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Growling Grass Frog Conservation Management Plan: O’Herns Road – Stage 2 REPORT Prepared for Major Road Projects Victoria 22 August 2019

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Page 1: Growling Grass Frog Conservation Management Plan: O ......x Growling Grass Frog Habitat Design Standards Melbourne Strategic Assessment (DELWP 2017b) In addition to design principles

Growling Grass Frog Conservation Management Plan: O’Herns Road – Stage 2 REPORT

Prepared for Major Road Projects Victoria

22 August 2019

Page 2: Growling Grass Frog Conservation Management Plan: O ......x Growling Grass Frog Habitat Design Standards Melbourne Strategic Assessment (DELWP 2017b) In addition to design principles

Biosis Pty Ltd

This document is and shall remain the property of Biosis Pty Ltd. The document may only be used for the purposes for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the Terms of the Engagement for the commission. Unauthorised use of this document in any form whatsoever is prohibited.

Disclaimer:

Biosis Pty Ltd has completed this assessment in accordance with the relevant federal, state and local legislation and current industry best practice. The company accepts no liability for any damages or loss incurred as a result of reliance placed upon the report content or for any purpose other than that for which it was intended.

© Biosis 2019 - Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting - www.biosis.com.au i

Biosis offices

NEW SOUTH WALES

Albury

Phone: (02) 6069 9200 Email: [email protected]

Newcastle

Phone: (02) 4911 4040 Email: [email protected]

Sydney

Phone: (02) 9101 8700 Email: [email protected]

Wollongong

Phone: (02) 4201 1090 Email: [email protected]

VICTORIA

Ballarat

Phone: (03) 5304 4250 Email: [email protected]

Melbourne (Head Office)

Phone: (03) 8686 4800 Email: [email protected]

Wangaratta

Phone: (03) 5718 6900 Email: [email protected]

Document information

Report to: Major Road Projects Victoria

Prepared by: Ian Smales Lauren Stoot

Biosis project no.: 28350

File name: 28350.GGF.CMP.OHernsRoad.Interchange.FIN.20190822.docx

Citation: Biosis 2018. Growling Grass Frog Conservation Management Plan: O’Herns Road – Stage 2. Report for Major Road Projects Victoria. Authors: I. Smales & L. Stoot. Biosis Pty Ltd, Melbourne. Project no. 28350

Document control

Version Internal reviewer Date issued

Draft version 01 MV 07/09/2018

Draft version 02 IS 25/09/2018

Final version 01 MV 23/11/2018

Final version 02

Final version 03

MV

MV

8/03/2019

22/08/2019

Final version 03 – Version reflects finalisation of CMP post compliance review. No changes made to CMP contents. Acknowledgements

Biosis acknowledges the contribution of the following people and organisations in undertaking this study:

MRPV: Ross Bradbury, Nerilee Kerslake, Alison Ferrari, Kathryn Woods

Biosis staff involved in this project were:

Lachlan Milne (mapping)

Mark Venosta (quality assurance)

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© Biosis 2019 – Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting II

Contents Summary ................................................................................................................................................................. 3

1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 4

1.1 Project background ......................................................................................................................................... 4

1.2 Project design principles ................................................................................................................................ 5

1.3 Scope of this Conservation Management Plan .......................................................................................... 5

1.4 Objectives .......................................................................................................................................................... 6

1.5 Timeframe and implementation ................................................................................................................... 6

2. Conservation Management Plan ............................................................................................................ 11

2.1 Pre-construction management actions ..................................................................................................... 11

2.1.1 Develop an approved Growling Grass Frog salvage protocol .................................................... 112.1.2 Fencing ................................................................................................................................................. 11

2.2 Construction management actions ............................................................................................................ 12

2.2.1 General construction management ................................................................................................ 122.2.2 Road underpass.................................................................................................................................. 132.2.3 Funnel structures ............................................................................................................................... 14

2.3 Habitat management .................................................................................................................................... 14

2.3.1 Biomass control in terrestrial areas ................................................................................................ 142.3.2 Revegetation ....................................................................................................................................... 15

References ............................................................................................................................................................ 16

Figures

Figure 1 Location of the project area, Victoria ................................................................................................... 7

Figure 2 Study location within Edgars Creek ...................................................................................................... 8

Figures 3-6 Structural and habitat plans for O’Herns Road/ Hume Highway intersection, showing crossing of Edgars Creek (design details in draft form) ...................................................................... 9

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Summary

Biosis Pty Ltd was commissioned by Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV) to prepare a Growling Grass Frog Conservation Management Plan for Stage 2 of the O’Herns Road upgrade project in Epping, Victoria which includes the widening of O'Herns Rd and the construction of an interchange for improved traffic access to the Hume Freeway.

The project was deemed a controlled action (referral number 2017/8008) under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The Growling Grass Frog Litoria raniformis, is listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act and there is some potential for it to be to be impacted by the proposed works.

The project site at Edgars Creek is not within a conservation area designated for the species under the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for Melbourne’s Growth Corridors (DEPI 2013). Nonetheless, Edgars Creek corridor, which is located within the proposed works area, is recognised as an important dispersal corridor for Growling Grass Frog in the Epping area. It is important that habitat connectivity is maintained along its length to link populations upstream and downstream of the study area. In order to do so, design of the project and this Conservation Management Plan have been prepared in line with principles set out in published standards for stream crossing design and for habitat retention and enhancement aimed specifically at protection of Growling Grass Frog populations. These are:

Growling Grass Frog Crossing Design Standards Melbourne Strategic Assessment (DELWP 2017a)

Growling Grass Frog Habitat Design Standards Melbourne Strategic Assessment (DELWP 2017b)

In addition to design principles and guidance set out in those two standards documents, this Conservation Management Plan prescribes the actions that MRPV has committed to undertake to ensure that habitat connectivity is maintained along Edgars Creek and incorporates the following principles:

Protection of the creek and portions of O’Hern’s Road reserve to a minimum distance of 50 metres either side of the creek during the construction phase of the development.

Ongoing management of habitat within the O’Hern’s Road reserve portion of the creek corridor to maintain and improve its values as habitat for Growling Grass Frog.

MRPV is responsible for implementing the actions outlined in this plan within land under its management authority unless or until such management is handed to the responsibility of another authority. If that occurs, implementation of the actions outlined in this plan will then become the responsibility of the new land owner or management authority. This plan will be implemented over a 10 year period but the requirement to manage relevant portions of the Edgars Creek corridor and the O’Hern’s Road crossing of the creek to provide for the requirements of the Growling Grass Frog remains in perpetuity. The plan will be reviewed every 5 years.

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© Biosis 2019 – Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting 4

1. Introduction

1.1 Project background

Biosis Pty Ltd was commissioned by Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV) to prepare a Growling Grass Frog Conservation Management Plan for the reach of Edgars Creek located within the proposed O’Herns Road/Hume Freeway Interchange Project (Figure 1).

O’Herns Road is an east-west route in the growing suburb of Epping. With the growing population throughout Melbourne’s northern suburbs, there is increasing pressure being put on the road network in the Epping, Epping North and Wollert areas and the Victorian Government has committed to delivering a significant number of road upgrade projects to improve the effectiveness of Victoria’s transport system.

The O’Herns Road/Hume Freeway Interchange Project aims to alleviate congestion on High Street, Miller Street and Cooper Street by providing an alternative access onto the Hume Freeway for the northern suburbs. The main construction activities will be civil and structural associated with the construction of the new interchange at O’Herns Road/Hume Freeway, which will involve the clearing of vegetation, general earthworks (including topsoil stripping, exaction, filling and topsoil spreading), landscaping and bridge works. Further to the interchange construction, works will also include the duplication of O’Herns Road and the construction of new auxiliary lanes on the Hume Freeway between Cooper Street and O’Herns Road.

The proposed construction works will traverse Edgars Creek, an ephemeral waterway supporting native riparian vegetation. The Growling Grass Frog is known to occur in constructed wetlands on Edgars Creek to the north and south of O’Herns Road. It is likely that the local Growling Grass Frog population uses Edgars Creek and its riparian corridor, including the section within the proposed construction area, as a dispersal route through the landscape. Within the study area, Edgars Creek currently supports few inherent habitat values for Growling Grass Frog other than its value as a route for dispersal. There are no areas within the study area that are likely to be used as breeding sites and targeted survey with study area has failed to detect the species. The existing O’Herns Road crossing of Edgars Creek is considered likely to be a partial barrier to the movement of Growling Grass Frog but the extent to which it restricts movement is unknown. Growling Grass Frogs may still move upstream and downstream either by crossing the existing road surface or by moving through the pair of pipe culverts under the road, each of which are 1.2m in diameter. There are no large instream pools in the immediate vicinity of the crossing likely to provide breeding habitat for the species. At this location the habitat is characterised by a channel supporting weedy riparian vegetation. The habitat in Edgars Creek at the existing O’Herns Road crossing is therefore not considered optimal habitat for Growling Grass Frog and probably serves more as a movement corridor.

In addition to Growling Grass Frog, Golden Sun Moth Synemon plana was also recorded on-site. Due to presence of Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) on site, which are protected under the EPBC Act, the proposed works were referred to the Australian Minister for the Environment under referral 2017/8008. MRPV has elected to prepare this Growling Grass Frog Conservation Management Plan for the section relevant to Edgars Creek (Figure 2) as a means to maintain connectivity for the species along Edgars Creek.

Edgars Creek immediately to the south of the study area is the subject of previous EPBC Act referral 2012/6298 (275 O’Herns Road). A Growling Grass Frog Conservation Management Plan was a requirement of the approval as was the inclusion of a conservation reserve that buffers Edgars Creek for 50m on either side. This current MRPV plan has been prepared to be consistent with the intention and management actions of the adjacent plan.

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1.2 Project design principles

MRPV has designed the O’Hern’s Road crossing of Edgars Creek in accordance with standards for hydraulic

performance as required by Melbourne Water (Figures 3-6). The design has also been specifically prepared to

meet standards for stream crossing design published by DELWP (2017a) and for habitat retention and

enhancement (2017b) specifically for the protection of Growling Grass Frog populations within nature

conservation areas designated under the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for Melbourne’s Growth Corridors

DEPI (2013). Those documents are:

• Growling Grass Frog Crossing Design Standards Melbourne Strategic Assessment (DELWP 2017a)

• Growling Grass Frog Habitat Design Standards Melbourne Strategic Assessment (DELWP 2017b)

The project area at Edgars Creek is not within a designated conservation area for the species. Nonetheless,

the principles set out in the two standards documents have influenced design aspects of the project.

However, because Edgars Creek is ephemeral at the O’Hern’s Road crossing and because the crossing is of

the creek itself, some aspects have been adjusted in response to the land area under MRPV control. The

crossing structure of Edgars Creek incorporates the following features:

– Reinforced concrete box culverts with maximum lengths of 23 metres;

– Widening of the Edgars Creek waterway to the south of the crossing to provide an in-stream pond

in accordance with recognised habitat parameters for the species;

– design permitting unimpeded passage for frogs both up- and downstream;

– Provision of rock piles (20% minimum) and platforms in and around the waterway (i.e. shallows);

– Planting of appropriate aquatic and terrestrial flora species in and around the waterway;

– Provision and enhancement of an opening in the road median to provide light at that point with a

view to facilitate passage by Growling Grass Frogs including rocky areas (20% minimum), planting

of appropriate vegetation, and fencing to stop frog movement onto the roadway; and

– artificial lighting (e.g. street lights) near culvert entrances designed to avoid light spill into adjacent

portions of Edgars Creek corridor.

The design features measures at the interface between constructed wetlands and road crossings to funnel

frogs towards the underpasses and reduce the risk of Growling Grass Frogs being killed on the road. These

will include permanent features that achieve the appropriate funnelling effect incorporated into the design of

hard embankment structures and may include:

– Features designed to funnel frogs toward culverts installed along both sides of underpass

entrances.

– Features designed to funnel frogs toward culverts that are the width of the creek corridor reserve;

– Materials chosen for functionality as well as aesthetic appeal in a landscaping context.

1.3 Scope of this Conservation Management Plan

This Conservation Management Plan addresses management during construction of the O’Herns Road/Hume

Freeway interchange and in the long-term, of the relevant portion of Edgars Creek corridor to maintain its

value as dispersal habitat for Growling Grass Frogs. The area directly covered by the Conservation

Management Plan is shown in Figure 2.

The entire construction of the O’Herns Road/Hume Freeway interchange will adhere to VicRoads Standard

Document 177 Environmental Management (Major). That document details many methods to protect the

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© Biosis 2019 – Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting 6

environment including waterways. Aspects covered in this Conservation Management Plan are specific to

protection and conservation of Growling Grass Frog.

1.4 Objectives

The objectives of this plan are to identify the necessary management actions which will:

• Protect the functioning of the Growling Grass Frog habitat corridor along Edgars Creek during

construction.

• Allow for long-term maintenance of Edgars Creek as habitat for Growling Grass Frog, by ensuring that

animals can move unimpeded along the creek corridor.

• Improve habitat values along the creek corridor to the benefit of Growling Grass Frog.

1.5 Timeframe and implementation

This plan will be implemented over a 10 year period although the requirement to manage the relevant

portions of O’Herns Road reserve and to maintain the new crossing of Edgars Creek in accordance with this

plan is permanent. The Conservation Management Plan will be reviewed every 5 years.

Implementation of the plan will be the responsibility of MRPV unless or until such management is handed to

the responsibility of another authority (most likely either Melbourne Water or the City of Whittlesea).

Implementation of the actions outlined in this plan will then become the responsibility of the new land

manager.

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Edg ars Creek

Vearings Road Drain

Epping Drain

Yale Drive Drain

Central Creek

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Bail St

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WHITTLESEACITY

Acknowledgement:VicMap Data ©State of Victoria

Matter: 28350,Date: 07 September 2018,Checked by: LJS, Drawn by: SKM, Last edited by: smitchellLocation:P:\28300s\28350\Mapping\28350_F1_Location.mxd

LegendStudy area

Scale 1:20,000 @ A4, GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55

0 200 400 600 800

Metres ±Biosis Pty LtdAlbury, Ballarat, Melbourne, Newcastle,

Sydney, Wangaratta & Wollongong

Figure 1: Location of the study area -O'Herns Road, Epping, Victoria

!(

Old Princes Hwy

Warburton Hwy

Mountain Hwy

Eastern FwyNepean Hwy

West Gate Fwy Burwood Hwy

Old Western HwyTullamarine Fwy

North

ern H

wy

Maroondah HwyMelton Hwy

Monash Fwy

Western Fwy

Hume Fwy

Princes Hwy

Melba

Hwy

Calder Fwy

Princes Fwy

Melbourne

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Edgars Creek

Oherns Rd

WHITTLESEACITY

!

Epping

Findon Rd

Dalto

n Rd

Rufus St

Edgars RdMcdonalds Rd

High S

t

Cooper St

Eppin

g Rd

Hume Fwy

Matter: 28350,Date: 07 September 2018,Checked by: LJS, Drawn by: SKM, Last edited by: lmilneLocation: P:\28300s\28350\Mapping\28350_F2_Extent.mxd

Scale: 1:500 @ A3Coordinate System: GDA 1994 VICGRID94

Biosis Pty LtdAlbury, Ballarat, Melbourne, Newcastle,

Sydney, Wangaratta & Wollongong

Figure 2 Growling GrassFrog ConservationManagement Plan O'HernsRoad works impact area

0 5 10 15 20 25

Metres

LegendGrowling Grass FrogConservation Management PlanO'Herns Road works impact area

EPBC Referral No. 2012/6298Edgars Creek corridor reserve

VicMap cadastre parcel statusActive parcelProposed parcel

±

Acknowledgements: Vicmap ©State of Victoria, Imagery - NearMap 2017

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Figures 3-6 Structural and landscaping plans for O’Herns Road/ Hume Highway intersection,

showing crossing of Edgars Creek (design details in draft form)

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2. Conservation Management Plan

The proposed O’Herns Road/Hume Freeway road interchange and duplication of O’Herns Road will traverse Edgars Creek, an ephemeral waterway supporting native riparian vegetation. Growling Grass Frog is known to occur in constructed wetlands associated with Edgars Creek to the north and south of O’Herns Road (Biosis Research 2012). It is likely that Growling Grass Frogs use Edgars Creek to disperse through the regional landscape, including the section proposed for the road interchange and duplication. Within the study area, Edgars Creek currently supports few inherent habitat values for Growling Grass Frog activity other than its value as a route for dispersal. There is no breeding habitat for Growling Grass Frogs within the study and targeted survey within the study area failed to detect the species (Biosis Research 2012).

To maintain existing native vegetation and habitat connectivity along Edgars Creek for Growling Grass Frog, a corridor averaging 50 m either side of Edgars Creek will be protected. A dual-carriageway in a single road crossing is proposed to be constructed over Edgars Creek.

2.1 Pre-construction management actions

2.1.1 Develop an approved Growling Grass Frog salvage protocol

A protocol for salvage of Growling Grass Frog will be developed and approved by DELWP prior to commencement of construction. The protocol will cover the potential requirement to capture individual Growling Grass Frogs that may be in imminent danger due to construction activities. It is anticipated that the protocol will require the services of a qualified zoologist, working under a permit issued under the Wildlife Act (Victoria) 1975, to remove any Growling Grass Frogs and release them within close proximity to the project area but sufficiently distant to ensure their immediate safety.

Note that if the construction is to be undertaken following a period of more than one month in which Edgar’s Creek has been dry it is unlikely that any Growling Grass Frogs will be active in the construction area and, subject to approval by DELWP, it may not be necessary to enact the salvage protocol.

The protocol will include requirements that any intervention involving contact with frogs will include measures to prevent the spread of chytrid fungus, which can be fatal to frog populations.

Actions

Develop a succinct protocol for salvage and local release of any Growling Grass Frog found to be in imminent danger due to construction activities. The protocol will be submitted to DELWP for their approval. When approved, the salvage and release protocol will form part of this Conservation Management Plan.

2.1.2 Fencing

Temporary protection fencing will be required during construction to protect the creek corridor. In the longer term, the creek corridor will be delineated and protected through the installation of appropriate fencing (e.g. post and steel cable) to prevent illegal vehicular access and to clearly define the reserve boundary for management purposes. Any fencing will allow adequate and secure access for management vehicles only.

Actions

MRPV will install secure temporary fencing clearly delineating the creek corridor prior to any construction works.

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'No go Zone' signs will be attached to all temporary fencing to be installed along the perimeter of areas to be protected along the creek corridor to ensure vehicles and plant are not driven into them and that there is no dumping of waste or storage of materials within the creek corridor. These signs will remain in place for the duration of the construction period.

After the construction period has finished, suitable sturdy fencing (e.g. post and steel cable or similar) will be installed along the boundary of the creek reserve to prevent unauthorised vehicle access. This fencing will be maintained in good repair in perpetuity.

2.2 Construction management actions

The entire construction of the O’Herns Road/Hume Freeway road interchange will adhere to VicRoads Standard Document 177 Environmental Management (Major), in addition to environmental contract clauses specific to the project. That document details methods to protect the environment including waterways. Aspects covered in this Conservation Management Plan are specific to protection and conservation of Growling Grass Frogs.

2.2.1 General construction management

The creek corridor will be protected through the construction phase by implementing the following actions.

Actions

Induction of all construction and site personnel will include information about Growling Grass Frog and its habitat within the development area, along with measures to protect defined areas of habitat that will be in place and enforced throughout the construction period.

If Edgar’s Creek has been dry for one month or more immediately prior to construction, a survey of the construction area for Growling Grass Frogs may not be necessary, subject to approval by DELWP. Otherwise, for construction works required within Edgars Creek or the proposed reserve to the south along Edgars Creek, pre-construction survey for the Growling Grass Frog will be undertaken in the construction area out to 50 m either side of Edgar’s Creek. Surveys will be carried out as shortly before construction works as is practicable to minimise the potential for Growling Grass Frogs to move back into the area in the period between survey and construction.

Any Growling Grass Frog found will be salvaged and released only in accordance with a protocol approved by DELWP.

Any construction trench near the creek reserve that is left open overnight will be monitored daily for Growling Grass Frog. Any Growling Grass Frog found in trenches will be removed by staff trained to do so before construction works may re-commence in that trench. Growling Grass Frogs removed from trenches will be released only in accordance with a protocol approved by DELWP.

Rehabilitation and revegetation works along Edgars Creek will take account of the habitat requirements of the species, in accord with guidance set out in Growling Grass Frog Habitat Design Standards Melbourne Strategic Assessment (DELWP 2017b).

Dust will be controlled during construction to prevent deposition on native vegetation in the creek line. Measures will include:

– minimise extent of exposed soil and/or soil stockpiles

– water as required to suppress dust emission

– revegetation / stabilisation of bare soil as detailed in the project contract specification.

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• Sediment control fences (e.g. geotextile or similar) will be placed at the limit of construction fence to prevent

contaminated water and silt from entering the reserve. This fencing will have the dual effect of reducing the

capacity for Growling Grass Frog to move away from the creek and into works areas. While not specifically a

frog-proof design, observations suggest such fencing (provided it is maintained) can act as a deterrent to

frog movement.

• No soil, debris or any construction materials will permitted to encroach into the creek reserve.

• Protective fencing and sediment control measures will be regularly inspected and maintained in good repair

at all times.

• Flow of Edgars Creek will be maintained during construction.

The project “Limits of Works” will be set out and marked on the MRPV contract drawings. The marked contract

drawings will identify the works zones (within the Limits of Works) and areas that are No Go Zones (outside of

the Limits of Works) that must be complied with for the duration of the Contracted works. This CMP will form

part of the MRPV Contract.

Under the Contract, the establishment of the project worksite Limits of Works (No Go Zones) will be a

Contract Hold Point. This Hold Point can only be released enabling native vegetation removal and

construction activities to commence once the Limits of Works have been established and delineated in

accordance with the Contract specification to MRPV satisfaction. These requirements will also need to be

established in the Contractor Management Plans for site inspection and monitoring.

MRPV will ensure that:

• Prior to commencement of any works, a project site induction(s) for the Contractor and MRPV staff is

completed. This induction will include communication about the Project approvals / permits conditions,

contract environmental requirements, authorised native vegetation / tree removal clearances, fauna

management, defined “Limits of Works’ for authorised native vegetation removal and ‘No Go Zones’;

• Prior to commencement of any works, the Limits of Works (No Go Zones) (e.g. native vegetation adjoining

works footprint) are established and clearly marked with as a minimum, star picket or wooden stakes with

para webbing. A joint inspection by MRPV Project management staff, Contractor representatives and

Surveillance staff will not let work commence until the Limits of Works have been established and delineated

in accordance with the Contract specification;

• Construction activities, including vehicle / plant parking, turn around points or temporary storage areas, do

not occur outside the Limits of Works (i.e. will not enter No Go Zones);

• Construction activities are surveilled through onsite inspection to ensure that construction impacts do not

extend beyond the established Limits of Works; and

• Regular inspection of the Limits of Works, barriers and other environmental controls, including silt traps,

compounds etc. carried out and recorded in the Surveillance Plan.

2.2.2 Road underpass

It is imperative that connectivity for Growling Grass Frogs is maintained along Edgars Creek. The project

design includes one road crossing comprised of box culverts to be built in Edgars Creek. Design concept for

this is shown in Figures 3 and 4. The following actions will be adhered to during and after construction so that

the crossing does not constitute a barrier to Growling Grass Frog movement.

Actions

• Culvert entrances will be kept clear of rubbish, hard litter and other debris at all times.

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No obstructions such as rocks or logs will be placed within culverts.

Flow of Edgars Creek will be maintained during construction.

2.2.3 Funnel structures

Design of funnel structures is addressed above. The following covers aspects relevant to their construction and subsequent management.

Funnel structures will be built and maintained to facilitate passage of Growling Grass Frog through the O’Herns Road crossing of Edgars Creek.

Vegetation, rock and other debris will not be placed within 500mm of the ‘funnel’ structures.

2.3 Habitat management

2.3.1 Biomass control in terrestrial areas

It is likely that Council will require a regular biomass control program to be implemented within the creek corridor to prevent any potential fire hazard. Much of the creek corridor is typified by infestations of grassy weeds such as Chilean Needle-grass Nassella neesiana and Toowoomba Canary-grass Pharalis aquatica. These weeds are likely currently grazed by Eastern Grey Kangaroos which are effective in reducing biomass in years of average rainfall. Despite grazing by kangaroos, it is likely that grasses within the creek corridor have the potential to become dense. This will compromise the conservation values of the creek corridor as there is evidence suggesting that Growling Grass Frogs may avoid areas of thick biomass as it impedes their ability to move and forage effectively (Heard et al. 2008). Growling Grass Frog Habitat Design Standards Melbourne Strategic Assessment (DELWP 2017b) recommends that areas of mown grass adjacent to wetlands are of value to foraging Growling Grass Frogs.

Biomass reduction will assist with the control of weeds and also benefit any Golden Sun Moth populations retained within the creek corridor, as this species requires the maintenance of relatively open grassland for successful reproduction.

Slashing with brush-cutter or equivalent, is recommended for areas that do not have embedded rock.

There is some potential for biomass control to negatively affect individual Growling Grass Frogs through direct mortality (killed during slashing) or indirectly (increased predation due to exposure following removal of vegetation). However, this is likely to be a relatively low risk and will be more than offset by the increased improvements in habitat quality. To reduce this risk, no more than 50% of the creek reserve should be slashed in any one year. The unslashed portions will provide refuge for fauna such as Growling Grass Frogs.

Actions

A regime of annual slashing will be undertaken in those parts of the creek reserve where slashing can be achieved. These areas will be delineated and mapped for slashing by contractors within the road reserve only.

All slashing equipment used for biomass control will be free of weed seeds.

Slashing is only to be applied to 50% of the creek corridor in any given year, to provide protected areas for terrestrial fauna.

Removal of all exotic trees and woody shrubs, and no plantings of woody species that can grow greater than approximately 1m high

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Terrestrial plantings and biomass management will maintain a matrix of bare/low vegetation areas, tussock-forming grasses, and rock, with no mulch around the waterway

2.3.2 Revegetation

Revegetation works are appropriate for the creek corridor and may provide refuge areas within the movement corridor. However, a dense contiguous cover of trees is inappropriate for the objectives of this corridor. River Red-gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis is the only tree species suitable for planting in this corridor and its total cover should not exceed 10% of this environment. Other shrubs and groundcover species are drawn from Growling Grass Frog Habitat Design Standards Melbourne Strategic Assessment (DELWP 2017b) (see Appendix 1). Similarly, the cover of any landscape/revegetation plantings will not exceed a cover of 10% within the corridor.

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References

DEPI (2013). Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for Melbourne’s Growth Corridors. Department of Environment and Primary Industries, East Melbourne

DELWP (2017a). Growling Grass Frog Crossing Design Standards Melbourne Strategic Assessment. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

DELWP (2017b). Growling Grass Frog Habitat Design Standards Melbourne Strategic Assessment. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

Heard, G., Robertson, P. and Scroggie, M.P. (2008). Microhabitat preferences of the endangered Growling Grass Frog Litoria raniformis in southern Victoria. Australian Zoologist 34(3): 414-425.

Heard, G.W., Scroggie, M.P., and Clemann, N. (2010). Guidelines for managing the endangered Growling Grass Frog in urbanising landscapes. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 208, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria.