Coexistence of Threatened Species and Maintenance Works

Coexistence of Threatened Species and Maintenance Works Paul Collins andElizabeth Dixon

The Shoalhaven

The balancing actNational ParkVegetated land

= Threatened flora and fauna habitat

Over 100 threatened species some occur near riparian areas4

Others near the coast5

And some, like these orchids in bushland6

And others in drains.or so we thought7

Threatened species??? I havent seen any..Weve tried this approach..really no point ignoring them. The key message of this presentation is that if you put systems in place your core work can continue.

8Green and Golden BellfrogProtected FederallyProtected in NSWHas a Recovery PlanCrippled by disease

Struggling to survive everywhere except in the Shoalhaven

Favourite habitat

SwampSwampEquestrian CommonCouncil operated CemeteryWorrigeeUrban area

Tragedy of the common.

From This

To ThisThe perfect conditions early 2010Heavy summer rainfallPonding where previously dryRepeat intense rain eventsOther frogs to eatFlushing of predator fishNearby swampOvercoming killer fungus

= millions of frogs +Blocked drains

The expansion of the population over the last two years represents the most significant natural recovery of any threatened vertebrate species in the state!

Fat and healthy!work

=Big problemsFrogs invading urban area need to educateFrogs and graves dont mixDisruption of drain maintenance no dig, slash or sprayHalt to construction projectsDelays to DAsConfusion Complaints of floodingWork crews scared of being finedCant maintain the equestrian or sporting fields

Had to find a way to continue maintenance without having a significant impact on the frogs

Sustainable management = gather more information

What = significant impact? Traffic Casualties?Slashing?What = sustainable impact?20Large Events scheduled threat of cancellation

Short term Response Mayor appeal for public understandingInvolved NPWSJoint media release stressing the positive nature of breeding eventLetterbox drops - educationEcologist in to advise rope off areas to minimise impact Up-skill ground crews to identify the frogSet mitigation measures for equestrian events

Too hop to handle

Back to the issues surrounding the Common21

One of the mitigation measuresSimple but effective!Working with the Media

Make your staff available, dont leave it to chance Educate no overnight solution

Stopping Australia from mowing its lawnThe most powerful frog in the nationReality vs a good story

23Life and death along the food chainHop PropertyCarnivorous devil frog a danger to domestic pets

GGBF before 20101998 became aware of GGBF at Culburra Beach2000 Mgmt Plan developed for drainage maintenance2000 to 2009 Drought, No Frogs for many years2008/09 GGBF study to test the need for current restrictions - but too dry to be conclusive, defer till 09/10

26GGBF 2010 +Summer 2009/10 Wet conditionsEarly 2010 - massive increase in GGBF numbersNew areas affectedMore activities affected drains, roadsides, mowingA extra study required atWorrigee & Crookhaven River FloodplainStudies lead to standardoperating procedures

Valuable InformationStudies & local experts:Suitable habitat areasActual sightings locations recordedBreeding times & locations Foraging times & locationsDispersal corridorsControl Measures to mitigateimpactStd Operating Procedures

Example of coded map

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Adjusting work practicesFundamental shift Environmental staff now play a key role in delivery of engineering activities & projects

Proactive use of environmental legislation to protect staff

Consistent documentation of mitigation measures

Life cycle determines when key works can occur: No digging during hibernation (winter)

Slashing occurs while frogs underground or with a pre- inspection by an environmental officer

Coded maps dictate primary habitat extra controls here

Outcomes Procedures developed for road & drainage maintenance

OEH authorised procedures & issued a Section 95(2) Certificate under TSC Act

Maintenance Activities resume

Capital works - piped an open drain - REF required frog habitat areas - depressions & suitable plantings for refuge

Equestrian Common drain not widened road raised to divert water away from camping and horse stalls avoid GGBF & acid sulphate issues

Cemetery development to factor in a frog habitat area as a feature rather than a constraint

Standard Procedures were developed for Road & Drainage Maintenance activities Office of Environment & Heritage authorised these procedures & issued a Section 95(5) Certificate under the Threatened Species Conservation Act indicating a Permit to Harm is not required if these procedures are used. So Drainage & Shoulder grading & other roadside activities resume

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Broadening this approach to other areas

E.g. Flood mitigation drains Key fish habitat Acid sulfate soils Endangered Ecological Communities Threatened SpeciesNext stockpile sites, work adjacent to Nat Pk EstatesThe less you know the more conservative your operations will be34Lessons LearntSustainable solutions are possibleEmbed qualified help ecologists into works and services maintenance and construction teamsDevelop processes to mitigate impactsKnow the legislation and protect your staff Get to know the population/speciesTalk to OEH and NPWS very helpfulUse the legislation e.g. TSC Act, Infrastructure SEPPEducate your work crewsAvoid, mitigate, demonstrate no significant impact

Excellence in the Environment Awards Highly commendedCategory:Natural Environment Protection and Enhancement: On Ground Works

Sharing good outcomes - not always second natureKeynote Case study at Happy Maintaining

Questions?