment guidelines,provided in Appendix 2, will be updatedperiodically. Targeted surveys for the speciesshould be carried out when assessing the impact ofa development, in areas of potential habitat of P.askania where the species is currently unrecorded.Features to mitigate both direct and indirect impactson the species could be incorporated into the designand control of developments that are to beconstructed upslope of, or proximate to, P. askaniasites. Sufficient vegetated buffers should beretained around sites containing P. askania sites tomaintain the integrity of its habitat. The extent anddesign of the buffers required to achieve this will besite-specific, depending on factors such as aspectand slope, drainage patterns and adjacent land uses.

Performance Criterion 3.7: Each relevantdevelopment or activity is assessed with referenceto this recovery plan, the environmental impactassessment guidelines and any future advice fromthe DEC regarding the distribution, habitat,biology and ecology of the species.

11.4 Recovery objective 4:To provide public authorities and thecommunity with information thatassists in conserving the species

The prompt and effective distribution ofinformation on P. askania and its habitat is animportant component of ensuring that theconservation requirements of the species areappropriately considered in land-use planningdecisions. Actions under this objective use thefollowing mechanisms to aid the dissemination ofinformation about the species:• verification and distribution of accurate

location records to relevant parties• updated potential habitat model, species

profiles and environmental impact assessmentguidelines prepared.

Action 4.1a: DEC will update the Atlas of NSWWildlife dataset and ensure that verified

Prostanthera askania records are entered withprecise georeferences (better than or equal to 100metres).

Action 4.1b: DEC will ensure that such recordsare available to approval and certifying authorities(including the Department of Lands, RFS andrelevant Councils) and incorporated into relevantdatasets, including the Threatened Species HazardReduction List of the Bush Fire EnvironmentalAssessment Code.

Performance Criterion 4.1b: Precise locationrecords from the Atlas of NSW Wildlife are madeavailable to relevant authorities within fourmonths of verification or discovery.

Action 4.2: DEC Environment Protection andRegulation Division (EPRD) to re-model potentialhabitat using the most recent dataset of P. askaniarecords.

Modelled habitat will improve targeting of newsurveys for the species to appropriate habitats.

Performance Criterion 4.2: P. askania potentialhabitat to be re-modelled and mapped within sixmonths.

Action 4.3: DEC EPRD Threatened Species Unitwill update the species profile and environmentalimpact assessment guidelines for the species toincorporate information acquired during theimplementation of this recovery plan.

Performance Criterion 4.3

Species profile and environmental impactassessment guidelines for the species updated asrequired.

Action 4.4: DEC Environment Protection andRegulation Division (EPRD) will review themitigative conditions for Prostanthera askania onthe Threatened Species Hazard Reduction List ofthe Bush Fire Environmental Assessment Code.

DEC will use the available biological andecological information to reassess the immediateand cumulative impact of bush fire hazardreduction works on P. askania and the adequacy ofthe mitigative conditions required to be appliedunder the Bush Fire Environmental AssessmentCode.

Performance Criterion 4.4: The mitigativeconditions for P. askania on the ThreatenedSpecies Hazard Reduction List TSHRL reviewedin year 4 or 5 of the implementation of thisrecovery plan.



Action 4.5: Public authorities will inform the DECEPRD of decisions that may affect P. askania orits habitat.

Public authorities will inform DEC EPRD ifplanning or development decisions are made thatmay affect P. askania or its habitat. This includesinformation on decisions that protect habitat, aswell as those that lead to a reduction in habitatand/or individuals. For the purposes of this actionpublic authorities are taken to include thefollowing:• the NSW Department of Infrastructure,

Planning and Natural Resources• Gosford City Council• Wyong Shire Council• the NSW Department of Lands• the NSW Rural Fire Service• Energy Australia• Forests NSW.The Rural Fire Service will implement this action,with respect to bush fire hazard reduction, byensuring that there is adequate access by DECEPRD to temporal and spatial data from theBushfire Risk Information Management System(BRIMS).

Performance Criterion 4.5: DEC EPRD informedof all decisions that affect the species or itshabitat.

11.5 Recovery objective 5:To raise awareness of the species andinvolve the community in the recoveryprogram

In order to enhance the social benefits of therecovery program for P. askania and assist in itsimplementation, actions under this objective aim toraise awareness of the recovery plan and involvethe community in its implementation.

Action 5.1: DEC Environment Protection andRegulation Division (EPRD) will consult with theDarkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council, theGuringai Tribal Link Aboriginal Corporation and,if identified, other interested Aboriginal groups orindividuals to seek special knowledge about P.askania and to consider the roles and interests ofindigenous communities in the region.

Performance Criterion 5.1 DEC EPRD willconsult with these parties within the first year ofimplementation of this recovery plan.

Action 5.2: The DEC Environment Protection andRegulation Division will distribute information onthe progress of the recovery program to raiseawareness of the program and encouragecommunity involvement in it.

The NPWS will prepare an annual newsletter whichincludes information about the P. askania recoveryprogram. The newsletter will be distributed toaffected land-holders, public authorities,community groups and interested individuals.

Performance Criterion 5.2: Newsletter producedand distributed annually.

Action 5.3: The DEC Environment Protection andRegulation Division (EPRD), Forests NSW andCouncils which manage land that supports P.askania will raise awareness of, and encouragecommunity involvement in, the recovery program,where resources allow.

Under this action, the DEC EPRD, Forests NSWand Gosford City and Wyong Shire Councils, willraise awareness of the recovery program among thecommunity, and will encourage involvement in theimplementation of recovery actions, includingsurvey, monitoring and bush regeneration. Thisaction may be facilitated by the support by Councilsfor the formation of �friends� groups for Council-managed reserves.

Performance Criterion 5.3: Communityinvolvement in the implementation of recoveryactions increases.

Action 5.4: The DEC Environment Protection andRegulation Division (EPRD) will assistcommunity groups and local government inpreparing funding applications to undertakerecovery for P. askania.

Community groups, if provided adequate fundingand appropriate support, would be able to assist inthe implementation of threat abatement works(Recovery objective 3).

Performance Criterion 5.4: At least one fundingapplication prepared annually by communitygroup and/or local government to undertakethreat abatement works within the habitat of P.askania.

11.6 Recovery objective 6:To promote investigations into theecology and biology of the species inorder to provide information to assistfuture management decisions

As outlined in section 10.2, there are a number ofpotential research questions that could assist in themanagement of P. askania. However, given theabsence of funds to conduct this research, this planadvocates the promotion of potential researchquestions rather than funding the research in itself.

Action 6.1: DEC Environment Protection andRegulation Division (EPRD) to promote potentialresearch projects as identified in this recoveryplan.



The EPRD will liaise with tertiary and otherresearch institutions to encourage and facilitateresearch into the species consistent with thepriorities outlined in section 10.2.

Performance Criterion 6.1: All universities andother research institutions within the Newcastle,Central Coast and Sydney areas contactedregarding potential research areas by the end ofthe second year of the implementation of thisrecovery plan.

Action 6.2: Mount Annan Botanic Gardens willconsider P. askania as a candidate, as part of theSeedQuest NSW program, for research on seedviability and the requirements for successfulconservation storage.

Performance Criterion 6.2: P. askania formallyconsidered by Mt Annan Botanic Gardens forresearch in the SeedQuest NSW program.

12 ImplementationThe cost to implement the plan is approximately$80,000 over five years, plus as yet undeterminedcosts for planning and implementing on-sitemanagement on private, Council and Crown Landsas these costs are yet to be determined. Of this total,approximately $55,000 is expected to be providedas in-kind contributions by the Department ofEnvironment and Conservation with an additional$25,000 required to implement actions that arecurrently unfunded. Additional funds will be soughtfrom sources including the Natural Heritage Trust,Environmental Trust, industry sponsors, the NSWState Biodiversity Program, Threatened SpeciesNetwork, Threatened Species Appeal and DECannual provisions for implementation of threatenedspecies programs.

Table 4 details the costs and identifies the partiesresponsible for the implementation of specificrecovery actions.

13 Social and economic consequences

13.1 Social consequencesNegative social impacts are not envisaged as theimplementation of the recovery plan is not expectedto affect public land usage to any great extent, andmodification of private land management patternswill occur at the land manager�s discretion.Continued liaison with the local community,affected land-holders and public authorities willaddress and minimise any unforeseen negativesocial impacts arising from the implementation ofthis plan.

Indeed, it is expected that the implementation ofthis recovery plan will have positive social impactson the local communities involved and, inparticular, on the owners and managers of P.askania habitat. The implementation of recoveryactions (including bush regeneration, sitemonitoring and surveys) will provide benefits to theenvironment and/or enhance the general well-beingof the community and individuals involved.

Increased awareness regarding the conservation ofthreatened species in a rural setting will encouragerecognition amongst land-holders of the value ofremnant vegetation and their responsibility forhabitat management. Personal and regular contactwith land-holders and local community groups is akey strategy to achieving this.

13.2 Economic consequencesThe economic consequences of this recovery plancomprise costs that are associated with itsimplementation. This includes the costs associatedwith on-ground habitat management, conductingbiological research and monitoring, communityeducation and participation, and on-going recoveryteam coordination. These costs can be off-set andminimised by:

• implementing a long-term strategic frameworkfor managing the species and its habitat;

• maintaining accurate information on thedistribution and status of sites;

• adopting a cooperative approach to managementby involving the relevant land managers and thelocal community; and

• seeking funds from external sources.

The improved environmental impact assessmentthat will result from mechanisms established in thisrecovery plan will assist consent and determiningauthorities to meet their statutory responsibilities.The production of this recovery plan will decreasethe costs associated with collating availableinformation on P. askania when undertaking impactassessment.

Substantial economic consequences may resultwhere the species� conservation requirementsprevent or restrict the use of land that is currentlyidentified for mineral extraction, agriculture orurban development. These consequences will beidentified and addressed by statutory environmentalimpact assessment processes.

14 Biodiversity benefitsThe conservation and study of P. askania willbenefit the maintenance of ecological processes andconservation of other species that share the samehabitat.



Increased awareness of P. askania resulting fromthe implementation of this recovery plan will raisethe profile in the community of all threatenedspecies. This in turn will lead to greateropportunities for the conservation of threatenedspecies and increased protection of biodiversity.

15 Preparation detailsThis recovery plan was prepared by Nick Corkishof the Department of Environment andConservation (NSW), Metropolitan Region,Threatened Species Unit, with the information,advice and assistance of those acknowledged at thebeginning of this plan.

16 Review dateThis recovery plan is to be formally reviewed andupdated by the by the Department of Environmentand Conservation (NSW) five years from the dateof its publication.



Table 4. Estimated costs, funding source and responsible parties for implementing the actions identified in the Prostanthera askania recovery plan

Action Action description Priority Responsible party DEC fundsource

Cost estimate ($/year) TotalCost

Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5 ($)2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

1.1 Notify land-holders 1 DEC (EPRD) DEC in-kind 700 - - - - 7001.2 Preparation/review of EPIs 1 DIPNR - # # # # # -

1.3 Preparation/review of LEPs and DCPs 1 GCC, WSC - # # # # # -1.4 Classify land as community land 2 GCC - # # # # # -

1.5 Review of Crown Land reservations 2 DEC (EPRD) with Lands DEC in-kind - 1050 - - - *

1.6 Critical habitat consideration 2 DEC (EPRD) DEC in-kind - - 1050 - - 1050

2.1 Surveys of known populations 1 DEC (EPRD) DEC in-kind 3050 3050 - - - 61002.2 Targeted survey within potential habitat 1 DEC (EPRD) Unsecured 2100 2100 2100 2100 2100 10,500

2.3 Design and implement monitoring program 1 DEC (EPRD) DEC in-kind 3500 3500 4600 4600 4600 20,800

3.1 Site management statements for private property 1 DEC (EPRD) Unsecured 2100 2100 - - - 4200

3.2 Threat abatement funding assistance for privateproperty sites

1 DEC (EPRD) Unsecured * * * * * *

3.3, 3.4 Prepare plans of management with site-specificprotection measures for community land

1 GCC, WSC - * * * * * *

3.5 Prepare, implement site-specific protection measureson Council-managed operational and roadside land

GCC, WSC, Energy Australia - * * * * * *

3.6 Prepare, implement site-specific protection measuresin Strickland State Forest

Forests NSW - * * * * * *

3.7 Environmental impact assessment 1 GCC, WSC, DIPNR, Lands - # # # # # -

4.1 Verify, update & distribute location records 1 DEC (EPRD) DEC in-kind 1100 √ √ √ √ 1100

4.2 Model potential habitat 1 DEC (EPRD) Unsecured 2100 - - - - 21004.3 Update species profiles and EIA guidelines 1 DEC (EPRD) DEC in-kind - - - 700 - 700

4.4 Review Threatened Species Hazard Reduction Listconditions

1 DEC (EPRD) DEC in-kind - - - - 1750 1750

4.5 DEC informed of planning decisions 2 GCC, WSC, DIPNR, Lands, RFS - # # # # # -

5.1 Consultation with Aboriginal interests 1 DEC (EPRD) Unsecured 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 7500

5.2, 5.3, 5.4 Community awareness & involvement 2 DEC (EPRD),GCC, WSC, Forests NSW

DEC in-kind -

3500#

3500#

3500#

3500#

3500#

17,500-

6.1 Promote research 2 DEC (EPRD) DEC in-kind 700 700 700 700 700 35006.2 Consider as subject for SeedQuest program 2 DEC (BGT) DEC in-kind # # # # # -

Total costs Unsecured 7800 5700 3600 3600 3600 24300DEC in-kind 12550 11800 9850 9500 10550 54250TOTAL 20350 17500 13450 13100 14150 78550



Key to abbreviations, terms and symbols in costing table:

BGT � Botanic Gardens Trust, DEC � Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW), DIPNR � Department of Infrastructure Planning and Natural Resources, EPRD � DEC EnvironmentProtection & Regulation Division, GCC � Gosford City Council, Lands � Department of Lands (NSW), PWD � DEC Parks & Wildlife Division, RFS �Rural Fire Service (NSW), WSC � Wyong ShireCouncil.Priority rankings: 1 - Action critical to meeting plan objectives, 2 - Action contributing to meeting plan objectives, 3 � Desirable but not essential action.DEC in-kind funds represent the salary component of permanent DEC staff and recurrent resources. Salary for in-kind contributions is calculated at $350 per day, which includes officer salary andon-costs, provision of office space, vehicles, administration support and staff management. Note that other agencies also contribute in-kind resources which have not been included in the abovetable. Unsecured funds will be sought from sources including DEC annual operational provisions for the implementation of threatened species programs, the Natural Heritage Trust, EnvironmentalTrust, industry sponsors, the NSW State Biodiversity Program, Threatened Species Network, Threatened Species Appeal and DEC annual provisions for implementation of threatened speciesprograms.# - No direct cost (either cost of action is negligible or action is a statutory responsibility of the responsible party); √ - No additional costs (included in the cost of other actions); * - Amount to bedetermined by the responsible party.



ReferencesBeadle, N.C.W. (1984) Students flora of north

eastern New South Wales: Part V. BotanyDepartment, University of New England:Armidale.

Bell, S.J. (2002) The natural vegetation of theWyong Local Government Area, Central Coast,New South Wales: Vegetation CommunityProfiles. Final report to Wyong Shire Council,December 2002.

Bell, S.J. (2004) The natural vegetation of theGosford Local Government Area, CentralCoast, New South Wales: VegetationCommunity Profiles. Final report to GosfordCity Council.

Carolin, R.C.W. and Tindale, M.T. (1994) Flora ofthe Sydney region. 4th edn. Reed Publications,Chatswood.

Conn, B.J. (1997) Four rare and/or threatened newspecies of Prostanthera Section Prostanthera(Labiatae) from New South Wales. Telopea7(3):231-244.

Edwards, K. (1979) Rainfall in NSW. SoilConservation Service Technical HandbookNo.3. Soil Conservation Service of NSW,Sydney.

Environment Australia (2001) Threat abatementplan for dieback caused by the root-rot fungusPhytophthora cinnamomi.

Fairley, A. & Moore, P. (2000) Native plants of theSydney district: an identification guide.Kangaroo Press, East Roseville.

Harden, G. (ed) (1992) Flora of NSW Vol 3. NSWUniversity Press.

IUCN (1994). IUCN Red List Categories. IUCNSpecies Survival Commission, Kew.

Keith, D.A., Chalson, J.M. & Auld, T.D. (1997)Assessing the status of threatened plants: a newmethodology and an application to the vascularflora of New South Wales. Final report toEnvironment Australia, Endangered SpeciesProgram Project No. 450.

Miller, R. (1993) Grafting prostantheras.Lasianthos 1. Association of Societies forGrowing Australian Plants Prostanthera &Westringia Study Group, October 1993.

Murphy, C.L. & Tille, P.J. (1993) Soil landscapesof the Gosford � Lake Macquarie 1:100 000sheet. Map. Department of Conservation andLand Management, NSW.

NSW NPWS (1999) Bushrock removal: a keythreatening process. NPWS Fact Sheet.

NSW NPWS (2000a) Vegetation survey,classification and mapping: Lower Hunter andCentral Coast Region: a project undertaken forthe Lower Hunter and Central Coast Regional

Environment Management Strategy. CRA UnitSydney Zone, National Parks and WildlifeService.

NSW NPWS (2000b) Mapping potential habitat ofthreatened flora species occurring in the LowerHunter and Central Coast Region. NSW NPWSCRA Unit, Sydney Zone.

NSW NPWS (2002) Fire interval guidelines forbroad vegetation types. Unpublished reportprepared by the NSW National Parks & WildlifeService.

NSW Scientific Committee (1998) �Finaldetermination to list Prostanthera askania as anEndangered species� in NSW ScientificCommittee Determination Advice 98/16, 12June 1998.

NSW Scientific Committee (1999) Finaldetermination to list �Bushrock removal� onSchedule 3 of the TSC Act.

NSW Scientific Committee (2000a) Finaldetermination to list �Anthropogenic climatechange� on Schedule 3 of the TSC Act.

NSW Scientific Committee (2000b) Finaldetermination to list �High frequency fireresulting in the disruption of life cycle processin plants and animals and loss of vegetationstructure and composition� on Schedule 3 of theTSC Act.

NSW Scientific Committee (2001) Finaldetermination to list �Clearing of nativevegetation as a key threatening process� onSchedule 3 of the TSC Act.

NSW Scientific Committee (2002a) Finaldetermination to list �Alteration to the naturalflow regimes of rivers and streams and theirfloodplains and wetlands� on Schedule 3 of theTSC Act.

NSW Scientific Committee (2002b) Finaldetermination to list �Infection of native plantsby Phytophthora cinnamomi� on Schedule 3 ofthe TSC Act.

Tierney, D.A., & Gross, C.L. (2001) Prostantherajunonis Conn (Lamiaceae): is recoverypossible? Pacific Conservation Biology 7: 118-123.

Vallee, L., Hogbin, T., Monks, L., Makinson, B.,Matthes, M., and Rossetto, M. (2004)Guidelines for the translocation of threatenedplants in Australia. 2nd ed. Australian Networkfor Plant Conservation, Canberra.



Appendices

Appendix 1: Prostanthera askania general location details and population-specific information

Appendix 2: Species profile and environmental impact assessment guidelines

Appendix 3: Site management statement proforma for Prostanthera askania

Appendix 4: Making a submission regarding this draft recovery plan





Appendix 1: Prostanthera askania general location details and population-specificinformation





Appendix 2: Species profile and environmental impact assessment guidelines

The information provided in the species profile and the environmental impact assessment guidelines is the bestavailable at the time of publication of this recovery plan. They will be updated periodically as new informationbecomes available. Consent and determining authorities, developers and EIA consultants should ensure that theyobtain the most recent information by contacting the Threatened Species Unit of the relevant region of theDepartment of Environment and Conservation..

THREATENED SPECIES INFORMATION

Prostanthera askaniaConn

Common name(s): Strickland mintbush, Tranquillity mintbush

Family: Lamiaceae

Prostanthera askania was named and described by Conn (1997) and has been previously known asProstanthera incisa var. pubescens, Prostanthera sp. G (Harden 1992) and Prostanthera sp.�Strickland State Forest� (TSC Act 1995).

Conservation statusProstanthera askania is listed as anendangered species on Schedule 1 of the NewSouth Wales Threatened Species ConservationAct 1995 (TSC Act). Prostanthera askania isalso listed as a nationally endangered speciesunder the Commonwealth EnvironmentProtection and Biodiversity Conservation Act1999 (EPBC Act).

DescriptionProstanthera askania, sometimes calledStrickland or Tranquillity Mintbush, is amember of the family Lamiaceae. It is an erectbut spreading and sometimes scrambling,openly-branched shrub that grows from 1-3metres high (Conn 1997). The branches andleaves are strongly aromatic and denselycovered with long, spreading hairs (Harden1992). Leaves are ovate (12-25mm) long, dulldusty green in colour, with deep incisionsforming lobe-like teeth, which are directedforwards. Flowers are pale mauve to mauveand only occur for a relatively short period,usually during spring.

Photo: NPWS

DistributionProstanthera askania occurs over a veryrestricted geographic range (less than 12 km)in the upper reaches of creeks that flow intoTuggerah Lake or Brisbane Water within theWyong and Gosford local government areas.Recent surveys (December 2003) havereconfirmed the location of eight populationsof the species in the catchments of OurimbahCreek, Narara Creek, Dog Trap Gully,Chittaway Creek and Berkeley Creek. Afurther two populations are known from theErina � Fires Creek catchment. The speciesmay also have occurred in West Gosford. The10 known populations occupy an area of lessthan 15 ha in total.

Recorded occurrences inconservation reservesProstanthera askania has not been recordedwithin the reserve estate.

Known populations occur within on landsmanaged by Gosford City and Wyong ShireCouncils, Strickland State Forest, and onprivate property, including the �AustralianRainforest Sanctuary�, a privately ownedwildlife reserve.

HabitatProstanthera askania occurs adjacent to, butnot immediately in, drainage lines on flat tomoderately steep slopes on Narrabeensandstone and alluvial soils derived from it.The species occurs in moistsclerophyll forest and warmtemperate rainforest communities,and the ecotone between them.These communities are generallytall forests with a mesic

NSWNATIONALPARKS ANDWILDLIFESERVICE

understorey. Syncarpia glomulifera subsp.glomulifera (Turpentine), Allocasuarinatorulosa (Forest Oak), and Eucalyptusacmenoides (White Mahogany) arecharacteristic of the wet sclerophyllcommunity, but the canopy species present canbe highly variable (Bell 2002). At most knownProstanthera askania sites Syncarpiaglomulifera and Eucalyptus saligna (SydneyBlue Gum) occurs, but canopy species atvarious sites also include E. agglomerata(Blue-leaved Stringybark), E. pilularis(Blackbutt), Corymbia maculata (SpottedGum) and E. siderophloia (Grey Ironbark),with the presence of the latter three speciesindicating a drier variant of the moistscherophyll forest. Canopy species at rainforestsites are also variable and include Doryphorasassafras (Sassafras), Cryptocarya obovata(Pepperberry), C. glaucescens (Jackwood), C.microneura (Murrogun), S. glomulifera,Ceratopetalum apelatum (Coachwood),Synoum glandulosum subsp. glandulosum(Scentless Rosewood), Acmena smithii (LillyPilly), Acacia irrorata (Green Wattle),Tristaniopsis collina (Mountain Water Gum),Callicoma serratifolia (Black Wattle),Archontophoenix cunninghamiana (BangalowPalm), Glochidion ferdinandi (Cheese Tree)and Sloanea australis (Maiden�s Blush) (NSWNPWS 2000, Conn 1997).

Assemblages of understorey species varyconsiderably at each site and reflect a mix ofmoist forest/rainforest species determined bylocalised habitat conditions, prior and currentdisturbance regimes (e.g. fire, weed invasion,proximity to access tracks, natural tree falls)and the successional stage of the community.In many instances Prostanthera askania formsdense clumps and when it does so mayconstitute one of the dominant understoreyspecies within the community.

Prostanthera askania occurs in vegetationcommunities mapped in the Lower Hunter andCentral Coast Regional EnvironmentalStrategy (LHCCREMS), as Coastal NarrabeenMoist Forest (Map Unit MU 6), Coastal WetGully Forest (MU 1), Coastal WarmTemperate�Subtropical Rainforest MU 1a)and Coastal Narrabeen Shrub Forest (MU 22)(NSW NPWS 2000). Known sites in theWyong LGA occur in communities mappedmore recently by Bell (2002) as CoastalRanges Moist Layered Forest (MU 35) and

Narrabeen Warm Temperate�SubtropicalRainforest (MU 42). Known sites in theWyong LGA occur in communities mappedmore recently by Bell (2002) as CoastalNarrabeen Moist Forest (Map Unit E6a) andCoastal Warm Temperate Rainforest (MUE1ai)

EcologyProstanthera askania may be a colonisingspecies that takes advantage of increased lightfollowing natural canopy-cover disturbancewithin the moist forest and rainforest habitatsin which it occurs. Population sizes maytherefore fluctuate naturally with timefollowing disturbance. The species appears tobe present in only small numbers atundisturbed sites where low light conditionsprevail, or at sites that are subject to highlevels of weed invasion by Lantana.Occasional P. askania individuals do persist inlow light conditions, but are likely to senescein the absence of a natural disturbance regimethat is conducive to recruitment. Observationsof the species indicate that it is outcompeted byinvading weed species such as Lantana (C.Pennay, NSW NPWS, pers. obs.) as it occupiesa similar habitat niche to that species.

Prostanthera askania is likely to be fire-sensitive given the moist forest habitats itoccupies, however, its fire ecology is currentlyunknown. A large pre-fire adult population inmoist Syncarpia glomulifera forest was killedby fire in October 2002, but appears to besuccessfully regenerating, apparently fromseed (N. Corkish, pers. obs.), between 6 and 16months following fire, which suggests either apersistent soil-stored seedbank or a heavy cropof seed on the adult plants immediately beforethe fire. Continued monitoring and furtherstudies are required, however, to draw firmconclusions regarding the species response tofire.

Little is known about the reproductive biologyand ecology of P. askania. Flowering usuallyoccurs in spring, however, it is known that thetiming of both flowering and fruiting can bevariable. Several species of insect, includingants, have been observed foraging on theflowers of P. askania, however these have notbeen identified (C. Lacey, R. Payne, pers.obs.). Further work is required to clarify theseaspects.

Prostanthera askania also appears in somelocations to propagate vegetatively by �stem-layering� where prostrate branches take rootwhere they remain in contact with the soil.This characteristic and the species� tendency atmany sites to form dense clumps make thecounting of individual plants withinpopulations difficult.

ThreatsThe main threats to the survival of P. askaniaare habitat loss due to clearing and othermodification, including roadside maintenanceactivities, and inappropriate fire regimes. Otherthreats or potential threats include climatechange; habitat degradation from bush rockremoval, competition by weeds and dumpingof rubbish and garden waste; and grazing andassociated trampling.

Key Threatening Processes currently listedunder the Commonwealth EPBC Act or inSchedule 3 of the NSW TSC Act 1995 (NSW)that are relevant to Prostanthera askania are:

• �Clearing of native vegetation� (TSC Act)or �Land clearance� (EPBC Act).

Vegetation loss, fragmentation andmodification may directly or indirectly impacton populations of Prostanthera askania in anumber of ways (see the NSW ScientificCommittee Determination Advice 01/17 andthe relevant Commonwealth ThreatenedSpecies Scientific Committee Listing Advicefor further information about this keythreatening process).

Loss and fragmentation of Prostantheraaskania habitat has occurred as a result ofvegetation clearing or modification for urbanexpansion and industrial development in theGosford � Wyong area. Direct physicaldamage to or destruction of plants, or alterationof habitat causing changes to habitat structureand floristic composition, may also occurthrough road/track construction, slashing andherbicide spraying along road verges or fromrubbish dumping, mechanical fuel hazardreduction activities, and motor/bicycle or foottraffic.

• �High frequency fire resulting in thedisruption of lifecycle processes in plantsand animals and loss of vegetationstructure and composition� (TSC Act).

Multiple fires in close succession may limit theability of the species to recruit new individualsinto a population, or for plants to build-up aseedbank sufficient in size to maintain thepopulation through the next fire. Sustainedhigh frequency can also lead to a reduction invegetation structure and subsequent changes inmicroclimate, affecting the suitability of thehabitat for species like P. askania whichappear to require moister, sheltered aspects(see the NSW Scientific CommitteeDetermination Advice 00/06 (2000b) forfurther information about this key threateningprocess).

• �Anthropogenic climate change� (TSCAct) or �Loss of climatic habitat caused byanthropogenic emissions of greenhousegasses� (EPBC Act).

P. askania may be adversely affected bychanges to habitat or fire regimes caused byclimate changes resulting from or acceleratedby human activities (see the NSW ScientificCommittee Determination 00/24 and therelevant Commonwealth Threatened SpeciesScientific Committee Listing Advice forfurther information about this key threateningprocess). Species such as P. askania, with veryrestricted distributions and fragmentedpopulations, may be especially susceptible toreductions in the bioclimatic range caused byclimate change.

• �Bushrock removal� (TSC Act).

As P. askania often occurs in areas whereHawkesbury sandstone outcrops, legal orillegal bush rock removal in such areas maydestroy plants and degrade the habitat of thespecies (see the NSW Scientific CommitteeDetermination Advice 99/25 and the NPWSfact sheet �Bushrock removal: a keythreatening process� for further informationabout this key threatening process).

• �Alteration to the natural flow regimes ofrivers, streams, floodplains & wetlands�(TSC Act)

Altered drainage flow patterns due to urbandevelopment may be the cause of riparian zonedegradation which appears to be directlyaffecting the habitat of the species stream bankerosion at one site. The alteration of the waterregime may also permit establishment and

spread of semi-terrestrial weed species (see theNSW Scientific Committee DeterminationAdvice 02/12 for further information about thiskey threatening process).

• �Infection of native plants byPhytophthora cinnamomi� (TSC Act) or�Dieback caused by the root-rot fungus(Phytophthora cinnamomi)� (EPBC Act)

P. askania occurs in the vicinity of known P.cinnamomi infestations or in habitat that maybe vulnerable to P. cinnamomi infestation. Thespecies may therefore be adversely affected byP. cinnamomi either because of directinfestation or degradation of habitat (see theNSW Scientific Committee DeterminationAdvice 02/27 and the relevant CommonwealthThreat Abatement Plan for further informationabout this key threatening process).

Other threats to the species include:

• competition through weed invasion, inparticular, weeds such as lantana (Lantanacamara), crofton weed (Ageratinaadenophora), asparagus fern(Protoasparagus aethiopicus) andwandering Jew (Tradescantia albiflora)

• grazing and associated trampling.

ManagementManagement of Prostanthera askania shouldattempt to:

• minimise habitat loss and degradation byretaining and managing vegetationremnants containing the species to reducefragmentation of and improve connectivitybetween and within populations.

• prevent frequent fires from impacting onthe populations

• ensure that roadside and powerlineeasement maintenance and weed controlactivities are planned and conductedsensitive to the presence of the species andavoid damaging individual plants as wellas potential habitat for the species.

• address current habitat degradation issuessuch as weed invasion (especially lantanaLantana camara) and access-related issues(eg. BMX/trail bikes).

Recovery PlansA recovery plan is currently being prepared forProstanthera askania.

For further information contactThreatened Species Unit, Metropolitan Branch, Environment Protection and Regulation Division,Department of Environment and Conservation, PO Box 1967, Hurstville NSW 2220.Telephone: 02 9585 6678. Internet: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

ReferencesBell, S.J. (2002) The natural vegetation of the Wyong Local Government Area, Central Coast, New SouthWales: Vegetation Community Profiles. Final report to Wyong Shire Council, December 2002. Unpublished. Conn, B. (1997) Four rare and/or threatened new species of Prostanthera Section Prostanthera(Labiatae) from New South Wales. Telopea 7(3):231-244.

Harden, G. (ed.) (1992) Flora of NSW Vol 3. NSW University Press.

NSW NPWS (2000) Vegetation Survey Classification and Mapping in the Lower Hunter and CentralCoast. A report to the Lower Hunter & Central Coast Regional Environment Management StrategyCommittee, April 2000.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

The Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) and the editor expressly disclaim all liability and responsibility to any person,whether a purchaser or reader of this document or not, in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by any person in reliance upon thecontents of this document although every effort has been made to ensure that the information presented in this document is accurate and upto date.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES

Prostanthera askaniaConn

Common names: Tranquillity mintbush, Strickland mintbush

The following information is provided to assist authors of species impact statements, development andactivity proponents, determining and consent authorities, and others who are required to prepare orreview assessments of likely impacts on threatened species pursuant to the provisions of theEnvironmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. These guidelines should be read in conjunctionwith the NPWS Information Circular No. 2: Threatened Species Assessment under the EP&A Act: The�8 Part Test� of Significance (November 1996).

SurveySurvey for Prostanthera askania may beundertaken at any time of the year. Acombination of leaf characteristics and habitshould enable the species to be identified in theabsence of flowers. However, the species ismost readily observed during its floweringseason (primarily between September toDecember) when plants produce many palemauve to blue mauve flowers. P. askania maybe confused with P. incisa with which it hasaffinities. However P. incisa, whilemoderately to densely hairy, has short curledhairs as opposed to long spreading hairs andthe leaves of P. incisa have much shorter teeththan those of P. askania.

Potential habitat for P. askania occurs in thefollowing vegetation communities withinGosford and Wyong:

! Coastal Narrabeen Moist Forest (MU 6),Coastal Wet Gully Forest (MU 1), CoastalWarm Temperate-Subtropical Rainforest(MU 1a) or Coastal Narrabeen ShrubForest (MU 22) (NPWS 2000)

! Coastal Ranges Moist Layered Forest (MU35), Narrabeen Warm Temperate-Subtropical Rainforest (MU 42) andNarrabeen Hunter Ranges Gully DryRainforest (MU 41) (Bell 2002)

! Coastal Narrabeen Moist Forest (MU E6a)and Coastal Warm Temperate Rainforest(MU E1ai) (Bell in prep).

Survey should not necessarily be confined toareas of intact native vegetation. P. askaniaplants have been recorded growing in highlydisturbed environments such as alongroadsides and fence lines.

Where new sites are located, site detailsincluding plant numbers, habitat and locationshould be recorded and forwarded to the DEC.

Life cycle of the speciesThe ecology of P. askania is described in thedraft recovery plan (DEC 2004) andsummarised in the species profile.

Proposals that are likely to impact upon the lifecycle of the species include those thatcontribute to the following:

• Loss of individuals

The significance of a particular activity thatphysically destroys individual plants willrequire an examination of the number of plantsto be destroyed in relation to the size of thepopulation and a discussion of howrecruitment, gene flow and the overall healthof the population will be affected.Translocation should not be considered as anappropriate means of compensating for the lossof individuals due to the uncertainty associatedwith the long-term survival of translocatedplants.

• Loss and fragmentation of habitat

As the breeding system of P. askania is notunderstood, the effects of loss andfragmentation of its habitat are not known.Destruction of habitat may placea local population at risk ofextinction.

• Modification of habitat

Urban development in closeproximity to P. askania sites is likely to causemodification of habitat through altered

NSWNATIONALPARKS ANDWILDLIFESERVICE

hydrological conditions, soil pH and nutrientlevels, weed invasion, potential introduction ofplant pathogens and altered fire frequency.Subsequent increases in pedestrian and/orvehicular traffic through sites may result intrampling, soil compaction, erosion andrubbish dumping. Other proposals that result inthe regular slashing, grazing, spraying(herbicides and pesticides) or burning of P.askania habitat are also likely to result in themodification of that habitat.

• Damage to the soil seedbank

Disturbances that will destroy or preventgermination of P. askania seed include rubbishdumping, the removal of leaf litter and topsoil,weed invasion and spraying with residualherbicides that are capable of killing seeds inthe soil. Frequent disturbances (from slashing,grazing, herbicide spraying or burning forexample) may prevent the soil seed bank of thespecies from being replenished.

• Altered fire regimes

Proposals that result in the frequent burning (iesuccessive fires <10 years apart) of sites areconsidered likely to impact upon recruitmentof the species. Recommended fire frequenciesfor the species are provided in the draftrecovery plan (DEC 2004).

Threatening processes There are six key threatening processes listedin Schedule 3 of the NSW Threatened SpeciesConservation Act 1995 (TSC Act) that arepotentially relevant to P. askania. These are:

• Clearing of native vegetation;

• High frequency fire resulting in thedisruption of life cycle processes in plantsand animals and the loss of vegetationstructure and composition;

• Infection of native plants by Phytophthoracinnamomi;

• Alteration to the natural flow regimes ofrivers, streams, floodplains and wetlands;

• Bush rock removal; and

• Anthropogenic climate change.

Other threatening processes include slashingand herbicide spraying to maintain paddocksand road verges, grazing and trampling bylivestock, weed invasion and the modification

of habitat associated with adjacent urbandevelopment such as bushfire hazard reductionworks, rubbish dumping (including greenwaste, household rubbish and constructionmaterials) and stormwater runoff.

Viable local population of the species The viable population size for P. askania isunknown. In the absence of a detailedassessment demonstrating otherwise, allpopulations should be assumed to be viable.

A significant area of habitat Assessment of habitat significance for P.askania requires consideration of thefollowing:

• number of P. askania plants present(including consideration of the soil seedbank);

• proportion of the local population present;

• location in relation to the currentdistributional limits of the species;

• size, condition and connective importanceof the habitat;

• uniqueness of habitat; and

• management potential including thelikelihood of ameliorating any existingthreatening processes.

The DEC considers that all viable populationsoccupy a significant area of habitat until suchtime as adequate and representative examplesare conserved across the species� range.

Isolation/fragmentationP. askania habitat has been fragmented byclearing for agriculture, urban development aswell as road construction and maintenanceacross its range. The distance betweenpopulations of P. askania that will result ingenetic isolation is unknown because thespecies� pollen vectors are unknown. Seeddispersal is localised, so interaction via thismechanism is unlikely.

The clearing of interconnected or proximateareas of habitat for the species (or its pollenvectors) is undesirable as this may exposepopulations to an increased risk of geneticisolation and subsequent decline.

Regional distribution of the habitatThe known distribution of P. askania isconfined to the Sydney Basin Bioregion asdefined in the Interim BiogeographicRegionalisation of Australia (Thackway &Cresswell 1995).

Limits of known distributionThe known distribution of P. askania extendsfrom Katandra Reserve in the Gosford localgovernment area north to Fountaindale in theWyong local government area. The westernlimit of its distribution occurs within theheadwaters of creeks that drain east fromStrickland and Ourimbah State Forests.

Adequacy of representation inconservation reserves or other similarprotected areasP. askania is not considered to be adequatelyrepresented in conservation reserves.

Critical habitatCritical habitat has not been declared for P.askania.

For further information contactThreatened Species Unit, Metropolitan Branch, Environment Protection and Regulation Division,Department of Environment and Conservation, PO Box 1967, Hurstville NSW 2220.Telephone: 02 9585 6678. Internet: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

ReferencesBell, S.J. (2002) The natural vegetation of the Wyong Local Government Area, Central Coast, New South Wales:vegetation community profiles. Unpublished report to Wyong Shire Council.

Bell, S.J. (in prep.) The natural vegetation of the Gosford Local Government Area, Central Coast, New SouthWales. Unpublished report to Gosford City Council.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2000) Vegetation survey, classification and mapping. Lower Hunterand Central Coast Region. Unpublished report for the Lower Hunter and Central Coast Regional EnvironmentManagement Strategy. CRA Unit, Sydney Zone, NPWS, Hurstville.

The Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) (2005) Draft Prostanthera askania Recovery Plan.DEC (NSW), Hurstville.

Thackway, R. & Cresswell, I.D. (1995). An Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia: A Frameworkfor Setting Priorities in the National Reserves System Cooperative Program. Version 4.0. Australian NatureConservation Agency, Canberra.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERWhile every effort has been made to ensure that the information presented in this document is accurate and up to date, the Department of

Environment and Conservation (NSW) and the editor expressly disclaim all liability and responsibility to any person, whether a purchaser orreader of this document or not, in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by any person in reliance upon the contents of this

document although


Appendix 3: Site management statement proforma

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LGA: Zoning:

Current landuse:

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Reproduction: Buds: [ ] Flowers: [ ] Fruit: [ ]Detailed site map attached: Yes / No Photographs taken:��

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Recommended monitoring and evaluation program: ��.

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Appendix 4: Making a submission regarding this draft recovery plan

This draft recovery plan will be placed on public exhibition for a period of six weeks and written submissions areinvited from the public during this time. To make your submission as effective as possible:• refer to the section or action of the plan you wish to address;• briefly explain the reasons for your comments, providing source information or examples where possible;

and• provide your name and address, on the following form, to enable receipt of your submission to be

acknowledged. Your personal details and submission will be a matter of public record and will be stored inthe NPWS record system for two years from the closing date of submissions.

Alternatively, submissions may be made via the DEC (NPWS) website.

The DEC will consider all written submissions received during the period of public exhibition and must providea summary report of those submissions to the Minister for the Environment prior to final approval of thisrecovery plan.

Please note, that for the purposes of the NSW Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998, anycomments on this draft recovery plan, including your personal details, will be a matter of public record and willbe stored in the DEC records system. Following approval of the plan by the Minister, copies of all submissions,unless marked �confidential� will be available by arrangement for inspection at the DEC office responsible forthe preparation of the recovery plan.

Should you not wish to have your personal details disclosed to members of the public once the recovery plan hasbeen adopted, please indicate on the form that you wish to have your personal details remain confidential to DECand not available for public access. Further information on the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act1998 may be obtained from any office of the DEC or from the website: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Submissions should be received no later than the advertised date and should be addressed to:

Director-General of Department of Environment and Conservatrionc/- Prostanthera askania Recovery Plan Coordinator,Threatened Species UnitConservation Programs and Planning BranchMetropolitan RegionEnvironment Protection and Regulation DivisionDepartment of Environment and Conservation (NSW)PO Box 1967Hurstville, NSW 2220

SUBMISSION ON DRAFT RECOVERY PLAN

Please ensure that you provide the following information, even if you do not use this form to make yoursubmission.

Name Individual/Organisation:

Postal Address:

Postcode: Contact Number(s):

Date:

Draft Recovery Plan: Prostanthera askania recovery plan

" Yes, please keep my personal details confidential to DEC(Explain why)

SUBMISSION:

Documents

Prostanthera askania recovery plan - Office of Environment and