Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00346:reg:6:p3
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00346
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 6 (pt 3/5)
Character Range: 83683–86984

score based on population size, area, and tenure-type (Appendix 1). However, not all populations have been assigned with a priority score.

Translocation
While translocation has the potential to result in a conservation outcome, it should still be seen as a last resort, with protecting population and avoidance of disturbance impacts should always remain the highest priority (Pimelea spinescens Recovery Team 2013; Biosis 2014).
The Recovery Team has developed a protocol for Spiny Rice-Flower Translocation (Pimelea spinescens Recovery Team 2013). The protocol includes guidelines for recipient site selection, monitoring requirements, management of a translocated population.
Biosis (2014) conducted the translocation reviews across 11 translocation sites at Altona Nature Conservation Reserve, Burns Road Altona, Ravenhall Grasslands Nature Conservation Reserve (East), Christies Road Ravenhall, Mt Cottrell Nature Conservation Reserve, Gourlay Road Caroline Springs, and Williams Landing A, B, and C. The review has highlighted ways to improve future translocation activities. The review found that translocation survival rate across the sites was 33% on average. Damage to Spiny Rice-flower's long taproot system during translocation often results in mortality. Notably, the translocation method determines the survival of translocated plants. The review recommendation includes undertaking plant extraction using a tractor-mounted tree spade and transplanting the individual into the prepared recipient site as soon as practicable followed by intensive watering to reduce transplant shock (Figure 9; Biosis 2014).

6.4                 Threats management
Management prescriptions for sites containing Spiny Rice-flower have been developed, however most of them have not been critically assessed on their effectiveness. The Recovery Team identified that the management plan at Lake Borrie site developed by Melbourne Water is an excellent example of an effective plan. Spiny Rice-flower population at Lake Borrie has increased in size by approximately 30% following rabbit and weed control and improved ecological burning. Progresses and changes in the management strategy were also documented in a series of annual reports.

6.5                 Information on key biological traits
An evaluation of reproductive biology, including germination requirements, seed dormancy, seed bank status, fecundity and recruitment have been completed through a PhD project at Victoria University by Debbie Reynolds – who is also the coordinator of the Recovery Team. This PhD project also assessed various supplementary planting methods including direct seeding and strategies for seed sourcing (Reynolds 2013). Building on this knowledge, the Recovery Team has developed guidelines on: Spiny Rice-flower translocation protocol (2013), Spiny Rice-flower monitoring protocol (2015), and Spiny Rice-flower seed collection protocol (2018). Further, an examination of Spiny Rice-flower's genetic diversity and population structure to better inform conservation actions has been conducted by the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (James & Jordan 2014).
Figure 7 Prescribed burning at Pioneer Park conducted with Brimbank Council and contractors in attendance.
 Photo © Debbie Reynolds

6.6                 Population