Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00346:reg:6:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00346
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 6 (pt 1/5)
Character Range: 77853–81013

6               Implementation of the first Recovery Plan
The first National Recovery Plan for the Spiny Rice-flower (2006) outlined 7 specific objectives for the recovery of Spiny Rice-flower:
    * Acquire accurate information for conservation status assessments.
    * Identify habitat that is critical, common or potential.
    * Ensure that all populations and their habitat are protected and managed appropriately.
    * Manage threats to populations.
    * Identify key biological functions.
    * Determine the growth rates and viability of populations.
    * Build community support for conservation.
There has been considerable recovery activities and progresses made during the life of the first Recovery Plan undertaken by the Pimelea spinescens Recovery Team and Pimelea Conservation Trust (PCT), included increased knowledge on species biology, habitat management, population monitoring and identification of additional sites, and improved governance. However, the objectives of the first National Recovery Plan have not been fully accomplished. The implementation of the first Recovery Plan that has been ongoing since 2006 until present are briefly summarised below with further details outlined in Appendix 2.

6.1                 Conservation status assessments
A state-wide survey and database to acquire baseline population data has been initiated but is incomplete. Based on comprehensive population surveys and monitoring that was undertaken at Skipton Common in 2017 to 2020, population size across the distribution was estimated to have declined by as much as 30% in the past 20 years (2000–2020). It is also projected that the whole population is likely to experience similar declines over the next 10–20 years. Listing assessment to update the Spiny Rice-flower conservation status was undertaken by DELWP in 2021 in compliant with the Common Assessment Method (CAM). The assessment concluded that Spiny Rice-flower is eligible for listing under the FFG Act as Critically Endangered in Australia (DELWP 2021).

6.2                 Information on habitat
Comprehensive habitat assessments of all known sites have not been achieved, except for populations located in Skipton Common. Habitat critical to survival in the sense of all habitats within which the populations exist has generally not been fully mapped, and where it has been mapped, the information is often outdated or unreliable as collection method is inconsistent. No bioclimatic indicators have been established but co-occurring species, including threatened species within the habitat, have been identified.

6.3                 Populations and habitats are protected

Site protection and management
Most of the objectives to protect populations on public land and private property targeted in the first Recovery Plan have not been achieved. This was partly due to the incomplete state-wide database; a comprehensive and up to date state-wide database is critical for a species recovery planning.
A Public Authority Management Agreement (PAMA) exists between the Cemetery Trust and DEECA for Spiny Rice-flower populations at Truganina Cemetery. Additionally, a number of