Dunalley Marina Proposal – Bird values and opportunities · Dunalley Marina Proposal – Bird values and opportunities Page 3 Introduction Following the 2012/13 bushfires in southeast

BirdLife Tasmania Technical Report 2017-02

Dunalley Marina Proposal – Bird values and opportunities

Report to Department of State Growth, March 2017 Eric J Woehler and Amanda Blakney

BirdLife Tasmania

Executive Summary A review of the birds known to occur in the Dunalley Marina area identified 42 species, of which three are listed as Threatened under Tasmanian legislation (White-bellied Sea-eagle, Swift Parrot and Fairy Prion). Swift Parrots are also listed as Critically Endangered under the Federal EPBC Act. A range of options were examined to review opportunities for revegetating and rehabilitating areas burnt by the 2012/13 bushfires to provide habitats for woodland birds. Additional options for coastal, saltmarsh and wetland rehabilitation are presented. Opportunities for community engagement, including students from the Dunalley school exist for many on-ground efforts in the area. While some resistance to revegetation efforts may be experienced, appropriate planning and engagement with land holders can facilitate revegetation efforts in the area.

Black Gum Eucalyptus ovata, Dunalley Marina. ©Amanda Blakney.

Dunalley Marina Proposal – Bird values and opportunities Page 2


Introduction Following the 2012/13 bushfires in southeast Tasmania, the Tasmanian Government identified a series of development options for areas and communities impacted by the bush fires. One of the communities significantly impacted was the township of Dunalley. The Department of State Growth (DSG) proposed the construction of a marina at the northeastern end of the Denison Canal (Figure 1). BirdLife Tasmania was approached by DSG to provide information on avian values in the area and to identify opportunities for post-fire rehabilitation efforts to benefit avian values, both present and those that could be attracted to the area. Specifically, BirdLife Tasmania was asked to undertake the following tasks:

1. Identify the known bird values, 2. Identify any potential issues/species of concern, 3. Identify opportunities re habitat corridors/revegetation for woodland birds, 4. Identify opportunities for coastal revegetation/rehabilitation that may support penguins,

and 5. Report on any other issues/opportunities that may be identified during report preparation.

Area of Interest

Figure 1. Map showing the area of interest and features surrounding Dunalley, southeast Tasmania, map from www.thelist.tas.gov.au/listmap/app/list/map) Figure 1 shows the area of interest and the features surrounding Dunalley where the proposed marina is to be constructed. The Denison Canal was opened in 1905, connecting Blackman Bay to the north and Frederick Henry Bay to the southwest. Figure 2 shows the site plan for the proposed Dunalley marina. The proposed marina extends in an easterly direction into the southwest corner of Blackman Bay.


Figure 2. Proposed site plan, Dunalley Marina. Source: http://www.sorell.tas.gov.au/download/whats_happening_-_all/Dunalley-Marina-1.7.16-.pdf

Figure 3. Satellite image of Dunalley showing the locations (yellow symbols) where bird records have been made within approximately 1km of the site of the proposed marina (BirdLife Tasmania, unpublished data). The existing marina can be seen just northeast of the centre of the image. Known bird values (based on BirdLife Tasmania database + NVA records) A search was conducted of the BirdLife Tasmania database for all records within approximately 1km of the proposed marina. A total of 1616 records of 30 species were located at the survey sites shown in Figure 3. A search was also conducted of the DPIPWE Natural Values Atlas


(https://www.naturalvaluesatlas.tas.gov.au/) for the same area. The NVA lists a total of 43 records of 18 species (including 10 species also recorded by BirdLife Tasmania), bringing the total to 42 bird species recorded within 1km of the proposed marina (Table 1), including 4 species observed during field visits in February 2017. The more than 1600 observations were made between January 1965 and October 2013. All but two of the records in the BirdLife Tasmania database were before December 2012, ie before the 2012/13 bushfires. While there may be some potential for repeat surveys to be undertaken for comparison with earlier surveys, the majority of the habitat present in earlier surveys has been lost in the intervening period from expansion of the town, and during the most recent bushfires in 2012. Changes in land use, from agricultural to rural residential and urban with concomitant changes in vegetation community and cover, have also reduced the comparability of historical and contemporary surveys, beyond showing an overall decrease in native bird numbers and diversity. No other sources of bird values from the area are known. Identification of any potential issues/species of concern Of these 42 species observed within c.1km of marina, three are listed under Tasmania's Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 (see Threatened Species Protection Act 1995). The three species are White-bellied Sea-eagle (Vulnerable), Swift Parrot (Endangered) and potentially Fairy Prion (Endangered). The Swift Parrot is listed as Critically Endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Three White-bellied Sea-eagle territories are known from outside the immediate area of interest. These are on Township Hill (1.7km NNW of proposed marina), Big Blue Hill (2.8km NW) and on Mount Forestier (5.2km SE). There are no nests present in the area of interest and observations of sea-eagles within the area will be of breeding and non-breeding adults and juveniles. The NVA records of Swift Parrots in the area of interest were made between 1991 and 2000. Swift Parrots are known to nest in the nearby Wielangta Forest and their use of specific area for feeding and nesting vary inter-annually. Whether the records of Swift Parrots from the area of interest were of feeding or nesting birds is indeterminate. The rapid population decrease of Swift Parrots led to their recent uplisting by the Federal Government to Critically Endangered under the EPBC Act. Fairy Prions are seabirds that are often washed up dead on beaches and it is likely that the Fairy Prion record for the area of interest is of a dead bird, as there is no suitable breeding or feeding habitats in the area of interest. Low numbers of migratory shorebirds such as Red-necked Stints and Double-banded Plovers use Dunalley Beach during the summer and winter, respectively (BirdLife Tasmania and EJW unpubl. data). Red-capped Plovers and Pied Oystercatchers nest on Dunalley Beach during the summer months. The numbers of these species are low and do not trigger any criteria for further conservation measures on site. The overall low diversity of birds in the area of interest and surrounds, and the low number of bird species of concern reflects the long history of land use and habitat modification, clearing and loss in the area.


Scientific name Common name BirdLife NVA data

Gymnorhina tibicen Australian Magpie X X Pelecanus conspicillatus Australian Pelican X Phalacrocorax carbo Black Cormorant X Phalacrocorax fuscescens Black-faced Cormorant X Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike X Coturnix ypsilophora Brown Quail X Ardea ibis Cattle Egret X Anas castanea Chestnut Teal X Phasianus colchicus Common Pheasant X Sturnus vulgaris Common Starling X Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera Crescent Honeyeater X Sterna bergii Crested Tern X Charadrius bicinctus Double-banded Plover X X Platycercus eximius Eastern Rosella X Pachyptila turtur Fairy Prion X Cacomantis flabelliformis Fan-tailed Cuckoo X Corvus tasmanicus Forest Raven X X Cacatua roseicapilla Galah X Phalacrocorax carbo Great Cormorant X Acridotheres tristis Indian Myna ** X Larus dominicanus Kelp Gull X X Eudyptula minor Little Penguin X Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Little Pied Cormorant X Anthochaera chrysoptera Little Wattlebird X Vanellus miles Masked Lapwing X X Glossopsitta concinna Musk Lorikeet X Manorina melanocephala Noisy Miner X Larus pacificus Pacific Gull X Haematopus longirostris Pied Oystercatcher X Charadrius ruficapillus Red-capped Plover X X Calidris ruficollis Red-necked Stint X X Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae Silver Gull X

Haematopus fuliginosus Sooty Oystercatcher X X Circus approximans Swamp Harrier X Lathamus discolor Swift Parrot X X Gallinula mortierii Tasmanian Native-hen X Hirundo neoxena Welcome Swallow X Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-Eagle X Egretta novaehollandiae White-faced Heron X Ardea pacificus White-necked Heron X

Calyptorhynchus funereus Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo

X

Anthochaera paradoxa Yellow Wattlebird X X Table 1. BirdLife Tasmania and DPIPWE NVA records recorded within approximately 1km of the proposed Dunalley marina.


Opportunities re habitat corridors/revegetation for woodland birds The tenure of the land within and surrounding the area of interest is predominantly Private Freehold (Figure 4). Opportunities for the creation of habitat corridors, and the rehabilitation, revegetation and management of native vegetation is affected by the tenure of the land on which efforts are directed. A range of preliminary opportunities are considered below.

Figure 4. Land tenure and cadastre, Dunalley and surrounds. Private freehold is shown in pale yellow, and coastal reserves (Crown Land) are shown in orange (“Public Reserve” in key). Map from www.thelist.tas.gov.au/listmap/app/list/map) Coastal Reserve. This is Crown Land and potentially provides the greatest opportunities for creation of habitat corridors, and the rehabilitation, revegetation and management of native vegetation. Council and DPIPWE/PWS could engage with Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) teams for on-ground works. Funding opportunities arise from Federal and State Governments, and from NRM South etc. Any efforts in the Coastal Reserve could be used to encourage and facilitate community involvement, including students from the Dunalley Primary School. On-ground efforts should be directed to planting native species and weed removal (see below). Private Freehold. A number of State Government initiatives and programs support and encourage conservation of native habitat on private property, such as Gardens for Wildlife and Land for Wildlife. The DPIPWE Private Land Conservation Program (PLCP) was established in 2006 to provide a single point of management for all of the Department's conservation programs that focus on private land. The Program works with landowners to sustainably manage and conserve natural values (e.g. native flora and fauna, natural wetlands, geoconservation areas) on private land.


Further details are on the PLCP program are available at http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/ conservation/conservation-on-private-land/private-land-conservation-program

Common name Scientific name Coast Wattle Acacia longifolia spp. sophorae Black Wattle Acacia mearnsii Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon Prickly Moses Acacia verticillata Drooping Sheoak Allocasuarina verticillata Necklace Sheoak Allocasuarina monilifera Coast Speargrass Austrostipa stipoides Prickly Box Bursaria spinosa Australian Saltgrass Distichlis distichophylla Black Peppermint Eucalyptus amygdalina Tasmanian Blue Gum Eucalyptus globulus Black Gum Eucalyptus ovata Native Cherry Exocarpus cupressiformis Knobby Clubsedge Ficina nodosa Native Primrose Goodenia ovata Sea Rush Juncus kraussii Sagg Lomandra longifolia Columnar Everlasting Bush Ozothamnus purpurascens Beaded Glasswort Sarcocornia quinqueflora Austral Seablite Suaeda australis

Table 2. Keystone species found (19 February 2017) in the vicinity of, and within, the proposed marina site. A number of other wattles (Acacia spp.), coastal heath and saltmarsh species are present in low abundance within the area of interest, but have not been listed above. Opportunity 1 - Preserve existing habitat within site Individual or small stands of Eucalyptus sp. can be highly valuable as Swift Parrot food trees due to their tendency to flower more prolifically than trees within large stands. There are two areas where E. ovata could be preserved: to the north of the Cannery building, and in the foreshore reserve along the Esplanade. The trees to the north of the Cannery building were not burnt in the 2012/13 fires, and the trees next to the Cannery building are in particularly good health. The trees in the foreshore reserve along the Esplanade were burnt and subsequently lopped; however, they are currently undergoing a strong flush of epicormic regrowth (note this regrowth also appears to have been trimmed) and germination of new trees is occurring. Opportunity 2 – Rehabilitation of Gilpins Creek The outfall of Gilpins Creek will be adversely affected by the proposed marina redevelopment. While the creek immediately up stream requires rehabilitation (this section of the creek is on Crown Land, Figure 5), the creek still retains a representative mix of species belonging to the E. ovata forest and woodland vegetation community. Potential rehabilitation works could include the


removal of dumped hard waste, weed removal, revegetation with native species, and ensuring culvert infrastructure allows appropriate environmental flows.

Figure 5. Gilpins Creek). © Amanda Blakney. The area that is proposed to have the ‘Boat Houses’ at the outfall of Gilpins Creek is a small saltmarsh that continues to provide suitable habitat to small fish (Figure 6). This area will be lost under the current plans. This part of the proposal also impacts on part of the existing E. ovata forest and woodland vegetation community. It is important to note that the Eucalyptus ovata forest and woodland vegetation community is currently being considered for listing under the EPBC Act 1999 as Critically Endangered – see http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/nominations/comment/eucalyptus-ovata-tasmania).


Figure 6. Saltmarsh at ‘Boat Houses’ site, Dunalley. © Amanda Blakney.

Figure 7. Vegetation communities, marina site and surrounds. Eucalyptus ovata forest and woodland is shown in spotted light green. Map from www.thelist.tas.gov.au/listmap/app/list/map


Opportunity 3 – Rehabilitation of nearby intertidal area The intertidal creek area (land tenure is User Road) at the Dunalley end of Fulham Road has opportunities for rehabilitation works (Figure 8). This area is flushed by particularly high tides and used by waterbirds such as herons and egrets. It is also classed as E. ovata forest and woodland vegetation community on the NVA. Potential works include weed control, careful lopping of the Cypressus macrocarpa, revegetation with E. ovata and investigation of appropriate environmental flow control.

Figure 8. Intertidal area at Dunalley end of Fulham Road. This area requires the most rehabilitation. The Macrocarpa were burnt in 2012/13 fires. © Amanda Blakney.

Figure 9. Briar Rose Rosa rubiginosa. © Amanda Blakney.


Opportunity 4 – Weed control The most widespread weed species within the marina area and surrounds is Briar Rose (Table 3, Figure 9). Care should be taken if Blackberry is to be removed, as it is known to provide valuable habitat to small mammals and birds. There are many records of Eastern Barred Bandicoot (Perameles gunnii spp. gunnii), listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act 1999 within Dunalley. Any removal of Blackberry should be staged, with areas removed gradually over a number of years to allow for native species to establish and expand; a native plant species with a similar function should be used to replace blackberry as habitat. Control of Boneseed has occurred over a number of years in the area of interest and surrounds, so the presence of this species may not be immediately apparent. Weed hygiene guidelines must be adopted to prevent any further spread into or out of the area of interest, and in particular during construction activities as disturbance associated with earthworks could promote germination of boneseed. Monitoring for Boneseed seedlings is recommended. A number of declared weeds and introduced species are growing within area of interest and surrounds, including those listed below (Table 3).

Common name Scientific name Blackberry* Rubus fruticosus Apple Malus pumila African Iris Dietes sp. Briar Rose Rosa rubiginosa Geranium Pelargonium sp. (except australe) Cape Leeuwin Wattle Paraserianthes lophantha Scotch Thistle Cirsium vulgare Fennel Foeniculum vulgare Boneseed* Chrysanthemoides monilifera Mirrorbush Coprosma repens Pampas Grass * Cortaderia sp. Cotoneaster Cotoneaster sp. Banana Passionfruit Passiflora tarminiana Cumbungi Typha latifolia Poplar Populus alba Radiata pine Pinus radiata

Table 3. Significant weeds and introduced species observed in the area of interest. Blackberry, boneseed are declared Weeds of National Significance (WONS), and Blackberry, Boneseed and Pampas Grass are declared weeds under the Tasmanian Weed Management Act 1999. All records from 19 Feb17 except Pampas Grass (NVA record). Opportunity 5 – Erosion control within the Denison Canal Significant erosion on the banks of the Denison Canal is evident, likely the result of wash from recreational and commercial vessels using the canal in conjunction with natural events such as storm surges and high tides.


Works to stabilise and revegetate the banks would be beneficial. Native species that could be used include Native Pigface (Carpobrotus rossii), Bower Spinach (Tetragonia implexicoma) and White Correa (Correa alba) in addition to those in Table 2. Consideration should be given to approaching MAST to investigate options for enforcing the 5kn speed limit in the canal for recreational watercraft to reduce erosion of the foreshores. Opportunities for coastal revegetation/rehabilitation that may support penguins Little Penguins are found around much of Tasmania’s foreshore, nesting under vegetation, in natural cavities and in burrows. They will also use human structures such as boat sheds to provide shelter for nesting. The nearest breeding site for Little Penguins is Fulham Island, approximately 4km southwest of the Dunalley Marina. The island supports up to 100 pairs of Little Penguins. There are always non-breeding and pre-breeding penguins prospecting areas suitable for nesting and moulting, and by restoring coastal vegetation and providing artificial nest boxes in coastal areas, penguins may establish breeding and/or moulting in the area. Care must be exercised to prevent any cat and dog attacks on penguins if efforts are successful to establish breeding in the area of interest. Designs for wooden penguin nest boxes can be provided if there is interest by the community or school to construct them. Further discussions should be held with BirdLife Tasmania before any nest boxes are established in the wild.

Figure 10. Wooden Little Penguin nest box used for breeding, southeast Tasmania. ©Eric Woehler. Local businesses could be approached to provide materials for wooden nest boxes or to sponsor their construction. Students from the Dunalley School could be involved in ongoing community-based monitoring of the nest boxes in association with BirdLife Tasmania. Some permits may be required and PWS should be approached.


Opportunities for coastal works that may support penguins Another potential for creating penguin habitat is if there are to be any sea walls constructed for the proposed marina development. Sea walls have been used by Little Penguins as breeding habitat in Victoria and New Zealand, and can be constructed to be “penguin-friendly”. Further construction and engineering details are available in Woehler (2015). Based on these experiences elsewhere, we can generalise the characteristics of suitable habitat and substrate for Little Penguins:

• rocks 0.5 to 3m in size, loosely arranged with plenty of voids and passages, steeper aspect • rubble and soil substrate/core under outer rock armour layer • extend >50cm above High Water Mark (not forgetting sea-level rise over the potential

lifetime of any sea wall) • voids for nesting sheltered from weather and sea spray, roof critical to shelter eggs and

chicks from rain and sun, tight and small entrances to reduce access by predators • nesting chambers not visible to observers (or researchers!) • native vegetation to stabilise substrate and reduce erosion (eg Atriplex)

Figure 11. St Kilda Marina sea wall showing penguin-friendly sea wall construction, with breeding penguins present in this area of the sea wall. Person included for scale. Picture ©Eric Woehler. Any other issues/opportunities that may be identified during report preparation BirdLife Tasmania recognises that the Dunalley community may be reluctant, or even hostile to native revegetation efforts in light of their experiences of the 2012/13 bushfire. There is no simple solution to such resistance and alternative options may be required. There is no reason why revegetation/rehabilitation efforts described above cannot be undertaken that are consistent with all planning and fire safety requirements. There is evidence of E. ovata regrowth recently being trimmed where it potentially blocks the view of landowners in the Esplanade. Before the 2012/13 bushfires, there were trees in this part of the Foreshore Reserve. Some hostility regarding trees may exist, such as landowners enjoying the new view afforded by the loss of the trees in the bushfires, and/or the fear of trees as bushfire hazards close to their homes and businesses.


Figure 12. Black Gum E. ovata regrowth along the Esplanade. © Amanda Blakney. Numerous commercial opportunities exist for local and regional businesses to sponsor, support or fund various efforts and opportunities identified in this report. Such commercial engagement will strengthen community rebuilding after the fires and serve to reduce the artificial and inappropriate divide between conservationists and non-conservationists in the Tasmanian community. Involving Dunalley School students in projects provides an excellent opportunity to engage and involve the next generation of Dunalley residents. Community-based groups such as BirdLife Tasmania can provide on-going engagement and interaction with students and the broader community. The presence of Little Penguins in the Dunalley area could be used to promote a, “healthy waterways, clean waterways” message to boat owners, marina-based businesses and the broader community to not dispose of solvents, plastics etc into the water. Acknowledgements The authors thank Tony Ryan for his patience and guidance throughout this project. Reference cited Woehler, EJ 2015. Penguins in the Void: Proposal for the Creation of Little Penguin Breeding

Habitat on the Neck, Bruny Island. Report to Department of State Growth. BirdLife Tasmania Technical Report 2015-05, 34pp.

Documents

Dunalley Marina Proposal – Bird values and opportunities · Dunalley Marina Proposal – Bird values and opportunities Page 3 Introduction Following the 2012/13 bushfires in southeast