Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L00219:body:0:p9
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L00219
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 25277–28465

native species except in accordance with a management plan. Unless specifically authorised by a management plan, the EPBC Regulations also prohibit taking animals and plants into the park or botanic garden, and cultivating plants in the park or botanic garden.

         The protection of our native flora and fauna depends fundamentally on reducing or managing adverse impacts of plants, animals and pathogens including native species (see Section 2.6), rehabilitating natural ecosystems (see Section 2.9) and rigorous quarantine measures.

         Actions taken in accordance with this plan in relation to members of species listed under Part 13 of the Act are exempt from prohibitions that would otherwise apply under
         Part 13.

         Flora

         182 plant species are native to Norfolk Island. The park and the botanic garden are the refuge for 43 endemic species, including substantial proportions of the populations of many of the 15 plant species considered to be critically endangered under the EPBC Act.

Fauna

         Of the 15 species and subspecies of birds endemic to Norfolk Island, only seven definitely remain.

         There are techniques of nest maintenance, and predator and competitor control that have been successful in increasing Norfolk Island green parrot (Cyanoramphus cookii) and Norfolk Island morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae undulata) numbers in the wild.

         The two native mammals recorded on Norfolk Island—Gould's wattled bat (Chalinolobus gouldii) and the eastern free-tail bat (Mormopterus norfolkensis)—are thought to be locally extinct.

         Two native reptile species endemic to the Lord Howe and Norfolk Island groups—the Lord Howe Island (Norfolk Island) gecko (Christinus guentheri) and the Lord Howe Island (Norfolk Island) skink (Oligosoma lichenigera)—are thought to be extinct on Norfolk Island but are known to occur on Phillip Island.

         The park and botanic garden have a rich diversity of terrestrial molluscs but it is thought that the introduction of rats and feral fowl (Gallus gallus) may have had a severe impact on this group of species. Five species of mollusc are listed as critically endangered under the EPBC Act.

         Issues
           •      A high proportion of the park and botanic garden species are listed threatened species under the EPBC Act.
           •      The park and botanic garden provide habitat for listed threatened, migratory and marine species.
           •      There is insufficient knowledge to enable the confident management of some species.
           •      Monitoring trends of many species (both threatened and invasive) is challenging, particularly on Phillip Island where access is difficult.
           •      The viability of some native species will depend upon actions taken inside and outside the park and botanic garden.

         Prescriptions
2.1.1          Priority will be given to activities that:

               (a)    improve the conservation status of listed threatened species.

               (b)    have systemic benefits for more than one species.
2.1.2          The Director may take actions or authorise (whether by permit, contract,