Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 Notice of Final Determination (1998-703) [GG No 176 of 18.12.1998, p 9812] (NSW)

1998 No 703

New South Wales

THREATENED SPECIES CONSERVATION ACT 1995 No 101

Notice of Final Determination and Amendment of Schedule 1 to Act The Scientific Committee established 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 Part 3 of Schedule 1 to that Act (Endangered ecological communities) and, accordingly, that Schedule is amended as set out in Annexure "A" to this Notice:

Sutherland Shire Littoral Rainforest (as described in the final determination of the Scientific Committee to list the ecological community).

The final determination, set out in Annexure "B" to this Notice. to insert this ecological community in Part 3 of 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 or evolutionary development 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 8th day of December 1998

Dr Chris Dickman

Chairperson

Scientific Committee

Annexure "A"

Schedule 1

to the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 is amended by of the Scientific Committee to list the ecological community)

inserting in Part 3 in alphabetical order the matter:

Published in Gazette No 176 of 18 December 1998, page 9812 Page 1

Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 No 101—Final Determination

Annexure “B”

NSW SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the Sutherland Shire Littoral Rainforest as an ENDANGERED ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY on Part 3 of Schedule 1 of the Act, The listing of endangered ecological communities is provided for by Part 2 of the Act.

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. Littoral rainforest is a closed canopy forest characterised by mesophyll trees. shrubs and vines. It is distinct both structurally and floristically from open sclerophyll forests in the Shire. Floristically the community is characterised by the following assemblage of species:

Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 No 101—Final Determination

3. The Community in the Sutherland Shire occurs on soils derived from Hawkesbury Sandstone and on dune sands. Stands are small and isolated from one another. Stands occur on private land, in public open space managed by Council, and in NPWS estate (Royal National Park and Towra Point Nature Reserve). Stands of littoral rainforest are now of limited occurrence in the Sydney region. The Sutherland Shire Littoral Rainforest differs floristically and structurally from that on the northern beaches of Sydney which characteristically contain cabbage tree palm Livistona australis. Although the characteristic species of the Sutherland Shire Littoral Rainforest are widespread in littoral rainforests (with the exception of Syzygiun paniculatum), stands further north tend to show greater species richness.

4.         Stands outside NPWS estate have been substantially reduced from their pre-European settlement size, and the integrity of all stands is threatened by weed invasion. Serious weed invasion has occurred in many stands.

5 .         Disturbance in some stands has led to openings in the canopy. promoting damaging wind shear, salt spray damage and desiccation.

In some locations the vegetation has been largely removed to provide

open space. leaving a grassy ground layer with no understorey and

only isolated trees.

6.         Other threats include dumping of rubbish and garden refuse and vandalism.

7 .        Development adjacent to littoral rainforest stands. including creation of bushfire protection zones, may create an exposed edge for weed invasion, fire damage and wind damage.

8.          In view of 4, 5, 6, and 7 above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the Sutherland Shire Littoral Rainforest is likely to become extinct in nature in New South Wales unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival or evolutionary development cease to operate and hence meets the criteria for listing as an Endangered Ecological Community.

Dr Chris Dickman
Chairperson
Scientific Committee