Tronox Management Pty Ltd Chandala Site Processing Plant ......Landcare Holdings Pty Ltd trading as...

Tronox Management Pty Ltd Chandala Site Processing Plant

Flora and Vegetation Survey, Chandala Processing Plant

May 2013

Flora and Vegetation Survey, Chandala Processing Plant, May, 2013

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Landcare Holdings Pty Ltd trading as Western Botanical

33 / 6 Keane St, Midland WA 6056

T (08) 9274 0303 F (08) 9274 0136

Report No: WB793

Prepared by: Amy Douglas

Approved for Issue: Geoff Cockerton

This document has been prepared to the requirements of the client identified on the cover page and no representation is made to any third party. It may be cited for the purposes of scientific research or other fair use, but it may not be reproduced or distributed to any third party by any physical or electronic means without the express permission of the client for whom it was prepared or Western Botanical.

This report has been designed for double-sided printing.


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Contents

1. Executive Summary 3

2. Introduction 42.1. Project Description 4

3. Methods 43.1. Desktop Survey 43.2. Flora Survey 4

3.2.1. Vegetation Mapping 43.2.2. Vegetation Condition 73.2.3. Species Inventory 7

3.3. Flora Specimen Identification 73.4. Limitations 7

4. Results 74.1. Desktop Survey 7

4.1.1. Threatened Ecological Communities 84.1.2. Threatened and Priority Flora 9

4.2. Field Survey 104.2.1. Vegetation Mapping 104.2.2. Vegetation Condition 244.2.3. Species Inventory 25

4.3. Significant Flora 25

5. Concluding Discussion 265.1. Significant Ecological Communities 265.2. Clearing Permit Criteria 26

6. References 28

7. List of Participants 29

Appendices Appendix 1. Native vegetation condition scale for quick assessment (Casson et al. 2009). 30Appendix 2. Flora species inventory of the Project Area 32


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Tables Table 1. Summary of Threatened Ecological Communities and Priority Ecological Communities within 10 km of the Project Area. 8Table 2. Summary of DEC search results for Threatened and Priority flora within 7.5 km of the Project Area. 10Table 3. Summary of introduced and non-endemic flora species found during field survey and their distribution within the Project Area. 24

Figures Figure 1. Map of the Project Area (April 2013 and September 2012 surveys) showing location of the polygon relative to the Chandala Processing Plant 5Figure 2. Buffer zones for known Threatened Ecological Communities and Priority Ecological Communities within 10 km of the Chandala Processing Plant (at centre mark). 9Figure 3. Distribution map of Vegetation Associations within the Project Area 11

Plates Plate 1. Example of ‘Eucalyptus plantings in Acacia Woodland’ (EPAW) vegetation association within the Project Area. 13Plate 2. Example of ‘Acacia saligna and Callitris pyramidalis Shrubland’ (AsCpS) vegetation association within the Project Area. 14Plate 3. Examples of ‘Melaleuca preissiana Shrubland’ (MpS) vegetation association within the Project Area. 15Plate 4. Example of ‘Xanthorrhoea preissii Sparse Shrubland’ (XpSS) vegetation association within the Project Area. 16Plate 5. Example of ‘Conyza parva Low Herbland’ (CpLH) vegetation association within the Project Area. 17Plate 6. Example of ‘Cotula coronopifolia Sparse Herbland’ (CcSH) vegetation association within the Project Area. 18Plate 7. Example of ‘Dielsia stenostachya Low Sedgeland’ (DsLS) vegetation association within the Project Area. 19Plate 8. Examples of ‘Typha domingensis Rushland’ (TdR) vegetation association within the Project Area. 20Plate 9. Examples of ‘Typha domingensis Drainage Line’ (TdDL) vegetation association within the Project Area. 21


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1. ExecutiveSummary

Tronox Management Pty Ltd (Tronox) operates the Chandala mineral sands processing plant in Muchea, approximately 49 km north-northeast of Perth, Western Australia. Expansion of the Chandala plant is being considered by Tronox to extend their processing capacity of mineral sands. Western Botanical was commissioned by Tronox in September 2012 to perform a flora and vegetation survey to assist preparation of a vegetation clearing permit for expansion of the processing plant (report WB782). In April 2013, a survey of the flora and vegetation of an adjacent area, the Project Area, was commissioned and is reported here.

Vegetation mapping, vegetation condition assessment and a species inventory were completed for the 6.12 ha Project Area (Figures 1, 3) where 12 vegetation associations were recognised and mapped. Fifty-six flora species from 37 genera and 19 families were found, including 17 introduced or weed species and 10 non-endemic planted trees and shrubs. No species of Threatened or Priority Flora were found within the Project Area.

No vegetation associations surveyed within the Project Area resemble descriptions of any known Threatened Ecological Communities / Priority Ecological Communities in the area.

Overall vegetation condition within the Project Area was ‘Degraded’ due to past clearing, weed invasion, and rehabilitation plantings that have removed and/or replaced a majority of mid and ground strata flora.

A summary of the survey findings against the Native Vegetation Clearing Principles (Government of Western Australia, 1986) is also presented.


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2. Introduction

2.1. ProjectDescription

Tronox Management Pty Ltd (Tronox) operates the Chandala mineral sands processing plant in Muchea, approximately 49 km north-northeast of Perth, Western Australia. Expansion of the Chandala plant is being considered by Tronox to extend their processing capacity of mineral sands. Western Botanical was previously commissioned by Tronox in September 2012 to undertake a flora and vegetation survey of areas north and south of the existing Processing Plant to assist preparation of a vegetation clearing permit (report WB782).

In April 2013, a survey of the flora and vegetation of an adjacent 6.12 ha polygon (the Project Area), south-east of the previously surveyed areas and the Processing Plant, was commissioned and is reported here (Figure 1).

3. Methods

3.1. DesktopSurvey

A desktop survey was not necessary for this addendum as the Project Area lies wholly within the area previously assessed for the presence of Threatened and Priority Flora and is reported in report WB782 (Western Botanical, 2012).

3.2. FloraSurvey

3.2.1. VegetationMapping

Mapping of the vegetation associations was conducted in alignment with the previous flora and vegetation survey of the adjacent original Project Area in September 2012 (report WB782). The Project Area was traversed by two botanists to determine vegetation associations at structural and floral association level in accordance with Level V of the National Vegetation Information System (ESCAVI, 2003). Aerial images were used to ensure that all potentially different vegetation associations were investigated. Upon identification, the associations were described and photographed in the field, and later verified or adjusted following completion of specimen identification. Coordinates were recorded for unrecognised, unique, or potentially significant flora.


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Figure 1. Map of the Project Area (April 2013 and September 2012 surveys) showing location of the polygon relative to the Chandala Processing Plant

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3.2.2. VegetationCondition

Overall vegetation condition was assessed using the Department of Environment and Conservation’s ‘Vegetation Condition Short Scale for Quick Assessment’ (Casson et. al. 2009) (Appendix 1). The condition of vegetation was assessed within each vegetation association recognised during the vegetation mapping field survey.

3.2.3. SpeciesInventory

All species encountered during vegetation mapping fieldworks were collected as specimens and coordinates recorded. Collected specimens were used to verify the field identification of flora, to assist identification of species unknown to the botanists at the time of field survey and to prepare an overall species inventory of the Project Area.

3.3. FloraSpecimenIdentification

Flora specimens were primarily identified using the resources of the Western Botanical reference herbarium and library. Challenging specimens were verified at the Western Australian Herbarium by a Western Botanical botanist.

3.4. Limitations

The field survey was conducted in April, prior to any significant Autumn rainfall. It is therefore possible that annuals and geophytes may not have been detected during the field survey.

4. Results

4.1. DesktopSurvey

In preparation for the previous survey in adjacent vegetation (Western Botanical 2012, report WB782), a request was made to the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) for searches of threatened and priority ecological communities and threatened (Declared Rare) and priority flora information. The coordinate provided to DEC to perform the searches was centred on 115° 57’ 51” E, 31° 31’ 58” S. Searches for Threatened Ecological Communities and Priority Ecological Communities were conducted at a 10 km radius. Searches for Threatened and Priority flora were conducted at a 7.5 km radius.

DEC search results were used to increase awareness of significant flora and communities that may be encountered during vegetation mapping and species inventory activities, and to assist identification of collected specimens. The results of the previous survey were used as the Desktop Assessment for Threatened and Priority Flora for this survey.


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4.1.1. ThreatenedEcologicalCommunities

Table 1 summarises known Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) and Priority Ecological Communities (PECs) within 10 km of the Project Area, as obtained from searches of the Department of Environment and Conservation’s ‘Threatened Ecological Communities database’. Search results find that the Project Area does not lie within buffer zones of any known TECs or PECs (Figure 2).

Table 1. Summary of Threatened Ecological Communities and Priority Ecological Communities within 10 km of the Project Area.

EcologicalCommunity Status

CommunitiesofTumulusSprings(OrganicMoundSpringsSwanCoastalPlain)

CriticallyEndangered

PerthtoGinginIronstoneAssociation CriticallyEndangered

Banksiaattenuatawoodlandoverspeciesrichdenseshrublands Endangered

ShrublandsandwoodlandsonMucheaLimestone Endangered

BanksiawoodlandoftheGinginarearestrictedtosoilsdominatedbyyellowtoorangesands

Priority2

Woodedwetlandswhichsupportcolonialwaterbirdnestingareas Priority2

SouthernEucalyptusgomphocephala‐Agonisflexuosawoodlands Priority3

SwanCoastalPlainBanksiaattenuata‐Banksiamenziesiiwoodlands Priority3


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Figure 2. Buffer zones for known Threatened Ecological Communities and Priority Ecological Communities within 10 km of the Chandala Processing Plant (at centre mark).

4.1.2. ThreatenedandPriorityFlora

Search results from the Department of Environment and Conservation’s ‘Threatened and Priority Flora Database (TPFL)’ and ‘WA Herbarium database (WA Herb)’ are summarised below in Table 2.


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Table 2. Summary of DEC search results for Threatened and Priority flora within 7.5 km of the Project Area.

SignificantFloraSpecies Status

Acaciaanomala TAcaciacummingiana 3Acaciadrummondiisubsp.affinis 3

Adenanthoscygnorumsubsp.chamaephyton 3Caustisgigas 2Chamaescillagibsonii 3

Chamelauciumsp.Gingin(N.G.Marchant6) TCyathochaetateretifolia 3Darwiniafoetida T

Droserasewelliae 1Grevilleaalthoferorumsubsp.fragilis TGrevilleacandolleana 2

Grevilleacurvilobasubsp.curviloba TGrevilleacurvilobasubsp.incurva TGrevilleaevanescens 1

Hibbertiaglomeratasubsp.ginginensis 1Hypocalymmasylvestre 1Hypolaenarobusta 4

Lasiopetalumlineare 3Leucopogonsquarrosussubsp.trigynus 2Oxymyrrhinecoronata 4

Persooniarudis 3Schoenusgriffinianus 3Stylidiumcymiferum 3

Stylidiumlongitubum 3Stylidiumsquamellosum 2Synapheagrandis 4

Tetrariasp.Chandala(G.J.Keighery17055) 2Thelymitrastellata TTrichoclinesp.Treeton(B.J.Keighery&N.Gibson564) 2

Verticordialindleyisubsp.lindleyi 4Verticordiarutilastra 3Verticordiaserratavar.linearis 3

4.2. FieldSurvey

4.2.1. VegetationMapping

The vegetation mapping survey found 12 vegetation associations within the Project Area. Two associations are rehabilitation plantings and two others have been cleared, one previously for the establishment of an electrical plant and the other recently for powerline access. This newly surveyed area does not contain the same vegetation associations as the previously surveyed adjacent area (Western Botanical 2012, report WB782). Some of the vegetation associations are similar, yet have one or two differing species, rendering it significantly different. This may be


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due to its close proximity to a minor watercourse and the moderate level of disturbance caused by clearing between the two Project Areas. A Vegetation Association map of the Project Area is presented in Figure 3, displaying the April 2013 survey and the southern section of the September 2012 survey. Associations were determined on a structural and floristic basis where possible. Each vegetation association and its condition are described below.

Figure 3. Distribution map of Vegetation Associations within the Project Area

NB: Includes the previously surveyed southern section (Western Botanical 2012, report WB782)

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LEGENDApril 2013 Project AreaSeptember 2012 Project Area

April 2013 ProjectPlanted Vegetation AssociationsEPAW Eucalyptus plantings in Acacia WoodlandPCqMcS Planted Calothamnus quadrifidus and Melaleuca cordata Shrubland

Remnant Vegetation AssociationsAsCpS Acacia saligna and Callitris pyramidalis ShrublandMpS Melaleuca preissiana ShrublandXpSS Xanthorrhoea preissii Sparse ShrublandCpLH Conyza parva Low HerblandCcSH Cotula coronopifolia Sparse HerblandDsLs Dielsia stenostachya Low SedgelandTdR Typha domingensis RushlandTdDL Typha domingensis Drainage Line

Disturbed Vegetation AssociationsCPwr Cleared for PowerlinesCPlnt Cleared for Plant

September 2012 ProjectPlanted Vegetation Associations

EPW Eucalyptus Planted Woodland

EPBW Eucalyptus Plantings in Banksia Woodland

Remnant Vegetation Associations

AsRcT Acacia saligna and Regelia ciliata Thicket

AsBaBmOW Acacia saligna , Banksia attenuata , Banksia menziesii Open Woodland

BmBaRcOW Banksia menziesii , Banksia attenuata , Regelia ciliata Open Woodland

BxErMrOW Mixed Banksia , Eucalyptus rudis , and Melaleuca ryeae Open Woodland

RcLH Regelia ciliata Low Heath


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4.2.1.1 Planted Vegetation Associations

Eucalypt plantings in Acacia Woodland (EPAW)

Variably distributed mixed eucalypt plantings (Eucalyptus botryoides, Eucalyptus conferruminata, Eucalyptus dendromorpha, Eucalyptus rudis subsp. rudis, Eucalyptus leucoxylon) and Acacia saligna woodland, over *Ehrharta longiflora and *Hordeum sp. low open grassland. Total area of 0.81 ha. Example in Plate 1.

Eucalypts other than E. rudis subsp. rudis are non-endemic species planted in previous revegetation. It is possible that Acacia saligna may also be of planted origin though it is endemic to the region.

Vegetation Condition: Degraded. Ground stratum dominated by weeds with rehabilitation mixed eucalypt and Acacia saligna plantings.

Plate 1. Example of ‘Eucalyptus plantings in Acacia Woodland’ (EPAW) vegetation association within the Project Area.

Planted Calothamnus quadrifidus and Melaleuca cordata Shrubland (PCqMcS) Planted Calothamnus quadrifidus and Melaleuca cordata tall shrubland, over *Eragrostis curvula and *Ehrharta longiflora mid open grassland. Total area of 0.26 ha.

Vegetation Condition: Degraded. Planted upper stratum intact with no mid stratum and a weed-dominated ground stratum.


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4.2.1.2 Remnant Vegetation Associations

Acacia saligna and Callitris pyramidalis Shrubland (AsCpS)

Acacia saligna tall sparse shrubland over Callitris pyramidalis, Hypocalymma angustifolium and Melaleuca ryeae mid closed shrubland, over Dielsia stenostachya and *Hordeum sp. low open sedgeland/grassland. Area of 0.54 ha. Example in Plate 2.

Vegetation Condition: Good. Upper stratum with many burnt tall shrubs. Mid stratum healthy, with a few weed species in the ground stratum.

Plate 2. Example of ‘Acacia saligna and Callitris pyramidalis Shrubland’ (AsCpS) vegetation association within the Project Area.


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Melaleuca preissiana Shrubland (MpS)

Melaleuca preissiana tall open shrubland to shrubland (with variable mix of planted Eucalyptus grandis and Acacia saligna), over Regelia ciliata, Typha domingensis and Juncus pallidus mid shrubland/tall rushland/sedgeland over *Ehrharta longiflora low grassland. Total area of 1.48 ha. Examples in Plate 3.

Vegetation Condition: Good. Upper and mid strata intact with few weed species within the ground stratum.

Plate 3. Examples of ‘Melaleuca preissiana Shrubland’ (MpS) vegetation association within the Project Area.


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Xanthorrhoea preissii Sparse Shrubland (XpSS)

An area that has been previously partially cleared and planted. Eucalyptus sp. (unidentified, planted trees) low isolated trees, over Xanthorrhoea preissii mid sparse shrubland, over *Ehrharta longiflora low open grassland. Total area of 0.30 ha. Example in Plate 4.

Vegetation Condition: Degraded. Large areas of disturbed bare soil. All strata very patchy with no solid cover spanning all three strata. Weeds present in the ground stratum.

Plate 4. Example of ‘Xanthorrhoea preissii Sparse Shrubland’ (XpSS) vegetation association within the Project Area.


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*Conyza parva Low Herbland (CpLH)

Acacia saligna tall isolated shrubs, over *Conyza parva low herbland, over *Hordeum sp. and *Cynodon dactylon low grassland. Originally completely cleared for powerline access. Total area of 0.70 ha. Example in Plate 5.

Vegetation Condition: Very Degraded. Upper stratum and mid stratum largely removed. Ground stratum dominated by weeds.

Plate 5. Example of ‘Conyza parva Low Herbland’ (CpLH) vegetation association within the Project Area.


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Cotula coronopifolia Sparse Herbland (CcSH)

Area subject to inundation and waterlogging. *Cotula coronopifolia low sparse herbland, over *Hordeum sp. and *Polypogon monspeliensis low open grassland. Total area of 0.04 ha. Example in Plate 6.

Vegetation Condition: Very Degraded. Upper stratum and mid stratum removed. Ground stratum dominated by weeds.

Plate 6. Example of ‘Cotula coronopifolia Sparse Herbland’ (CcSH) vegetation association within the Project Area.


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Dielsia stenostachya Low Sedgeland (DsLS)

*Conyza parva, Juncus pallidus and Typha domingensis tall herbland/sedgeland/rushland, over Dielsia stenostachya low closed sedgeland. Total area of 0.10 ha. Example in Plate 7.

Vegetation Condition: Very Degraded. Upper and mid strata removed but ground stratum intact, dominated by weeds.

Plate 7. Example of ‘Dielsia stenostachya Low Sedgeland’ (DsLS) vegetation association within the Project Area.


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Typha domingensis Rushland (TdR)

Acacia saligna and Melaleuca preissiana tall isolated shrubs, over Typha domingensis tall closed rushland, over *Paspalum dilatatum, *Conyza parva sparse shrubland/grassland and scattered small clumps of *Zantedeschia aethiopica (Arum Lily). Mostly cleared for powerlines. Total area of 1.25 ha. Examples in Plate 8.

Vegetation Condition: Good. Upper stratum scattered but reasonably intact. Mid stratum present. Scattered weeds in the ground stratum.

Plate 8. Examples of ‘Typha domingensis Rushland’ (TdR) vegetation association within the Project Area.


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Typha domingensis Drainage Line (TdDL)

Flowing drainage line with isolated Melaleuca preissiana and Acacia saligna tall shrubs, over Typha domingensis tall closed rushland, over *Ehrharta longiflora low open grassland and scattered *Zantedeschia aethiopica (Arum Lily). Total area of 0.20 ha. Examples in Plate 9.

Vegetation Condition: Good. Upper and mid strata present with scattered weeds throughout the ground stratum.

Plate 9. Examples of ‘Typha domingensis Drainage Line’ (TdDL) vegetation association within the Project Area.


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4.2.1.3 Disturbed Vegetation Associations

Cleared for Powerlines (CPwr)

Cleared for powerlines and road access. Weed species sprouting (*Arctotheca calendula, *Solanum nigrum, *Sonchus asper, *Hordeum sp., *Eragrostis curvula, and *Ehrharta longiflora). Total area of 0.26 ha. Vegetation Condition: Very Degraded. All strata levels removed.

Cleared for Plant (CPlnt)

Cleared for plant. Contains scattered weed grass species (*Hordeum sp., *Eragrostis curvula, and *Ehrharta longiflora). Total area of 0.19 ha.

Vegetation Condition: Very Degraded. All strata levels removed.


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4.2.1.4. Previously Reported Vegetation Associations

The following vegetation associations are from the southern section of the previously surveyed Project Area and have been described in report WB782 (Western Botanical, 2012).

Planted Vegetation Associations:

Eucalyptus Planted Woodland (EPW)

Eucalyptus Plantings in Banksia Woodland (EPBW)

Remnant Vegetation Associations:

Acacia saligna and Regelia ciliata Thicket (AsRcT)

Acacia saligna, Banksia attenuata, and Banksia menziesii Open Woodland (AsBaBmOW)

Banksia menziesii, Banksia attenuata, Regelia ciliata Open Woodland (BmBaRcOW)

Mixed Banksia, Eucalyptus rudis, and Melaleuca ryeae Open Woodland (BxErMrOW)

Regelia ciliata Low Heath (RcLH)


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4.2.2. VegetationCondition

The vegetation condition within the Project Area is overall classed as Degraded on the DEC’s ‘Vegetation Condition Short Scale for Quick Assessment’ (Casson et. al. 2009) (Appendix 1). Vegetation condition was assessed for each vegetation association identified within the field survey (covered in section 4.2.1). The main cause of the low rankings for vegetation condition was previous clearing and weed invasion. Two vegetation associations were cleared for powerline and road access and processing plant establishment, further leading to an increase in disturbance opportunistic weed species in those areas. Remaining vegetation associations featured minor to mid-level clearing in some, and all contained weeds within the ground stratum. Western grey kangaroos (Marcopus fulifinosus) were observed to be grazing and sleeping within the Project Area, however have had minor grazing impact on the vegetation associations.

Seven non-endemic Eucalyptus species were present within areas previously planted to farm trees and shrubs. These were Eucalyptus astringens, E. botryoides, E. grandis, E. leucoxylon, E. conferruminata, E. dendromorpha and an unidentified eucalypt. Further, some or all of the Acacia saligna within the Project Area may be non-endemic, introduced in farm tree plantings, though the species is endemic to the region.

Weeds are widespread throughout the Project Area, covering approximately 65% of the soil surface at the time of the field survey (variable by location and vegetation association). The most widespread and abundant weeds throughout the Project area are *Ehrharta longiflora, *Eragrostis curvula, *Hordeum sp. and *Conyza parva. A total of 17 introduced (weed) species were found within the Project Area (summarised in Error! Reference source not found.).

Table 3. Summary of introduced and non-endemic flora species found during field survey and their distribution within the Project Area.

WeedSpecies CommonName DistributionArctothecacalendula CapeWeed Scatteredthroughout,higherabundanceinopenareas.

Conyzaparva Widespreadthroughout.Cotulacoronopifolia WaterButtons Widespreadthroughout‘CotulacoronopifoliaSparse

Herbland’(CcSH)vegetationassociation.Cynodondactylon CouchGrass Commonthroughout‘ConyzaparvaLowHerbland’

(CpLH)vegetationassociation.Cyperuspolystachyos BunchySedge Scatteredthroughout‘TyphadomingensisRushland’

(TdR)vegetationassociationEhrhartalongiflora AfricanVeldt

GrassWidespreadthroughout.

Eragrostiscurvula AfricanLoveGrass

Widespreadthroughout.

Eucalyptusastringens,E.botryoides,E.leucoxylon,E.conferruminata,E.dendromorpha,E.sp.

Plantedeucalypts

Presentwithinmixedeucalyptplantings.

Gomphocarpusfruticosus NarrowleafCottonbush

Oneplantat50J0402150E,6510805N.

Hordeumsp. BarleyGrass Widespreadthroughout.


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WeedSpecies CommonName DistributionHypochaerisglabra SmoothCatsear Scatteredthroughout.

Paspalumdilatatum Commonthroughout‘MelaleucapreissianaShrubland’(MpS)vegetationassociations

Plantagosp. Plantago Scatteredthroughout‘TyphadomingensisRushland’(TdR)vegetationassociation

Polypogonmonspeliensis AnnualBeardgrass

Commonthroughout‘CotulacoronopifoliaSparseHerbland’(CcSH)vegetationassociation.

Solanumnigrum BlackBerryNightshade

Scatteredthroughout‘TyphadomingensisRushland’(TdR)and‘MelaleucapreissianaShrubland’(MpS)vegetationassociations

Sonchusasper SowThistle Scatteredthroughout‘TyphadomingensisRushland’(TdR)vegetationassociation.

Trifoliumglomeratum ClusterClover Commonthroughout,higherabundanceinopenareas.

Zantedeschiaaethiopica(DeclaredPest)

ArumLily Scatteredthroughout‘TyphadomingensisRushland’(TdR)and‘TyphadomingensisDrainageLine’(TdDL)vegetationassociations.

One weed found during the field survey, Zantedeschia aethiopica (Arum Lily), is a declared pest within the state of Western Australia (Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, 2013). Tronox has a control program for this species, run annually by Minda Mia Contracting (J. Owen, 2013, pers. comm. 6 May). Given the scattered abundance and small stature of the plants, the program is considered to have had significant success to date. None of the weeds encountered during the field survey are Weeds of National Significance (Australian Weeds Committee, 2012).

Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were seen twice within the Project Area, however, their warrens were not noted.

4.2.3. SpeciesInventory

The survey of the Project Area found a total of 56 flora species from 37 genera and 19 families. Neither Threatened species nor Priority species were found within the Project Area. Seventeen introduced (weed) flora species were found (see section 4.2.2.). A full species list of flora found within the Project Area during the field survey is presented in Appendix 2.

Seven of the 56 flora species were not identifiable to species level due to a) a lack of available flowering/fruiting specimen material, and/or b) introduced planted species not represented within Western Australian Herbarium and Western Australian botanical/taxonomic keys. None of these seven species resemble any Threatened or Priority flora known within the region and two are considered highly likely to be weed species.

4.3. SignificantFlora

Despite a thorough field investigation (2 days) within the 6.12 ha Project Area, no Threatened or Priority flora species were located within the Project Area.


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5. ConcludingDiscussion

5.1. SignificantEcologicalCommunities

Results of the Department of Environment & Conservation (DEC) database search conducted for the previous report (WB782, Western Botanical 2012) was used for this amendment due to its immediate proximity.

The search found the Project Area was outside all buffer zones of known TECs and PECs (Threatened Ecological Communities and Priority Ecological Communities). None of the vegetation associations determined within the Project Area resemble, or poorly resemble, structural descriptions of any known TECs/PECs.

5.2. ClearingPermitCriteria

To assist clearing impact assessment a summary of the vegetation survey findings against the clearing principles of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (Government of Western Australia, 1986), is provided below.

Principle (a) – Native vegetation should not be cleared if it comprises a high level of biological diversity.

No vegetation within the Project Area possessed a high level of biological diversity. Past land use (partial clearing) and widespread introduced flora has removed and/or replaced a large proportion of remnant vegetation within mid and ground strata.

The proposal is not at variance with this principle.

Principle (b) – Native vegetation should not be cleared if it comprised the whole or a part of, or is necessary for the maintenance of, a significant habitat for fauna indigenous to Western Australia.

Fauna habitat was not assessed as part of the flora and vegetation survey.

Principle (c) – Native vegetation should not be cleared if it includes, or is necessary for the continued existence of rare flora.

No Threatened flora species were found within the Project Area.


Principle (d) – Native vegetation should not be cleared if it comprises the whole or a part of, or is necessary for the maintenance of a threatened ecological community (TEC).


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Results of the Department of Environment & Conservation database searches found that the Project Area is outside all buffer zones of known TECs within the local region.


Principle (e) – Native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared.

Due to the degraded nature of vegetation within the Project Area, specifically, the loss of the majority of mid and ground stratum due to clearing and weed invasion, it is unlikely that remnant vegetation is of significant value to conservation.

The proposal is not considered to be at variance with this principle.

Principle (f) – Native vegetation should not be cleared if it is growing in, or in association with, an environment associated with a watercourse or wetland.

Vegetation within the Project Area is growing in association with a feeder stream to Chandala Brook (vegetation association TdDL). Given the nature of the drainage line, it appears to have had its course previously changed.

Dependent on interpretation of principle (f) and the previous alteration of the drainage line, the proposal may not be at variance with this principle.

Principle (g) – Native vegetation should not be cleared if the clearing of the vegetation is likely to cause appreciable land degradation.

Due to the small scale (6.12 ha) of the Project Area, vegetation clearing would be unlikely to cause appreciable land degradation.


Principle (h) – Native vegetation should not be cleared if the clearing of the vegetation is likely to have an impact on the environmental values of any adjacent or nearby conservation area.

No conservation areas are adjacent to the Project Area. Yari Nature Reserve lies approximately 13 km northwest of the Project Area and is supported by a large area of crown land native vegetation to its south. Leda Nature Reserve and Avon Valley National Park lie approximately 16 km to the east-southeast of the Project Area. Given the extent of clearing between the Project Area and these conservation areas, and the small area of the Project Area (6.12 ha) an impact to environmental values of conservation areas is highly unlikely.



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Principle (i) – Native vegetation should not be cleared if the clearing of the vegetation is likely to cause deterioration in the quality of surface or underground water.

Hydrology was not assessed as part of the flora and vegetation survey.

Principle (j) – Native vegetation should not be cleared if the clearing of the vegetation is likely to cause, or exacerbate, the incidence of flooding.

Hydrology was not specifically assessed as part of the flora and vegetation survey.

A feeder stream to Chandala Brook dissects the south-eastern corner of the Project Area. Regular, mild, and natural seasonal flooding of this drainage line is evident by vegetation along its course and by interpretation of riparian vegetation in aerial photography. Vegetation clearing within the Project Area is likely to affect the incidence of flooding, and modification of the existing drainage line may be required to maintain existing controls of flood incidence.

6. References

Australian Weeds Committee (2012). Weeds of National Significance. Retrieved from http://www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/

Casson N, Downes S, Harris A (2009). Native Vegetation Condition Assessment and Monitoring Manual for Western Australia. Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth.

Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (2013). Declared organism search. Retrieved from http://www.biosecurity.wa.gov.au/organisms.

ESCAVI (Executive Steering Committee for Australian Vegetation Information) 2003. National Vegetation Information System, Version 6.0. Department of the Environment and Heritage, Canberra.

Government of Western Australia (1986). Environmental Protection Act 1986. Retrieved from http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_act/epa1986295/

Western Botanical (2013). Clearing Permit Vegetation Survey of Chandala Processing Plant, September 2012. Consultants report to Tronox Management Pty Ltd. Report reference WB782.


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7. ListofParticipants

Project Manager, Botanist Amy Douglas

Botanists Simon Colwill

Jonathan Warden

Report Review Geoff Cockerton


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Appendix 1. Native vegetation condition scale for quick assessment (Casson et al. 2009).


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Appendix 2. Flora species inventory of the Project Area

Notes: * Denotes a weed species e Denotes non-endemic eastern states Australian species n Denotes non-endemic Western Australian species


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Family Genus Species Weed Status Notes Apocynaceae Gomphocarpus fruticosus * Araceae Zantedeschia aethiopica * Asteraceae Arctotheca calendula * Asteraceae Conyza parva * Asteraceae Cotula coronopifolia * Asteraceae Hypochaeris glabra * Asteraceae Sonchus asper * Campanulaceae Lobelia anceps Cupressaceae Callitris pyramidalis Cyperaceae Baumea juncea Cyperaceae Cyperus polystachyos * Dasypogonaceae Dasypogon bromeliifolius Fabaceae Acacia huegelii Fabaceae Acacia incurva Fabaceae Acacia saligna Possible Planting Fabaceae Acacia sessilispica Fabaceae Acacia sp. Fabaceae Jacksonia furcellata Fabaceae Jacksonia sternbergiana Fabaceae Trifolium glomeratum * Juncaceae Juncus pallidus Loranthaceae Amyema preissii Myrtaceae Astartea scoparia Myrtaceae Astartea sp. Myrtaceae Calothamnus quadrifidus Planting Myrtaceae Eucalyptus astringens n Planting Myrtaceae Eucalyptus botryoides e Planting Myrtaceae Eucalyptus conferruminata n Planting Myrtaceae Eucalyptus dendromorpha e Planting Myrtaceae Eucalyptus grandis e Planting Myrtaceae Eucalyptus leucoxylon e Planting Myrtaceae Eucalyptus rudis subsp. rudis Myrtaceae Eucalyptus sp. n Planting Myrtaceae Hypocalymma angustifolium Myrtaceae Kunzea glabrescens Myrtaceae Kunzea sp. Myrtaceae Melaleuca cordata n Planting Myrtaceae Melaleuca osullivanii Myrtaceae Melaleuca preissiana Myrtaceae Melaleuca rhaphiophylla Myrtaceae Melaleuca ryeae Myrtaceae Melaleuca sp. Myrtaceae Regelia ciliata Onagraceae Epilobium hirtigerum Plantaginaceae Plantago sp. * Poaceae Cynodon dactylon * Poaceae Ehrharta longiflora * Poaceae Eragrostis curvula * Poaceae Hordeum sp. * Poaceae Paspalum dilatatum * Poaceae Polypogon monspeliensis * Proteaceae Banksia menziesii Restoniaceae Dielsia stenostachya Solanaceae Solanum nigrum * Typhaceae Typha domingensis Xanthorrhoeaceae Xanthorrhoea preissii

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