Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00053:body:0:p27
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00053
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 67658–70500

that the:
  * Original flora and fauna on Cockatoo Island would have been an unusual mixture of species due to an absence of fire, isolation caused by the surrounding seawater, the lack of reliable source of fresh water and the strong marine influence;
  * Island would never have had a high diversity of species;
  * Island is highly developed and does not provide much quality habitat for native fauna;
  * Grassed areas on the lower levels provide foraging habitat for lapwing plovers, herons and starlings, but there is little cover for bush birds;
  * Hard covered surfaces on the south and west sides of the island provide basking areas for skinks;
  * Grey-headed Flying foxes, listed as a Vulnerable Species, forage on Port Jackson Figs on the northern slope. These figs are also a potential food source for the Superb Fruit-Dove;
  * Vacant buildings provide shelter for birds, skinks and rats;
  * Vegetative layers support a range of invertebrate prey suitable for insectivorous birds, mammals, and reptiles;
  * Island is considered to be ideal habitat for several species of insectivorous microbats, many of which are identified as threatened species under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1999. However, no microbats were detected;
  * Pilings and piers extending from the south side of the island provide roosting habitat for seabirds such as Pied Cormorant, Little Pied Cormorant and Little Black Cormorant; and
  * Rocky foreshore provides potential habitat for Water rats and a wide variety of marine animals and plants. In particular, the foreshore on the northern side of the island provides habitat for a colony of Silver Gulls.
The report also identified:
  * Two tree species listed as Vulnerable in the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999. These are the Narrow-leaved Black Peppermint (Eucalyptus nicholii) and the Magenta Lilly Pilly (Syzygium paniculatum). Both of these trees were planted as ornamental specimens; and
  * Two uncommon species of fern allies, the Scrambling Club moss (Lycopodium cernuum) and the Skeleton Fork Fern (Psilotum nudum). The Skeleton Fork Fern appears in small patches along the cliff face between the Parramatta Wharf and the Turbine Work Shop (Building 150) and the Scrambling Club moss occurs near the entrance to Tunnel No 3.
The report recommended that:
  * The large Port Jackson figs should be protected to provide foraging habitat for the vulnerable Grey-headed Flying Fox and the Superb Fruit-Dove;
  * The Narrow-leaved Peppermint and the Magenta Lilly Pilly should be protected;
  * The fern allies should be protected by ensuring spraying or clearing of plants on the cliff edge does not occur;
  * The fern allies be identified with appropriate interpretive signage;
  * Bush regeneration should