Coexistence of Threatened Species and Maintenance Works

1. Coexistence of Threatened Species and Maintenance Works Paul Collins and Elizabeth Dixon

2. The Shoalhaven

3. The balancing act National Park Vegetated land = Threatened flora and fauna habitat

8. Threatened species??? I haven’t seen any…..

9. Green and Golden Bellfrog • Protected Federally • Protected in NSW • Has a Recovery Plan • Crippled by disease Struggling to survive everywhere except in the Shoalhaven…

10. Favourite habitat

12. Swamp Worrigee Urban area Equestrian Common Council operated Cemetery Swamp

13. Tragedy of the common….

14. To This From This

15. The perfect conditions – early 2010 • Heavy summer rainfall • Ponding where previously dry • Repeat intense rain events • Other frogs to eat • Flushing of predator fish • Nearby swamp • Overcoming killer fungus = millions of frogs + Blocked drains

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

17. = work

18. Big problems • Frogs invading urban area – need to educate • Frogs and graves – don’t mix • Disruption of drain maintenance – no dig, slash or spray • Halt to construction projects • Delays to DA’s • Confusion • Complaints of flooding • Work crews scared of being fined • Can’t maintain the equestrian or sporting fields

19. Had to find a way to continue maintenance without having a significant impact on the frogs Sustainable management = gather more information

20. Traffic Casualties? What = significant impact? What = sustainable impact? Slashing?

21. Too ‘hop’ to handle • Large Events scheduled – threat of cancellation • Short term Response • Mayor – appeal for public understanding • Involved NPWS • Joint media release – stressing the positive nature of breeding event • Letterbox drops - education • Ecologist in to advise – rope off areas to minimise impact • Up-skill ground crews to identify the frog • Set mitigation measures for equestrian events

22. One of the mitigation measures Simple but effective!

23. Working with the Media • Make your staff available, don’t leave it to chance • Educate – no overnight solution ‘Stopping Australia from mowing it’s lawn’ ‘The most powerful frog in the nation’

24. ‘Life and death along the food chain’ ‘Hop Property’

25. ‘Carnivorous devil frog a danger to domestic pets’

26. GGBF – before 2010 • 1998 – became aware of GGBF at Culburra Beach • 2000 – Mgmt Plan developed for drainage maintenance • 2000 to 2009 – Drought, No Frogs for many years • 2008/09 – GGBF study to test the need for current restrictions - but too dry to be conclusive, defer till 09/10

27. GGBF – 2010 + • Summer 2009/10 – Wet conditions • Early 2010 - massive increase in GGBF numbers • New areas affected • More activities affected – drains, roadsides, mowing • A extra study required at Worrigee & Crookhaven River Floodplain • Studies lead to standard operating procedures

28. Valuable Information • Studies & local experts: • Suitable habitat areas • Actual sightings – locations recorded • Breeding times & locations • Foraging times & locations • Dispersal corridors • Control Measures to mitigate impact • Std Operating Procedures

29. Example of coded map

32. Adjusting work practices • Fundamental shift – Environmental staff now play a key role in delivery of engineering activities & projects • Proactive use of environmental legislation to protect staff • Consistent documentation of mitigation measures • Life cycle determines when key works can occur: • No digging during hibernation (winter) • Slashing occurs while frogs underground or with a pre- inspection by an environmental officer • Coded maps dictate primary habitat – extra controls here

33. Outcomes • Procedures developed for road & drainage maintenance • OEH authorised procedures & issued a Section 95(2) Certificate under TSC Act • Maintenance Activities resume • Capital works - piped an open drain - REF required frog habitat areas - depressions & suitable plantings for refuge • Equestrian Common drain not widened – road raised to divert water away from camping and horse stalls – avoid GGBF & acid sulphate issues • Cemetery development to factor in a frog habitat area as a feature rather than a constraint

34. Broadening this approach to other areas • E.g. Flood mitigation drains • Key fish habitat • Acid sulfate soils • Endangered Ecological Communities • Threatened Species • Next – stockpile sites, work adjacent to Nat Pk Estates The less you know – the more conservative your operations will be

35. Lessons Learnt • Sustainable solutions are possible • Embed qualified help – ecologists into works and services maintenance and construction teams • Develop processes to mitigate impacts • Know the legislation and protect your staff • Get to know the population/species • Talk to OEH and NPWS – very helpful • Use the legislation – e.g. TSC Act, Infrastructure SEPP • Educate your work crews • Avoid, mitigate, demonstrate no significant impact

36. Excellence in the Environment Awards Highly commended Category: Natural Environment Protection and Enhancement: On Ground Works Sharing good outcomes - not always second nature Keynote Case study at

37. Happy Maintaining

38. Questions?