ecological restoration management plan · 2018. 10. 17. · 4.2.1 ground preparation slashing the...

Ecological Restoration Management Plan

Brisbane Valley Protein Precinct

September 2016

Brisbane Valley Protein Precinct Ecological Restoration Management Plan Page 1

Contents 1. Background ................................................................................................................................... 2

2. Ecological Restoration Goals ......................................................................................................... 2

3. Ecosystems To Be Restored ........................................................................................................... 3

4. Restoration Methodologies ............................................................................................................ 4

4.1 Assisted Natural Regeneration ................................................................................................. 4

4.2 Revegetation ............................................................................................................................ 4

4.2.1 Ground preparation ........................................................................................................... 4

4.2.2 Choice of species .............................................................................................................. 5

4.2.3 Planting density and layout ................................................................................................ 6

4.2.4 Sourcing and preparation of tubestocks.............................................................................. 6

4.2.5 Planting methodology........................................................................................................ 6

4.2.6 Plant establishment............................................................................................................ 7

4.2.7 Maintenance regime .......................................................................................................... 7

4.3 Vegetative Erosion Control ...................................................................................................... 7

4.3.1 Ground Preparation ........................................................................................................... 8

4.3.2 Choice of Species .............................................................................................................. 8

4.3.3 Planting density and layout ................................................................................................ 9

4.4 Visual Amenity Planting .......................................................................................................... 9

4.5 Vegetative Environmental Buffers ........................................................................................... 9

4.6 Cattle exclusion ......................................................................................................................... 10

4.7 Weed Control ............................................................................................................................ 10

4.8 Fire Management ....................................................................................................................... 10

5. Disclaimer ................................................................................................................................... 11

Appendix 1 – Ecological Restoration Plan ....................................................................................... 12

Appendix 2 – Photomontage of visual amenity planting ................................................................... 13

Appendix 3 – Photomontage of proposed Poultry Farm #2 from Brisbane Valley Highway .............. 14

Appendix 4 – Photomontage of vegetative erosion control works ..................................................... 15

Appendix 5 – Photomontage of Spring Creek buffer zone revegetation ............................................ 16

Appendix 6 – Revegetation species .................................................................................................. 17

Appendix 7 – Location of proposed cattle exclusion fencing and creek crossings ............................. 18


1. Background Landscape Conservation was engaged by Brisbane Valley Protein to develop an Ecological

Restoration Management Plan (ERMP) for their “Springbank” property located at 390 West

Road and 29 Coominya Connection Road, Coominya. This plan aims to provide the

strategies and methodologies associated with the practical implementation of

recommendations of the Ecological Assessment Report (EAR) prepared by EcoNetworks

(August 2016).

Ecological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been

degraded, damaged, or destroyed. It is an intentional activity that initiates or accelerates

ecosystem recovery with respect to its health (functional processes), integrity (species

composition and community structure), and sustainability (resistance to disturbance and

resilience).

The primary focus of ecological restoration activity for this property is associated with

establishing and enhancing the vegetative buffers along Spring Creek which traverse the

property from west to east. Additional revegetation works identified in this plan include visual

amenity plantings (cnr Coominya Connection and West Roads) and vegetative

environmental buffer plantings associated with proposed new poultry sheds.

2. Ecological Restoration Goals Past land management practices (including broad-scale tree clearing and livestock grazing)

have led to a degradation of the ecological values associated with Spring Creek and its

surrounds. Whilst there is currently a continuous corridor of native vegetation along the

creek-line, it mostly consists of relatively isolated trees close to the banks of the creek that

provide minimal ecological or soil stabilisation benefit. Furthermore, there are several

sections of the creek that are subject to active erosion from both heightened creek flows and

overland flow entering the riparian zone unobstructed during periods of high rainfall.

Broadly, the goals for this ERMP are to facilitate the recovery of ecosystem integrity,

ecosystem health, and the potential for long-term sustainability.

More specifically, this plan aims to provide practical guidelines and methodologies for the

implementation of ecological restoration activities along Spring Creek that will:

Increase the density, distribution and species diversity across the proposed riparian

buffer zones;

Enhance existing native vegetation through assisted natural regeneration;

Reduce and ultimately eliminate any additional soil erosion and remedy sites of existing

erosion;

Enhance the values of the creek-line as a movement corridor for native fauna;

Improve the quality of water exiting the property; and

Provide aesthetic benefits to the property owners and the local community.


Consideration has been given to possibilities of providing similar buffer zones around the

Second Order stream that runs from the northern side of the property into Spring Creek.

However, it is considered that the level of additional ecological benefit would be insufficient

to justify the extensive additional costs and impact on general property management.

3. Ecosystems To Be Restored There are two dominant Regional Ecosystems (RE’s) identified for restoration across the

site. Proposed species mixes for revegetation activities will be based on localised species

observations coupled with representative species of the appropriate RE.

RE 12.3.3 (Endangered)

Eucalyptus tereticornis (Blue gum) woodland on Quaternary alluvium.

Representative areas of this ecosystem on the property also exhibit Eucalyptus crebra

(Narrow-leaved ironbark) in relative abundant in places, as well as scattered individuals or

clumps of Angophora floribunda (Rough-barked apple), Corymbia intermedia (Pink

bloodwood), C.tessellaris (Moreton Bay ash) and Lophostemon suaveolens (Swamp box)

RE 12.9-10.7 (Of Concern)

Eucalyptus crebra +/- E. tereticornis, C. tessellaris, Angophora spp., E. melanophloia (Silver-

leaved ironbark) woodland on sedimentary rocks.

Whilst silver-leaved ironbark was not observed on this property, other species such as,

Angophoroa leiocarpa (Smooth-barked apple) and Corymbia citriodora (Spotted gum),

C.intermedia and Lophostemon suaveolens are present across the site.

As shown above, the composition of dominant canopy species across both RE’s is similar

with variations and additional species present determined mostly by differences in landform

and geology.

The watercourse of Spring Creek itself supports other dominant species such as Melaleuca

quinquenervia (Broad-leaved paperbark) and Casuarina cunninghamiana (River sheoak).


4. Restoration Methodologies

4.1 Assisted Natural Regeneration As identified in the Ecological Restoration Plan (Appendix 1), there are several sections of

the proposed buffer zones along Spring Creek where a high degree of natural species

recruitment is already occurring. Most of these areas show good diversity of local native

regeneration with only some small portions dominated by Acacia regrowth.

Assisting naturally occurring regeneration is always a preference in ecological restoration

efforts, particularly if it shows good species diversity. With minimal management input,

these areas will quickly establish good vegetative cover. Young trees that are regenerating

naturally not only represent guaranteed local provenance but they also usually exhibit better

growth rates than revegetation from tubestock seedlings.

The primary management actions proposed to assist the naturally regenerating areas should

include:

ensuring the exclusion of grazing livestock,

undertaking ongoing weed control activities and

maintenance of fire control lines to help ensure fire is excluded for a minimum of five

years while young natural recruitment establishes itself sufficiently to withstand fire.

4.2 Revegetation The Ecological Restoration Plan (Appendix 1) identifies those portions of the riparian area

that have been identified as requiring active revegetation efforts to establish an appropriate

vegetative buffer. Appendix 5 demonstrates the likely outcome of such revegetation efforts

as illustrated in a photomontage showing both the current and the potential future outlook

across a representative portion of the proposed revegetation zone.

4.2.1 Ground preparation Slashing

The majority of the revegetation areas currently have reasonable coverage of mostly native

grasses including Digitaria didactyla (Blue couch), Heteropogon contortus (Black

speargrass), Themeda triandra (Kangaroo grass) and Cympobogon refractus (Barbed-wire

grass) as well as a thick covering of Imperata cylindrica (Blady grass) in some parts. Non-

native grass species observed include Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass) and Melinis repens

(Red Natal grass). Once stock are excluded from the proposed revegetation areas, a

significant bulk of grass cover is likely to generate within three or four months (depending on

climatic conditions). Slashing of this grassy material will be necessary prior to revegetation

activities. This will not only reduce competition to planted tubestock but will also provide

valuable mulch material.


Ripping

Establishment of a good soil bed for planted tubestocks is essential to ensuring their strong

early development. In easily accessible open areas away from the edge of the creekbank,

ripping of the soil is advised. A Yeomans Plow with one or two tynes is the best option,

however a single ripper tyne behind a posi-track machine, drot or similar would be adequate.

The use of the Yeomans Plow for deep ripping gently lifts and loosens the soil to a depth of

300-400mm with very little surface disturbance leaving well prepared ground in which to

plant. Ripped lines should be 3-4 metres apart to allow for the movement of maintenance

vehicles through the revegetation areas for watering and follow-up spraying activities.

Close to the creek-bank and within erosion areas (see detail below), it will be necessary to

prepare planting holes by hand using a mattock or similar.

Spraying

Immediately following the ripping, a bioactive glyphosate based knock-down herbicide

should be applied in approximately 750mm diameter circles where plants are to be installed.

4.2.2 Choice of species

Species selection is based on the species known to occur on the site and those consistent with RE 12.3.3 and RE 12.9-10.7

Revegetation effort should include as many as possible of the following species that are commercially available for the time of planting.

Botanical Name Common Name

Acacia concurrens Hickory wattle

Acacia maidenii Maiden’s wattle Acacia melanoxylon Australian blackwood Angophora floribunda Rough-barked apple

Angophoroa leiocarpa Smooth-barked apple

Alphitonia excelsa Soap tree Callistemon viminalis Weeping bottlebrush

Casuarina cunninghamiana River sheoak Corymbia citriodora Spotted gum Corymbia intermedia Pink bloodwood

Corymbia tessellaris Moreton Bay ash

Dodonaea triquetra Common hop bush

Eucalyptus crebra Narrow-leaved ironbark Eucalyptus siderophloia Grey ironbark

Eucalyptus tereticornis Blue gum Jacksonia scoparia Dogwood

Lophostemon suaveolens Swamp box

Melaleuca bracteata Black teatree Melaleuca quinquenervia Broad-leaved paperbark

Petalostigma pubescens Quinine bush


4.2.3 Planting density and layout

A final stem density (canopy species) of approximately 500 – 750 stems/ha would reflect a

typical mature open forest density. As such, a planting density of 1000 plants/ha is

proposed for the buffer revegetation along Spring Creek. This equates to one plant/10m2

and allows for approximately 25% mortality across the planting.

If the rows of ripped soil are spaced at 4m apart, the spacing between plants within the rows

will be 2.5 metres.

Approximately 25ha has been identified and mapped as requiring revegetation for the

riparian buffer along Spring Creek. At the proposed density of planting, this equates to:

Total number of tubestock planted = 25,000 plants

Total minimum after initial 12 months maintenance period (85%) = 21,250 plants

Total minimum at 36 months from planting (75%) = 18,750 plants

4.2.4 Sourcing and preparation of tubestocks

Tubestock will be sourced from local suppliers using local provenance seed wherever

possible. All tubestock sourced should be sun-hardened, actively growing, weed free and

not too large as to be pot-bound. Additional pre-planting treatment of tubestock is

recommended including storing in full sun for a few days whilst applying on 3 or 4 coats of

anti-transpirant (“Envy” or similar) and a herbivory deterrent (“D-Ter” or similar) which

assists in preventing leaf and stem damage to the young trees from hares, wallabies and

birds.

Trays of tubestocks should also be fully soaked in a Seasol solution immediately prior to

planting out.

4.2.5 Planting methodology

Tubestock should be hand planted. The beauty of the Yeoman’s plowing method is that it

leaves a very well prepared soil bed with absolutely minimal surface disturbance and

therefore minimal activation of any weed seeds in the soil bank.

Mini-mattocks are all that is required to create a planting hole where initial soil preparation by

the Yeoman’s plough has already occurred. Tubestock should be carefully removed from

their tube once an appropriately sized planting hole has been created. A small amount of a

blended soil ameliorant (see below) is placed at the bottom of the planting hole and mixed

with the natural soil before the tubestock is inserted. Soil is then pressed around the

tubestock to ensure good soil contact, with the top of the tubestock growing medium at (or

slightly below) natural soil level.

Soil samples (recommend minimum 3 samples from across the site) should be taken prior to

commencement of revegetation works and submitted to a certified testing laboratory for

analysis of organic matter, nutrients, pH and salinity. This testing will inform soil

amelioration recommendations. A typical blended fertilizer for planted natives will include a

small portion of fast release fertiliser (CK55 or equivalent), a slow release fertiliser


(Osmocote or equivalent), an organic enhancer (Dynamic Lifter or equivalent) and water

crystals. Simple soil pH testing can determine if the application of liquid lime may be

beneficial also.

All tubestock must receive a minimum of 3L of water each on the day of planting. It is

recommended that a 1:500 solution of Seasol (or equivalent) be used for this initial watering.

4.2.6 Plant establishment

All planted tubestock should receive an initial watering on the same day they are planted.

This is critical to ensure minimal transplant shock. Each seedling should be initially watered

in with 3-4L of water. “Seasol” is added at a rate of 1:500 wil help minimise transplant

shock, encourage early root development and help in quick plant establishment. Depending

on climatic conditions at the time, each seedling should be watered several times as

required with 3-4L per watering over a two month early establishment phase.

4.2.7 Maintenance regime

Maintenance for a revegetation projects such as this should consists of:

Additional early waterings depending on soil moisture levels and rainfall activity. If dry

weather persists, this should including four waterings in the first four weeks and two

waterings in the following four weeks. Further waterings once per month may also be

necessary in extended dry conditions. (Each watering should deliver minimum 3-4

litres/plant)

An additional application of a knock-down herbicide (bioactive glyphosate) around each

seedling during the first year of establishment – this eliminates all competition to the

establishing trees.

Replacement of any seedlings that may have not successfully established to ensure at

least 85% survivorship after 12 months.

Further replacement planting to ensure at least 75% survivorship after 36 months.

Slashing the inter-row spaces during maintenance visits as needed. A “side-throw”

slasher will help add mulch material to adjacent rows during the slashing operation.

Ongoing monitoring and treatment of any additional weed issues across the planting

zones and adjacent riparian buffer areas.

4.3 Vegetative Erosion Control Areas along Spring Creek that have been identified as requiring special attention for

vegetative erosion control measures have been identified in Appendix 1. A photomontage

demonstrating the likely outcome of proposed erosion control plantings is also shown in

Appendix 4.


4.3.1 Ground Preparation

Diversion banks: Accumulated surface runoff waters from adjacent pastureland were

observed to be contributing to active gully erosion immediately adjacent to Spring Creek in

several locations. The installation of diversion banks to transport future surface runoff to then

fan out across more stable portions of the riparian environment are recommended. These

diversion banks should be constructed to a minimum of 400mm high and run parallel to the

creek. They should be designed to divert the surface runoff away from the erosion zone and

to a well grassed and vegetated portion of the riparian area with minimal slope thus allowing

diverted waters to slowly traverse the stable area before entering Spring Creek.

Mechanical works: Some areas of current streambank erosion are very active and have

resulted in vertical (and occasionally undercut) erosion faces. Where feasible, it is

recommended that these faces are “battered” mechanically (eg. excavator) prior to mulching,

netting or planting.

Jute netting over mulch: In the more severely eroded and mechanically treated

portions, it is also recommended that mulch material be laid across the erosion site to a

depth of 75-100mm and then covered with jute netting that is pinned down with minimum

300mm wire pins. The most cost efficient form of mulch material would be grassy hay made

from other parts of the property, however it would be important to ensure that such material

is weed free.

Hand planting: The installation of tubestock for vegetative erosion control should only

be done by hand using mattocks or hand auger. Where jute netting has been laid over

mulch, it will be necessary to cut a small area of the netting prior to preparing the planting

hole.

4.3.2 Choice of Species

Species selection is again based on the species known to currently occur within the Spring Creek riparian zone and those consistent with RE 12.3.3 and 12.3.7. Revegetation effort should include as many as possible of the following species that are commercially available for the time of planting.

Botanical Name Common Name

Acacia maidenii Maiden’s wattle Alphitonia excelsa Soap tree Callistemon viminalis Weeping bottlebrush

Casuarina cunninghamiana River sheoak Eucalyptus tereticornis Blue gum

Lomandra hystrix Creek matrush Lomandra longifolia Spiny-head matrush

Lophostemon suaveolens Swamp box Melaleuca bracteata Black teatree

Melaleuca quinquenervia Broad-leaved paperbark


The use of Lomandra species is paramount for this type of planting as their root system

provides excellent stabilisation. Lomandras should account for a minimum of 50% of

tubestock installed in general erosion control areas and used exclusively for the denser

planting associated with protection of the erosive edge.

4.3.3 Planting density and layout

An appropriate density of planting in the general vegetative erosion control areas would be 1

stem per 2m2 with a higher density of Lomandra planting along the vulnerable erosive edge

at 1 stem per 1m2.

The following components of the planting associated with erosion control would be the same

as for revegetation works:

sourcing and preparation of tubestock;

planting methodology;

plant establishment; and

maintenance regime (excluding slashing).

4.4 Visual Amenity Planting The photomontage in Appendix 2 shows the likely outcome of proposed visual amenity

planting proposed for the property on the corner of Coominya Connection and West Roads.

It is proposed that this planting be undertaken in the same manner as the revegetation along

Spring Creek in terms of ground preparation, plant establishment and maintenance.

The layout should be in the order of five ripped planting rows at two metre spacing running

parallel to the boundary of the property. Staggering of planting within the rows and

appropriate species selection and layout will ensure an effective visual “barrier” is quickly

established.

4.5 Vegetative Environmental Buffers The approximate location of vegetative environment buffer plantings associated with

proposed poultry farms and the proposed abattoir are shown in the Ecological Restoration

Plan in Appendix 1.

Furthermore, the photomontage in Appendix 3 demonstrates the likely visual impact of the

poultry sheds and associated vegetative buffer plantings for the proposed Poultry Farm #2

from the direction of the Brisbane Valley Highway.


The planting layout, density and species selection associate with vegetative environmental

buffers should be guided by specifications outlined within the Rural Industries Research and

Development Corporation manual entitled “Vegetative Environmental Buffer for Australian

Meat Chicken Farms: A Guide for Growers” (July 2015).

4.6 Cattle exclusion The exclusion of cattle from the riparian buffer will be essential to ensuring success of revegetation

and natural regeneration efforts. A cattle proof fence already exists along most of the southern

boundary of the buffer and along some of the northern boundary.

Completion of fencing of the buffer zone boundary must be undertaken prior to the commencement of

any revegetation works and should be four strand barbed wire fencing with timber split posts and steel

pickets at 5m centres in keeping with existing internal fencing on the property.

The proposed location of this fencing (Stage 1) as well as the proposed stock movement laneway

associated with the southern boundary of the buffer zone are illustrated in Appendix 7.

There are two existing hardened crossings to Spring Creek for cattle movement from the southern

portions to the northern portions of the property. It is proposed that these sites remain as preferred

cattle crossing sites with the importing of additional rubble material for the in-stream and approach

portions of these crossings to further stabilise and protect these relatively narrow portions of the

creek. Gated access on both the north and south sides of the buffer zone would be utilised to enable

stock movement from one side to the other.

4.7 Weed Control As identified in our proposed maintenance activities associated with revegetation works, ongoing

weed control within the riparian buffer will be an important part of longer term management of this

zone. Particularly with the exclusion of grazing animals, many herbaceous and grassy weed species

will often proliferate. Weed species identified currently within the riparian areas associated with

Spring Creek (in order of decreasing level of infestation) include:

Mother-of-millions (Bryophyllum spp)

Creeping lantana (Lantana montevidensis)

Lantana bush (Lantana camara)

Devil’s apple (Solanum linnaeanum)

Balloon cotton bush (Gamphocarpus physocarpus)

Groundsel bush (Baccharis halimifolia)

Thickhead (Crassocephalum crepidioides)

4.8 Fire Management The exclusion of stock from the Spring Creek buffer zone will lead to greatly increased fire

fuel loads due to additional grass bulk as well as the additional planted trees and managed

natural regeneration occurring. It will therefore be necessary to maintain an appropriate “fire


break” around the buffer zone to help with management and control in the event of a wildfire.

Exclusion of fire will be essential for the first five years after any revegetation is undertaken

in order for the young plants to be sufficiently well established to withstand burning.

The fire control line should be a minimum 3m wide with minimal grass growth. This could be

achieved by regular slashing in conjunction with grazing of the cattle laneway proposed for

the northern and southern boundaries of the buffer zone.

5. Disclaimer Landscape Conservation provides this plan in good faith in the belief that no

recommendations made within are misleading. However, should another party undertake

ecological restoration works associated with this project, Landscape Conservation, its agents

and employees shall not be liable for losses, damages, costs or other consequences

resulting directly or indirectly from this information.

Acceptance of this document infers acceptance of these terms.


Appendix 1 – Ecological Restoration Plan

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Ecological Restoration Management PlanPhotomontage Presentation: Revegetation Proposals

Brisbane Valley Highway

Coom

inya

Con

necti

on R

oad

n o

r t h

key

0 500 1000metres

Revegetation zones

Assisted natural regeneration zones

Vegetative erosion control zones

Photomontage view points

Property boundary

Brisbane Valley Protien Precinct Ecological Restoration Management Plan

Figure 1: Ecological Restoration PlanDrawing: 1604 BVPP/01 Date: 03|10|2016

VAN PELT + AllenVisual Assessment & Planning

0451 505 218

West Road

View 1

View 4

View 2

View 3

Poultry Farm #2

Poultry Farm #1


Appendix 2 – Photomontage of visual amenity planting

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Existing View

After revegetation - 10 metre buffer | screen planting

View Point 1: Corner of Coominya Connection Road and West Road Dwg: 1604 BVPP/02 Date: 03|10|16

Coominya Connection Roadlooking north

West Roadlooking east

West Roadlooking east

Coominya Connection Roadlooking north


Appendix 3 – Photomontage of proposed Poultry Farm #2 from

Brisbane Valley Highway

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Existing View

After establishment of screen planting

View Point 2: View towards Poultry Farm # 2 from Brisbane Valley Highway

Poultry Farm #2

Dwg: 1604 BVPP/03 Date: 03|10|16


Appendix 4 – Photomontage of vegetative erosion control

works

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Existing view of eroded gully on Spring Creek

After vegetative erosion control

View Point 3: Vegetative erosion control areas along Spring Creek

Poultry Farm #2

Dwg: 1604 BVPP/04 Date: 03|10|16


Appendix 5 – Photomontage of Spring Creek buffer zone

revegetation

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Spring Creek Existing stockproof fence

Double stockproof fence and laneway

Existing view

After revegetation - revegetated buffer zone either side of creek

View Point 4: Spring Creek Revegetation Zone

Buffer planting - revegetation zone

Spring Creek

Dwg: 1604 BVPP/05 Date: 03|10|16


Appendix 6 – Revegetation species

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Table 1 | Revegetation - Selected species

Botanical Name Common NameAcacia concurrens Hickory wattleAcacia maidenii Maiden’s wattleAcacia melanoxylon Australian blackwoodAngophora floribunda Rough-barked appleAngophora leiocarpa Smooth-barked appleAlphitonia excelsa Soap treeCallistemon viminalis Weeping bottlebrushCasuarina cunninghamiana River sheoakCorymbia citriodora Spotted gumCorymbia intermedia Pink bloodwoodCorymbia tessellaris Moreton Bay ashDodonaea triquetra Common hop bushEucalyptus crebra Narrow-leaved ironbarkEucalyptus siderophloia Grey ironbarkEucalyptus tereticornis Blue gumJacksonia scoparia DogwoodLophostemon suaveolens Swamp boxMelaleuca bracteata Black teatreeMelaleuca quinquenervia Broad-leaved paperbarkPetalostigma pubescens Quinine bush

Alphitonia excelsa Angophora leiocarpa Corymbia citriodora Casuarina cunninghamina

Eucalyptus crebra Jacksonia scoparia Lophostemon suaveolens Melaleuca quinquenervia

Dwg: 1604 BVPP/06 Date: 03|10|16


Appendix 7 – Location of proposed cattle exclusion fencing

and creek crossings

ecological restoration management plan · 2018. 10. 17. · 4.2.1 ground preparation slashing the...

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