Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 Notice of Final Determination (1997-230) [GG No 62 of 13.6.1997, p 4338] (NSW)

1997 No 230

New South Wales

THREATENED SPECIES CONSERVATION ACT 1995 No 101

Notice of Final Determination and Amendment of Schedule 1 to Act

The Scientific Committee constituted under the Threatened Species

Conservation Act 1995 has, in pursuance of Division 3 of Part 2 of that Act,

made a final determination to insert the following ecological community in Schedule 1 to that Act and, accordingly, that Schedule is amended as set out in Annexure “A” to this Notice:

Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub

The final determination, set out in Annexure “B” to this Notice, to insert this ecological community in Schedule 1 has been made because the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the community is likely to become extinct in nature in New South Wales unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival cease to operate.

Copies of the final determination may be inspected at:

The Information Centre (Level 1)
National Parks & Wildlife Service
43 Bridge Street

HURSTVILLE NSW 2220

and at all District Offices of the National Parks and Wildlife Service during

business hours.

Signed at Sydney, this sixth day of June 1997.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR PAUL ADAM,

Deputy Chairperson, Scientific Committee.

1997 No 230

Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 No 101

ANNEXURE “A”

Schedule 1 to the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 is amended by inserting in Part 3 in appropriate order the matter “Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub (as described in the final determination of the Scientific Committee to list the ecological community)”.

ANNEXURE “B”

Final determination of the Scientific Committee to list the Eastern Suburbs Banksia

Scrub as an endangered ecological community.

N.S.W. SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

Final Determination

THE Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act has made a Final Determination to list the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub as an ENDANGERED ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY on Part 3 of Schedule 1 of the Act. Listing of Endangered Ecological Communities is provided for by section 12 of the Act. Any submissions received following advertisement of the Preliminary Determination have been considered by the Scientific Committee.
The Scientific Committee has found that:

1.         The Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub is the accepted name €or a plant community occurring on nutrient poor sand deposits in the eastern and south-eastern suburbs of Sydney.

2.         It has the structural form predominantly of sclerophyllous heath or scrub occasionally with small areas of woodland or low forest, with, depending on local topography and drainage conditions, limited wetter areas.

3.        The characteristic assemblage of vascular plant species in the community is: Pteridium esculentum, Caustis pentandra, Dianella revoluta, Eragristis brownii, Haemodorum planifolium, Hypolaena fastigiata, Lepidosperma lateral, Leptocarpus tenax, Lepyrodia scariosa, Xanthorrhoea resinifera, Acacia longifolia, Acacia suaveolens, Acacia terminalis, Actinotus minor, Allocasuarina distyla, Astroloma pinifolium, Banksia aemula, Banksia ericifolia, Banksia integrifolia, Banksia serrata, Baeckaea imbricata, Bauera rubioides, Boronia parvifolia, Bossiaea heterophylla, Brachyloma daphnoides, Darwinia fascicularis, Darwinia leptantha, Epacris microphylla, Epacris obtusifolia, Eriostemon australaisus, Eucalyptus gummifera, Hakea teretifolia, Hardenbergia violacea, Hibbertia fasciculata, Kunzea ambigua, Lambertia formosa, Leptospermum trinervium, Leptospermum laevigatum, Melaleuca squamea, Monotoca elliptica, Monotoca scoparia, Persoonia lanceolata, Philotheca salsolifolia, Pimelea linifolia, Ricinocarpos pinifolius, Styphelia viridis.

4.         The total species list of the community is considerably larger than that given in 3 (above), with many species present only in one or two sites or in very small quantity. In any particular site, not all of the assemblage listed in 3 may be present at any one time (at least above ground), seeds of more species may be present in the soil seed bank. The species composition of a site will be influenced by the

1997 No 230

Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 No 101

size of the site and by its recent disturbance history. For a number of years after a major disturbance dominance by a few species (such as Kunzea ambigua or Leptospermum laevigatum) may occur, with gradual restoration of a more complex floristic composition and vegetation structure over time. The balance between species will change over the fire cycle, and may also change in response to changes in fire frequency.

5.         The Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub is distinguished from the coastal heath which occurs along the eastern seaboard on soils derived either directly from sandstone, or, if aeolian of younger age than those of the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub. Coastal heath is characteristically much lower than Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub and, although sharing many species with the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub characteristically contains a more maritime element including Baeckea imbricata, Coma alba and Westringia fruticosa.

6.         The Community has been reported from areas of sand deposits in the local government areas of Botany, Randwick, Waverley and Woollahra.

7.         The Scientific Committee noted that general information on the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub is provided in Benson, D. & Howell, J. 1990. “Taken for Granted—The Bushland of Sydney and its Suburbs”. Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst.

The Scientific Committee has found that:

8.         The Community, as defined by the proposal, satisfies the definition of an ecological community under the Act i.e. an assemblage of species occupying a particular area.

9.         Less than 1% of the original area of the community currently exists in the form of a number of remnants.

10.        Threats to the survival of the community include fragmentation, development, increased nutrient status, inappropriate fire regimes, invasion by exotic plants, grazing by horses and rabbits, erosion from use of bicycles, motorcycles and from excessive pedestrian use.

11.        Although a small part of the surviving Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub is included within the Botany Bay National Park, this in itself does not ensure the survival of the community unless the threats to the integrity of the community are ameliorated. In view of the substantial reduction in the area occupied by the community, its fragmentation and the numerous threats to the integrity of the community the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub is likely to become extinct in nature in New South Wales unless the factors threatening its survival cease to operate.

12.       In view of 9, 10 and 11, the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the Community is likely to become extinct in nature in New South Wales unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival cease to operate. Accordingly, the Committee has made a Final Determination to list the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub on Part 3 of Schedule 1 of the Act.

DR CHRIS DICKMAN,
Chairperson,