Attachment 2A proposal to translocate Hibbertia puberula subsp. glabrescens Syn. Hibbertia sp Bankstown - a critical endangered species

1. Summary1.1 Project title Translocation proposal for the assisted colonisation and establishment of new populations of Hibbertia puberula

subsp. glabrescens (target species) at selected priority host sites in the Cumberland Plain area, which are considered to provide appropriate habitat for the taxon.

1.2 Species to be translocated

Hibbertia puberula subsp. glabrescens ToelkenSyn. Hibbertia sp Bankstown (RT Miller & CP Gibson) (no known common name)

Legal status: Listed as critically endangered under both NSW BC Act 2016 and Commonwealth EPBC Act 19991.3 Nature of

translocationThe translocation is an assisted colonisation of the target species to achieve a ‘conservation introduction’ outside its native range (Bankstown Airport site).

1.4 Contact person Ahamad Sherieff (ph.: (02) 9585 6910; email: ahamad.sherieff@environment.nsw.gov.au1.5 Expertise Ahamad Sherieff – SoS Species Coordinator (OEH)

Over 25 years of experience in natural resource management; biodiversity assessment; land-use planning; reserve establishment; and threatened species management, with sound project management skills. Currently, working as species coordinator under the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage $100 million Save our Species (SoS) program to maximise the number of threatened species secured in the wild in NSW through community engagement adaptive management.

Greg Steenbeeke – Senior Threatened Species Officer (OEH)Expertise in vegetation mapping, plant ecology, habitat management and restoration and taxonomy, with 25 years of managing projects for environmental outcomes and implementing conservation projects across much of NSW, with particular focus on the northern half (primarily northern rivers and northern inland regions). Strong knowledge of the ecology of western Sydney threatened species and experience in translocation projects.

Peter Ridgeway - Biodiversity Officer and Ecologist at Greater Sydney Local Land Services (LLS)10 years’ experience in biodiversity survey and restoration management of the Cumberland Plain. Previous expertise in survey and recovery of Hibbertia superans.

Foster Walker – Environmental Manager (BAL)Over 12 years of experience in environmental management across food manufacturing, civil infrastructure and aviation. Responsible for the management of all environmental aspects at both Camden and Bankstown Airports.

Sean Mooney - Team Leader Urban Policy and Planning (City of Canterbury Bankstown)

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Bart Schiebaan - Senior Environmental Planner (City of Canterbury Bankstown)20 years’ experience working in urban design, park management and sustainable development (including the preparation of resilience strategy) biodiversity and bushfire management, urban heat island effect, offsetting (Biodiversity Offsets Scheme), green infrastructure and urban ecology.

Paul Angel - Coordinator Bushcare (City of Canterbury Bankstown) Over 25 years of experience in natural bushland management including, bush restoration, bush regeneration, bush care and horticulture.

Alexi Gilchrist – Environment Restoration Plan Coordinator (Liverpool City Council) Restoration ecologist with experience in on-ground works and development of environment projects. Managing community environment programs for 5 years in the local government sector.

Dr. Peter Cuneo - Manager, Seedbank & Restoration Research Australian Botanical Gardens (ABG) 30 years’ experience in the ex situ conservation of NSW threatened species, including propagation, seed ecology, seed collection and storage. Extensive experience in the ecology of Cumberland Plain vegetation.

Graeme Errington - Seedbank Curator ABGHighly experienced threatened species practitioner with extensive experience in native seed collection and curation. Responsible for management of PlantBank seed collection and has developed specific germination treatments and protocols for Hibbertia puberula subsp. glabrescens.

Dr. Nathan Emery - Scientific Officer ABGScientific Officer and ecologist at the Australian PlantBank. Currently working on the seed conservation and translocation of threatened Persoonia spp. Project scientist and coordinator for several successful translocations of Persoonia pauciflora.

Mark Viler - Senior Horticulturist ABGHighly experienced native plant propagator, who leads propagation program at ABG nursery. Extensive experience in the seed and vegetative propagation of NSW threatened species, including plant production for translocations.

Expert Advisers: Dr. Tony Auld – Principal Scientist (OEH)

Dr. Maurizio Rossetto - Principal Research Scientist/Manager Evolutionary Ecology, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney (RBG)

Dr. Jason Bragg - Scientific Officer, RBG

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Dr. Doug Benson, Senior Ecologist (Retired), RBG

Doug Bickerton - Ecologist Threatened Species Conservation, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, South Australia (DEWNR)

Dr. Rick Davies - Threatened Flora Ecologist, DEWNR

(Casey) Lawrence Murphy - Senior Scientist Earth Science Assessment, OEH

Mark Young, Senior Scientist (Geo Spatial Assessment), OEH2. Pre-translocation assessment2.1 Translocation team Team Members:

Ahamad Sherieff – SoS Species Coordinator,

Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH)

Greg Steenbeeke – Senior Threatened Species Officer

OEH

Dr Peter Cuneo - Manager, Seedbank & Restoration Research

Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan (ABG)

Graeme Errington - Seedbank Curator

ABG

Dr Nathan Emery - Scientific Officer ABG

Mark Viler - Senior Horticulturist ABG

Foster Walker– Environmental Manager

Bankstown Airport Limited (BAL)

Peter Ridgeway - Senior Land Services Officer – Biodiversity

Greater Sydney Local Land Services (LLS)

Sean Mooney - Team Leader Urban Policy and Planning

City of Canterbury Bankstown

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Bart Schiebaan - Senior Environmental Planner

City of Canterbury Bankstown

Paul Angel - Coordinator Bushcare City of Canterbury Bankstown

Alexi Gilchrist – Environment Restoration Plan Coordinator

Liverpool City Council

2.2 Species Background Hibbertia puberula subsp. glabrescens is part of the Dilleniaceae family, and a prostrate shrub with spreading, hairless, wiry branches up to 40 cm in length. Leaves are oblong-lanceolate to almost linear, 3–6 mm long by 0.8–1.4 mm wide. The flowers are yellow with notched petals; the floral bracts subtend the calyx; the outer calyx lobes are 5.3-6.3 mm long, scarcely ridged and very shortly hairy to almost hairless outside, hairless inside.

The Sydney/central coast region of NSW is rich in Hibbertia species, with Toelken & Miller (2012) describing eight new taxa, including Hibbertia puberula subsp. glabrescens, which is placed in the H. sericea group along with Hibbertia puberula subsp. puberula and Hibbertia puberula subsp. extensa, which occurs at Appin.

The species is conventionally accepted as Hibbertia sp. Bankstown (R.T.Miller & C.P.Gibsons.n. 18/10/06) under Australian Plant Census (CHAH 2014, Australian Plant Census). The NSW Herbarium has also recognised its taxonomic status as valid: as Hibbertia sp. Bankstown (R.T.Miller & C.P.Gibsons.n. 18/10/06 NSW Herbarium). From the information contained in Plantnet and Australian Plant Name Index (https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/name/apni/240441/api/apni-format) it looks like Hibbertia puberula subsp. glabrescens is the accepted and valid taxonomy, and Hibbertia sp. Bankstown is a synonym.

A genetic study of this species by RBG Sydney, will use Hibbertia aspera, H.empetrifolia and H.fumana as marker species to investigate and identify the genetic structure of the Bankstown population and the evolutionary relationships within this clade.

Hibbertia puberula subsp. glabrescens is endemic to NSW and the only known population of this species is at Bankstown Airport, NSW (Area 5), with four subpopulations with <100 mature individuals. See a map at Appendix II showing the location and extent of the source site and the four subpopulations.

Known threats to this highly restricted population are listed below in Section 3.1

Distribution of Hibbertia puberula subsp. glabrescens is poorly understood and it is unlikely that its current distribution represents its historical distribution. The species has not been recorded from other adjacent sandstone areas and appears to be restricted to the tertiary alluvium. Extensive searches of this species have been undertaken in the region

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by the Bankstown Bushland Society, which includes members who discovered and identified this species.2.3 Biology and ecology Hibbertia puberula subsp. glabrescens is a prostrate shrub which flowers mainly from October to December. Hibbertia

species are primarily pollinated by bees (NSW Scientific Committee 2010), but many have specialised mechanisms requiring particular bee species (Bernhardt 1984; Horn 2007); beetles and syrphid flies (hoverflies) are also possible pollinators. However, the degree of pollinator specificity for this species is unknown

Seed set is during the summer months with peak ripening and release in November/December. Fruits are a dehiscent follicle containing multiple seeds. The slightly elongated shiny dark brown seeds are approx.1.5-2mm long. Seed is most likely ant dispersed (Berg 1975; Rice & Westoby 1981; Horn 2007) and would form a persistent soil seedbank. During seed collecting in December 2016, RBG staff estimated that there were ~70 mature fruiting plants. There are no known ecological studies on this species and seed vectors and breeding systems are also unknown. It is estimated that plants would require a minimum of five years to reach reproductive maturity. Seed dormancy is known to occur in several Hibbertia species (Schatral 1996; Cochrane 2002). Allan (2004) found that physical dormancy was present for some Hibbertia spp. with seed scarification improving germination. Morphophysiological dormancy is inferred in a number of species (Kullmann 1982) with smoke/gibberellic acid (GA) treatments increasing germination response under laboratory conditions. A combination of smoke, GA and alternating temperature resulted in 48% germination of this species at Australian PlantBank ABG.

Seed storage longevity is unknown, and further work is required on seed germination cues and longevity. It is unknown whether this species is capable of resprouting after fire or is an obligate seeder. Field observations indicate that mature plants appear to ‘layer’ when branches come into contact with the ground surface. This characteristic indicates that clonality is likely to be extensive across the population, making it hard to determine between individual mature plants, layer/sucker growth and seedlings. Further, tree cover does not seem to be a requirement for persistence of the species, but plants in cultivation grow well under shade cloth in nurseries, or tree cover, as seen in the Sylvan Grove Native Gardens.

The current management regime at the highly-modified source site is a combination of slashing and targeted weed control which appears to be successful, and indicative of the species being a disturbance opportunist. The natural occurrence of this species in a modified grassland/low shrub situation makes any inference of the original vegetation/habitat and selection of translocation sites difficult. A combination of nearby remnant vegetation and the presence of a soil profile comprised of Tertiary alluvium is indicative that Cooks River/Castlereagh Ironbark Forest is most likely the original vegetation association for this species.

2.4 Source population All translocation propagules (seed and cuttings) will be sourced from the only known population (4 sub-populations and ~76 mature plants) at the Bankstown Airport site.

See a map showing the location and extent of the source site with the distribution of four subpopulations at Appendix

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II. 2.5 Literature review (1) IUCN/SSC (2013)

(2) NSW Scientific Committee (2010)(3) Office of Environment and Heritage (2012). Scientific Licensing Policy(4) Toelken & Millar (2012)(5) Vallee L., Hogbin T., Monks L., Makinson B., Matthes M. & Rossetto M. (2004) (6) Threatened Species Scientific Committee; Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (2009)

2.6 Current research Some taxonomic research into this group has been published by Helmut Toelken of the SA Herbarium (Toelken & Miller 2012, Toelken 2000, Toelken 1998). However, research on the ecology of the target species is unknown.

The only preliminary studies are on the germination and cutting propagation of this species by the Australian PlantBank, ABG. Seed germination trials indicate that a combination of smoke/Gibberellic acid can significantly increase seed germination. Cutting propagation trials at the ABG nursery using root hormone treatment have successfully propagated this species vegetatively. Plants have been successfully planted and established at the Sylvan Grove Native Gardens, indicating an adaptation to local sandstone soil substrates.

A population genetic study of the target species is currently being undertaken by RBG Sydney and will provide considerable information to guide the sampling strategy and translocation design.See Appendix I for a project proposal to undertake population genetic study of the target species (a final report will be completed by March/April 2018).

A soil investigation study was undertaken to understand the soil characteristics of the source site and a suite of potential host sites and inform the selection of priority host sites for translocation based on the compatibility of soil features. It is envisaged that findings from the study will also assist in the identification of plots within the individual priority host sites. A detailed report entitled “Soil investigation for the Hibbertia sp. Bankstown translocation project” (unpublished OEH), is provided at Appendix IV.

2.7 Potential Research Further research opportunities associated with this translocation include: ecological research into species pollinator specificity, growth rates, flowering and fruiting the assessment of any sexual reproduction in the translocated specimens the assessment of seed fertility and recruitment and genetic diversity of progeny of translocated specimens.

2.8 Propagation of plants all seeds will be processed at the Australian PlantBank ABG and dried at 15°C/15%RH to achieve low moisture content, followed by storage in hermetically sealed double foil packets at -20°C for long term storage.

seed to be propagated in PlantBank ABG laboratories using petri dishes with agar substrate treated with a combination of Gibberellic acid and smoke water solution incubated at 20°C

cuttings to be treated with Clonex hormone gel root stimulant on heated glasshouse bench 28°C with overhead mist/fog irrigation

clonal (cutting grown) plants to be individually GPS- recorded and accessioned on RBG living collections database with unique number linked to individual plant from wild population and kept as separate batches in nursery

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production.2.9 Sampling strategy Final sampling strategy will be determined by the current RBG study of population genetics, as mentioned above. The

sampling strategy will seek to maximise genetic capture across the population and will likely involve composite seed harvesting from all mature plants and cutting (clonal) propagation from plants of varying age and microsite location. Specifically, the wild population is split into three ‘fragments’. Each fragment will be collected from and stored separately and may be subsequently combined pending results of the genetic testing. All seed harvesting will be within Commonwealth permit conditions (<20% of seed crop) and disease control protocols will be followed to avoid any impact on the wild population.

2.10 Impact of sampling All sampling of seed and cutting material from the source population will be low impact small scale sampling in accordance with Commonwealth permit conditions (<20% of total seed crop or vegetative material). Sampling will not involve any transplanting, removal of plants or soil disturbance on the source population. Minimal additional sampling will be required to produce the initial translocation quantity of ~300 plants, which will rely on existing seed collections. Should cutting propagation be determined as appropriate, sampling will require the harvesting of small tip-cutting material.

Appropriate mitigation techniques will be employed to minimise the likelihood of disease introduction. This includes, but is not limited to, personnel toolbox talks prior to site entry, as well as spraying of shoes and all equipment with 80% ethanol prior to site access.

2.11 Source site Bankstown Airport site is the only ‘source site’, where one wild population of this species is found distributed across four disjunct small sub-populations. This site is owned by Commonwealth and leased to BAL for a significant length of time. The site is currently managed according to a draft plan of management.

The source site is an artificially-maintained grassland occurring on an alluvial terrace above the George River. The original vegetation at the site is difficult to confirm, but persistent species are indicative of Castlereagh Swamp Forest. The site is very heavily modified from its natural state, largely lacks canopy species, and is currently a low grass /shrub association with many pasture grasses and other introduced herbaceous weeds.

Soils are generally consistent, consisting of deep (>150 cm), well-drained Grey and Brown Orthic Tenosols (Earthy Sands) of low fertility and with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Topsoils are relatively deep (20 – 35 cm) consisting of coarse to medium textured loamy sands. These grade gradually into deep clayey sand textured subsoils. As moisture increases, iron coloured mottles, of heavier texture (sandy clay loam), became prominent at >100 cm and occur within a pale grey clayey sand. Soils are generally moist due to the run-on from adjoining shale-based landscapes and possibly lateral subterranean flow through the porous sandy soils from the drains to the north and south of the area.

2.12 Translocation host (recipient) site

A suite of council sites and a private land (owned by BAL) were identified as potential host sites for translocation, given their secured tenure and possible similarities with the biophysical characteristics of the source site. These potential host sites include:

(1) East Hills Reserve (4.35 ha) – Owned by the City of Canterbury Bankstown (2) Lambeth Reserve (0.34 ha) – Owned by the City of Canterbury Bankstown

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(3) Sylvan Grove Native Gardens (1.23 ha) – Owned by the City of Canterbury Bankstown (4) Voyager Point Reserve (42 ha) – Owned by the Liverpool City Council (5) Smith Park Reserve (0.30 ha) - Owned by the City of Canterbury Bankstown(6) East Bankstown Airport (7 ha) - Owned by BAL

2.13 Selection of priority host site(s)

Following intense desktop and field assessment of all potential host sites by a team of biodiversity and soil experts, the following three of the six candidate sites were found to be suitable for translocation and considered as the priority host sites. They include: Site 1. Sylvan Grove Native GardensSite 2. Voyager Point ReserveSite 3. East Hills Reserve

These sites narrowed down as priority host sites as they are: (a) located in the nearby natural range of the source site with similar biophysical and habitat values.(b) located at a sufficient distance from the extant natural population to prevent possible in-breeding in the future,

causing a negative impact on the natural population.(c) in an area of habitat large enough to support a self-sustaining population(d) similar to the source site in biophysical values according to the results of the field assessment and findings from

the soil investigation report.(e) compatible in natural vegetation values and ecological processes to the source site.(f) under secure tenure owned by two local councils both having a strong support and commitment from the councils

to secure the target species in perpetuity through active management. (g) long-term land tenure is secure, and these sites are managed under an adopted local plan of management to

conserve biodiversity by maintaining ecosystem function and habitat to support a suite of flora and fauna, and by minimising or mitigating threats (in particular weeds) through standard procedures.

(h) easy to access for the post-planting maintenance and monitoring phases, including water delivery and weed management.

Depending upon the results of the initial translocation at these priority host sites, other potential host sites may be considered in future that are secured and ideally further away from the extant population, albeit at a higher elevation to avoid the possibility of flooding from future rise in sea level. However, this is subjected to the availability of future funds and resources.

2.14 Ecological suitability of priority host site(s)

The three priority host sites are located in an urbanised area of the Cumberland Plain on either side of the Georges River, which contain a variety of landforms, geological features and vegetation types. All priority host sites are within a few kilometres range of the source site and have similar rainfall and temperature and soil profiles.

Voyager Point Reserve site is on an alluvial landscape of the Georges River. It includes a poorly drained, level to very gently undulating plain, possibly Tertiary (Palaeogene) aged terrace and (apparently) a more recently-deposited, better drained Quaternary (Neogene) levee which flanks part of the river. Slopes are mainly <2%, local relief is <5 m

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and elevation is <10 m. Drainage seems to be mostly via sheet flow, as no distinctive drainage lines were observed. The levee area is the only recommended location for translocation within the reserve.

Soils on the levee consist of very deep (>100 cm) moderately well-drained Brown Kandosols, comprising a thin (<10 cm) fine sandy loam to loam, fine sandy topsoil overlying a paler A2 horizon to ~30 cm depth before gradually transitioning into a yellowish-brown fine sandy clay loam subsoil.

The vegetation consists of open eucalypt forest and dry shrub woodland with an understorey that varies between dense shrubs and a low sparse shrub cover with an abundant ground cover of grasses. The vegetation types mainly consist of: Castlereagh Shale-Gravel Transition Forest (Eucalyptus fibrosa, E. moluccana, E. tereticornis, E. crebra and E. globoidea); Castlereagh Swamp Woodland (Melaleuca decora, M. linariifolia, M. nodosa and E. parramattensis subsp. parramattensis); Castlereagh Scribbly Gum Woodland (E. sclerophylla, Angophora bakeri, E. parramattensis subsp. parramattensis and M. decora); and Cumberland Riverflat Forest (E. tereticornis, A. floribunda, E. baueriana and E. amplifolia. Connectivity is possible, as it may be within range for an insect pollinator. The site is in a moderate to good condition with a low level of disturbance from threats such as: common weeds, frequent fires, and rubbish dumping.

East Hills Reserve translocation area occurs on a rise adjacent to an alluvial floodplain of the Georges River with a gently inclined slopes and sandstone rock benches in a transition zone between Wianamatta Shale and Hawkesbury Sandstone. Slopes are <5%, whilst local relief is <20 m and elevation is <20 m. Drainage is primarily by sheet flow.

Soils are shallow (up to 50 cm), rapidly to well–drained, with sandy Leptic Tenosols and Orthic Brown Tenosols. These soils are slightly acidic, consist mainly of coarse and medium sands, and have low fertility. Topsoils range from 10 – 15 cm and consist of loamy sands to sandy clay loams. These overlie brown clayey sands subsoils to ~40 cm which overlie sandstone bedrock. Localised pockets of deeper soils (<60cm) occur, providing the best opportunity for species translocation in the reserve.

The vegetation mainly consists of Coastal Shale-Sandstone Forest, which is a tall, open eucalypt forest with a sparse layer of dry sclerophyllous shrubs and a grassy ground cover. The eucalypts that occur consistently are Corymbia gummifera, Angophora costata, E. pilularis, Syncarpia glomulifera, E. resinifera and E. umbra. A tall sparse layer of casuarinas Allocasuarina littoralis is found above an open layer of dry shrubs including banksias, wattles, hakeas and geebungs. A diverse combination of grasses, rushes and herbs provide continuous ground cover (accounting for the more open conditions at the airport source site). Connectivity is similar, and in essence connected to the source site along the river corridor. The site is in a moderate to good condition with a low to medium level of disturbance from threats such as weeds, frequent fires, and rubbish dumping.

Sylvan Grove Native Gardens contain sandy soils derived from Hawkesbury Sandstone. The original shallow sandy soils have been built up into beds in most areas. Presence of occasional rock outcrop. Area cultivated as a native garden display with some remnant native trees present.

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More detailed information about the soils of each of the potential Translocation sites are found in the “Soil investigation for the Hibbertia sp. Bankstown translocation project” report (unpublished OEH). This report is the result of soil investigation of the source site and potential host sites undertaken separately. It is envisaged that these findings will assist in the identification of plots within the individual priority host sites.

The total habitat area available within the three selected priority host sites is about 48 ha in size. A map showing the location of the selected host sites in context with the source site is provided with Appendix III.

2.15 Current land use and tenure

Tenure: All priority host sites are public lands secured under the ownership of City of Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool City Councils.Land use: Current land use of the priority host sites is nature conservation managed under adopted plans of management, which are reviewed and updated regularly, as per the requirement under the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW), and the Local Government Regulations 2005 (NSW).Land owners consent: Written consent is being procured from the individual councils and will be provided separately as soon each becomes available.

2.16 Current land management

Sylvan Grove: Fire is excluded. Weeds are managed at low intensities via hand-weeding and a formal network of pathways are managed. East Hills: Fire is excluded. Weeds are maintained at low intensities via hand-weeding and spot spraying. There is some informal public access. There are no drainage lines, weed plumes or water / sewage pipes traversing the site.Voyager Point Reserve: Fire is excluded. Low levels of weeds are maintained through active management as per the Plan of Management.

2.17 Future land management

The current on-going management regime at the priority host sites will be continued by the councils into the future, according to the adapted Plan of Managements to actively manage the reserves and to mitigate threats like weeds and fire. There is strong support and commitment from the councils to secure the target species in perpetuity through active management.

2.18 Site risks and uncertainty

Some of the site risks include: dry weather conditions may prevail during plant establishment. This will be managed by the relative accessibility of

the sites to enable watering at regular intervals, and replacement of weed-free mulch when necessary. weed invasion may continue to persist and cause disturbance to the host sites. This will be managed by council’s

ongoing weed control procedures. anthropogenic disturbance, including illegal dumping of rubbish and damage to translocants, due to the relative

accessibility of the sites. These risks will be managed through council’s regulatory mechanisms, including adequate signage, fencing, cameras and community education.

2.19 Number of plants for translocation

About 300 plants in 2018.

2.20 Timing of translocation

Initial planting will be done in spring 2018 and thereafter possibly in Autumn 2019 and 2020 on other potential host sites.

2.21 Licence requirement OEH Scientific Licence under s132C of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 is required for species

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translocation. An application and supporting documents have been submitted. A species translocation plan has been prepared as per the specified guidelines for the ‘Translocation of Threatened

Plants in Australia’ (Australian Network for Plant Conservation). It has been submitted along with the scientific application to obtain the NSW Scientific Licence for the translocation.

A permit (scientific licence) is required from the Commonwealth under the Commonwealth Environment and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) for the species translocation. An application and supporting documents have been submitted.

An additional permit is required under the EPBC Act to collect propagative material (seed and plant material) from the source site. This permit is essential, as the target species is:(a) listed as critically endangered under the EPBC Act, and (b) found on a Commonwealth land (source site).

This permit was obtained in 2017.

3. Translocation proposal / Justification3.1 Project outline The project will establish additional self-sustaining in situ populations of the target species through propagation and

translocation, to increase its current distribution that is limited to a single site. This translocation is in response to the NSW Scientific Committee (2010) determination that this species is likely to become extinct without management intervention, due to its highly restrictive geographic distribution and ongoing pressure from several key threats that impact on its survival. These threats include:

impacts associated with airport grounds maintenance and modification; stochastic events such as disease and extreme weather. Phytophthora Root Rot Disease is identified as a

potential threat to the species population by the NSW Scientific Committee; competition and changes to soil and microclimate associated with invasive weeds; uncertainty involved in maintaining the current management site near the airport runway, including mowing or

slashing, that maintains or favours growth and recruitment of the Hibbertia and helps control competing weeds possible inbreeding depression.

In light of these threats, and uncertainty around the long-term persistence of this species at the Airport site (source site), translocation is considered necessary to establish additional secure populations to secure the long-term survival of this species in the wild. Successful population enhancement may increase population stability, build resilience and hence long-term viability of the species. This will eventually help in decreasing the susceptibility of the species to catastrophic events (such as a plane crash) and environmental stochasticity that exist at the source site.

Further, all alternative management options were considered; however, they were not found to be appropriate. The only option available was to undertake ex-situ management of this species by: (a) maintaining a cultivated live collection at ABG (which is an expensive option) and (b) long-term storage of seeds at ABG. Neither of these options

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will meet the OEH Save our Species (SoS) objective of securing this species in the wild for the next 100 years. 3.2 Project long-term

objectivesThe project’s long-term objectives are to: implement a successful translocation program to establish additional in situ populations of Hibbertia puberula

subsp. glabrescens and increase its current localised geographic extent and distribution. establish additional in situ populations of Hibbertia puberula subsp. glabrescens to reduce the risk of catastrophic

loss and extinction of the species at the only known wild location. successfully establish and maintain genetically-diverse, self-sustaining populations that are capable of adapting,

surviving and reproducing at the selected host sites. select and propagate plant material from the current source location, maximising genetic variability to create

resilient translocated populations with evolutionary potential to adapt to future environmental changes, and reduce potential for inbreeding depression.

successfully establish additional secure host sites in the near future subject to resourcing and land availability. refine or develop methodology for successful planting of the target species in the future. contribute to our understanding of the species biology and ecology for effective management and conservation of

Hibbertia puberula subsp. glabrescens and other threatened Hibbertia species. 3.3 Outcomes and targets Key conservation outcomes and targets:

(a) to have successfully established genetically-diverse, self-sustaining populations of the target species at several host sites, with manageable threats, secure conservation tenure and compatible soils and habitat to original vegetation type (Cooks River/Castlereagh Ironbark Forest).

(b) increase in the size of the species populations and habitat through natural regeneration at priority host sites. (c) threats such as weed invasion are controlled or minimised to an acceptable level.(d) improved understanding of the biology and ecology of the target species for effective management.(e) successful private/public partnerships are established with project partners to deliver the project objectives and

expected outcomes. 3.4 Previous

translocationsThere have been no previous translocations of the target species, except for a few specimens that have been planted in Sylvan Grove Native Gardens, which are thriving.

3.5 Strategic alignment Translocation of this species to establish self-sustaining populations has been specified by:(1) OEH as an urgent critical management action and recovery measure, under its SoS program. For details please

check OEH website at: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/savingourspeciesapp/Project.aspx?results=c&ProfileID=20140)

(2) Commonwealth Conservation Advice (2008) for Hibbertia sp. Bankstown to establish additional populations through translocation to other favourable locations, if such locations can be identified.

3.6 Major risks and mitigation of translocation

The main conservation risks and mitigation for this translocation are:(a) the detrimental impact on existing source population and/or translocated population from introduced soil pathogens

or weeds through infected tools, footwear, tube stock, mulch. The potential for the introduction of new pathogens/parasites into the host sites comprising urban bushland is very low. Given close proximity of urban development/impacts, weeds and public use of these reserves the potential for

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novel pathogens not already present is very low. There will be no physical translocation of plants or soil from the current wild population at source site. All plant material will be processed and propagated at the ABG under strict laboratory and nursery hygiene protocols. All plant propagation and potting mixes will be steam/air pasteurised to control potential plant pathogens and weed seeds. Tubestock plants will be inspected at the ABG nursery for any insect pests or diseases (and treated as necessary) prior to despatch to the host site. Planting protocols will include further soil disease precautions including disinfecting of all tools and footwear prior to planting site entry.

(b) genetic mixing/hybridisation with other Hibbertia species at host sites. Translocation sites have been surveyed and there are no related Hibbertia species present in any of them, minimising the potential for introgression/hybridisation.

(c) failure of translocated plants to establish due to various factors including poor maintenance. Councils have committed to maintain ecosystem function and viability at the sites in perpetuity.

(d) habitat at host sites becomes unsuitable for local species, i.e. there is displacement of native species. All host sites are urban bushland remnants and are subject to previous weed/edge effects, which have been managed by local government authorities. The use of fragmented urban native vegetation for translocation sites poses a lower potential impact than using high conservation value areas such as national parks.

(e) natural pollinators are not present at host sites, preventing future seed set and recruitment. The priority host sites have similar biological and ecological factors to the source site and may have the possible natural pollinators like bees, beetles and syrphid flies.

(f) the potential for this species to become invasive beyond its current ecological niche and to vegetatively impact on co-occurring species. This is highly unlikely as growth and establishment at translocation sites will be closely monitored (including the impact on co-occurring species) and plants would be removed if detrimental vegetative or other unforeseen impacts were recorded. The introduction of the translocated specimens instead will promote regeneration of the surrounding area to a more natural state through natural processes and assisted regeneration.

(g) any further activities associated with the translocation (such as planting, soil preparation, fencing, watering) impacting either directly or indirectly on other native species. All staff will be briefed on appropriate hygiene protocols prior to entering translocation sites.

4. Pre-translocation preparation4.1 Translocation priority

site preparation All site preparation works to be completed by specialist ecological management/bush regeneration contractor. Any significant woody or other weeds to be treated at least three months prior to planting. All plantings to be located away from public access tracks where possible to minimise vandalism/pedestrian damage. Site preparation will include setting up the planting layout, control of threats, restoration work and the establishment of buffers where necessary.

4.2 Collection of source material

Propagative material such as seeds has been collected by ABG in 2009, 2016, and 2017, under a ABG scientific licence. The Australian PlantBank ABG currently holds three of those seed collections capable of germination (1000 seeds from 2009, 70 seeds from 2016 and 1000 seeds from 2017) to provide seed material for the project.

A small number of cuttings have also been collected as a trial and successfully propagated in the ABG nursery. Live

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plants held at the ABG nursery include: (31 seed grown plants + 5 cutting grown plants) providing an additional source of cutting material for the translocation.

4.3 Composition oftranslocatedpopulation

The composition of translocated plants produced and planted are to be guided by the population genetic study by RBG. It is anticipated that 50% of the translocated plants will be cutting grown (clonal) plants sampled across the natural population for selected genotypes. 50% will be seed grown plants.

5. The translocation5.1 Timeline summary Tasks Who Tentative date

Site assessment and selection of potential host sites within Bankstown and Liverpool LGA

OEH; ABG; Bankstown-Canterbury City Council; Liverpool City Council and LLS

Complete - August 2017

Development of a sound and detailed translocation plan / proposal

ABG Complete - March 2018

Collection of plant material and storage of plant material following appropriate phytosanitary techniques

ABG, RBG & OEH Ongoing

Record-keeping of the plant collection for future reference. ABG & RBG On-goingPopulation genetic investigations to determine the genetic diversity of the target plant species and its potential for adaptation to future environmental changes

RBG March/April 2018

Securing OEH & Commonwealth Scientific Licence for translocation - OEH

OEH April 2018

Ex situ plant propagation (seed / plant material) and generation of tube stocks (300) with unique labelling to identify each transplant

ABG May - June 2018

Translocation design / site preparation (including setting up planting layout, control of threats, restoration work and establishment of buffers where necessary)

OEH, ABG, Bankstown-Canterbury City Council & Liverpool City Council

April - July 2018

Planting of tube stocks and mapping of the translocated plants

Bankstown-Canterbury City Council and Liverpool City Council with assistance from ABG and OEH

Spring 2018

On-going post-translocation management - after-planting care of translocated individuals (watering; fencing)

Bankstown-Canterbury City Council and Liverpool City Council with assistance from OEH

Spring 2018 onwards

Monitoring, evaluation and documentation Bankstown-Canterbury City Council and Liverpool City Council with assistance from

Spring 2018 onwards

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OEH5.2 Planting design The planting will be designed to meet scientific standards for monitoring analysis and evaluation. Genotypes will be

separated throughout the site to increase the probability of out-crossing.

Planting will be undertaken by experienced professionals using best practice techniques. Planting will be done in both shaded and open places (20% and 80% respectively) to understand the species response to the various environmental conditions. Planting will take place in spring (September-November) to provide optimal conditions for root establishment and maintenance of soil moisture. Sites will be prepared prior to planting by removing exotic weeds. Propagated plants will be hardened in full sun at ABG nursery prior to planting and individually labelled with metal tags.

The plot boundary corners will be marked using star pickets and plot photo monitoring points will be established. Translocated individuals will be planted in a 1m2 grid system within the plot, with plant genotypes randomly spaced apart with individual plant holes dug for planting with hand shovels, to minimise soil and ground cover disturbance. Finer details of the number of plots and number of plants within a priority host site will be set during the planting stage, following the completion of the site preparation at individual sites. Plants will be carefully tagged (metal) prior to planting and GPS readings taken of each planted specimen. Plants will be well watered in on the day of planting and sustained with supplementary watering regime. Individual plants will be mulched and protected for the first 12-24 months by a mesh tree guard to prevent browsing by pest fauna. Tree guards will be removed when it is deemed the plants have grown sufficiently.

The site and the plants will be regularly monitored to check the integrity of the translocation site (e.g. watering and weeding requirements, any signs of vandalism) and to track the status of the individual translocated plants.

6. Community Engagement and Socio-Economic Considerations6.1 Community

awareness, education and involvement

This project is a collaborative partnership between OEH Ecosystem and Threatened Species, Regional Operation Division, Greater Sydney (ETS Greater Sydney) and several stake holders including: Bankstown Airport Limited (private land owner); Greater Sydney Local Land Services; Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney; Australian Botanical Gardens; City of Canterbury Bankstown; and Liverpool City Council. Ongoing consultation takes place on a regular basis with project partners on various matters of the translocation including: project planning and design, identifying roles and responsibilities, sharing of relevant scientific and technical knowledge, resource sharing, project implementation and logistics, and monitoring, evaluation and reporting. There is a reasonable level of agreement on most of these matters amongst the project partners, with a strong commitment from each of them to secure this species collectively through translocation.

It is intended that further community engagement will be undertaken as the project progresses through awareness-raising measures through media and appropriate workshops, etc. There is also significant scope for further engagement with additional landholders, and involving local media, if this translocation program becomes successful and further expansion becomes necessary.

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At this point in time, it is not considered appropriate to involve the community in direct aspects of the translocation as it is important to maintain the anonymity of the translocation and priority host sites.

6.2 Social and economic considerations

No significant socio-economic issues are foreseen from the proposed translocation.

7. Monitoring, Research and Long-Term Management7.1 Long-term

commitmentBoth short and long-term monitoring and maintenance of the sites is intrinsic to the success of the translocation program. Monitoring will primarily entail success of the planted specimens in terms of growth rates, health and recruitment.

At this stage, ETS Greater Sydney is coordinating the implementation and long-term management aspect of the program. ETS Greater Sydney, as part of its business has on-going commitment to secure a suite of threatened species including the target species and has obtained strong support and long-term commitment from other project partners to achieve the objectives of this translocation program.

Project partners (local councils) have offered their land for translocation and agreed to commit resources to maintain and manage the resulting population in the long-term, with support from other project partners.

ABG has a long-term association with OEH in threatened species management and maintain living collections of a range of genotypes of Hibbertia species. It is one of the project partners providing expertise and are involved in the sampling of the propagative material, handling and storing the (germplasm storage) and ex situ plant propagation of regenerative material. RBG is one of the other project partner providing expertise in sampling of the plant material, genetic investigation and evaluation of the translocation results.

Future community engagement will also ensure the program will be supported in the long-term.

Ongoing funding will be part of the SoS budget.7.2 Long-term

managementFollowing the plantings, ongoing management will be in place to control weeds, maintain fences, replace mulch and water specimens during dry periods for the first two to three years, depending on the growth rates of the plants. This work will form part of the ongoing maintenance and monitoring strategy for the program. A detailed maintenance and monitoring program will be prepared to describe the maintenance and monitoring schedule.

7.3 Adaptive management

The translocation will use adaptive management following post-translocation monitoring. This may include varying techniques for propagation of regenerative material and field management methods of translocated plants, for instance using a range of different soil substrates and vegetation types to determine the species adaptability and optimal conditions necessary for the establishment of self-sustaining translocated individuals.

In the longer term, outcomes of the research outlined above may require adaptive management or additional research if it is shown for instance that sexual reproduction resulting in viable propagules does not result.

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7.4 Monitoring An appropriate post-translocation monitoring plan will be developed to assess the success or effectiveness of the translocation. The plan will be designed to monitor the following factors:

biological and ecological information pertaining to the translocated individuals (survival of individuals, growth (height, crown width), presence of natural pollinators, flower production, viability of seed produced and recruitment of new individuals

environmental information, including the performance of habitat rehabilitation (damage to other native species, effectiveness of threat management on the habitat, changes in microclimate, soil moisture and soil chemistry, changes to site in relation to community composition and structure and seral stage, and presence of introduced pests/weeds)

maintenance of the ex situ collection to maintain healthy material7.5 Criteria for

determining biological success

Identified short-term and long-term objectives to determine the outcome of the translocation include:

Short-term targets (<24 months post-translocation): greater than 70% of transplants are surviving, with a representative sample of translocated genotypes remaining, as

outlined in Vallee et al. (2004) general health of individual plants is similar to, or exceeding, the extant population and plants at Sylvan Grove

Native Gardens translocants exhibiting a positive growth index (height, crown width) translocants reach reproductive maturity with the production of flowers and fruits similar to, or exceeding, that of the

extant population. pollinators are observed visiting flowering translocants, resulting in seed production

Long-term targets (>24 months post-translocation): viable seeds produced natural recruitment of new seedlings is observed, and population abundance is sustained or increasing. weed invasion and human disturbances are controlled or minimised to an acceptable level increased area of occupancy through expansion of populations through natural regeneration habitat suitability is sustained

7.6 Reporting The results of the monitoring will be reported annually in the OEH SoS database, and the raw data will be held by ETS Greater Sydney. A summary of the work will then be publicly available in the Hibbertia sp Bankstown report card on the SoS website.

Reporting to OEH will be in the form of a written report submitted to Wildlife Licensing and Management Unit to satisfy the conditions of the s132c licence.

It is proposed that information on the translocation will be disseminated through a variety of publications such as Australasian Plant Conservation, Botanic Gardens networks, Australian Plant Society Journals and local media, as part of a broader review of OEH translocation efforts.

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7.7 Evaluation Brief project evaluations will be undertaken annually, with a more detailed evaluation in the fifth year of theproject. Each evaluation will include:

identification of timings for the next evaluation an analysis and interpretation of the monitoring results. identification of the causes of any plant mortality. an assessment of the success or failure of the translocation against the selected criteria (mentioned under s7.5) an assessment of the methodology and cost-effectiveness of the translocation strategy. options for ongoing monitoring, maintenance and management of the translocation sites. timeframes, and date(s) proposed, for subsequent post-translocation assessment. recommendations for future work or improvements to the methodology.

7.8 Exit strategy Translocation will be concluded as successful if the targets in s7.5 are met, resulting in the establishment of a self-sustaining population, with habitat expansion occurring through natural regeneration over a pre-determined area. Threats including weed invasion are controlled or minimised to an acceptable level.

Translocation will be listed as failed if plant mortality is > 90% and no seedlings are present within the first five years. The covariates and site parameters monitored alongside the species (s7.4 and 7.5 above) will be analysed to try to determine the cause of the issues experienced during the attempted translocation. Further investigations will be undertaken to determine cause of failure, including micro-site variation and pollinator presence.

8. Budget8.1 Budget and

fundingTo maximise the chances of success, translocations require an ongoing commitment of funds and other resources in the long-term. The translocation project will primarily be funded by the OEH SoS program with significant in-kind support from other project partners including: OEH; ABG; LLS; Bankstown Airport Limited; Bankstown – Canterbury Council and Liverpool City Council.

The SoS program has to date invested $45,000 operating and $25,200 as in-kind for the 2016/17 financial year. This financial year (2017/18) the program has committed $55,000 as operating cost including $25,000 as in-kind. The SoS program is committed to protecting the species and has continued to fund existing programs (such as this). A budget forecast has been submitted to the SoS budget manager for 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21 with similar costings to maintain the translocated sites.

For details see the itemised budget provided at Appendix V.

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9. References

Allan, S.M., Adkins, S.W., Preston, C.A. & Bellairs, S.M. (2004). Improved germination of Australian natives: Hibbertia commutata, Hibbertia amplexicaulis (Dilleniaceae), Chamaescilla corymbosa (Liliaceae) and Leucopogon nutans (Epacridaceae). Australian Journal of Botany 52: 345−351.

Berg RY (1975) Myrmecochorous plants in Australia and their dispersal by ants. Australian Journal of Botany 23, 475-508.

Bernhardt P (1984) The pollination biology of Hibbertia stricta (Dilleniaceae). Plant Systematics and Evolution 147, 267-277.

Cochrane A (2002) Hibbertia. Seed notes for Western Australia no 17. Perth Branch of the Wildflower Society of Western Australia Inc.

Horn JW (2007) Dilleniaceae. In ‘The families and genera of flowering plants. Vol. IX Flowering Plants – Eudicots Berberidopsidales [to] Sabiaceae’. (Ed. K. Kubitzki) pp. 132-154. (Springer: Berlin)

IUCN/SSC (2013). Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations. Version 1.0. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN Species Survival Commission, viiii + 57 pp.

Kullmann WH (1982) Seed germination records of Western Australian plants. Kings Park Research Notes No7, Perth.

NSW Scientific Committee (2010) Final determination listing of Hibbertia sp Bankstown a critically endangered species. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/determinations/hibbertiaspbankstownpd.htm (accessed 22 August 2017)

OEH (2013) The Native Vegetation of the Sydney Metropolitan Area. Volume 2: Vegetation Community Profiles. Version 2.0. NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Sydney.

Rice B, Westoby M (1981) Myrmecochory in sclerophyll vegetation of the West Head, New South Wales. Australian Journal of Ecology 6, 291-298.

Schatral A (1996) Dormancy in seeds of Hibbertia hypericoides (Dilleniaceae). Australian Journal of Botany 44, 213-222

Threatened Species Scientific Committee; Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (2009). Commonwealth Conservation Advice on Hibbertia sp. Bankstown (R.T. Miller & C.P.Gibson s.n. 18/10/06). Threatened Species Scientific Committee; Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/86645-conservation-advice.pdf, accessed 27 February 2018)

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Toelken HR (1998) Notes on Hibbertia (Dilleniaceae) 2. The H.aspera – empetrifolia complex J. Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden. 18:107-160

Toelken, H. (2000). Notes on Hibbertia (Dilleniaceae) 3. H.sericea and associated species. Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden, 19, 1-53.

Toelken HR & Miller RT (2012) Notes on Hibbertia (Dilleniaceae) 8. Seven new species, a new combination and four new subspecies from subgen. Hemistemma, mainly from the central coast of New South Wales. Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden. 25: 71–96

Vallee L., Hogbin T., Monks L., Makinson B., Matthes M. & Rossetto M. (2004) Guidelines for the translocation of threatened plants in Australia. Australian Network for Plant Conservation, Canberra, Australia.

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10. Appendices

10. 1 Appendix I – Project proposal to undertake population genetic study of the target species

10.2 Appendix II – Map showing the location and extent of the source site with distribution of four subpopulations.

10.2 Appendix III – Map showing locations of host sites (including priority host sites) in context with the source site

10.3 Appendix IV –Soil investigation for the Hibbertia sp. Bankstown translocation project (unpublished OEH).

10.5 Appendix V - Budget (itemised) for Hibbertia puberula subsp. glabrescens translocation proposal

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11. Field photos

Figure 1: Hibbertia puberula subsp. glabrescens in flowering

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Figure 2: Hibbertia puberula subsp. glabrescens - A typical habitat at the Bankstown Airport site (Source site)

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Figure 3: Collection of seeds by RBG and OEH staff from the source site

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Figure 4: Germination of seeds at the Australian PlantBank ABG

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Figure 5: Ex-situ propagation of Hibbertia puberula subsp. glabrescens at the Australian PlantBank ABG

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Figure 6: Tube stock growing under nursery conditions at the ABG nursery

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Figure 7: Several tube stock growing under nursery conditions at the ABG nursery

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