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PA HAZELTON SOIL SURVEY AND INVESTIGATIONS PTY LTD ABN 55 091 840 621

106 Ellesmere Rd GYMEA BAY 2227

61 2 95250391 7 October 2010

STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE - SOIL REPORT Wattle Ridge Road, Hilltop CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION 2.0 RELEVANT REFERENCES FOR THE SITE 3.0 PREVIOUS SURVEYS WITHIN THE REGION 3.1 SHALE SANDSTONE TRANSITION SOILS 4.0 PREVIOUS SITE-SPECIFIC SOIL SAMPLING 5.0 CURRENT SOIL SURVEY ALONG WATTLE RIDGE ROAD 5.1 METHODS 5.2 OBSERVATIONS 6.0 DISCUSSION 7.0 CONCLUSIONS FIGURES 1. Location of soil sites in Quadrats 1 to 4 2. Location of soil sites on Wattle Ridge Road 3. Location of soil sites on 1:25 000 topographic map APPENDIX 1. CV of Dr Pamela Hazeton 2. Anne Clements & Associates Flora Report From Field Survey on 30 September 2010

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1.0 INTRODUCTION This statement of evidence assesses possible ecological community constraints affecting potential regional shooting complex development at Hilltop. The potential development is located in Wingecarribee Local Government Area (LGA) in the Sydney Basin Bioregion. Shale Sandstone Transition Forest (SSTF) is listed as a Commonwealth protected matter occurring in Wingecarribee LGA (EPBC Act Protected Matters Tool from DEWHA website www.environment.gov.au accessed on 31 August 2008). The Commonwealth listing information for the endangered ecological community Shale/Sandstone Transition Forest (DEWHA website: www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communities/shalesandstone.html, accessed 1 September 2010) states that:

The ecological community Shale/Sandstone Transition Forest is restricted to transitional areas between the clay soils derived from the Wianamatta shale and the sandy soils derived from Hawkesbury sandstone within the Sydney Basin Bioregion.

I have been instructed by Pike Lawyers, as an independent expert witness, to prepare a Statement of Evidence which:

From a specific soil survey, describes the soil characteristics of Wattle Ridge Road, Hilltop on the southern highlands in the vicinity of the proposed development of the regional shooting complex to determine whether the soils are those as specified in the Final Determination for Shale Sandstone Transition Forest, Sydney Basin and South East Corner Bioregions an Endangered Ecological Community.

I have read and understood the Expert Witness Code of Conduct in Schedule 7 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 and Part 31 Division 2 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005. I agree to be bound by the Expert witness code of conduct. My CV is available in Appendix 1. 2.0 RELEVANT SOIL MATERIAL REFERENCES FOR THE SITE

• Hazelton P A and Tille P J (1990) Soil Landscapes of the Wollongong-Port Hacking 1:100 000 Sheet. Soil Conservation Service of NSW, Sydney.

• Herbert and West (1983) Geology of the Sydney Basin 1: 100 000 sheet 9130. New

South Wales Department of Mineral Resources, Sydney. • Munsell Soil Colour Charts 1975 edition

• Northcote N H (1979) A Factual Key for the Recognition of Australian Soils. CSIRO

4th edition Rellim Technical Publications Adelaide, South Australia

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3.0 PREVIOUS SURVEYS WITHIN THE REGION Herbert and West (1983) mapped the geology of Sydney. Herbert described the presence of the Mittagong Formation as a stratigraphic layer occurring between Hawkesbury Sandstone and Wianamatta Group Shales. Mittagong Formation is described as Interbedded shale, laminite, and medium-grained quartz sandstone. Hazelton and Tille (1990) mapped the Soil Landscapes of the Wollongong/ Port Hacking area, with Hilltop located 4 km southwest of the mapped area. For this region, Hazelton and Tille (1990) reported: The Mittagong Formation occurs as passage beds between Hawkesbury Sandstone and the overlying Ashfield Shales of the Wianamatta Group. It consists of interbedded and laminated, fine to medium grained quartz sandstone and black shale. Its main surface expression occurs between Thirlmere and Appin in the south-west of the mapped area. In this region it is considered that the many areas of “ironstone gravels”(pisoliths) reflect the original presence of the Mittagong Formation. Therefore the soil field properties, especially the presence of the “ironstone” nodules and shale fragments, were indicative of shale / sandstone transition soils. 3.1 SHALE SANDSTONE TRANSITION SOILS Shale sandstone transition soils are exemplified by Lucas Heights Soil Landscape (Map Unit lh). The soils and the soil landscape in the area of the proposed clearing at the Hilltop site are most likely to be of the Lucas Heights Soil Landscape. 4.0 PREVIOUS SITE-SPECIFIC SOIL SAMPLING On 27 May 2008, four soil samples were collected to a depth of 5-10 cm were collected from each of four re-surveyed flora quadrats (20m x 20m in size) on the proposed area to be cleared for the regional shooting complex by Anne Clements & Associates (ACA) (refer Figure 1). I examined and described these soil samples using soil field texture Northcote (1979), colour Munsell (1975) and the presence of any inclusions. The texture ie % clay in the 0-15cm, ranged from silty clay loam (30-35%) to light sandy clay loam (15-20%) to clayey sand (5-10%). There were ironstone nodules and an obvious presence of silt in all of the samples. Sample 1 Quadrat 1

Light sandy clay loam (15-20%) with silt, reddish brown 5YR 4/3 Presence of “ironstone” nodules Positive dilatency test - presence silt Sample 2 Quadrat 2 Silty clay loam (30-35%), dark reddish brown 5YR 3/3 Presence of “ironstone” nodules Positive dilatency test - presence silt Sample 3 Quadrat 3 Silty clay loam with sand, dark reddish brown 5YR 3/4 Presence of “ironstone” nodules Positive dilatency test - presence silt Sample 4 Quadrat 4 Clayey sand (5-10%), dark reddish grey 5YR 4/2

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Presence of small shale fragments and “ironstone nodules” Positive dilatency test - presence silt

I did not choose the sampling sites nor did I collect the samples. However, I concluded from examining Samples 1, 2, 3, and 4 that the soil material had a high clay content as described in the Final Determination for Shale Sandstone Transition Forest. The clay content could have been attributed to the Hawkesbury Sandstone which is a geological map unit in the area. From the presence of iron nodules and small shale fragments and sand, I concluded that the soil appeared to have been derived from the Mittagong Formation which is also a geological unit in the area. 5.0 CURRENT SOIL SURVEY ALONG WATTLE RIDGE ROAD 5.1 METHODS The area was inspected on the 30 September 2010 and six soil sites were observed and three (Sites 4, 5, 6) were excavated (refer Figure 2) to determine whether the soils present in the vicinity of the proposed development of the regional shooting complex were as those described for Commonwealth listed Shale/Sandstone Transition Forest. At the same time, vegetation at each of the soil sites was recorded and the vegetation at soil sites 5 and 6 sampled in 20m x 20m quadrats (Quadrats 5 and 6) by Polly Simmonds (refer Appendix 2). According to the topographic map sheet (refer Figure 3), Sites 4, 5, 6 were in close proximity to the proposed development site and topographically were approximately between 590-610m contour lines. The soil was excavated to expose a pit using a mattock and trowel to a depth greater than 35cm. 5.2 OBSERVATIONS At each of the sites prior to excavation the surface was observed to be hardset. Following excavation the soil textures clay content increased through the soil layers and ranged from sandy clay loam (20-30%) to clay loam (30-35%) to sandy clay and light clay (35-40%). Iron stone nodules (pisoliths) were present within each pit at various depths. At Sites 5 and 6, there was evidence of silt.

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Photo 1 Ironstone nodules at Site 5

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Sites 4, 5, 6 were excavated. SITE 4 266193E 6200008N Depth cm Colour Texture Comments 0-40 5YR 5/6 bright reddish

brown sandy clay loam • hardset

surface,bleached • iron nodules

(pisoliths) are present at 40cm

40-50+ 5YR 5/6 bright reddish brown

sandy clay loam • increase in sand from 40-50+ content

• pisoliths present • evidence of platy

lateritic material within the soil layers

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SITE 5 265526E 6200580N Depth cm Colour Texture Comments 0-10 5YR 5/6 bright reddish

brown sandy clay loam • hardset surface,

bleached • positive dilatency-

evidence of silt • roots to 10+cm

10-35+ 5YR 5/6 bright reddish brown

sandy clay • pisoliths present from 15cm

• evidence of platy lateritic material within the soil material

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SITE 6 265498E 6200563N Depth cm Colour Texture Comments 0-5 5YR 5/4 dull reddish

brown clay loam • hardset surface,

bleached • positive dilatency-

evidence of silt, small stones

• roots present 5-20 5YR 5/6 bright reddish

brown sandy clay loam • slight dilatency

(silt) • roots to 10cm

20-30 5YR 5/6 bright reddish brown

sandy clay • presence of pisoliths (very few)

30-40 + 5YR 5/8 bright reddish brown

light clay with sand • many pisoliths layered and throughout the soil

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6.0 DISCUSSION Commonwealth listed ecological community Shale/Sandstone Transition Forest is restricted to transitional areas between the clay soils derived from the Wianamatta shale and the sandy soils derived from Hawkesbury sandstone within the Sydney Basin Bioregion.

Photo 2 Site 6 near Grey Gum E. punctata According to Hazelton and Tille (1990) the dominant soil materials of the Lucas Heights Soil Landscape include as a topsoil bleached, stony hardsetting sandy clay loam and subsoils of sandy clay loams increasing to sandy clay at depth. Iron coated nodules are common sometimes occurring as stratified bands. The soils observed at Sites 4, 5 and 6 meet the description of the soil material described by Hazelton and Tille (1990) for the Lucas Heights Soil Landscape ie moderately deep soil weathered from Mittagong Formation which occurs as passage beds between Hawkesbury Sandstone and the overlying Ashfield Shales of the Wianamatta Group. It consists of interbedded and laminated, fine to medium grained quartz sandstone and black shale. The previous soil samples taken by Anne Clements and Associates on 27 May 2008 have similar texture, colour as well as the presence of iron nodules as observed at the Sites 4, 5, 6 on Wattle Ridge Road. 7.0 CONCLUSIONS

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From my observations and field testing, I have concluded that the soil material collected in the flora Quadrats 1, 2, 3 and 4 (surveyed on 27 May 2008 by Anne Clements & Associates and vegetation previously surveyed in October 2006 by GHD 2007) are the same as the shale sandstone transition soil materials at Sites 4, 5 and 6 sampled by me on 30 September 2010. These soil materials that I have inspected have been weathered to form shale sandstone transition soil from Mittagong Formation the underlying geology of the Lucas Heights Soil Landscape. Shale sandstone transition soils are exemplified by Lucas Heights Soil Landscape (Map Unit lh). The soils and the soil landscape in the area of the proposed clearing and adjoining Wattle Ridge Road at the Hilltop site are a continuation of Lucas Heights Soil Landscape from the Wollongong- Port Hacking Soil Landscape Map Sheet. These soils occur at about 590 to 610 m AHD and above. The vegetation of Quadrat 1 to 6 (Quadrat 1 to 4 in area to be cleared, Quadrat 5, 6 adjoining Wattle Ridge Road) are transition soil materials derived from the Wianamatta shale and Hawkesbury sandstone within the Sydney Basin Bioregion as described in the Commonwealth listing for the ecological community Shale/Sandstone Transition Forest.

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FIGURES

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APPENDIX 1

CURRICULUM VITAE Name PAMELA ANNE HAZELTON Qualifications PhD University of NSW Adult Teaching Cert TAFE

Dip. Ed. University of New England B.Sc. University of Sydney

Professional Accreditation CPSS Stage 3 (Certified Professional Soil Scientist) Short Courses Digital Elevation Models-ANU

Introduction to GIS-UNSW GIS Data Collection-UNSW

Additional Courses Insearch- Institute of Languages UTS

French (advanced) (1999) Institute of Languages UNSW German 3(1988) German 2 (1987) German 1 (1986) Spanish 1 (2003)USyd Spanish 2 (2004) Spanish 3 (2005)

Employment History 2005-> Program Head and Coordinator and lecturer on and off shore (Hong Kong)

Master of Environmental Engineering Management 2002 -2005 Senior lecturer and Director of Postgraduate Coursework Programs 1994- 2000 Lecturer School of Civil Engineering UTS 1992-1993 Head of Soil Consultancies- Dept. of Conservation & Land Management 1988-1992 Soil Surveyor Department of Conservation & Land Management 1985-1987 Consultant to Soil Conservation Service of NSW 1983-1985 University of Sydney Part-time Lecturer Faculty of Education 1980-1984 Consultant to Soil Conservation Service of NSW Landsystems Surveys 1982-1983 University of Sydney part-time lecturer Faculty of Agriculture 1973-1980 University of NSW Tutor/Lecturer Faculty of Applied Science Publications Books Hazelton, P.A. and Murphy, B.W. (2010) An Introduction to Understanding Soils in an Urban Environment. CSIRO Publishing Melbourne Hazelton, P.A. and Murphy, B.W. (2007) Interpreting Soil Test Results. What do all the Numbers Mean? CSIRO Publishing Melbourne Hazelton, P.A. (1992), Soil Landscapes of Kiama 1:100 000 Sheet. Soil Conservation Service of NSW, Sydney, ISBN 07305 9046 1

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Hazelton, P.A. and Tille, P.J. (1991) Soil Landscapes of Wollongong 1:100 000 Sheet. Soil Conservation Service of NSW, Sydney, ISBN 07305 7591 8 Bannerman, S.M. and Hazelton, P.A. (1990) Soil Landscapes of Penrith 1:100 000 Sheet. Soil Conservation Service of NSW, Sydney, ISBN 07305 6376 6 Hazelton, P.A. (1992), Bibliography of Soils in the Sydney and Adjacent Regions. A publication for NSW Soil Science Society Chapters in Books Hazelton, P.A (2001) Soil Properties and Engineering. In: S.R.Cattle & B.H. George(Eds) Describing, Analysing and Managing Our Soil. First edition. Proceedings of the DAMOS workshop held at The University of Sydney, November 22-26, 1999. Published jointly by The University of Sydney and the Australian Soil Science Society Inc. (NSW Branch). pp277-283 Miller, W., Kookana, R., Hazelton, P.A., Sumner, M.E. (1998), Sodicity, Dispersion and Environmental Quality in Sodic Soils: Distribution, Processes, Management and Environmental Consequences, M.E. Sumner and R. Naidu (Eds.), Ch 9, Oxford University Press. New York ISBN 0-19-509655-X Hazelton, P.A. (1995), Soil Properties and Engineering in Invited Lectures for Training Course. Soil Technology - Applied Soil Science. P.A. Hazelton and Koppi, A.J. (Eds), University of Sydney Press. ISBN 09587460 7 9 Koppi, A.J. and Hazelton, P.A. (1993), Estimating fundamental soil properties in Invited Lectures for Training Course, Soil Technology - Applied Soil Science, Hazelton and Koppi (Eds), University of Sydney Press, ISBN 09587460 7 9 Hazelton, P.A. (1991), The Formation of Soil its profile description and attributes in Invited Lectures for Training Course, Soil Technology - Applied Soil Science. Hazelton and Koppi (Eds). University of Sydney Press, ISBN 09587460 7 9 Hazelton, P.A. (1991) Soil Classification in Invited Lectures for Training Course, Soil Technology - Applied Soil Science, Hazelton and Koppi (Eds), University of Sydney Press, ISBN 09587460 7 9 Papers (refereed) Hazelton PA and Clements A (2009) Construction of an Environmentally Sustainable development on a modified Coastal Sand mined and Landfill Site Part 1 open access sustainability ISSN2071-1050 www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability Special Issue Environmental Sustainability and the Built Environment. Hazelton PA, Malone, M, Gardner P A (2009) A Multicultural, Multidisciplinary Short Course, Introducing Recently Graduated Engineers To The Global Nature Of Professional Practice. European Journal of Engineering Education Special Edition, Vol 4 Hazelton P A and Gardner A P (2009) Posters: a means for both technical and social Communication. Engineering Education Conference (SEFI) Rotterdam The Netherlands Hazelton PA and Clements A (2008) Soil and landform reconstruction and reestablishment of sand dune vegetation using natural resources. The Australian and New Zealand National Soils Conference 2008. Massey University Palmerston North New Zealand Hazelton PA (2006) Australian examples of the role of soils in environmental problems In: Function of Soils for Human Societies and the Environment Fossard E, Blum W and Warkentin B (eds) Geological Society, London, Special publications 266 pp141-147

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Hazelton PA and Fitzpatrick R (2001) Soil-related engineering problems: identification and remedial measures. Geological Society of Australia Special Publications 21pp 27-37 Hazelton PA (1998) Soil Science - The Environment’s Poor Relation. Australian Society of Soil Science National Conference 25-29 April Brisbane, Queensland Hazelton P.A.(1997) Land Capability Assessment a Necessary Cost For Future Reclamation and Management Strategies. International Symposium on Sustainable Management of Salt Affected Soils In the Arid Ecosystem. University of Ain Shams Cairo, Egypt. Hazelton, P.A. (1996), Soil Science - the need for a Multidisciplinary Approach. The Australian and New Zealand National Soils Conference 1996. University of Melbourne Victoria Hazelton, P.A. (1996), Rehabilitation of Rocklow Creek. 2nd National Acid Sulfate Soil Conference Coffs Harbour NSW Hazelton, P.A. (1995), Urban Pressures on Land and Lakes Underlain by Acid Sulphate Soil and the Associated Ecological impact. International Symposium on Salt Affected Lagoon Ecosystems ISSALE - 95, Valencia, Spain Palmer, B. and Hazelton, P.A. (1994), Sydney Water Board St George Water Area Main Failure Analysis In: Extended Abstracts of the Workshop - Soil in the City D.R. Peterson, A.J. Weatherby and R.E. White (Eds), the University of Melbourne, Parkville Hazelton, P.A. (1991), The New Soil Landscape Mapping Series by the Soil Conservation Service of NSW. The Globe Cartographic Journal. Melbourne. Technical Publications Hazelton, P.A. (1988) Landform, Soils & Vegetation Geology & Erosion Report of the Area of Hay-Booligal 1:250 000. Soil Conservation Service of NSW. Hazelton, P.A. (1987) Landform, Soils & Vegetation Geology & Erosion Report of the Area of Menindee 1:250 000. Soil Conservation Service of NSW. Hazelton, P.A. and Johnson D.O. (1985) Land Systems of the Broken Hill 1:250000 Map Sheet. Soil Conservation Service of NSW. Hazelton, P.A. and Johnson D.O. (1984) Land Systems of the Booligal-Lake Cargelligo Map Sheets. Soil Conservation Service of NSW. Hazelton, P.A. and Johnson D.O. (1983) Land Systems of the Wilcannia 1:250 000 Map Sheet. Soil Conservation Service of NSW. Hazelton, P.A. and Johnson D.O. (1980) Land Systems of the Louth 1:250 000 Map Sheet. Soil Conservation Service of NSW. Hazelton, P.A. and Johnson D.O. (1981) Land Systems of the Yantabulla 1:250 000 Map Sheet. Soil Conservation Service of NSW. Papers (unrefeered) Hazelton, P A (2009) Pedology, the Law and Urban Soils in NSW, Australia 5th International Conference on Soils of Urban, Industria, Traffic Mining an Military Areas (SUITMA)

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Conference September 20-25, 2009 Graduate School City University of New York New York, USA pp15-16. Hazelton, P.A.(1996), Soil Properties and Water Quality Management. M Sharpin ed. Stormwater Quality Management Workshop, Concord. Hazelton, P.A. (1992), Soil Landscape Mapping and Its Implication for Coastal Land Management. Paper presented at 1992 Coastal Management Conference, Kiama. NSW. Hazelton, P.A. (1991) Soil Landscape Mapping in Soils - The Basis of Sustainable Agriculture, 1. Simpson and L. Lynch Editors. Argyle Press, Goulburn. Teaching and Research

Land Resources and Environmental Assessment Environmental Engineering Urban landscape management Environmental Risk Assessment and Management

Applied Soil Science and Engineering Practice Developed Applied Soil Science/Environmental Courses for Local Councils and Government Departments

Professional Committees Federal President Australian Society of Soil Science Inc (ASSSI) (1996-1998) Federal Vice President Australian Society of Soil Science Inc (ASSSI) (1994-1996) NSW State President Australian Society of Soil Science Inc (ASSSI) (1992-1994) Committee Member of Standards Australia EV-009-01 Sampling of Potentially Contaminated Soil (1996-present Committee Member of CPSS Accreditation Board (2004-present) Vice Chairperson of the Educational Commission for the International Union of Soil Scientists (2002-2006) Vice Chairperson Division 3(Urban Soils) International Union of Soil Scientists (2006-present) Vice Chairperson of the Educational Commission for the International Union of Soil Scientists (2002-2006) Vice-Chair of Division 4, Commission 4.4(2008-2010) Role of Soils in Sustaining Society and the Environment- International Union of Soil Scientists (IUSS)

Editorial Board Member Australian of Journal of Soil Science (2000- 2006)

Membership of Professional Bodies Member of the Australian Society of Soil Science Inc Member of the International Union of Soil Scientists (The International Society of Soil Science) Member of the British Society of Soil Science Academic Affiliation 2002-present Academic Co-ordinator and Lecturer - International Institute of Women in Engineering (IIWE) at Ecole Polytechnique Feminin (EPF) Sceaux , France

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Anne Clements & Associates Pty Limited 1

APPENDIX 2

ANNE CLEMENTS & ASSOCIATES PTY. LIMITED (ABN 41 077 242 365, ACN 077-160-939) Environmental and Botanical Consultants PO Box 1623, North Sydney 2059 Phone: (02) 9955 9733, Facsimile: (02) 9957 4343 Email: mail@acabotanic.com

7 October 2010

Flora assessment:

Wattle Ridge Road, Hill Top, near to the potential Southern Highland Regional Shooting Complex

Prepared by: Dr AnneMarie Clements Polly Simmonds Prepared for: Peter Jackson Pikes Lawyers

Level 3, 50 King Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Anne Clements & Associates Pty Limited 2

Contents 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Vegetation data recorded 2.1 Methods 2.2 Observations 2.3 Data recorded in the quadrats 3.0 Comparison of vegetation recorded on area to be cleared (Quadrats 1 to 4)

and adjoining Wattle Ridge Road (Quadrats 5, 6) with the Commonwealth listed Shale Sandstone Transition Forest

4.0 Conclusions References Figures 1. Location of soil sites in Quadrats 1 to 4 (in Hazelton 2010) 2. Location of soil sites on Wattle Ridge Road (in Hazelton 2010) 3. Location of soil sites on 1:25 000 topographic map (in Hazelton 2010) Tables 1. Species recorded in Quadrats 5 and 6 2. Maximum height and number of individuals for species > 2 m tall in the 10 x 10

m subquadrats

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1.0 Introduction This report presents additional flora data recorded by Polly Simmonds at the time of soil survey by Dr Pamela Hazelton along Watle Ridge Road on 30 September 2010 (see Figures 2 and 3 of Hazelton 2010). The soil survey was directed to determining the distribution of shale sandstone transition soils. The potential regional shooting complex development at Hilltop adjoins Wattle Ridge Road in Wingecarribee Local Government Area (LGA). Shale/Sandstone Transition Forest has been identified as occurring in the Wingecarribee LGA (House and Gillies 2003 and as a Commonwealth protected matter from the EPBC Act Protected Matters Tool cited in Hazelton 2010). Dr Hazelton examined the soils collected by Anne Clements & Associates on 27 May 2008 from four 20 m x 20 m flora quadrats (Quadrats 1 to 4) in the area to be cleared for the potential development. The vegetation of these four quadrats had previously been surveyed in October 2006 by GHD (2007). Dr Hazelton concluded that the soil field properties, especially the presence of the “ironstone” nodules and shale fragments, were indicative of shale / sandstone transition soils. Previous investigation of flora at the potential Southern Highland Regional Shooting Complex at Hill Top identified vegetation that met the criteria for Commonwealth listed Shale Sandstone Transition Forest (Clements and Simmonds 2010). 2.0 Vegetation data recorded The vegetation at each of the soil sites was briefly noted and surveyed in two 20 m x 20 m quadrats at soil sites 5 and 6. The vegetation data have been recorded from a total of six quadrats (Quadrats 1 to 4 on 27 May 2008 and Quadrats 5 and 6 on 30 September 2010). 2.1 Methods The quadrats consisted of four contiguous 10 m x 10 m subquadrats. The layout of the quadrats and subquadrats is as follows:

10 m 10 m

10 m

1

2

10 m 4 3

The relative frequency of plant species was assessed by recording the presence or absence in each of the four 10 m x 10 m subquadrats (Table 1). The number of subquadrats in which a species was recorded varied from 0 to 4. In each 10 m x 10 m subquadrat, the numbers of individuals and heights of all species of trees and shrubs attaining 2 m or more were recorded (Table 2). The vegetation in Quadrat 5 was not homogenous.

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The percent projected foliage cover of the following strata was estimated for each sampling location (Table 3):

• Native canopy trees • Native shrubs • Native groundcover including grasses/graminoids, herbs and ferns • Exotic total

as well as percent cover by litter, bare soil and rock. At the time of survey, sampling locations were photographed. Specimens were collected and bagged. The species identifications were verified by Tony Rodd on 1 October 2010. Nomenclature is consistent with Harden (1990-1993, 2002), Harden and Murray (2000) and subsequent taxonomic changes as published in Telopea, the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens’ journal of systematic botany, and in other Australian taxonomic literature. The Royal Botanic Gardens’ PlantNET website (plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au) incorporating Flora Online is the major source for updated taxonomy. 2.2 Observations At soil sites 1 to 6, the observed vegetation consisted of: At soil site Vegetation observed 1. A sandstone ridgetop woodland with Eucalyptus sclerophylla,

Banksia serrata and no Eucalyptus punctata or Ironbarks present. 2. At the gate entrance to Wattle Ridge Park, with most of the area

cleared. Pisoliths were observed on the soil surface where postholes had been dug. Altitude about 590 m AHD. Adjacent to and in the vicinity of Site 2, Eucalyptus punctata was prevalent.

3. Dam nearby. The dominant trees were Eucalyptus globoidea and Corymbia gummifera with Eucalyptus punctata present.

4. No Eucalyptus punctata was observed. Species present included Eucalyptus sclerophylla, Eucalyptus globoidea, Corymbia gummifera, Leptospermum trinervium, Gompholobium grandiflorum, Bossiaea obcordata and Grevillea and Acacia species.

5. The dominant tree species were Corymbia gummifera and Eucalyptus globoidea (White Stringybark). One 16 m tall Eucalyptus punctata (Grey Gum) occurred at the southernmost boundary of the quadrat. The vegetation appeared to be the start of where the sandstone ridgetop woodland vegetation began to change into a more forest like structure dominated by Eucalyptus punctata and Eucalyptus globoidea (sampled in Quadrat 6). Pisoliths and minor sandstone outcropping observed. The most frequently occurring species (recorded in 4 out of 4 subquadrats) were Acacia linifolia (Flax-leaved Wattle), Acacia terminalis subsp. aurea (Sunshine Wattle), Bossiaea obcordata (Spiny Bossiaea), Corymbia gummifera (Red Bloodwood), Grevillea arenaria, Hakea laevipes subsp. laevipes, Lomandra obliqua, Lomatia silaifolia (Crinkle Bush), Patersonia glabrata (Native Iris) and Pultenaea scabra (Rough Bush-pea).

6. The dominant tree species were Eucalyptus globoidea to 30 m, Eucalyptus punctata to 26 m and a subcanopy of Corymbia gummifera to 13 m tall. The most frequently occurring species

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(recorded in 4 out of 4 subquadrats) were Acacia linifolia, Corymbia gummifera, Entolasia stricta (Wiry Panic), Eucalyptus globoidea, Eucalyptus punctata, Grevillea arenaria, Hakea laevipes subsp. laevipes, Hakea sericea (Needlebush) and Patersonia glabrata.

2.3 Data recorded in the quadrats Despite sampling adjoining a public road, intact woodland was recorded in the two quadrats (Table 1), with: Quadrat Number of native species

recorded Number of exotic species recorded

5 45 0 6 36 0 Total 53 0 Quadrat 5 was located on the north side of Wattle Ridge Road. The structure of Quadrat 5 was open woodland with maximum height of canopy species ranging from 11 m to 23 m tall (Table 2), and an open to dense shrub layer, with:

Percent (%) projected cover of structural layers within Quadrat 5 Canopy 15 Shrubs 40 Groundlayer 5

Leaf litter 40 Bare rock 7 Bare soil 5

Quadrat 6 was located approximately 30 m southwest of Quadrat 5, on the southern side of Wattle Ridge Road. Pisoliths were observed close to the soil surface. Sandstone outcropping was not observed. The structure of the vegetation was open forest with the maximum height of canopy species ranging from 13 m to 30 m tall (Table 2), a patchy open shrub layer and a patchy grassy understorey:

Percent (%) projected cover of structural layers within Quadrat 6 Canopy 20 Shrubs 30 Groundlayer 10

Leaf litter 20 Bare rock 0 Bare soil 10

3.0 Comparison of vegetation recorded on area to be cleared (Quadrats 1 to 4) and adjoining Wattle Ridge Road (Quadrats 5, 6) with the Commonwealth listed Shale Sandstone Transition Forest

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All six flora quadrats (Quadrats 1 to 6) were found to be on shale sandstone transition soils.

Quadrats 1 to 4 on the areas to be cleared were compared with Commonwealth listed Shale Sandstone Transition Forest (Clements and Simmonds 2010). It was concluded that vegetation occurs on the potential Southern Highland Regional Shooting Complex Site which meets the description of the Commonwealth listed endangered ecological community, as: • The Site is within the Sydney Basin bioregion, approximately 8 km south of the

DECCW mapped boundary of the Cumberland Plain; • The EPBC Protected Matters search tool shows that SSTF occurs within

Wingecarribee LGA; • The soils and geology match the description for the community; • The structure of the vegetation matches the description for the community; • From the four quadrats, three characteristic SSTF tree species were • recorded; and • 29 of the 105 characteristic species listed for SSTF (28%) were recorded from the

four quadrats surveyed by ACA in 2008. Quadrats 5 and 6 had similar species composition and similar number of listed characteristic species for SSTF. In terms of species composition there was similar high species diversity in all six quadrats. The Commonwealth listing for Shale Sandstone Transition Forest refers to the characteristic species listed in Paragraph 4 of the NSW Scientific Committee’s Final determination for Shale/sandstone transition forest (SSTF) - endangered ecological community listing. There are between 15 and 20 of the characteristic species recorded in the six 20 m x 20 m quadrats on the areas to be cleared and along Wattle Ridge Road, namely:

Quadrat Number of native species recorded

Number of exotic species recorded

Number of listed charcteristic species

% of charcteristic species of species recorded

% of the 105 listed characteristic species

On area to be cleared

1. 59 0 20 34% 19%

2. 43 0 16 37% 15%

3. 54 0 16 30% 15%

4 65 0 17 26% 16%

Adjoining Wattle Ridge Road on shale sandstone transition soils

5 45 0 18 39% 17%

6 36 0 15 42% 14%

4.0 Conclusions The vegetation recorded along Wattle Ridge Road, directly adjacent to the potential regional shooting complex development appears to meet the listed criteria for Commonwealth listed endangered ecological community Shale/sandstone transition forest (SSTF). This vegetation corresponds to the presence of shale sandstone

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transition soils as described in Hazelton (2010). It is similar to the vegetation on the areas to be cleared for the potential development. The vegetation sampled in Quadrats 1 to 6 is characteristic of Commonwealth listed endangered ecological community Shale/sandstone transition forest (SSTF):

• The Site at Hill Top is in the Sydney Basin bioregion. The mapped boundary of the Cumberland Plain is located approximately 8 km north of the Site, and less than one km north of the Wingecarribee LGA boundary (from DECCW website: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatened species/MapOfTheCumberlandPlain.htm, accessed 1 September 2010);

• The Site is in the Wingecarribee LGA. The EPBC Act Protected Matters Tool lists Shale Sandstone Transition Forest as a protected matter occurring in Wingecarribee LGA;

• The floristic composition of the vegetation recorded in Quadrats 1 to 6 consisted of between 26% to 42% listed SSTF characteristic species of the species recorded, with remaining species typically recorded in shale and/or sandstone habitats;

• The structure of the vegetation recorded in Quadrats 1 to 6 varied from open forest to open woodland, with a shrubby to grassy and herbaceous understorey;

• Tree species recorded for the quadrats were SSTF characteristic: Eucalyptus punctata, Eucalyptus globoidea and Eucalyptus agglomerata;

• Species composition varied between sampled sites dependent on elevation and extent of sandstone influence;

• At least three plant species listed as occurring in SSTF habitat and recognised as being of national, state or regional conservation significance in UBBS (1997) were recorded (Eucalyptus globoidea, Thysanotus juncifolius and Thysanotus tuberosus);

• The soil recorded in Quadrats 1 to 6 is shale sandstone transition soil from Mittagong Formation the underlying geology of the Lucas Heights Soil Landscape;

• The quadrats 1 to 6 are located on plateaux and hillsides on shale sandstone soils derived from transitional beds of the Mittagong Formation;

• the vegetation growing between approximately 590 to 610 m AHD is growing in soils derived from shale sandstone transitional beds of the Mittagong Formation, which occurs stratigraphically between Wianamatta Shale and Hawkesbury Sandstone. Downslope of the ridgetop, the vegetation is growing in sandstone-derived soils.

References Clements A. (2008) RE: Additional flora inspection on the proposed Southern Highland Regional Shooting Complex at Hill Top. Prepared for BBC Consulting Planners, Broadway. Dated 16 June 2008. Clements A., and Simmonds P. (2010) RE: Southern Highland Regional Shooting Complex at Hill Top Framework as per Roslyn McCulloch of Pikes Lawyers: 1. Whether irreparable environmental harm may occur if the site is cleared in accordance with the current Approval 2. Whether clearing of the land is likely to have a significant impact on the Leafless Tongue Orchid, report prepared for Pikes Lawyers, Sydney. Dated 7 September 2010. Department of Lands (2007)

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Hill Top 8929-2N Third Edition Topographic and Orthophoto Map 1:25 000. Land and Property Information, Bathurst. GHD (2007) Southern Highlands Regional Shooting Complex: Ecological Assessment. Dated October 2007. Harden G.J. (1990-93, 2002) Flora of New South Wales. Volumes 1 to 4. University of New South Wales Press, Kensington. Harden G.J. and Murray L.J. (2000) Supplement to Flora of New South Wales. Volume 1. University of New South Wales Press, Kensington. Hazelton P.A. (2010) Statement of Evidence - Soil Report. Wattle Ridge Road, Hilltop. Prepared for Pike Lawyers. NSW Scientific Advisory Committee (1998) Shale/sandstone transition forest - endangered ecological community listing NSW Scientific Committee - final determination. Accessed 1 September 2010 at: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/determinations/ShaleSandstoneTransitionForestEndComListing.htm NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (2002) The Native Vegetation of the Cumberland Plain, Western Sydney – Technical Report, NSW NPWS, Hurstville. Tozer M.G., Turner K., Simpson C., Keith D.A., Beukers P., MacKenzie B., Tindall D. and Pennay C. (2008) Native vegetation of southeast NSW: a revised classification and map for the coast and eastern tablelands. Version 1.0. Joint venture by Department of Environment and Climate Change, and Department of Natural Resources, NSW.

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Tables

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Table 1. Species recorded in Quadrats 5 and 6

Species Common name Q5 Q6 SSTFAcacia linifolia Flax-leaved Wattle 4 4 Acacia myrtifolia Red-stemmed Wattle 2 1 Acacia parramattensis Parramatta Green Wattle 2 x Acacia terminalis subsp. aurea Sunshine Wattle 4 3 Acacia ulicifolia Prickly Moses, Prickly Wattle 2 1 Allocasuarina littoralis Black She-Oak 1 x Amperea xiphoclada Broom Spurge 2 1 Aristida vagans Threeawn Speargrass 1 1 x Banksia spinulosa Hairpin Banksia 1 x Billardiera scandens Hairy Apple Berry 1 2 Boronia ledifolia Sydney Boronia, Ledum

Boronia 1

Bossiaea obcordata Spiny Bossiaea 4 1 x Caladenia sp. 1 1 Cassytha pubescens Devil's Twine, Dodder-laurel 2 Comesperma ericinum Heath Milkwort 3 Corymbia gummifera Red Bloodwood 4 4 x Cyathochaeta diandra 1 1 Dampiera stricta Blue Dampiera 1 Daviesia corymbosa 1 Daviesia ulicifolia Gorse Bitter-pea 3 1 x Entolasia stricta Wiry Panic 3 4 x Eucalyptus globoidea White Stringybark 2 4 x Eucalyptus punctata Grey Gum 1 4 x Eucalyptus sparsifolia Narrow-leaved Stringybark 1 x Exocarpos strictus Pale-fruited Ballart 1 x Gompholobium grandiflorum Wedge-pea 2 x Goodenia hederacea Ivy Goodenia 3 x Grevillea arenaria 4 4 Grevillea sphacelata 1 Hakea laevipes subsp. laevipes 4 4 Hakea sericea Needlebush, Silky Hakea 1 4 x Hovea heterophylla 3 Leptospermum trinervium Slender Tea-tree 3 2 x Lindsaea microphylla Lacy Wedge-fern 1 2 Lissanthe strigosa Peach Heath 1 Lomandra filiformis subsp. filiformis Wattle Mat-rush 1 1 x Lomandra multiflora Many-flowered Mat-rush 3 2 Lomandra obliqua 4 1 Lomatia silaifolia Crinkle Bush 4 x Microlaena stipoides Weeping Grass, Meadow

Rice-grass 2 x

Monotoca scoparia Prickly Broom-heath 3 2

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Species Common name Q5 Q6 SSTFPatersonia glabrata Native Iris, Leafy Purple-flag 4 4 Persoonia levis Broad-leaved Geebung 2 Persoonia mollis subsp. nectens 1 Phyllanthus hirtellus Thyme Spurge 3 2 x Pimelea linifolia Slender Rice Flower 3 x Platysace ericoides Heath Platysace 1 2 Pomaderris andromedifolia subsp. andromedifolia

1

Poranthera corymbosa 1 Poranthera microphylla Small Poranthera 2 Pultenaea scabra Rough Bush-pea 4 1 Pultenaea villosa Hairy Bush-pea 1 x Tetratheca thymifolia Black-eyed Susan 1 Thelymitra sp. Sun Orchid 1

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Table 2. Maximum height and number of individuals for species > 2 m tall in the 10 x 10 m subquadrats Quadrat 5

Subquadrat 1 Subquadrat 2 Subquadrat 3 Subquadrat 4 Species Number Height Number Height Number Height Number Height

Acacia terminalis 2 2 m Hakea leavipes 2 2 m Acacia linifolia 2 2 m 1 3 m 3 3 m Eucalyptus punctata 1 16 m Corymbia gummifera 8 13 m 10 12 m 12 11 m 14 11 m Eucalyptus globoidea 1 23 m 3 22 m Hakea sericea 3 3 m

Quadrat 6

Subquadrat 1 Subquadrat 2 Subquadrat 3 Subquadrat 4 Species Number Height Number Height Number Height Number Height

Eucalyptus punctata 1 26 m 1 20 m 1 18 m Corymbia gummifera 12 13 m 10 13 m Eucalyptus globoidea 1 15 m 3 30m 5 30 m 3 20 m Acacia linifolia 2 2m 2 2m Hakea sericea 1 8m Hakea leavipes Leptospermum trinervium 1 5m 2 6m