Conservation Actions Matters of National Environmental Significance The Plan includes a range of commitments for MNES protected under the EPBC Act. This section describes those commitments and the activities to achieve them for each of the key matters. Table 4.1 presents a summary of the anticipated impacts as context to the conservation action commitments presented in Table 4.2. Table 4.1 – Summary of Matters of National Environmental Significance Category MNES Nature and Extent of Likely Impact Conservation Actions World Heritage Properties None affected N/A N/A National Heritage Places None affected N/A N/A Wetlands of International Importance None affected N/A N/A Listed Threatened Species and Ecological Communities Affected listed threatened species and ecological communities are as follows: golden sun moth (Synemon plana); white box – yellow box – Blakely’s red gum grassy woodlands and derived native grasslands; striped legless lizard (Delma impar); and superb parrot (Polytelis swainsonii) may be indirectly impacted by the development. The Plan has avoided the majority of impacts on listed threatened species and communities. Unavoidable impacts to golden sun moth, box gum woodland and striped legless lizard are subject to offsets as described in Section 5 below. Potential indirect impacts to superb parrot due to land management activities and adjacent site works are considered possible to be effectively mitigated. The principal commitment under the Plan is to maintain and improve MNES values in the avoidance offset areas. Commitments are outlined in Table 5.1 and Table 7.1. Listed Migratory Birds Avoided. Refer to Assessment Report. N/A N/A Commonwealth Marine Area Not relevant N/A N/A The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Not relevant N/A N/A Nuclear Actions None proposed N/A N/A Other Matters Not relevant N/A N/A
9. Develop and submit to SEWPaC for approval, the framework for CEMPs for areas directly or indirectly affecting MNES. This shall include the monitoring, reporting and compliance requirements of: contractors undertaking physical works; and ACT Government officers or its representatives in auditing performance under the CEMP. all (as appropriate) PIT Within 3 months of establishment of the PIT 10. Provide guidance on the development of Concept Plan where required for each urban release area to ensure commitments and objectives of the Plan are implemented, particularly the identification of sympathetic development types along the urban edge to minimise impact to adjacent MNES all (as appropriate) PIT Prior to lodgement of EDP for each suburb 11. Review and update Land Management Agreements or management plans for all avoided areas of NUZ3 – Hills, Ridges and Buffers to ensure consistency with, and application of commitments of the Plan. As a part of this action, baseline condition assessment of all avoided areas including NUZ3 will be undertaken and Land Management Agreements will include conditions for compliance and enforcement (see Table 5.1). all (as appropriate) PIT Commence review and update of Land Management Agreements within 12 months of endorsement of the Plan. 12. Review and approve (subject to compliance with the Plan) CEMPs submitted for all new construction projects within the area subject to the Plan. all (as appropriate) PIT Prior to commencement of construction 13. Coordinate with TaMS – Asset Acceptance to ensure all obligations of contractors with respect to management of MNES in accordance with the Plan have been implemented prior to hand-over of assets to the Territory. all (as appropriate) PIT Prior to practical completion of each development contract 14. Prepare and submit an annual report highlighting the implementation of the actions and relevant conservation outcomes for MNES achieved in the previous year and will be made publicly available. all (as appropriate) PIT Within 2 months of the end of each financial year 15. Prepare and submit a Plan Review Report every four years from endorsement of the Plan to analyse performance, compliance and opportunities for improvement for MNES. all (as appropriate) PIT Within 6 months of the end of financial year in every fourth year 16. Engage a third party to undertake an annual audit of financial management under the Plan. Findings of the audit are to be included in the annual report. all (as appropriate) PIT To coincide with annual reporting
Direct Offsets Direct offsets proposed under the Plan will be directed to the MNES for which the residual impact is potentially significant. Proposed conservation gains under the direct offsets would be delivered through the improvement of existing habitat for protected matters. Table 5.1 below summarises the key actions and outcomes. It will be the responsibility of the PIT to ensure these commitments are delivered. Table 5.1 – Summary of Direct Offsets Protected Matter Offset Description Outcomes Mechanism for Implementation White box – yellow box – Blakely’s red gum woodland and derived native grassland 1. Habitat improvement through assisted natural regeneration of areas that presently do not meet the definition of the listed community. These areas are currently mapped by ACTMAPi (ACT Gov’t, 2012d) as ‘box gum woodland’ (as opposed to EPBC woodland) in the areas of Kinlyside, Kenny and Throsby (approximately 104 hectares) which under this Plan would be transferred to nature reserve. Indicative areas for regeneration are shown on Figure 5.1, however would be refined following baseline assessments and development of Habitat Improvement Plan 2. Improvement in the understorey diversity and hence overall quality of woodlands that presently do not meet the definition of the listed community. This action will focus on woodland areas that are currently in a moderate to poor condition for areas that are presently in nature reserves in addition to areas that will become nature reserve as a result of implementing the Plan. Improvement in woodland quality for existing reserves and additional areas added to nature reserve as measured by: Increased diversity of understorey species for vegetation conforming to the community definition currently mapped as being of moderate to poor quality; Increased extent of vegetation that conforms to the definition of the listed community whether in the woodland form or derived native grassland form. Management of regeneration in a way that does not compromise the viability of populations of protected matters which rely on derived native grasslands (e.g. golden sun moth and striped legless lizard). Habitat improvement plan developed by the PIT and implemented within 12 months of endorsement of the Plan. Fire Hazard Management strategies that include considerations for box gum woodland habitat management to be developed by the PIT in consultation with TaMS and ESA prior to any development in areas adjoining the MNES Reserve management plan developed by the PIT and Steering Committee for Canberra Nature Park Management Plan Golden sun moth 1. Habitat improvement. Persistence of a viable local population of Habitat improvement plan