12.1 overview 12.2 legislative and policy requirements · duplication of the southern expressway |...

Duplication of the Southern Expressway | Project Impact Report

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12. Fauna 12.1 Overview

Desktop surveys, field surveys and consultation informed the fauna assessment for the project and the mitigation and management measures required to minimise any impacts from the project.

12.2 Legislative and policy requirements

Table 12.1 summarises key legislation relevant to the fauna issues associated with the project.

Table 12.1 Relevant legislation (fauna)

Legislation Description Relevance to project Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth)

The primary Commonwealth legislation protecting the environment in relation to Commonwealth land and controlling significant impacts on matters of national environmental significance Requires assessment and approval of actions likely to have a significant impact on a Matter of National Environmental Significance, or undertaken by a Commonwealth agency, or involve Commonwealth land, and that will have a significant impact on the environment

A search of the EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool identified 13 fauna species of national conservation significance as potentially occurring in the project area

Environment Protection Act 1993 (SA)

The overarching environmental legislation that deals with protection of the environment and environmental offences, administered and enforced by the SA Environment Protection Authority In relation to fauna, Part 4 Section 25 of the Act states:

A person must not undertake an activity which pollutes, or might pollute the environment unless the person takes all reasonable and practicable measures to prevent or minimise any resulting environmental harm.

Construction and operation of the project must comply with the Act, including Part 4 Section 25


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Legislation Description Relevance to project Natural Resources Management Act 2004 (NRM Act) (SA)

Provides for the establishment of natural resources management boards in SA Promotes the sustainable use and management of South Australia’s natural resources Establishes an integrated management arrangement that recognises the intrinsic value of natural resources and provides for the protection of biodiversity, water resource, catchments and land Provides for the prevention and control of ‘pest’ species and Natural Resources Management Regulations 2005 establishes ‘management actions for pest flora and fauna species on a state basis

Pest species identified during project surveys; appropriate management measures will be undertaken, as necessary

National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (NPW Act) (SA)

Developed to establish and manage reserves for public enjoyment Provides for the protection of native flora and fauna Identifies flora and fauna species considered to be of conservation significance for SA

Five fauna species protected under the Act identified as likely or highly likely to occur in the project area; potential impacts to these species should be avoided or minimised to ensure their protection into the future

12.3 Assessment methodology

The fauna assessment included:

a literature review of previous investigations (including targeted surveys for Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis) in 1997 for the initial Southern Expressway)

a search of fauna database records from local, South Australian and Australian governments including the Biological Database of South Australia (BDBSA), maintained by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and a Protected Matters Search of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC Act)

field survey consultation with South Australian Government groups and key stakeholders assessment of impacts based on the criteria outlined in the EPBC Act Significant Impact

Guidelines and the DTEI Fauna Impact Assessment Guidelines.

12.4 Existing conditions

12.4.1 Conditions in the project corridor

Before European settlement, 31 native mammal species were present in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management (AMLR NRM) Region (AMLR NRM Board 2008a). Mammals that have become extinct in the area are generally small, ground-dwelling marsupial species, as they make easy prey for introduced predators, such as foxes and cats.

The project area has been highly modified since European settlement through clearance of native vegetation for agricultural, residential and industrial purposes. The current faunal assemblage reflects


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these changes. Many original fauna species from the area are now either absent or restricted to areas such as Onkaparinga River National Park and O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park. Introduced species are prevalent and compete with native species for habitat and food.

12.4.2 Fauna habitats in the project corridor

Despite the high level of habitat modification in the project area, some key localities – for example Warriparinga Wetlands, O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park, the remnant vegetation at Beach Road interchange, and surrounding riparian and aquatic areas of waterways – could provide habitat for significant fauna species. In addition, individual remnant trees and significantly revegetated areas are likely habitat for fauna species.

Overall, fauna habitat in the project area is considered to have a very low to moderate value (EBS 2010b). The very open/cleared areas are not conducive to a high diversity of fauna species, particularly given the excessive weed growth in the understorey. The dense, mature revegetated areas are likely to provide reasonable habitat to numerous species, particularly birds (EBS 2010b).

12.4.2.1 Aquatic and riparian habitat

The streams of the Mount Lofty Ranges have been recorded as containing up to 25 native freshwater fish species; however, no species present in the streams starting on the western Mount Lofty Ranges are considered threatened on a national scale. These ‘gulf streams’ include Sturt River, Field River, Christie Creek and Onkaparinga River. The total number of native freshwater fish in gulf streams is 11, which includes two lamprey species. Freshwater fish in gulf streams fall into three categories: natives, translocated natives and introduced species (Turner 2001).

Field River provides moderately valuable riparian habitat suitable for a number of local bird species, as well as frogs and small fish. Christie Creek, however, is too polluted to be of any value (EBS 2010b). Several small artificial wetlands, associated with stormwater management along the project area, contain native wetland plant varieties such as Common Reed (Phragmites australis) and Pale Rush (Juncus pallidus) with dense native plantings encircling the open water. Frog calls were noted at these artificial wetland areas during the fauna survey in November 2010. Species included Common Froglet (Crinia signifera) and Spotted Marsh Frog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis) (EBS 2010b).

The native fish species Black Bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri), Small-mouthed Hardyhead (Atherinosoma microstoma), Big-headed Gudgeon (Philypnodon grandiceps) and Bridled Gobys (Arenigobius bifrenatus) were introduced into the Warriparinga Wetlands to avoid domination by introduced species. Their current status is unknown. It is known that feral fish including Redfin (Perca fluviatilis) and Carp (Cyprinus carpio) exist in the wetlands (City of Marion 2010b). Eastern Gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki), which has been introduced into the wetlands, is not native to Australia and is considered a major pest species (Australian Museum 2010).

Fish species known to occur in the waterways associated with Gulf St Vincent (which include streams in the western side of the Mount Lofty Ranges) include species recommended for protection in the Action Plan for South Australian Freshwater Fishes (Hammer et al. 2009). Table 12.2 summarises these species and their likelihood of occurring in waterways in the project area.


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Table 12.2 Fish species likely to occur in the project area waterways

Species Common name Current distribution Likelihood in project area waterways

Mogurnda adspersa

Southern Purple-spotted Gudgeon

Declared regionally extinct in SA in early 1990s; discovered in Lower Murray in 2004

Unlikely: known to occur only in Onkaparinga River National Park

Geotria australis Pouched Lamprey Opportunistic records in Adelaide Hills catchments, eastern Mount Lofty Ranges, Southern Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and low numbers upstream at Torrens River city weir and Murray barrages

Unlikely: known to occur in or move through Onkaparinga River National Park

Galaxias olidus Mountain Galaxia Two species of Mountain Galaxias have discrete ranges in SA with approximate separation of eastern and western Mount Lofty Ranges; numbers in decline in Torrens, Sturt and Onkaparinga catchments

Possible: known to occur in Sturt River Gorge Recreation Park and Onkaparinga River National Park

Anguilla australis australis

Shortfinned Eel Adelaide region (western Mount Lofty Ranges streams) with fish found at Salisbury Wetlands and Onkaparinga River

Unlikely: known to move through Onkaparinga River National Park but given the location of the observations close to urban areas, they may be translocations (e.g. discarded aquarium fish)

Exotic species are a known threat to native fish species in the streams of the Adelaide region (Hammer et al. 2009).

Terrestrial habitat

Despite having very little remnant vegetation, the project area, together with O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park, Onkaparinga River National Park, Onkaparinga River Recreation Park, Happy Valley Reservoir and Sturt Gorge Recreation Park, represents an important habitat corridor for native wildlife in the outer southern metropolitan area (EBS 2010b), particularly in an area with a recorded 3% remnancy of the pre-European environmental association (i.e. Aldinga IBRA Association) (EBS 2010b).

Revegetation programs along the project area have created an environment that serves as refuge and feeding habitat for many bird species, mammals, and a variety of reptiles and invertebrates.

Mammals

Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and Common Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) are known to inhabit O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park and traces of Common Brushtail Possum were detected throughout the project area during the fauna surveys in November 2010 (EBS 2010b). Gould's Wattled Bat (Chalinolobus gouldii) is also likely to use the project area and has been recorded within 2 kilometres of the site (EBS 2010b).


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Nine native bat species are presumed to still occur in the metropolitan Adelaide region although their relative abundance has declined significantly with urbanisation and declining habitat. They are seldom seen due to their small size and nocturnal habit.

Most bats roost in tree hollows or sheltered crevices in tree bark; some species have adapted to roosting in roofs and other man-made structures (DEH 2009b in EBS 2010b). The project area has suitable bat habitat and the presence of bat species is considered likely given relatively recent records (1995) of one species from the area (DENR 2010).

Birds

During the fauna surveys in November 2010, 27 native species of bird were observed (EBS 2010b). Records in the BDBSA and from Birdpedia indicate that 214 species of native birds, including a number of waterbirds, have been recorded in the area (EBS 2010b).

All eight habitat areas (see Table 11.3) provide habitat for native bird species. In particular, the mixed woodland plantings have conditions suitable for a number of native birds and their habitat value is likely to increase as the vegetation matures (EBS 2010b). These habitat areas are discussed in Section 11.4.

Frogs

BDBSA records show that eight species of frogs have been recorded along the project area (DENR 2010). This includes a recording of the Southern Bell Frog (Litoria raniformis), a protected species under the EPBC Act. This record was from 1975 and habitat is likely to have been significantly compromised since this time (DENR 2010).

Southern Bell Frogs are found mostly among emergent vegetation including Typha sp., Phragmites sp. and Elocharis sp. or at the edges of still or slow-flowing waterbodies such as lagoons, swamps, lakes, ponds and farm dams (SEWPAC 2011a). Submerged vegetation is important habitat for breeding success as it makes egg-laying sites, calling stages for males, and food and shelter for tadpoles (SEWPAC 2011a). Hamer and Organ (2006) found that large and relatively permanent waterbodies, with a high proportion of emergent vegetation cover, were more likely to be occupied by the Southern Bell Frog (SEWPAC 2011a). The highly altered nature of waterways in the project area is unlikely to provide adequate habitat for this species.

Riparian habitat lies along Sturt River, Field River, Onkaparinga River, and artificial stormwater management areas. Other frog species may survive in these riparian habitat areas, specifically Onkaparinga River and Field River.

Reptiles

Twenty species of reptiles have been recorded within 2 kilometres of the project area (DENR 2010). However, many of these records are from historic surveys of more than 20 years ago. Habitat in the project area is likely to have been altered since that time, and is no longer adequate for these species.

Much of the stormwater management and soil stabilisation works associated with the existing Southern Expressway infrastructure has located areas of rocks down slopes and in small drainage lines, which may provide some level of refuge for species such as lizards, snakes and possibly small mammals, such as the introduced House Mouse (Mus musculus) (EBS 2010b).


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12.4.2.2 Habitat areas

The fauna survey by EBS Ecology in November 2010 found eight habitat types in the project area (Table 12.3 and Figure 12.1).

Table 12.3 Identified fauna habitat areas during the fauna survey

Figure reference number

Habitat area Description

1 Remnant Blue Gum patch

Small patch of remnant vegetation containing SA Blue Gum Open Woodland; highly degraded but the mature eucalypts would provide valuable roosting, nesting and feeding habitat to local birds, possums and possibly bats

2 Stormwater management (artificial wetlands)

Several small wetland areas associated with stormwater management along the project area contain native wetland plant varieties such as Common Reed and Pale Rush with dense native plantings encircling open water; frog calls and many bird species recorded in these areas

3 O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park

In this important island of habitat for native wildlife ( DEN 2008 in EBS 2010b), particularly in an area with a recorded 3% remnancy for the environmental association (Aldinga IBRA Association), has many mature planted eucalypts that are likely to provide suitable habitat to many species of birds, Common Ringtail and Common Brushtail Possums, bats, reptiles including geckoes and invertebrates; extensive rehabilitation works from the mid-1970s have made the park an urban forest with indigenous and non-indigenous shrub and tree species (DEH 2008)

4 Field River This moderately valuable riparian habitat is suitable to a number of local bird species, as well as frogs and possibly small fish; Common Brushtail Possum traces were observed in the fauna survey

5 Historic orchard The orchard of 15–20 Almond trees (Amygdalus spp.) and other non-native fruit trees is a likely valuable food source for a number of local birds and possums

6 Cliffs near Field River

The rocky cliffs to the west of the project area are potentially suitable for a number of bird and reptile species; much of the vegetation is highly degraded but the rocky habitat may suit nesting Peregrine Falcons or Cunningham’s Skink

7 Stormwater management, rocky slopes

Stormwater management and soil stabilisation works for the existing Southern Expressway located areas of rocks down slopes and in small drainage lines, which could provide refuge for species such as lizards, snakes and possibly small mammals, such as house mice.

8 Mature revegetation The more mature indigenous plantings make reasonable habitat for numerous species, particularly birds, bats, possums, reptiles and invertebrates; surface litter and woody debris accumulation is beginning and likely to benefit smaller ground dwelling species such as lizards, snakes and invertebrates; Crested Shrike-tit was recorded during the November 2010 field survey

Habitat area 1 (Remnant Blue Gum patch) and habitat area 4 (Field River) were also identified as remnant vegetation (Vegetation Association 1) in Chapter 11 – Flora.

Southern Expressway Duplication Project Impact Report

Native faunahabitat areasFigure 12.1

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Christies Creek

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O'SULLIVAN BEACH RD

KENIHANS RD

SHERRIFFS RD

MORPHETT RD

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Onkaparinga River (RP)

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Fauna habitat areas1. Remnant Blue Gum patch2. Stormwater management (artificial wetlands)3. O'Halloran Hill Recreation Park4. Field River

5. Historic orchard6. Cliffs near Field River7. Stormwater management (rocky slopes)8. Mature vegetationWarriparinga WetlandNPW Reserves


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12.4.3 Introduced fauna species

Pest species can impact on biodiversity and agriculture through displacement or competition, preying on native fauna and livestock, and transfer of disease to domestic and native animals. There are 24 known pest animal species in the AMLR NRM Region.

Only four pest fauna species were identified as occurring in the project area during the fauna survey (EBS 2010b):

Rock Dove (Columba livia) European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Common Blackbird (Turdus merula).

If at any time these species increase significantly in number, or become problematic in any way, then individual management plans may need prepared and control measures implemented.

12.4.4 Species of conservation significance

A search of the EPBC Act Protected Matters database was undertaken to determine the potential presence of any matters of National Environmental Significance that may occur in, or relate to, the project area. The search included a 2 kilometre buffer around the boundary of the project corridor and also identified the threatened and migratory fauna species (Table 12.4 and Figure 12.2).

Table 12.4 Species of conservation significance and likelihood of occurring in the project area

Species Common name

Conservation status Likelihood of occurrence in project area

Identified during survey EPBC Act NPW Act

Amphibians Litoria raniformis

Southern Bell Frog

VU V Unlikely: not recorded in the area since 1974 (EBS 2010b)

No

Birds Cinclosoma punctatum anachoreta

Spotted Quail Thrush (Mount Lofty Ranges)

CE E Very unlikely: no records in the Southern Mount Lofty Ranges in approximately 30 years; presumed extinct in the Adelaide region (Daniels and Tate 2005 in EBS 2010b).

No

Hylacola pyrrhopygia parkeri

Chestnut-rumped Heathwren (Mount Lofty Ranges)

EN V Unlikely: no recent records in the area, which is highly disturbed and has low habitat value (EBS 2010b)

No

Neophema chrysogaster

Orange-bellied Parrot

CE, Mi E Unlikely: 1 record within 2 km of the project area in 1999; no suitable habitat in the project area (EBS 2010b).

No


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Species Common name

Conservation status Likelihood of occurrence in project area

Identified during survey EPBC Act NPW Act

Rostratula australis

Australian Painted Snipe

VU V Possible: 5 individuals observed in Onkaparinga River RP in November 2001; this area provides very low habitat value for the species (Birdpedia 2010in EBS 2010b))

No

Ardea alba Great Egret Mi Unlikely: no records of this species for the immediate project area (EBS 2010b)

No

Haliaeetus leucogaster

White-bellied Sea-Eagle

Mi Unlikely: may fly over the project area but will not use habitat (EBS 2010b)

No

Hirundapus caudacutus

White-throated Needletail

Mi Unlikely: no records in the project area; habitat unsuitable (EBS 2010b)

No

Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater

Mi Unlikely: may fly over the project area but will not use habitat (EBS 2010b)

No

Ardea ibis Cattle Egret Mi Possible: recent records in the region from Onkaparinga River area; very low habitat value in the project area (EBS 2010b)

No

Gallinago hardwhickii

Latham’s Snipe

Mi Possible: recent records in the region from Onkaparinga River area; very low habitat value in the project area (EBS 2010b)

No

Rostratula benghalensis s. lat.

Greater Painted Snipe

Mi Unlikely: no records for the immediate project area (EBS 2010b)

No

Mammals Isodon obesulus obesulus

Southern Brown Bandicoot

EN V Unlikely: no recent records in the region; area highly degraded with no habitat for the species (EBS 2010b)

No

Note: Marine species were not considered in this assessment given the distance of the project area from the marine environment. Ratings: CE – Critically Endangered, EN/E – Endangered, VU/V – Vulnerable, RA /R– Rare, Mi – Migratory

The Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis) is listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act and the NPW Act. Pygmy Bluetongues once occurred from the Adelaide plains to the northern Mount Lofty Ranges (Ehmann 1982, Hutchinson 1992 in SEWPAC 2011b) and south of Adelaide. The species was last identified as occurring in Marion in 1959 (Armstrong and Reid 1993 in Milne 1997).

Given the presence of native grasses in the southern portion of the Southern Expressway and close proximity of the carriageway to the Marion recording, a targeted survey for the Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard in the Southern Expressway corridor was undertaken in 1997 when the Southern Expressway was originally under consideration. The survey found that the Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard does not occur in the Southern Expressway corridor nor is there sufficient habitat available to support it (Milne 1997).

Southern Expressway Duplication Project Impact Report

Fauna species ofconservation significance

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NPW Act") Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (V)") Black-chinned Honeyeater (V)") Common Brushtail Possum (R)") Crested Shrike-tit (R)") Peregrine Falcon (R)

Z Scale @ A4 1:85,0000 1,000 2,000500

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There were no sightings during construction of the existing South Expressway.

A fauna survey of the project area in 2010 identified three species protected under the NPW Act that possibly occur in the project area, and an additional two species considered likely to occur in the project region (EBS 2010b).

12.4.4.1 Common Brush-tail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecular)

The Common Brush-tail Possum, which is rated Rare in South Australia, may utilise the larger trees in the surveyed project area (EBS 2010b). The species is commonly found in the canopies of trees, mainly feeding on the leaves, flowers and fruits of a variety of tree species, including eucalypts ( Menkhorst and Knight 2004 in EBS 2010b). There are few hollow bearing trees along the project area but the Common Brush-tail is also known to utilise built structures as substitute nesting habitat. Brush-tail Possums have high nutritional requirements requiring a wide variety of plant species and are known to be omnivorous. It is likely to be widespread throughout the project area, particularly around the larger mature trees and the historic orchard growing along Field River (EBS 2010b).

12.4.4.2 Black Chinned Honeyeater (Melithreptus gularis gularis)

In South Australia, the Black Chinned Honeyeater is listed under the NPW Act as Vulnerable. These honeyeaters mainly occur in isolated areas along the foothills of the Mount Lofty Ranges but their distribution contracted in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges during the twentieth century to approximately 11 sites by the mid 1990s (Paton et al. 1994 in EBS 2010b). The species prefers Eucalyptus woodlands, grassy woodland and dry sclerophyll forest habitat. They also occur in scrub containing Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata) and Native Pine (Callitris gracilis) and have been recorded in roadside corridors and in adjacent scattered paddock trees. They are usually found in the canopy of large eucalypts and live in small communal groups, often in association with other bird species, for the predation benefits. There have been several recent sightings of the species in the riparian habitat of Field River (DENR 2010; Birdpedia 2010; EBS 2010b).

12.4.4.3 Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus)

The Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo is listed as Vulnerable in South Australia. In the Mount Lofty Ranges, the Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo has a widespread distribution, recorded from the central region around Lyndoch, south to the southern Fleurieu (Wilson and Bignall 2008 in EBS 2010b). They inhabit a variety of habitat types, but favour eucalypt woodlands, especially Stringybark (Eucalyptus messmate) forests and woodlands with a heathy understorey and adjacent pine plantations. Their favoured food is seeds of native trees including Sheoak (Allocasuarina spp.) and Banksia (Banksia spp.) but birds will also feed on pinecones of introduced pines and on seeds from ground plants, as well as insects (EBS 2010b). It is unlikely that the species would rely on sites in the project area for breeding given the lack of large hollow bearing trees and this, plus loss of food trees, is one of the main reasons for their continued decline across the State. Five individuals were observed flying over Seacombe Road during the November 2010 field survey (EBS 2010b).

12.4.4.4 Crested Shrike-tit (Falcunculus frontatus)

The Crested Shrike-tit is listed Rare in South Australia. Its habitat requirements are Eucalyptus forests and woodlands, preferably those dominated by River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis var. camaldulensis) and SA Blue Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon) (EBS 2010b). They also inhabit forested gullies and along rivers in drier areas and stands of Silver Banksia and Native Pine. The species is sometimes seen in parks and gardens, on farms with scattered trees and on pine plantations. In the Mount Lofty Ranges the Crested Shrike-tit is widespread across the region, but records are concentrated along the northern spine of the Mount Lofty Ranges (Wilson and Bignall 2008 in EBS 2010b). It has declined extensively in South Australia as woodlands are cleared and/or degraded; its


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major threats are vegetation clearance, habitat fragmentation, loss of specific resources (e.g. mature trees) and fire, and it is probably adversely affected by urban development. Two individuals were observed during the November 2010 field survey in the more mature revegetated batter slopes in Christie Downs (EBS 2010b).

12.4.4.5 Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

The Peregrine Falcon is listed as Rare in South Australia and, although it is not common anywhere, it is found across Australia and worldwide. They will sometimes nest on artificial structures such as the window ledges of high buildings (EBS 2010b). This species is found in most habitats, from rainforests to the arid zone, and at most altitudes, from the coast to alpine areas. It requires abundant prey and secure nest sites, and prefers coastal and inland cliffs or open woodlands near water (EBS 2010b). Peregrine Falcons commonly occur at windy sites along ranges, and often nest in crevices of rocky cliff faces (Pizzey and Knight 1997 inEBS 2010b). Pairs are known to nest in the same locations for many years and have large territories. There have been numerous recent records since 2000 around the project area (Figure 12.2) (DENR 2010). The large cliff formations associated with Field River (outside the project area) may provide suitable nesting sites (EBS 2010b).

12.5 Effects of the project on existing fauna

Construction and operation of the duplicated Southern Expressway has the potential to affect native fauna in the project area.

12.5.1 Construction

The potential effects associated with construction of the project are primarily:

removal of native fauna habitat (including habitat for threatened species) contamination of fauna habitat (e.g. contamination of Field River) fragmentation and isolation of fauna habitat general disturbance through increased light, noise and human activity.

Of the vegetation surveyed, the areas considered of most importance for wildlife habitat contain remnant vegetation, mature trees and well-established local revegetation. The clearance of vegetation in these areas, and of any scattered trees supporting hollows, is therefore considered to potentially cause an impact to native fauna in the region (EBS 2010b).

Table 12.5 outlines the area of potential habitat removal based on the concept design.

Table 12.5 Potential clearance of habitat areas in project area

Habitat number

Location Total habitat area (ha)

Potentially affected area (ha)

Reduction of area

affected (%) 1 Remnant Blue Gum patch 0.05 0.04 80 2 Stormwater management (artificial wetlands) 0.53 0.01 1.89 3 O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park 334 8.2 2.46 4 Field River 1.96 0.66 22.22 5 Cliffs near Field River 0.71 No impact 0 6 Historic orchard 0.13 0.05 38


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Habitat number

Location Total habitat area (ha)

Potentially affected area (ha)

Reduction of area

affected (%) 7 Stormwater management (rocky slopes) 0.06 0.06 100 8 Mature vegetation 0.91 0.85 23.41

The majority of the project area comprises exotic grassland and planted species, which provides limited habitat value to threatened native fauna (EBS 2010a; Rural Solutions 2010). Nevertheless, these areas do still have some degree of habitat value to a wide range of, not necessarily threatened, native species. Measures to help manage impacts to these areas (see Section 12.6) will be incorporated into the construction environmental management plan (CEMP).

Aquatic habitat will potentially be affected by construction adjacent to/and in the waterways along the project area. This will also be addressed in the CEMP.

The stormwater management devices (artificial wetlands) affected during construction will be reinstated, modified and enlarged to contain the stormwater runoff from the duplicated Southern Expressway. Details on stormwater management during operation of the project are discussed in Chapter 13 – Surface water and groundwater.

Habitats can be fragmented and isolated as a result of roadway construction. Given that the duplicated carriageway will be constructed adjacent to the existing Southern Expressway carriageway, further habitat fragmentation is unlikely, although the duplicated expressway effectively becomes an even wider barrier to movement.

The size and proximity of other vegetation links and biodiversity corridors adjacent to the project area (e.g. Onkaparinga River National Park and O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park) are considered sufficient for suitable shelter and habitat for a number of native fauna species (EBS 2010b) during construction.

During construction, increases in light, noise and human activity may affect native fauna but disturbance due to construction is temporary in nature and limited to the time it takes to construct the project. It is not likely to cause a significant impact to native fauna in the region.

12.5.2 Operation

Potential effects to native fauna from the operation of the project include edge effects associated with the use of the duplicated carriageway on habitat immediately adjacent to the Southern Expressway corridor, and noise and air quality impacts. Additionally, there is potential for direct impacts to fauna through mortality caused by vehicular collision with individuals temporarily on the roadway.

The region is highly degraded and most fauna habitat is degraded, weedy and planted vegetation. The existing carriageway currently limits fauna movement across the road corridor. It is unlikely there will be a significant impact on native fauna and threatened species by operation of the project.

12.5.3 Species of conservation significance

Effects of the project on species of conservation significance have been determined through consideration of the criteria in Matters of National Environmental Significance Significant Impact Guidelines Version 1.1 (DEWHA 2009).


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12.5.3.1 EPBC listed species

Thirteen fauna species of national conservation significance were identified as potentially occurring in the project area (Section 12.4). However, the survey and individual habitat assessments indicate that these species are unlikely to be present in the project area primarily because of a lack of suitable habitat. Thus, none of these species are likely to be significantly affected by the project according to Matters of National Environmental Significance, Significance Impact Guidelines Version 1.1 (DEWHA 2009).

12.5.3.2 South Australian listed species

Five species of State conservation significance have been identified as likely to occur in the project area (Section 12.4). The project will result in limited removal of habitat for these species and measures will be undertaken during construction to minimise direct impacts on them. It is thus unlikely that the project will significantly affect these species.

12.5.4 Limitations

This assessment considers potential impacts associated with the construction and operation of the project based on the concept design and level of information, but has not considered the cumulative impacts of construction or operation of other road networks, industry or residential developments.

12.6 Mitigation measures to minimise effects

Before starting construction, the appointed contractor will develop a CEMP to manage environmental impacts associated with construction of the project. The CEMP will include appropriate measures for managing and mitigating specific impacts to fauna, such as minimising machinery movement in vegetation, retaining tree hollows where practicable and retaining dead trees in areas of native vegetation. The CEMP may also include species-specific measures if necessary, as well as measures for undertaking monitoring plans and procedures in the event that adverse impacts to one or more species are repeatedly identified.

Table 12.6 outlines the measures that will be adopted to minimise effects to native fauna during design, construction and implementation of the project.

Table 12.6 Management and mitigation measure to reduce effects on native fauna

Project stage Potential impact Mitigation/management measures Design Reduction of fauna

habitat Identify species, or species habitat, of conservation

significance in the project area Design the project to limit removal of native vegetation and

fauna habitat Use appropriate habitat species in replanting Design the project to ensure surface water quality in

waterways in the project corridor is not decreased through construction and/or operation of the upgraded road network

Provide SEBs of native fauna habitat to offset the removal of native vegetation ( Chapter 11 – Flora)


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Project stage Potential impact Mitigation/management measures Construction Death, injury or

disturbance to native fauna Removal of native fauna habitat Spread of pest species

Implement the CEMP with measures such as: retain hollows raise awareness of important fauna during excavation activities:

− backfill holes/trenches immediately to reduce the likelihood of animals falling into them and being unable to escape

− immediately plug, fence or appropriately manage holes/trenches that cannot be backfilled

− cap or bend exposed steel associated with foundations as soon as practicable after installation to reduce the likelihood of injury

− clearly identify the construction area and extent of works

− contact appropriate authorities to remove trapped fauna or fauna located in vegetation marked for removal

during construction do not dump materials/waste or divert drainage lines that will impact native fauna habitat

clean up any pollution events that occur (i.e. spilling of fuel/oil) immediately with minimal impact to native fauna habitat

provide a sealed bin for site waste to discourage pest fauna from foraging on the site

Operation Physical impacts to fauna Degradation of fauna habitat adjacent to project corridor

Maintain rehabilitated areas including weeding, watering and replacement of dead plant stocks as necessary

Reduce the likely presence of fauna, and thus the potential for fauna injury or death, on the carriageway, by regularly removing litter and animal carcasses from the roadway

Ensure drainage flows away from road edges Adopt an adaptive management approach to identify impacts

associated with operation of the road network and develop or alter processes/procedures to eliminate or minimise these impacts

DTEI will be required to provide SEBs to offset the removal of native vegetation as a result of the project (Chapter 11 – Flora). These offsets will also benefit native fauna by, directly or indirectly, providing additional habitat in the Adelaide metropolitan region.

12.7 Conclusion

The native fauna habitat in the project area has been highly altered and extensively cleared in the expansion of metropolitan Adelaide.

Three species protected under the NPW Act are highly likely to occur, and two species are considered likely to occur, in the project region: Common Brush-tail Possum, Black Chinned Honeyeater, Yellow-


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tailed Black-Cockatoo, Crested Shrike-tit and Peregrine Falcon (EBS 2010b). Eight areas of fauna habitat have been identified in the project area (Section 12.5)

Management measures to limit potential impacts to native fauna will be developed and implemented during the design, construction and operational phases of the project. In particular, impacts to native fauna will be minimised by limiting the actual area of habitat to be removed, for example by restricting construction laydown areas to locations that are already highly degraded. During construction a number of management measures outlined in the CEMP will be implemented to protect native fauna.

In the project area already significantly altered and containing the existing Southern Expressway, the overall impact of the project to native fauna will be minimal.

12.1 overview 12.2 legislative and policy requirements · duplication of the southern expressway |...

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