Biodiversity & Heritage
All Investa development sites of scale have Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) and Vegetation Management Plans (VMPs) as a matter of course. In general Investa does not develop in areas of high ecological significance. Occasionally development sites may contain items of ecological or heritage significance. The table below shows the instances of ecological or heritage significance encountered in the reporting period together with the actions taken to enhance the ecology or heritage value of those sites.
Instance of ecological or heritage significance and actions to enhance ecology/heritage
Commercial |
NSW |
6 & 7 Eden Park, Macquarie Park |
None – commercial land in suburban Sydney. |
EMP developed and being implemented throughout different stages of the project.
Monthly Green Site Inspections completed addressing chemicals, noise community impact, emergency preparedness, hazardous material, site appearance, waste management, dust and air emissions, sediment, erosion and stormwater, water conservation, vegetation and species protection.
|
Industrial |
NSW |
Iron Bark, Smeaton Grange |
Kenny’s Creek is part of a significant fauna and flora corridor and contains a well preserved stand of Cumberland Plane woodland. |
Both a VMP and EMP have been prepared for the reestablishment and revegetation of the 9.6 ha riparian corridor. |
Industrial |
NSW |
Turn 4, Eastern Creek |
A flora and fauna report noted that there was a scattering of Cumberland Plain Woodland trees along the southern boundary and north east corner of the site consisting of Grey Box trees and concluded that development of the site would not significantly impact these remnants. |
The subdivision plan allowed for the retention of the Cumberland Plain Woodland remnants in the Western precinct, and adequately incorporates them into the development’s design. |
Residential |
NSW |
Wadalba |
Vegetation within this area comprises Corymbia maculate (Spotted Gum) and Eucalyptus Siderophlia (Northern Grey Ironbark). These are indigenous but not protected species. |
As part of developing the site, 1.67ha of the site containing the indigenous trees will be dedicated to Council for inclusion within the Wadalba Wildlife Corridor.
Flora and fauna issues concerning the development of the site have been resolved through a strategic planning approach for the Wadalba Release Area involving landowners, Wyong Shire Council and the then Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC).
|
Residential |
NSW |
Hamlyn Terrace |
Due to a history of high disturbance, the vegetation and habitats within the site are generally low quality. |
The area of higher quality vegetation and habitat, comprising an area of 1.9 ha will be dedicated to Council for uses as a public reserve. The vegetation within this area comprises of scatted trees with the dominate species being Eucalyptus robusta (Swamp Mahogany). A permanent detention basin will be constructed within the reserve to regulate drainage and limit potential flooding to downstream properties. |
Residential |
NSW |
Claremont Meadows |
The site contains a small patch (0.15ha) of riparian vegetation which is Sydney Coastal River Flat Forest (SCRFF). The canopy is grey box and cabbage gum; the small tree layer has swamp oak. This is an Endangered Ecological Community listed under the NPWS Threatened Species Conservation (TSC) Act 1995 (NSW). The Cumberland Plain Land Snail was also detected in the SCRFF habitat on Lot 19. |
The Vegetation Management Plan states that: ‘there is a degraded patch of SCRFF on the north-western corner of Lot 19 that will be retained within a 7(a) Flora and Fauna Conservation Area. This land will be part of an area of 3,000m2 will be dedicated to Penrith City Council as a public reserve. |
Commercial |
VIC |
Botanica B7 |
None. Commercial land in suburban Melbourne. |
EMP in place. Contractor management of EMP monitored through quarterly audits. |
Industrial |
VIC |
Paramount |
EVC 132 Plains Grassland being managed under a VOMP for the estate within the 9.46ha grassland reserve.
Heritage drystone wall on the southern boundary.
|
Enhanced gain score VOMP developed and approved by DSE.
Investa provided contribution to Brimbank City Council to implement the VOMP and manage the 9.46ha vegetation reserve incorporating a proposed interpretive trail for organised grassland tours.
Heritage drystone wall retained
|
Industrial |
QLD |
Swanbank |
Indigenous site investigations have identified areas where additional investigations is required to confirm possible ceremonial sites, “Bora” and stone arrangements prior to development in the local area.
Non-Indigenous historical investigations have identified one site that has cultural heritage significance for the local mining industry. Further investigation and documentation prior to development in the local area will be required.
Ecologically, 30% of the site is highly degraded due to past mining activity. 40% of the site has undergone extensive grassing and cultivation for agricultural purposes and 30% of the site is buffer areas that has undergone selective clearing.
Approximately 4 ha in the Southern Area has been identified, and ground proofed as Endangered” under the State Authorities Regional Ecosystem as Open Forest Woodland. |
An initial EMP has been developed.
An Indigenous Cultural Heritage Management Agreement has been finalised with the local Jagera People.
The Central Area (approximately 250ha) has undergone a detailed site investigation by Jagera representatives in accordance with the management agreement.
A Landscape Character Document has been developed Master Planning of vegetation corridors, vegetation to be retained and enhanced.
Central Area (Approximately 250Ha) Non Indigenous Historical Cultural Heritage Survey has been finalised.
Rehabilitation of existing mine disturbance strategy has been implemented. To date:
- Approximately 100ha of land has been rehabilitated sufficiently for mining leases to be removed.
- Approx 60 ha has undergone detailed rehabilitation analysis to allow Investa to enter into a Voluntary Environmental Management Program that allows the Mining Lease to be removed.
- Approximately 110 ha of land remains under a Mining Lease to be rehabilitated and removed with future development.
- RAP & SMP have been approved by the EPA for approximately 60ha of disturbed land that will be fit for industrial purposes.
Master planning has identified and integrated the ‘Open Forest Woodland’ area into future green space/buffer ensuring its long term protection.
|
Residential |
QLD |
Bellflower |
Sippy Creek is classified by the local council as an important ecological corridor. |
EMP developed and being implemented.
Rehabilitation of 21 Ha degraded grazing land, included regeneration of the Sippy Creek riparian and wildlife corridor, reintroduced native fauna attracting wildlife.
|
Residential |
WA |
The Mews |
The site contains two Conservation Category Wetlands (this is the highest priority category of wetlands in WA). Parts of the Ellen Brook compose degraded remnant wetland woodland and Sawpit Gully (including part of a Bush Forever Site) is composed of degraded to completely degraded remnant wetland woodland and sedgeland. |
Management plans have been developed for the two wetlands. In addition, a Vegetation Rehabilitation Plan has been developed. |
Case study
Continued progress on the Swan River Restoration Project
Three years ago Investa, in partnership with Bennet Brook Environmental Services (BBES), began a project to re-vegetate a section of the Swan River foreshore on land owned by Guildford Grammar School in Western Australia. The Swan River Restoration project was initiated as a result of Investa’s concern at the degraded state of the Swan River foreshore in Guildford.
During 2008, a new partnership was formed with Men of the Trees, a non-profit and voluntary international society for the planting and protection of trees. The project is now an integrated part of the upper school syllabus at Guildford Grammar School with students learning about re-vegetation and monitoring of plant survival.
Graeme Plummer, Director of Community Relations at Guildford Grammar School said, “The preservation of the Swan River is a priority for all Western Australians and Guildford Grammar School is delighted to be working in partnership with Investa and other groups to protect and restore what is an iconic part of Perth’s landscape. The school has an invested interest in maintaining river quality especially as the school campus adjoins the river.
The Swan River Restoration project has provided an opportunity for the students to participate in and have a ‘hands on’ role in a real environmental project. This in turn has led to the establishment of an environmental centre on the school campus where students are now actively involved in working with Men of The Trees on potting plants and other environmental activities.”
Phase one of the project involved the clearing of weeds and the re-planting of the rush understorey. BBES transplanted sedges called Sea Rush (Juncus kraussii) and Loose Flower Rush (Juncus pauciflorus). Overstorey planting was also undertaken with appropriate trees.
David Venning, General Manager of Tranen Pty Ltd, revegetation and environmental management specialists said “It is a well known fact that river fronts need sedges because it is important for the health of the river. They benefit the river because they control erosion and are the filter that stops excess nutrients from polluting the water”.
Phase two of the project involved photo monitoring to establish where and if erosion is taking place and only looks at the changes in the river bank so that we can get an idea of what changes are taking place.
Phase three of the project, to be conducted in 2009, will involve weed control measures, the planting of 390 seedlings along the river’s edge and the top of the river bank and the final photo monitoring and report. A public awareness and advocacy campaign funded by Investa will also be launched to obtain government and other stakeholder support and funding for any proposed engineering work needed to tackle erosion along the river front once monitoring has been complete.
Case study
Enhancing Grasslands and providing improved habitat for endangered species at Paramount Industrial Estate
The Paramount Industrial Estate comprises 195ha in Deer Park, Victoria. The site was acquired in September 2004 with several patches of native vegetation (EVC132 Plains Grassland) identified across the estate. The Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain is a native grassland which is a critically endangered community under the Australian Governments Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The native grasses that usually dominate are kangaroo-grass (Themeda triandra), wallaby-grasses (Austrodanthonia species), spear grasses (Austrostipa species), or tussock grasses (Poa species) with wildflowers and herbs growing among the tussocks, including daisies, lilies, peas and orchids. The grassland supports a variety of nationally threatened animals and more than 20 threatened plants. Less than five per cent of the pre-European distribution remains. A collaborative approach was adopted by Investa with key stakeholders to derive the best outcome for a grassland reserve on the estate.
Initially four remnant patches were identified across the estate, three of high quality within the proposed Release 4B and one of a lesser quality in Release 1. Following extensive assessment by ecological consultants and discussions with Brimbank City Council, the Department of Sustainability and the Environment (DSE) and Environment Victoria, it was deemed appropriate to establish a 9.46 ha conservation lot which would incorporate the three most significant remnant native vegetation patches. Combining the three remnant patches within the Conservation Lot increases the opportunity for native flora and fauna to re-establish across the entire site. At the same time it was agreed that the more degraded and less significant native vegetation within Release 1 would be offset in Release 4B.
Investa has arranged for seed collection and offsite storage of the Small Scurf Pea Cullen parvum from the site. This species is listed as endangered in the Victoria Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG). The seed will be propagated for gradual re-introduction throughout the reserve. The proposed Conservation Lot also contains suitable habitat for two fauna species listed as threatened under both the Commonwealth Environmental Biodiversity and Conservation (EPBC) and FFG Acts. The Growling Grass Frog and Striped Legless Lizard were not recorded despite targeted searches; however with the establishment of the conservation lot, there is an increased chance that the striped legless lizard may be observed within the site.
To consolidate these arrangements and aid the ongoing management of the conservation lot, Investa produced a Vegetation Offset Management Plan (VOMP) and transferred the responsibility for delivery of the VOMP outcomes to Council environmental officers through a deed of agreement with Council. A cash contribution was provided by Investa for Council to manage the VOMP over the ensuing 10 years. Brimbank City Council staff and DSE’s regional officers aim to deliver very substantial gains in vegetation quality which they note “will be a challenging task. New methods are currently being developed for grassland restoration, and during the course of the ten year management period, will be implemented to achieve the desired results.”
The contribution from Investa also covered the provision of a picnic area, walking track and interpretive signage in order to make the area amenable to estate tenants and the general public. Council staff also noted that “Alliances such as these are vitally important if listed ecological communities like plains grassland are to persist for the benefit of future generations.”
Site plan showing conservation lot established at Paramount. Click to enlarge.