Summary - City of Gosnells

18 April 2010The flora, vegetation and wetlands of theMaddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment AreaA survey of rural lands in the vicinity of theGreater Brixton Street WetlandsReport to the City of Gosnells,Western AustraliaC. Tauss and A.S. Weston

iDISCLAIMERThe information contained in this report is solely for the use of the City of Gosnells and relevant government stakeholders, such asthe Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), for the purposes of planning and environmental regulation as identified inthe report. This report is not intended to be used by parties other than the above (or for commercial purposes), and no responsibility isundertaken to any such parties.In accordance with the policies of the DEC, the locations of Rare and Priority Flora and Threatened Ecological Communities havebeen supplied to the DEC but are withheld from publication.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

SummaryiiSummaryThe City of Gosnells is currently involved in investigating, and planning for, future industrial developmentwithin a 585 ha area of rural land (that is known as the Maddington Kenwick Strategic Employment Area orMKSEA), in the north-east of its jurisdiction. The area proposed for development (City of Gosnells, 2007a)is located on the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain (SCP) and has been shown to include values ofnational conservation significance listed under the Federal Environmental Protection and BiodiversityConservation (EPBC) Act (Cardno BSD, 2005). Within the boundary of the MKSEA, but not proposed fordevelopment, there are two Bush Forever sites (BFS 387, the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands, and BFS 53,the Clifford Street Bushland). The Bush Forever sites include multiple conservation values that are listed asnationally significant (Government of Western Australia, 2000). BFS 387, the most species-rich BushForever site on the SCP and one of the most important conservation reserves on the SCP, is locateddownslope from much of the MKSEA and is influenced by groundwater and surface water drainage from theMKSEA. BFS 387 is currently subject to high levels of stress from threats within its boundaries and from thesurrounding MKSEA. These threats are not addressed currently by any coordinated management efforts andwill require considerable effort to resolve. The local Bush Forever sites are closely coupled with theadjoining MKSEA rural areas via ecological and biological processes and the proposed development is likelyto impact, at least indirectly, on their important conservation values.Environmental and engineering studies of the MKSEA (Cardno BSD, 2005; GHD, 2005) found that, apartfrom some areas of dunes in the south east, most of the area proposed for development is an extensive, gentlysloping, seasonally-waterlogged plain (palusplain) that is part of the Bickley Brook and Yule Brookcatchments. These preliminary reports also indicated that the legislation and policies of Federal and Stateenvironmental regulatory agencies with regard to the high conservation values found in parts of the proposeddevelopment area would significantly constrain the extent of industrial development in the MKSEA. Thecurrent Level 2 flora, vegetation and wetlands survey of the MKSEA was commissioned by the City ofGosnells in early September 2007 to provide more detailed guidance to the MKSEA planning process.Pending the outcomes of this study, and the results of other investigations (such as an Aboriginal heritagestudy), the City of Gosnells has issued two modified Concept Plans for the MKSEA (City of Gosnells,2007b, 2008).The current flora, vegetation and wetlands survey found numerous conservation values of national, state andregional significance within the MKSEA (Table A). Some of the values found in the current survey were notidentified in the MKSEA in previous studies (Government of Western Australia, 2000b; Cardno BSD, 2005;Trudgen and Keighery, 1995) and are not represented in the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands or the CliffordStreet Bushland (Government of Western Australia, 2000b). In accord with Western Australian StateGovernment and Local Government criteria regarding the conservation value of natural areas (Governmentof Western Australia, 2000; Lamond, 2009) all areas of remnant vegetation assessed as being in good orbetter condition within the MKSEA in this study were considered to be of, at least, regional conservationsignificance. These areas of eastern Swan Coastal Plain remnant native vegetation in the MKSEA areconsidered to be rare biodiversity resources that are poorly represented in the conservation estate and arethus eligible for protection.Most of the flora and vegetation of high conservation significance found in the MKSEA in the current surveyare highly dependent on surface waters and/or groundwater. However, the extensive wetland ecosystem ofthe alluvial fan system that encompasses most of the MKSEA and the two Bush Forever sites of the area hasbeen somewhat compromised by existing development. There is now reduced recharge of rainfall intogroundwater and increased surface run-off due to the clearing of vegetation and the compaction of soils.There is also localised dewatering of wetlands by excavated drains that intersect superficial aquifers andexport groundwater, along with run-off, to Yule Brook and Bickley Brook. Yule Brook and Bickley Brookhave been converted from high quality water sources (that previously sustained the rich biodiversity of theadjoining floodplains, including BFS 387, by annual flooding and sediment deposition) to water sinks thatconvey polluted, nutrient-enriched water out of the local wetlands and into the Swan-Canning River system.The complex hydrogeology of the MKSEA and the Bush Forever lands needs to be more fully understood sothat any proposed development does not reinforce the current problems (locally and downstream in the SwanTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

SummaryiiiCanning River system) and exacerbate adverse environmental impacts. The importance of the restoration ofthe hydrological regime of the area is particularly highlighted by predictions of continuing rainfall decline inthe region and the threat that this poses to regional biodiversity.RecommendationsThis survey provided significant new information about the natural values of the MKSEA that should beconsidered in the planning process. However, there are major shortfalls in the current understanding of thebiological, ecological and physical processes (such as the hydrological maintenance of wetlands; thereproductive strategies, demography and genetics of threatened flora species; and the use of the area by faunaand their migration patterns) and in the definition of the basic habitat requirements of the Threatened Floraand the Threatened Ecological Communities of the area. There have been no threshold values defined for keyvariables (such as the ecological water requirements of Threatened Flora Species and Threatened EcologicalCommunities) that should form the basis of any assessment of the potential effects of various planningscenarios on the important conservation values of the area. Further study into these aspects would berequired to ensure that the proposed rezoning and development of the MKSEA will not contribute to thefurther degradation and loss of environmental values in the MKSEA, BFS 387 and BFS 53.The current survey identified and mapped areas of high conservation significance that should be excludedfrom development and proposed a number of general recommendations to assist in the prevention of some ofthe ongoing current and anticipated degradation and loss of conservation values in the MKSEA, BFS 387and BFS 53. These recommendations (Section 7.1) include the urgent need to implement recovery actions formost of the Threatened Flora Species populations in the MKSEA and the Bush Forever Sites; theenforcement of native vegetation clearing regulations and wetland conservation measures; and theidentification and control of existing land uses that are currently impacting on groundwater quality. Anumber of changes to the management categories of wetlands in the MKSEA are recommended. Appropriatebuffer zones around Conservation and Resource Enhancement Category Wetlands and Ecological LinkageCorridors between high conservation value areas within the MKSEA, BFS 387, BFS 53, the Darling Rangeand Canning River are also proposed and mapped.Three major recommendations are presented below that summarise the most important conclusions of thecurrent survey with regard to the proposed development in the MKSEA.Recommendation 1Given the significant conservation values within and adjacent to the proposed MKSEA and the potential forthese values to be adversely impacted by the proposal, the City of Gosnells is advised of its obligation torefer, for assessment, the proposal to re-zone and develop these rural lands to:• The Federal Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) under the statutoryrequirements of the Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999; and• The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority under the statutory requirements of theWestern Australian Environmental Protection Act, 1986.Recommendation 2The City of Gosnells is advised that further detailed studies are required to understand the hydrogeology ofthe highly water-dependent ecosystems of the MKSEA and the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands and toprovide the data required to remediate the hydrological regime of the area. The scope, methods and lowintensity of the current wetlands survey and the water monitoring programme recently commissioned by theCity of Gosnells are considered insufficient to adequately map the major wetland boundaries, to characterisethe factors that maintain important conservation wetlands in the area and to define the environmental waterrequirements of the remnant native vegetation. Detailed mapping of the Muchea Limestone aquifers of thearea and an invertebrate study of the active Muchea Limestone mound spring in the MKSEA (and possiblyTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

SummaryvMost of Precinct 2 (including some areas in BFS 387) is currently very poorly managed. Some unregulatedproblems in the area include the dewatering of superficial aquifers and the salinisation of land by theexcavated drainage system; the dumping of fill, refuse and hazardous materials in wetlands; the overstockingof paddocks with horses and other animals; the incursion of stock into BFS 387; groundwater andsurface water pollution and nutrient enrichment; excavation of wetlands; unregulated clearing and burning ofnative vegetation, and weed proliferation.The existing land uses within this precinct should be audited to determine the activities that are currentlyincompatible with the objectives of conservation and restoration of native vegetation, the improvement ofgroundwater quality and the maximum infiltration of rainfall into groundwater. There should be noadditional development in Precinct 2, and existing land uses that are incompatible with conservation andresource enhancement wetland management (and acceptable landuses in wetland buffer zones) should beregulated and phased out.Precinct 3A and Precinct 3B (Yule Brook)The City of Gosnells is supported in its Concept Plan (City of Gosnells, 2008) to exclude Precinct 3B fromdevelopment. Yule Brook was fundamental to the development of the complex natural habitats of the alluvialfans of the area and the biodiversity they support. The natural history of Yule Brook parallels the indigenouscultural beliefs that are held about this wetland ecosystem. The areas bordering Yule Brook (in or near to thesouthwest part of Precinct 3A) were found in this survey to include significant conservation values.The Concept Plan for the south west end of Precinct 3A and for Precinct 3B should be revised to allow forthe protection of these values, the restoration of the floodplains of Yule Brook, the improved linkage of YuleBrook with BFS 387 and initiatives related to the general remediation of the hydrological regime of theMKSEA and BFS 387 that will contribute to the reinstatement of Yule Brook as a living stream. This arearepresents an important opportunity to fulfil objectives of the Swan-Canning River system Water QualityImprovement Plan (Swan River Trust, 2009) in this regard and to improve the ecological connectivitybetween conservation reserves of the Darling Range, the Swan-Canning River system and other conservationreserves (including, most importantly, BFS 387) as envisioned by the Perth Biodiversity Project (Del Marcoet al., 2004).Table A: A Summary of the Conservation Values in the MKSEAValuesNational Significance Threatened Flora Species(listed under the Federal EPBC Act)National Significance Threatened EcologicalCommunities (listed under the Federal EPBC Act)State Significance Declared Rare Flora &Priority Flora (listed under WA Wildlife Act or byWA Department of Environment and Conservation)State Significance Threatened EcologicalCommunities (listed by the WA Department ofEnvironment and Conservation)Significant Vegetation of the Eastern SCP inGood Condition and other significant flora(Government of Western Australia, 2000)Description of ValuesCalytrix breviseta subsp. breviseta (Endangered), Conospermumundulatum (Vulnerable) and Lepidosperma rostratum (Endangered)1. Shrublands and Woodlands on Muchea Limestone of the Swan CoastalPlain (Endangered). This TEC is not currently represented in the GreaterBrixton Street Wetlands conservation estate.2. Corymbia calophylla – Kingia australis Woodlands on Heavy Soils ofthe Swan Coastal Plain (Endangered) (FCT 3a).Eremophila glabra subsp. chlorella (DRF), Schoenus pennisetis (P1),Lepyrodia curvescens (P2), Trichocline sp. Treeton (B.J. Keighery & N.Gibson 564) (P2), Baeckea sp. Perth Region (R.J. Cranfield 444) (P3),Cyathochaeta teretifolia (P3), Calothamnus rupestris (P4), Grevilleathelemanniana (P4) and Verticordia lindleyi subsp. lindleyi (P4). [Note:Grevillea thelemanniana is considered eligible for DRF status by B.J.Keighery, B. Makinson, and P. Olde pers. comms.]Herb-rich Saline Shrublands in Claypans (FCT 7) (Vulnerable)Herb-rich Shrublands in Claypans (FCT 8) (Vulnerable)Shrublands on Dry Clay Flats (FCT 10a) (Endangered)Eastern Banksia Woodlands (FCT 20a) (Endangered)Riparian vegetation adjacent to the Yule Brook and ALL other nativevegetation in good condition in the MKSEA.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

SummaryviValuesConservation Wetlands (CCW) and ResourceEnhancement Wetlands (REW) listed by theWA Department of Environment andConservationEcological linkages including waterways andtheir buffers that connect high conservationareas (EPA, 2008).Linkages that connect National Parks, BushForever sites (BFS) and Regional Parks of theEastern Swan Coastal Plain and Darling Range asproposed by the Bush Forever Project (Governmentof Western Australia, 2000) and the PerthBiodiversity Project (Del Marco et al., 2004).Significant trees and other natural resources notclassed as ‘bushland’Description of ValuesThere are about 70 wetland areas in the MKSEA (including four CCWs)that are currently identified under Unique Function Identifiers (UFIs) in theWA DEC SCP Wetlands Dataset. In the current survey, 17 of the wetlandsin the MKSEA were assessed as CCWs. There were also 17 wetlands in theMKSEA that were assessed as REWs. Parts of UFI 13362 adjacent to YuleBrook that are currently MUW were recommended for REW status in thissurvey (as part of a restoration of the Yule Brook floodplain, localhydrological regime amelioration and to support catchment managementobjectives of the Swan-Canning River system).1. Yule Brook – BFS 387 GreenwayThe Yule Brook and its buffer zone (some of which was found to retainsignificant native flora and vegetation) forms a natural ecologicallinkage between the Canning River Regional Park, The Greater BrixtonStreet Wetlands (BFS 387), Hartfield Park (BFS 320), Welshpool RoadBushland (BFS 50), the Darling Range Regional Park and the LesmurdieFalls National Park. There is sufficient undeveloped land flanking YuleBrook west of Welshpool Rd to reserve a substantial foreshore bufferand to restore some of the Yule Brook floodplains. This will increase theconnectivity of BFS 387 to Yule Brook and other reserves, maintain andrestore some of the ecological processes of the alluvial fan complex thatare important in maintaining long term viability of BFS 387, allow forthe protection of indigenous heritage areas and support catchmentmanagement objectives of the Swan-Canning River Water QualityImprovement Plan.2. BFS 387 – BFS 53 GreenwayThe Yule Brook – BFS 387 Greenway (as above) can also be linked, towetlands of high conservation significance (including MucheaLimestone springs) along the interface of the Bassendean Sands andPinjarra Plain in the MKSEA, to the Clifford Street Bushland (BFS 53),the White Road Bushland (BFS 51) and the Darling Range RegionalPark. This will require the revegetation of wetland buffer zones alongthe interface of the dunes and the plain in Precincts 1 and 2 of theMKSEA.Stands of native trees or scrub with little or no native understorey such asFlooded Gum (Eucalyptus rudis), Marri (Corymbia calophylla), Modong(Melaleuca preissiana), Tuart (Eucalyptus gomphocephala), FreshwaterPaperbark (Melaleuca rhaphiophylla) and the conifer Actinostrobuspyramidalis), seasonally flooded paddocks and some dams within theMKSEA, whilst not classed as ‘bushland’, have important ecologicalfunctions and augment regionally scarce native fauna habitat.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsSUMMARY..................................................................................................................................................................... IIRecommendations ........................................................................................................................................................... iiiRecommendation 1 ............................................................................................................................................................. iiiRecommendation 2 ............................................................................................................................................................. iiiRecommendation 3 ............................................................................................................................................................. ivPrecinct 1 (southeast of Victoria Rd) ............................................................................................................................. ivPrecinct 2 (Brook Rd to Victoria Rd) .............................................................................................................................. ivPrecinct 3A and Precinct 3B (Yule Brook) ...................................................................................................................... vTable A: A Summary of the Conservation Values in the MKSEA ........................................................................................ v1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................... 11.1 Project Scope and Objectives ............................................................................................................................ 31.1.1 Flora and Vegetation Survey ................................................................................................................................. 31.1.2 MKSEA Wetlands Survey ..................................................................................................................................... 42. REGIONAL SETTING ........................................................................................................................................... 52.1 Climate ................................................................................................................................................................. 5Table 2.1: Climatic Data from Gosnells City Weather Station (1991-2008) ........................................................... 52.2 Landforms ........................................................................................................................................................... 52.3 Superficial Sediments (Soils) ............................................................................................................................. 6Table 2.2: Soils of the MKSEA (adapted from Jordan, 1986) ................................................................................ 72.4 Hydrology and Wetlands .................................................................................................................................... 82.5 Drainage Issues ................................................................................................................................................. 102.6 Biogeography .................................................................................................................................................... 122.6.1 Regional Scale Vegetation Units of the Eastern Swan Coastal Plain .................................................................. 132.6.2 Local scale vegetation units and habitats previously recorded in the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands ............. 16Table 2.3: A broad comparison of local scale vegetation units and associated habitats recorded in theGreater Brixton Street Wetlands (1984-2009). [Note: each row in table compares similar vegetation unitsfrom similar habitats as recorded in disparate studies]. ...................................................................................... 173. METHODS .......................................................................................................................................................... 193.1 Guiding Principles ............................................................................................................................................ 193.2 Flora Sampling, Vegetation Description and Classification .......................................................................... 20Table 3.1: Vegetation Structure Classification (adapted from Government of Western Australia, 2000) ............ 20Table 3.2: Bush and Wetland Vegetation Condition (adapted from Government of Western Australia, 2000) .... 213.3 Wetland Assessment ........................................................................................................................................ 213.3.1 Wetland Identification and Delineation ................................................................................................................ 22Table 3.3: Wetland Sediment Classification (adapted from Semeniuk and Semeniuk, 2004) ............................. 23Table 3.4: Wetland Sediment Definitions (adapted from Semeniuk and Semeniuk, 1995) ................................. 233.3.2 Geomorphic Classification of Wetlands ............................................................................................................... 23Table 3.5: Geomorphic Classification of Wetlands (adapted from Semeniuk and Semeniuk, 1995) ................... 243.3.3 The Evaluation of Wetland Management Categories .......................................................................................... 24Table 3.6: A Score Sheet for Wetland Evaluation (after VCSRG, 1998) ............................................................. 25Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Table of ContentsTable 3.7: Conservation Category Wetlands Criteria (VCSRG, 1998) ................................................................ 25Table 3.8: Resource Enhancement Category Wetlands Criteria (VCSRG, 1998) ............................................... 26Table 3.9: Multiple Use Category Wetlands Criteria (VCSRG, 1998) .................................................................. 26Table 3.10: Management categories of wetlands from EPA Bulletin 686 as updated in Hill et al. (1996) ........... 27Table 3.11: Bulletin 686 Questionnaire for Wetland Management Category Evaluation ..................................... 27Table 3.12: Vegetation status assessment in the evaluation of the management category of wetlands(adapted from Hill et al. 1996, Table 3) ............................................................................................................... 283.4 Survey Limitations ............................................................................................................................................ 29Table 3.13: MKSEA Survey Limitations .............................................................................................................. 324. FLORA ................................................................................................................................................................ 334.1 Flora Desktop Study ......................................................................................................................................... 334.1.1 Flora of Conservation Significance ...................................................................................................................... 344.2 Flora Field Survey ............................................................................................................................................. 39Table 4.1: The most species-rich native plant families of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands(BFS 387) compared to the MKSEA ................................................................................................................... 40Table 4.2: Species-richness of native flora in the MKSEA compared with other areas ofhigh conservation significance flora nearby ........................................................................................................ 404.2.1 Flora of National Conservation Significance found in the MKSEA ...................................................................... 404.2.2 Flora of State Conservation Significance found in the MKSEA ........................................................................... 41Table 4.3: Summary of the Flora of National and State Significance recorded in the MKSEA Field Survey ....... 434.2.3 Flora of Regional Conservation Significance found in the MKSEA ..................................................................... 435. VEGETATION ..................................................................................................................................................... 505.1 Vegetation Desktop Study ................................................................................................................................ 505.1.1 Vegetation of National Conservation Significance............................................................................................... 50Table 5.1: Vegetation of National and State Conservation Significance known from the vicinity of the MKSEA . 50Table 5.2: Native taxa recorded in at least 50% of sites in the three Corymbia calophylla TECs ofthe Eastern SCP in Gibson et al. (1994) ............................................................................................................. 515.1.2 Vegetation of State Conservation Significance ................................................................................................... 52Table 5.3: Vegetation of State Conservation Significance known from Bush Forever Sites (BFSs) inLocalities in the vicinity of the MKSEA ................................................................................................................ 535.2 Vegetation Field Survey ................................................................................................................................... 555.2.1 Vegetation units recorded in the current MKSEA field Survey ............................................................................ 55Table 5.4: Classification (by structure and dominant species) of Vegetation recorded in the MKSEA field survey655.2.2 Vegetation of the MKSEA in comparison to vegetation within the local conservation estate .............................. 675.2.3 Results of the multivariate analysis of the MKSEA vegetation and assignation of FCTs ................................... 68Table 5.5: Floristic Community Types (FCTs) determined in MKSEA study sites ............................................... 71Table 5.6: Vegetation of the MKSEA. Summary of Floristic Community Types (FCTs) of the SCP andConservation Significance ................................................................................................................................... 756. WETLANDS FIELD SURVEY ............................................................................................................................. 77Table 6.1: Summary of wetlands as mapped in DEC SCP Wetlands Dataset 2008b ......................................... 796.1 Identification and delineation of wetlands in the MKSEA.............................................................................. 816.2 Geomorphic classification of wetlands in the MKSEA area .......................................................................... 82Table 6.2: MKSEA Study sites and their wetland identification ........................................................................... 846.3 Evaluation of wetland management categories in the MKSEA ..................................................................... 88Table 6.3: Review of Wetland Classification and Management Category for wetlands of MKSEA against theexisting DEC Wetland Database ......................................................................................................................... 90Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Table of Contents6.4 Buffer zones for wetlands, foreshore reserves for waterways and ecological linkages in the MKSEA .... 977. CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................................................................ 101Table 7.1: Summary of the conservation values found in the current survey in the MKSEA ............................ 1027.1 General Recommendations ............................................................................................................................ 1037.1.1 Rare Flora ......................................................................................................................................................... 1037.1.2 Vegetation of the Guildford Vegetation Complex .............................................................................................. 1047.1.3 Wetlands and Hydrology ................................................................................................................................... 105Table 7.2: Summary of wetland management category changes recommended in the current survey ............ 1057.1.4 Buffer Zones and Ecological Linkages .............................................................................................................. 1067.2 Major Recommendations ............................................................................................................................... 1067.2.1 Recommendation 1 ........................................................................................................................................... 1067.2.2 Recommendation 2 ........................................................................................................................................... 1077.2.3 Recommendation 3 ........................................................................................................................................... 107Table 7.3: Summary of conservation values and management recommendations for MKSEA sites ................ 1108. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................. 1179. REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................................. 11810. LIST OF SHORTENED FORMS ....................................................................................................................... 12511. GLOSSARY ...................................................................................................................................................... 126FIGURESAPPENDICESTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Introduction 11. IntroductionThe City of Gosnells is planning the subdivision and industrial development of an area in the north east of itsjurisdiction that is currently known (for planning purposes) as the Maddington Kenwick StrategicEmployment Area (MKSEA). The MKSEA comprises 585 ha of land currently zoned as rural. It is boundedby Bickley Rd in the south west, Roe Highway in the west and Tonkin Highway in the east and by the Cityof Gosnells – City of Kalamunda boundary in the north-east (Figure 1).The MKSEA was first identified for future industrial development in Metroplan, the 1990 planning strategyfor the Perth metropolitan region (DPUD, 1990). Subsequent to Metroplan, an altered perspective of theMKSEA has developed from the rapid pace of environmental degradation worldwide, the enactment ofFederal and State government environmental legislation and policies and changes in community attitudes toclimate change, the deterioration of water resources, and the resultant heightened awareness of the need toconserve wetlands and biodiversity. At the Federal level, the Australian Government Environment Protectionand Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) was passed in 1999. A large body of scientific data of thebiodiversity values and the uniqueness of the Swan Coastal Plain (SCP) Bioregion and data of the easternside of the SCP (including Speck and Baird, 1984; Semeniuk, 1987; Keighery and Keighery,1991; Keigheryand Trudgen, 1992; Gibson et. al., 1994; Balla, 1994; Hill et al., 1996; IBRA, 2000 and many others) weredrawn together into various Western Australian Government conservation policies for bushlands and theprotection of SCP wetlands (Government of Western Australia, 2000; WRC, 2001; EPA, 2004a). Strongerrestrictions on native vegetation clearance (amendments made to the Western Australian EnvironmentalProtection Act in 2004) and more focused recommendations of the Swan Canning Water QualityImprovement Plan (Swan River Trust, 2009) have also contributed to changed attitudes and practices innatural resource planning and management.From consultation with relevant State Government Departments and preliminary technical reports for theMKSEA (GHD, 2005; Cardno BSD, 2005), the City of Gosnells identified some of the important planningissues pertinent to the MKSEA proposal (City of Gosnells, 2007a, 2007b, 2008). These issues included thepresence of highly significant conservation values and indigenous heritage values within, and adjacent to, theproject footprint; the interactions between the local and district water regimes; the interactions between thegroundwater and surface waters; the fragmented land ownership (with an excess of 200 landowners currentlyin the MKSEA, see Figure 2) and the potential delays and costs in providing the infrastructure to service theMKSEA. In 2005, the City of Gosnells engaged Cardno BSD to survey the flora, vegetation and wetlands ofthe MKSEA at a level “to provide a sufficient level of information to satisfy the development’s likely formalEnvironmental Impact Assessment by the EPA”. However, it became evident from the resultantenvironmental study and the engineering feasibility study conducted by GHD (2005) that the potential forindustrial development in the MKSEA (particularly between Coldwell Rd and Victoria Road) wassignificantly constrained. The constraints on the MKSEA development included the wetland nature of mostof the land, the high conservation values found in and around the project footprint and the environmentprotection and the biodiversity conservation legislation and policies applicable to these values at both theState and Federal levels.In September 2007, the City of Gosnells commissioned the current flora, vegetation and wetlands survey ofthe MKSEA. A Level 2 detailed survey (as defined by the EPA, 2004b) was required for this survey becauseof the extent of the development proposal, the location of the proposal on the Eastern Swan Coastal Plain (aregion of very high stress on scarce and irreplaceable conservation values) and the potential environmentalimpacts of the development. Similarly, the wetlands survey was required to be conducted at a high level,according to the protocol of DEC (2007). The objectives of the current study, as indicated by the City ofGosnells, were to further assess the potential for industrial development in the MKSEA and to provideadditional guidance to the City of Gosnells in the land use planning and approval processes (particularly inthe area between Yule Brook and Victoria Rd). The need to adopt a “total water cycle management”approach to the development of the MKSEA was a key element of the planning process expressed by theCity of Gosnells in the brief for this survey.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Introduction 2Two modified Concept Plans for the MKSEA were produced by the City of Gosnells, in November 2007 andJuly 2008, prior to the completion of the detailed flora, vegetation and wetlands study described in thisreport. The July 2008 Concept Plan (Figure 3) shows three precincts: Precinct 1 (the Kelvin Road Precinct)south of Victoria Rd; Precinct 2 between Brook Rd and Victoria Rd, and Precinct 3A and Precinct 3B (theYule Brook Precinct) in the north of the MKSEA. Drainage in this plan conforms generally with the existingscheme, in which water resources (comprising stormwater run-off and water drained from shallowgroundwater aquifers by drains that intersect them) are exported away from areas of highly water-dependent,high biodiversity natural ecosystems. The issue of water cycle management in the MKSEA and BFS 387remains one of the main environmental problems facing the MKSEA development. Other important issues inthe MKSEA include the fragmentation of the environmental values and the need to reserve appropriatebuffer zones and greenways in the MKSEA in order to increase the connectivity of these values with otherreserves nearby.1. Precinct 1 (the Kelvin Road Precinct) in the 2008 Concept Plan (Figure 3) shows two “Eco-industry”Precincts. The first “Eco-industry Precinct” is located just south of Victoria Rd. It coincides with thewetland currently mapped as Resource Enhancement Wetland (REW) 8050 in the DEC Wetland Atlas(2008). The second “Eco-industry Precinct” is located in the buffer zone of Conservation CategoryWetland (CCW) 12116 and CCW 12114 of the Clifford Street Bushland Bush Forever Site 53 andcoincides with REW 12117 and REW 12115. The remaining area of Precinct 1 (except for the CliffordStreet Bushland) is shown as industrial.About half of the area proposed for development in Precinct 1 is low-lying MUW wetland (where thenatural water table in winter is at ground level or less than about 50cm below ground level). Largequantities of imported fill would be required to raise the areas proposed for development above thewater table (as shown in GHD, 2005). The soils of much of the proposed development area have lowinfiltration capacity and most of the native vegetation of these heavy soils has been cleared. Drainage inthe Concept Plan conforms largely to the existing scheme and would continue the modification of theoriginal hydrological cycle. Stormwater run-off (and water drained from shallow groundwater aquifersby drains that intersect them) is shown as being exported out of the area rather than being infiltrated inPrecinct 1. Any basins excavated in the western part of Precinct 1 would be underlain by the naturalclay of the area and would be expected to simply retain water rather than infiltrate it into thegroundwater.2. Precinct 2 (Victoria Rd to Brook Rd) in the 2008 Concept Plan (Figure 3) shows no development,pending the outcomes of environmental studies, the identification of appropriate wetland buffer zonesand the outcomes of district drainage planning. The engineering report (GHD, 2005) shows plans forinfrastructure such as a mains water line and a large drainage facility known as a Multiple Use Corridor(MUC) in Precinct 2.Precinct 2 is located immediately upslope from BFS 387 (The Greater Brixton Street Wetlands) andforms much of the groundwater catchment area for some of the highest conservation significancewetlands of the Swan Coastal Plain. Therefore, Precinct 2 is an ecologically sensitive zone where thepriority management objectives should include groundwater pollution control and revegetation toincrease the infiltration of rainfall into groundwater.3. Precinct 3B (the Yule Brook Precinct), between Coldwell Rd and Brook Rd, is shown in the 2008Concept Plan (Figure 3) with no proposed development due to the “Aboriginal heritage, conservationsignificance and drainage function” of Yule Brook.4. Precinct 3A, northwest of Coldwell Rd, is shown in the 2008 Concept Plan (Figure 3) as fullydeveloped for industry. This is an area that has been mostly cleared of native vegetation and has lowinfiltration capacity soils. Most of the area proposed for development is low-lying MUW wetland(where the natural water table in winter is at ground level or less than 50cm below ground level). Largequantities of imported fill would be required to raise the areas proposed for development above thewater table (as shown in GHD, 2005). Drainage in this Concept Plan conforms generally with theexisting scheme, in which the original hydrological cycle was highly modified; stormwater run-off andTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Introduction 3water drained from shallow groundwater aquifers by drains that intersect them would be exported out ofthe area via Yule Brook rather than being infiltrated at their source in Precinct 3.The current study reviewed the literature of the flora, vegetation and wetlands of the MKSEA and carried outdetailed field surveys (from spring 2007 to winter 2009) of the flora and vegetation in the area. It alsoground-truthed the geomorphic classifications, management categories and boundaries of the wetlandscurrently mapped in the DEC SCP Wetland Dataset within the MKSEA. It also investigated the bushlandremnants in the MKSEA and the proposed greenway links through the MKSEA that had been prioritised bythe Western Australian Local Government Association Perth Biodiversity Project (Figure 4). The fieldsurvey found a species-rich flora and numerous conservation values of national, state and regionalsignificance within the remnant wetlands and bushlands of the MKSEA. Some of the important values foundin the MKSEA in this survey are not currently represented in the conservation reserves of the area. A numberof recommendations are provided to the City of Gosnells based on the findings of this survey.1.1 Project Scope and ObjectivesThe scope and objectives of the current flora, vegetation and wetlands survey are outlined in the City ofGosnells brief of late August 2007 (City of Gosnells, 2007c).The current survey area is defined as the Maddington Kenwick Strategic Employment Area (MKSEA)(Figures 1, 2, 3), not including Bush Forever Sites 53 and 387 (with the exception of two discrete portions ofSite 387 that are located on the south-eastern side of Boundary Rd). However, the survey brief states that“the context of the [MKSEA] area in the district, located between the Canning River and the Darling Rangefoothills, will need to be recognised”, a statement consistent with the intent of the WA Local GovernmentAssociation Perth Biodiversity Project (Del Marco et al., 2004) in envisioning greenway links through theMKSEA and the local Bush Forever Sites to improve the regional connectivity between areas of highconservation significance in the region (Figure 4). It also indicates that the task include an assessment of theconservation values within the MKSEA footprint and a description of the interaction between the wetlands ofthe study area and their surrounds.It was anticipated that some examination of areas surrounding the MKSEA (particularly of the Bush Foreversites) would also be required. This examination would be conducted largely at a desktop level as reliable dataof the Bush Forever sites, especially BFS 387, were already available in the literature.1.1.1 Flora and Vegetation SurveyThe current flora and vegetation survey was required to be a Level 2 Detailed Flora and Vegetation Survey,as per EPA Guidance Statement No. 51 (EPA, 2004b), consisting of three or more stages. The specificobjectives of the survey that were specified in the brief were to:• Identify, describe and map each vegetation unit in the study area at a fine scale;• Assess and map vegetation condition;• Establish and sample permanent 10 m by 10 m quadrats adequate in number to provide samples sufficientfor assigning Floristic Community Types (FCTs) [after Gibson et al., 1994] to them with the help ofPATN ® [multivariate] analyses;• Carry out the PATN analyses of the quadrat samples and interpret the results of the analyses;• Identify and delineate Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs);• Search for Declared Rare Flora (DRF) and other significant taxa at appropriate times (generally duringspring and summer);• Compile one or more lists of flora recorded during the vegetation surveys and the searches for significantflora;Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Introduction 4• Comment on the conservation significance of the flora and vegetation in the study area; and• Provide additional guidance to the City of Gosnells in the land use planning and approval processes(particularly in the area between Yule Brook and Victoria Rd).1.1.2 MKSEA Wetlands SurveyThe current wetlands survey was required “to provide information and mapping that would allow ongoingland use planning to work with well-informed likely future scenarios regarding wetland managementclassifications, boundaries and buffers.” The specific objectives of this survey were to:• Review the wetland geomorphic classifications and management categories of the wetlands of theMKSEA with reference to the DEC (2008a, 2008b) Wetland Datasets and the recommendations ofCardno BSD (2005);• If appropriate, recommend and map likely modifications to the geomorphic classifications and/ormanagement categories of wetlands in the MKSEA that may be followed up later in a separateconsultancy in accordance with the protocol for proposing modifications to the Geomorphic WetlandsSwan Coastal Plain Dataset (DEC, 2007b);• Identify and delineate wetland boundaries and boundaries of the wetland buffer zones required to protectthese wetlands from adjoining industrial development. The Western Australian Environmental ProtectionAuthority’s Guidance Statement No 33 for planning and development (EPA, 2008) provides theprinciples to consider in this issue; and• Provide additional guidance to the City of Gosnells in the land use planning and approval processes(particularly in the area between Yule Brook and Victoria Rd) particularly with regard to adopting a “totalwater cycle management” approach to the development of the MKSEA.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Regional Setting 52. Regional Setting2.1 ClimateWeather records for the Gosnells City weather station taken over the past 17 years can be used to gain anunderstanding of the climate of the MKSEA (Table 2.1: adapted from Bureau of Meteorology, 2009). Themajor factors in the rainfall and wind patterns of the Maddington-Kenwick area are the eastwardly migrating,anti-cyclonic pressure cells that bring rain-bearing fronts over the region in a seasonal pattern (Gentilli,1972). In general, the climate in the MKSEA can be described as warm, subhumid and Mediterranean with apronounced annual drought for 4-5 months each year and cool, wet winters. Over the period 1961-2008, thetemperature at Gosnells City ranged from a mean daily minimum of 8.8°C in August to a mean dailymaximum of 32.7°C in January and February. The mean annual rainfall at Gosnells City over the sameperiod was 835.4 mm. On average, approximately 85% of the annual rainfall over this period fell betweenMay and October. In 2006, the year prior to the beginning of the current survey, the total rainfall recorded atthe Gosnells City weather station was only 553.1 mm, i.e. approximately 66% of the mean annual rainfall forthe period 1961-2008. Therefore, in spring 2007, when most of the current flora survey was conducted, theMKSEA was recovering from the worst drought the region has experienced since the beginning of detailedweather records 46 years ago.The annual rainfall in south-west Western Australia has shown a steady decline over the past three decades(Bureau of Meteorology, 2009). Further rainfall decline and rising temperatures are predicted for the regionin the future. These anticipated climatic changes are acknowledged as posing a serious threat to thebiodiversity of south-west Western Australia (Pittock, 2003).The continuation of the trend towards drier conditions in this region indicates that a much greatereffort and innovative solutions will be required in the future to manage dwindling water resources in amore sustainable manner in the MKSEA and the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands to supportbiodiversity and human activities.Table 2.1: Climatic Data from Gosnells City Weather Station (1991-2008)Temperature (°C) (1991-2008)Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov DecMean daily max 32.7 32.7 30.3 26.2 22.6 19.5 18.7 19.1 20.6 23.5 27.4 30.1Mean daily min 18.1 18.5 17.1 14.6 12.1 9.8 9.0 8.8 10.0 11.3 14.4 16.0Mean rainfall (mm) (1961-2008) compared to rainfall in 2006, 2007 & 2008Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov DecAnnualTotalMean rainfall (1961-2008) 11.9 16.2 15.4 45.4 106.9 177.9 164.6 129.2 80.8 48.2 27.8 10.7 837.7 46Rainfall in 2006 27.0 34.6 9.4 32.5 29.2 42.0 86.8 160.0 63.4 35.9 23.3 9.0 553.1 1Rainfall in 2007 18.3 17.7 11.6 79.3 89.6 90.4 192.1 126.4 109.1 59.8 3.7 18.8 816.8 1Rainfall in 2008 0 31.6 12.9 170.8 103.9 142.5 195 21.5 85.2 47.8 59.0 14.2 884.4 1(Bureau of Meteorology, 2009)Years2.2 LandformsThe MKSEA is located about 15 km south-east of the centre of the City of Perth on the eastern Swan CoastalPlain (ESCP) and about 3-4 km west of the Darling Plateau. The Swan Coastal Plain (SCP) comprises aseries of landform units of regional scale that are orientated more or less parallel to the coast (McArthur andBettenay, 1960). The regional scale landforms of the SCP that are represented in the MKSEA comprise theRidge Hill Shelf (Foothills), the Pinjarra Plain and the Bassendean Dunes (Figure 5).Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Regional Setting 6The Ridge Hill Shelf geomorphic unit (the Forrestfield mapping unit of Churchward and McArthur, 1980) isa more or less continuous ramp of about 1-3 km in width that lies immediately to the west of the scarp of theDarling Plateau. It includes Quaternary-aged sand, clay, conglomerate and laterite of the Yoganup Formationwhich, in the Perth area, correlates with the Forrestfield soil association (Biggs and Wilde, 1980;Churchward and McArthur, 1980).The Ridge Hill Shelf is dissected by many channel wetlands (including Yule Brook, Woodlupine Brook andBickley Brook in the vicinity of the MKSEA and the main channel of the Canning River, south of theMKSEA). These streams have their headwaters on the Darling Plateau and flow west towards the SCP. Thesmaller streams terminate within the Ridge Hill Shelf, the Pinjarra Plain or the Bassendean Dunes, whilst thelarger streams (such as Yule Brook) discharge further west into the Swan-Canning Rivers system (PerthGroundwater Atlas, 2004).The Pinjarra Plain geomorphic unit adjoins the western margin of the Ridge Hill Shelf and forms a flat togently undulating landscape. This unit comprises Quaternary age sediments of the Guildford Formation(Churchward and McArthur, 1980) that originated on the Darling Plateau and were deposited on the ESCP asalluvial fans. The Guildford Formation includes layers of gravels, sands, muds and clays in sequences thathave been complicated by aeolian reworking and by channel migration. Other sediments materials that wereformed in situ by precipitation (such as ferricrete and, less commonly, Muchea Limestone) are also presentwithin the Pinjarra Plain. The Greater Brixton Street Wetlands and the MKSEA are part of a Pinjarra Plainalluvial fan complex that was formed over many thousands of years in association with watercourses (thatare now represented by Yule Brook and Bickley Brook) draining from the Darling Range. The Kenwick –Wattle Grove alluvial fan complex has been shown to include a varied array of stratigraphic sequences andhydrological patterns that is correlated with a rich mosaic of fine-scale vegetation assemblages (V & CSemeniuk Research Group, 2001). This very high habitat heterogeneity is, undoubtedly, a major factorunderpinning the high biodiversity of the area.The Bassendean Dunes geomorphic unit is an undulating plain of low-relief dunes composed of BassendeanSands (Churchward and McArthur, 1980). The Bassendean Dunes generally comprise well-drained, deep,aeolian, quartz sands with few drainage channels. However, basins filled with shallow peat, peaty sand orhumic sand are often present between the dunes, and these may be seasonally inundated or seasonallywaterlogged, most commonly due to the surface expression of the regional watertable (Semeniuk, 1987;Semeniuk and Semeniuk, 2004). The Bassendean Dunes setting is stratigraphically simple compared to thePinjarra Plain. Although the Bassendean Dunes provide a range of plant habitats (Semeniuk and Glassford,1989), these habitats are much less varied and more similar to habitats of the other coastal dune systems ofthe SCP rather than those of the Pinjarra Plain.There is a transitional zone (the Southern River geomorphic unit) between the Bassendean Dunes and thePinjarra Plain where Bassendean Sands encroach over the clays of the Guildford Formation. In the SouthernRiver unit, dunes alternate with low lying wetlands. The Southern River wetlands differ from the main suiteof wetlands found in the Bassendean Dunes in that they are, in general, formed by water perched by the claysoils of the underlying Guildford Formation (Hill et al, 1996). In the southeast of the MKSEA, the PinjarraPlain surface is overridden by Bassendean Sands which are outliers from the larger area of BassendeanDunes that is located south of the Canning River. The Bassendean Sands in this area of the MKSEA havepiled up as low dunes against the colluvial sands of the Ridge Hill Shelf that abut the eastern boundary of theMKSEA near the Clifford Street Bushland (BFS 53).2.3 Superficial Sediments (Soils)Most of the MKSEA was mapped by Jordan (1986), at a scale of 1:50,000, as shallow Bassendean Sandsover the sandy clay of the Guildford Formation (S10) (Table 2.2; Figures 6, 11). Although Figure 6 is at ascale that is too broad to assist in the interpretation of wetlands or fine-scale vegetation assemblages it isuseful in illustrating the location and extent of some of the general landforms in the area. The natural courseof Yule Brook is evident in this mapping as sandy silt (Ms4). The extensive palusplain that extends belowabout 11 m AHD southwest of Edward St, Grove Rd and Brook Rd in Precinct 3A of the MKSEA wasTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Regional Setting 7mapped as clayey sand of the Guildford Formation (Sc). In the lower catchment of Yule Brook, southwest ofBrixton St (and below about 7m AHD) the clayey sand (Sc) was mapped as grading into GuildfordFormation sandy clay (Cs). The same sandy clay (Cs) was also mapped over much of the MKSEA in the areasouth of Victoria Rd (in the lower catchment of Bickley Brook). [Note the term ‘mud’, as defined in Section3.3 below, is equivalent to the term ‘clay’ as used in Jordan (1986).]The Deep Bassendean Sands (S8) unit is mapped by Jordan (1986) as prevalent in the east of the MKSEA.However, the Guildford Formation underlying this area was evident in several areas where sandy clay (S10)was exposed in slightly lower lying areas amongst the dunes. The dune sands (S8) extended to the yellowsand of the Ridge Hill Shelf (S12) at an elevation of about 26 m AHD at the eastern boundary of theMKSEA, south of Victoria Rd. Apart from these dunes in the east of the MKSEA, there was a roughlycircular, quartz sand dune (S8) at the corner of Bickley and Victoria Rds and two low, linear sand ridges (S8)in the centre of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands between Brook and Boundary Rds.A small basin of peaty sand (Sp1) was mapped by Jordan (1986) at the base of one of the low sand ridges atthe corner of Boundary and Bickley Rds. Peaty sediments were not recorded elsewhere in the MKSEA or theGreater Brixton Street Wetlands (Jordan, 1986; V & C Semeniuk Research Group, 2001). This occurrencewas, therefore, unusual for this area.The MKSEA and BFS 387 are located in an alluvial fan complex (V & C Semeniuk Research Group, 2001).This is evident in the topography of the area; it is a series of flat to gently undulating alluvial terraces(floodplains and palusplains) that gently grade down to the Canning River and are dissected by Yule Brookand its tributaries (Figure 7). The regional stratigraphy in this system is linked to the geographic position inthe landscape (V & C Semeniuk Research Group, 2001) as the structure of the alluvial fan has been createdby the gradation from a large to small sedimentary load and gradation from coarse to fine sediments withincreasing distance from the Darling Scarp. This gradation can be seen superficially in the soils (Jordan,1986) (Figure 6) where the finest soils (Cs) of the area are distributed in the downslope, western areas ofBFS 387. The stratigraphic style of the various zones of the alluvial fan also has implications with regard tothe characteristic hydrological processes that operate in each of these zones along this gradient (V. Semeniukpers. comm.). The variation in habitat in the BFS 387 and the MKSEA (topography, soils, stratigraphy andhydrology) is reflected in the subtle variation in vegetation assemblages that have been noted as occurringalong the topographical gradient from east to west in the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands (Goble-Garratt,1991). Thus, the alluvial fan complex can be seen as a series of habitat zones created by the variation in thephysical environment along the topographical gradient (Figures 6, 7). The habitat zones created by thevariation in the physical environment along the topographical gradient of the alluvial fan complex in WattleGrove-Kenwick-Maddington are important features that underlie the resilience, connectivity andsustainability of the biodiversity values in the area and should be considered with regard to the conservationvalues and the management opportunities in the area.Table 2.2: Soils of the MKSEA (adapted from Jordan, 1986)Soil unit Descriptors applicable to soil unit LandformSand over sandy clay(Qpb/Qpa: S10)Shallow (Pleistocene) Bassendean Sands overPleistocene alluvium of the Guildford FormationPalusplain (Pinjarra Plain) at 10-14 m AHDapprox.Sandy silt (Qha: Ms4) Holocene alluvium Valley floor of Yule BrookClayey sand (Qpa: Sc)Sandy clay (Qpa: Cs)Deep BassendeanSands (Qpb: S8)Sand (Qpr: S12)Pleistocene alluvium of the Guildford FormationPleistocene alluvium of the Guildford FormationDeep (Pleistocene) Bassendean SandsStructure-less yellow sands of the YoganupFormationPalusplain-floodplain (Pinjarra Plain)

Regional Setting 82.4 Hydrology and WetlandsThe hydrology and wetlands issues in the MKSEA and the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands are complex andintegral to the conservation of the important biodiversity values of the area. However, many of these issuesare not fully understood by regulators and stakeholders and, hence, are poorly managed. Important issues inthe area include the relationships between the topography, stratigraphy and hydrology in the local alluvialfan system; the impact of changes in the hydrological cycle that have been brought about by existingdevelopment on the Yule Brook – Bickley Brook catchments; the relationship of the local wetlands to theSwan-Canning Rivers system; the hydrological interactions between the MKSEA and the Greater BrixtonStreet Wetlands (BFS 387); the mapping, classification and management category of the wetlands andunusual wetland types in the area; and artificial drainage and stormwater management issues involved inpotential further development.The MKSEA and the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands are located between Yule Brook and Bickley Brook, ashort distance upstream from where these two watercourses drain into the Canning River (Figure 6). YuleBrook traverses the northern precinct of the MKSEA. Downstream from the MKSEA, Woodlupine Brookand Binley Brook converge with Yule Brook before it discharges into the Canning River.The groundwater in the vicinity of the MKSEA has been mapped in the Perth Groundwater Atlas (2004) at ascale of 1:20,000. Although the wetlands of the MKSEA, the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands and theClifford Street Bush Forever Site (BFS 53) have been mapped as discrete areas, it is important to understandthat most of them are a part of a continuous, extensive wetland ecosystem in which the individualcomponents are connected by groundwater flow, subsurface water flows along impermeable layers andchannelled surface water flows (V & C Semeniuk Research Group, 2001; Perth Groundwater Atlas, 2004).The groundwater from the MKSEA discharges to the southwest, through the Greater Brixton Street Wetlandsand downslope towards the Canning River. The groundwater contour lines in the area between Yule Brookand Bickley Brook (that includes the MKSEA and the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands) are orientated almostparallel to the surface topography contour lines (Figures 6, 7).The wetlands of the MKSEA were classified and mapped at a scale of 1:25,000 by Hill et al. (1996), andthese data are stored and updated in the Swan Coastal Plain Wetland Dataset of the Western AustralianDepartment of Environment and Conservation (DEC, 2008b). The wetlands in the vicinity of the GreaterBrixton Street Wetlands and the MKSEA are part of the Keysbrook (P.1) and the Mungala (B/P.2)Consanguineous Wetland Suites (Hill et al., 1996, Volume 2A, Figure 4.4). The occurrence in Kenwick ofthe Keysbrook Consanguineous Wetland Suite is notable as it is the most northerly area of this suite. Thereare currently about 70 wetland areas (palusplains, sumplands and damplands) within the MKSEA that havebeen identified and mapped in the SCP Wetland Dataset of the Western Australian Department ofEnvironment and Conservation (DEC, 2008b). Many of the wetlands in the MKSEA that have been mappedin the SCP Wetland Dataset have been assessed as Conservation Category Wetlands (CCW) or ResourceEnhancement Wetlands (REW). There is a group of wetlands in the area known as the Greater Brixton StreetWetlands (that corresponds with Bush Forever Site 387) that are of very high conservation value and havebeen listed on the Register of the National Estate (Government of Western Australia, 2000).The fine-scale stratigraphic and hydrological study of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands carried out by theV & C Semeniuk Research Group (2001) provides a basis for understanding the relationship between thenative vegetation of the area and its habitat and the long term hydrological regime of the area prior toanthropogenic modification. In this study, a ground and surface water monitoring system (at a scaleappropriate to the environmental water requirements of the vegetation of the area) was establishedthroughout the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands.The complex natural hydrogeology of the area is over-printed by a grid of excavated drainage channels,firebreaks and tracks. V & C Semeniuk Research Group (2001) found that these soil disturbances caninfluence the hydrological variables of the area (such as soil moisture, depth to groundwater and surfacedrainage patterns) during the wet season. The initial conclusions and hydrological managementrecommendations from the study of V & C Semeniuk Research Group (2001) were released in 2001, but themonitoring of some of the bores in this system is ongoing.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Regional Setting 9Most of the rivers and creeks of the SCP (including Yule Brook and Bickley Brook) are heavily modified bythe deepening and straightening of existing channels and the construction of drains to increase conveyancecapacity and to lower superficial groundwater levels (Swan River Trust, 2009). The Yule Brook and BickleyBrook catchments in the MKSEA include a number of small creeks, but few of these have retained theirnatural form; most have been excavated and diverted to facilitate drainage (Figure 7). The area also has anumber of small-scale, discontinuous channel segments (that are evident in the stratigraphic sequences andvegetation of the area) that indicate the locations of natural surface drainage channels that in the past hadsimilar attributes to the currently active channel of Yule Brook (V & C Semeniuk Research Group, 2001).The Swan River Trust (2009) has prepared a Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP) for the Swan andCanning Rivers. The flow rates and nutrient levels of numerous watercourses (including Bickley Brook andYule Brook) that contribute to the Swan and Canning River system are regularly monitored (Swan RiverTrust, 2008a, 2008b). One of the main aims of the WQIP is ‘to set environmental flow objectives, protectwetlands and floodplains (mimic natural inundation and drying patterns) and to minimise the effects of damsand extraction of water on water quality’ (Swan River Trust, 2009).The environmental flow objectives for aquatic and riparian vegetation for watercourses on the SCP wereidentified in GHD (2008) and these are relevant to the MKSEA. These objectives were:• ‘Maintenance and restoration of wetland/riparian vegetation in winter-wet, pastured, floodplain regionsand along the periphery of drainage channels;• Inundation of wetland/riparian vegetation to restore and maintain these areas; and• Seasonal inundation of emergent and mid bank vegetation (for survival, germination and recruitment).’In the MKSEA there are some areas where deep and water-permeable Bassendean Sands overlie, or areemergent from, the Guildford Formation. These dunes and low ridges occur mainly in the southeast of theMKSEA, where they generally form localised perched water mounds. Rainwater infiltrates the BassendeanSands and is slowly discharged laterally (along the contacts of the dunes with the adjacent, largelyimpermeable, Guildford Formation clay layers) onto the adjacent palusplains. The hydrology of the smallscale,seasonally-waterlogged slopes (paluslopes) that are maintained by such seepages from low ridges inthe Greater Brixton Street Wetlands, and the artesian pressure heads in some aquifers associated with theBassendean Sands/Guildford Formation interfaces in this area, were described in V & C Semeniuk ResearchGroup (2001). These areas in the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands are the only examples of paluslopewetlands that have been described to date on the SCP. The general principles of paluslope formation areillustrated in Hill et al. (1996, Volume 2A, Figure 2.13).The boundaries between the Pinjarra Plain landscapes (that occur mainly in the northern and central area ofthe MKSEA) and the Bassendean Dunes landscapes (that occur mainly in the southeast of the MKSEA) areoften subtle and irregular. These boundaries effectively divide the wetland landscapes from the uplandlandscapes. In simple terms, one of the major boundaries of this type in the MKSEA in the vicinity ofVictoria Rd has been described as ‘a watershed’ (GHD, 2005). However, it is not simply the crest of a ridgethat sheds water uniformly down the surfaces of both of its slopes. This boundary is marked by a subtletopographical gradient but also complex stratigraphy and hydrology (where water recharge, storage anddischarge can be influenced by factors such as groundwater flow, seepage from perched aquifers, artesiansprings, and channelled surface flow). Thus an array of wetland types (including paluslopes, palusplains,floodplains, sumplands and damplands) has developed along this boundary. A number of small dams havealso been excavated along this boundary and this has further complicated the hydrological features of thearea. The boundary between the Bassendean Sands and the Pinjarra Plain in this area is also significant interms of biological values. The remnant native vegetation along this boundary is often atypical or uncommonin terms of other vegetation on the SCP and thus of high conservation significance and both the naturalwetlands and excavated dams in the area are significant habitats for waterbirds and probably other nativefauna. To achieve optimum environmental outcomes for the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands and theMKSEA, it is important that the Pinjarra Plain to Bassendean Dunes interfaces of the area are mappedaccurately at a fine scale. Decisions about development in the area (such as the determination of buffer zonesto protect the wetlands adjoining the Pinjarra Plain to Bassendean Dunes interfaces) should be based ondetailed field studies of topography, stratigraphy and hydrology that have been conducted over anTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Regional Setting 10appropriate length of time to develop a good understanding of the complex wetland dynamics across theseboundaries.2.5 Drainage IssuesThere is no doubt that the hydrological processes in the Yule and Bickley Brooks catchment have beensignificantly altered due to rural, urban and industrial development of much of this area. One of the majorhydrological effects of development in such catchments is that the clearing of perennial native vegetation andthe introduction of large areas of compacted soil and built surfaces (including roads, tracks, firebreaks,buildings and car parks) typically produces a large decrease in the volume of rain that infiltrates locally intogroundwater, a large increase in the volume and speed of surface water run-off and a deterioration in thequality of this run-off water. To prevent the flooding of property and infrastructure by this increase in runoff,it is common practice to excavate the existing channel wetlands and to construct new drains wherenecessary to increase conveyance capacity. These drains can also intersect superficial aquifers and thus act tolower ground water levels in wetland areas and so facilitate development. However, this type of watermanagement typically produces poor outcomes with regard to water quality in the Swan and Canning Rivers,the loss of valuable groundwater resources and the further degradation and loss of wetlands andgroundwater-dependant native vegetation. The current Swan River Trust WQIP initiative (Swan River Trust,2009) is a response to the cumulative negative environmental effects of such practices in the past over theSCP that have produced critical levels of environmental degradation in the Swan and Canning Rivers.Currently in the Yule-Bickley Brooks catchments, it is evident that a large proportion of the rainfall thatpreviously infiltrated into the groundwater locally and supported native vegetation is now intercepted bycompacted soil and built surfaces and is exported, as polluted stormwater, out of the wetlands via an artificialdrainage system into Yule Brook and Bickley Brook and from there into the Canning River. This decreasesthe water available to the highly water-dependent ecosystems of high conservation value that remain in thecatchment and contributes to the nutrient and pollutant load of the Canning and Swan Rivers. The changes tothe hydrological regime brought about by the constructed drainage network in the City of Gosnells and theGreater Brixton Street Wetlands have been linked with changes observed in remnant native vegetation andthe decline of threatened flora (Trudgen and Keighery, 1995; Luu and English, 2004). The de-watering ofshallow aquifers in the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands by some of the drainage channels and the negativeimpact of some of the tracks and firebreaks on surface water resources, have been demonstrated by V & CSemeniuk Research Group (2001). The MKSEA is predominantly a wetland landscape and it includes anumber of poorly-regulated and potentially polluting land uses. Thus there are also likely to be significantwater and soil pollution issues in the area (including the exposure of acid sulphate soils to oxidation) thatcould be exacerbated by further drainage and earth moving associated with additional development.The drainage plan proposed for the MKSEA (GHD, 2005) did not show significant changes to the currentmethod of dealing with run-off in the area. It correctly stated that one of the main issues in the proposedindustrial development was ‘the management of an increased quantity and poorer quality of stormwater’.However, the GHD drainage plan did not acknowledge that the increased stormwater (surface flow) that isexpected to occur in the area after further development in the MKSEA will be at the expense of decreasedgroundwater recharge in the catchment and that it will probably impact adversely on the water requirementsof the high conservation-significance, groundwater-dependent ecosystems of the area. The wetlandmanagement objectives adopted for the development of the stormwater management plan (GHD, 2005)included the aim that ‘existing drains located within the conservation and resource enhancement wetlandsshould be retained to maintain the existing hydrological regime’. It is important, however, to be aware thatthe ‘existing hydrological regime’ is a highly modified regime with respect to the original conditions in thecatchment and is not necessarily desirable with regard to the sustainability of biodiversity in many areas ofthe MKSEA and the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Industrial development in the MKSEA using theexisting drains in the CCW and REW wetlands of the area (and thus basically the same methods ofstormwater disposal as are currently used) with the creation of additional conveyance capacity that will beneeded to cope with increased stormwater from the development, can be expected to move the hydrologicalregime further from that which is optimal for the local groundwater dependant ecosystems. After all, there isonly a finite amount of rainwater available to recharge groundwater locally and this rainwater is decreasingTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Regional Setting 11due to climate change. In perpetuating the same methods of dealing with run-off as are currently used in theMKSEA and increasing the conveyance capacity in the area, the negative local effects (dewatering anddegradation of valuable plant and animal habitats) and negative downstream effects (pollution of the SwanRiver) will be exacerbated.Central to this issue are the predominantly muddy or clay soils and the low-lying topography of the MKSEA(Figures 6, 7, 11). The opportunities for both development and the environmentally sustainable treatment ofrun-off water are significantly constrained by such landscapes. Three main methods that are used currently tomanage stormwater on the SCP (that could be used in the MKSEA) and problems associated with them aresummarised below.1. In areas of deep sand, the cheapest (and most common) method of artificial drainage that is currentlyused on the SCP to prevent the flooding of property and infrastructure by the increased volume ofsurface flow produced by development, is to gravity feed this water to the lowest points in the landscape(which are usually existing wetlands or constructed swales). To reduce expenses, the run-off from alarge area is concentrated into the least number of basins possible and the receiving basins are excavatedto accommodate the required volumes. If the basins are located in deep sand, the periodic flooding ofthese by large volumes of nutrient-enriched, polluted run-off is a practical and cheap method of disposalof excess water as this water readily infiltrates into the regional groundwater table.However, to disperse the pollution carried in stormwater and to reduce environmental impacts, watersensitive urban design in areas of deep sand dictates that excess run-off is not concentrated into a few,large basins but is infiltrated into the groundwater as close as possible to the source of the run-off inmany small basins (Monk and Chalmers, 2006). Such infiltration basins, according to best practice, alsorequire regular maintenance to remove gross refuse, sediment, nutrient and pollutant build up andnutrient-stripping vegetation. However, the best practice model for drainage is costly as it requires thatvaluable land be devoted to drainage measures.In the MKSEA, the area of the deep sands that could be used for (water sensitive urban design) run-offinfiltration areas is limited to a narrow corridor of dunes adjacent to Tonkin Highway in Precinct 1 and asmaller area in Precinct 2 at the east end of Victoria Rd. There are few, if any, sandy areas suitable forwater sensitive urban design infiltration sites in Precinct 3 of the MKSEA.2. The second option for dealing with run-off from development (and this method is most commonly usedin areas of clay and mud on the eastern SCP where drainage water will not infiltrate the groundwater) isto direct this run-off into a drains or natural creeks. If creeks are used for this purpose it becomesnecessary to regularly excavate their channels, keep the banks clear of natural fringing vegetation andoften straighten these channels and line them with concrete to enable large volumes of nutrient enrichedand polluted run-off to be rapidly exported into major watercourses such as the Swan River. Thesepractices contribute to the degradation of native fringing vegetation, the destruction of native faunahabitat, the spread of weeds, and the deterioration in the water quality of the creeks and downstreampollution and algal blooms in the Swan River.This type of drainage system is currently used throughout Kenwick and Maddington; pollutedstormwater run-off and water from the shallow aquifers intersected by excavated drains are channelledinto Yule Brook and Bickley Brook and hence into the Canning River.3. A third drainage option that has been used on the eastern side of the SCP is the excavation of largebasins in clay soils to retain the stormwater run-off close to the areas where it was produced. In suchretention basins the stored water evaporates slowly or, in peak rainfall events, some of it overflows intothe Swan-Canning River system. Such a drainage basin was excavated in the Woodlupine Brook justwest of the MKSEA to receive the run-off from Roe Highway. In seasons of peak rainfall, the overflowfrom this system flows downstream to the Canning River. In the best examples of such drainageoptions, the water storage basins are vegetated and subsequently provide habitat for water birds andsome natural nutrient stripping by the vegetation.This drainage option does not address the problem of reduced groundwater recharge in such catchmentsthat usually impacts adversely on the water requirements of groundwater dependent ecosystems. In theMKSEA, as most of the land proposed for development lies in the groundwater catchment for BFS 387Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Regional Setting 12(Figures 6, 7), this is an important issue. This option is also not an appropriate offset as it involves thesubstitution of a constructed lake or sumpland (common wetland types of the SCP) for one of thepreviously characteristic and now uncommon wetlands (such as palusplains and floodplains) of theeastern SCP.The infiltration of run-off into the groundwater at the point of source as suggested by (GHD, 2005) is notexpected to be very effective in the clay sediments, ferricrete and other materials that form shallow aquitardsin much of BFS 387 and the MKSEA. The infiltration of run-off into the groundwater is anticipated to onlybe effective in a limited area along Tonkin Highway in the southeast of the MKSEA where development canoccur on sandy soils and run-off can be infiltrated into dunes. Elsewhere, it is predicted that the treatment ofthe run-off will essentially be limited to a combination of:a) Storage of water from small or medium rainfall events in basins, or Multiple Use Corridors (MUCs) toallow some of it to evaporate; andb) Discharge of overflow from MUCs during peak rainfall events via the existing drainage channels intothe Yule Brook and Bickley Brook.Without a comprehensive and innovative plan to restore the hydrological cycle of the area to a moresustainable system (including the restoration of Yule Brook to a natural stream and the restoration ofextensive areas of floodplain adjacent to Yule Brook) the proposed measures are anticipated to continue todewater the groundwater of the catchment at the same time that the local groundwater and surface waterdependant ecosystems are also stressed by the drier climatic conditions that are forecast for the area.It must be acknowledged that in areas such as the MKSEA (that are dominated by muddy/clay soils and lowlyingtopography) the opportunities for combining development with environmentally sustainable treatmentof run-off water are significantly constrained. It is expensive to develop these wetland areas as largequantities of fill are usually required to raise the development above the high natural water table. It is alsoexpensive to attempt to conform with the aims of the Swan-Canning WQIP (i.e. to protect wetlands andmimic natural inundation and drying patterns) or implement water sensitive design when dealing with theexcessive run-off, post development, in such landscapes. The restoration of natural hydrological regimes andfloodplains in such areas subsequent to developments requires the extensive appropriation of land (that couldotherwise be most profitably sold for urban and industrial development) to these environmental protectionmeasures. In practice it is much cheaper and easier in the short term, to continue to excavate existing creeksand build new drains to increase conveyance and enable greater volumes of run-off to move into the Swan-Canning River system than to institute improvements in catchment management. However, the potentialnegative effects on environmental values of the three traditional forms of run-off disposal in the MKSEA andthe cost in terms of wasting the opportunity to implement positive changes in this catchment, if watermanagement is not improved, are unacceptably high.The MKSEA straddles the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands (BFS 387), which is nationally significant onmultiple counts and is, probably, the most important biodiversity and wetland conservation reserve of theSCP. Much of MKSEA is located directly upslope from BFS 387 in the groundwater catchment area for thisreserve. BFS 387 is already stressed by inadequate water management in the catchment. Further actions thatwould prejudice the sustainability of the ground and surface water dependant ecosystems in this catchmentwill not be acceptable to Federal and State regulators and a number of other stakeholders.2.6 BiogeographyThe Eastern Swan Coastal Plain (ESCP) is defined as the land encompassed by the McArthur and Bettenay(1960) Foothills and Pinjarra Plain geomorphic units (Government of Western Australia, 2000a). Less than7% of the original extent of the vegetation of the ESCP now remains after the intensive agricultural use ofthe area and developments such as housing, industry and transport infrastructure (Government of WesternAustralia, 2000a, 2000b). All areas of the ESCP (including the MKSEA) where the flora, vegetation andwetlands are still in good condition are ranked as being of, at least, regional conservation significanceTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Regional Setting 13(Keighery and Trudgen, 1992; Government of Western Australia, 2000a). These areas are specificallyprotected by the Bush Forever policy (Government of Western Australia, 2000a, p. xiv) that states:‘There will be a general presumption against clearing bushland containing threatened ecologicalcommunities or representation of vegetation complexes of which less than 10 per cent currentlyremains on the Swan Coastal Plain portion of the Perth Metropolitan Region (generally involving theeastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain).’Bush Forever Site 387 (The Greater Brixton Street Wetlands) is the most species-rich area of all the BushForever sites described in the Bush Forever report (Government of Western Australia, 2000a, 2000b) and, assuch, is one of the most important conservation reserves in the Swan Coastal Plain Bioregion of WesternAustralia. Currently more than 555 native plant taxa are known from the 127 ha of the Greater Brixton StreetWetlands (Keighery and Keighery, 2000). This represents over 26% of the total native flora of the PerthFloristic District, about 20% of the total native flora of the species-rich Swan Coastal Plain (SCP) Bioregionand about 12% of the total native flora of the South West Australian Botanical Province (the latter area beingthe only globally-significant biodiversity ‘hot spot’ in Australia) (Conservation International, 2008; WesternAustralian Herbarium, 2009). The Greater Brixton Street Wetlands contain nearly five times the speciesrichnessof native flora per unit area that is found in Kings Park, which has only 293 native taxa in 321 ha ofbushland according to Government of Western Australia (2000b). Factors that are likely to have contributedto the very high biodiversity values exhibited in remnant bush and wetlands in the vicinity of the GreaterBrixton Street Wetlands include:• The great habitat heterogeneity provided by the complex hydrogeology in the alluvial fans of the PinjarraPlain (V & C Semeniuk Research Group, 2001);• The inclusion, in BFS 387, of a substantial sample of the topographical series of landforms and soils(catena) that occur within the Wattle Grove-Kenwick alluvial fan (due to the orientation of this BushForever Site parallel to the topographical gradient down the alluvial fan - Figure 7);• The very species-rich pool of flora available in the southwest Western Australia Floristic Province thatwas available to colonise the ESCP via the natural corridors; and• The repeated fluctuations in climatic and edaphic conditions that were experienced in the region duringthe Quaternary era. Whilst there was good connectivity between the habitats of the ESCP and the DarlingRange and its hinterland, plants adapted to both semi-arid and humid conditions were able to colonise theESCP during climatic fluctuations. This connectivity of habitats between the Darling Range and theCanning River along the Yule Brook is still functioning currently to a certain extent.2.6.1 Regional Scale Vegetation Units of the Eastern Swan Coastal PlainThere have been numerous studies that have aimed to characterise, classify and/or map the vegetation unitsthat are present within the Swan Coastal Plain Bioregion to investigate the land-use capability of land thatwas covered with the native vegetation and to assess the conservation significance and reservation status ofthis vegetation. The terms Vegetation Systems, Vegetation Complexes and Vegetation Associations havebeen used by various authors to designate vegetation units mapped at various scales. All of these units areregional scale, high order units.2.6.1.1 Vegetation Systems (Beard, 1979a)Beard (1979a, 1979b, 1981) mapped the vegetation of the Swan Coastal Plain as broadscale VegetationSystems based on the structures of the dominant vegetation layers. In this mapping, the vegetation of most ofthe MKSEA and neighbouring area is indicated as Marri (Corymbia calophylla) Woodland (e 3 Mi), of thePinjarra Plain Vegetation System (as defined by Smith 1974). Beard’s Pinjarra Plain Vegetation Systemextended from about Gingin to Dunsborough and was located between the Bassendean Vegetation System tothe west and the Ridge Hill Shelf Vegetation System to the east. The Pinjarra Plain Vegetation Systeminhabited the most fertile soils of the coastal plain, which were preferentially developed for pasture andirrigation systems. Because Beard (1979a) considered that very little (if any) virgin Marri Woodland of theTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Regional Setting 14Pinjarra Plain Vegetation System remained he mapped this vegetation from relic trees or shrubs over pasturegrasses and ungrazed road verges that gave some idea of the nature and extent of the original vegetation.The south-eastern part of the MKSEA was mapped by Beard (1979a) as Jarrah-Marri Forest (e 2,3 Mc), whichis in the Ridge Hill Shelf Vegetation System, a narrow band at the foot of the Darling Scarp.2.6.1.2 Vegetation Complexes (Heddle et al. 1980)Heddle et al. (1980) characterised a number of vegetation units that are called Vegetation Complexes in thePerth Region. The Vegetation Complexes were mapped on the assumption that the distribution of distinctivevegetation complexes (each complex comprising a number of plant communities aggregated in proportionscharacteristic of that complex) was correlated with the major geomorphic systems and soil units of the region(McArthur and Bettenay, 1960; Churchward and McArthur, 1980).In the vicinity of the MKSEA (where the Ridge Hill Shelf, Pinjarra Plain and the Bassendean Dunesgeomorphic systems are present) Heddle et al. (1980) mapped six Vegetation Complexes (Figure 8). Therelevant geomorphic units, the vegetation complexes associated with these geomorphic units and thepercentage of native vegetation remaining within each vegetation complex in the Perth Metropolitan Area (asdetermined in Government of Western Australia, 2000b) are listed below.FOOTHILLS (Ridge Hill Shelf) VEGETATION COMPLEXESForrestfield Vegetation Complex (9% remaining)Open forest of Corymbia calophylla – Eucalyptus wandoo - E. marginata to open forest of E. marginata -Corymbia calophylla – Allocasuarina fraseriana - Banksia spp. Fringing Eucalyptus rudis low forest in thegullies that dissect this landform.PINJARRA PLAIN VEGETATION COMPLEXESGuildford Vegetation Complex (6% remaining)A mosaic of open forest to tall open forest of Corymbia calophylla - Eucalyptus wandoo - E. marginata andwoodland of E. wandoo (with rare occurrences of E. lane-poolei). Minor components include E. rudis -Melaleuca rhaphiophylla.Swan Vegetation Complex (11% remaining)Fringing woodland of Eucalyptus rudis - Melaleuca rhaphiophylla with localised occurrences of low openforest of Casuarina obesa and Melaleuca cuticularis.Cannington Vegetation Complex (1% remaining)A mosaic of the vegetation of the Bassendean, Karrakatta, Southern River and Vasse vegetation complexes.BASSENDEAN DUNES VEGETATION COMPLEXESSouthern River Vegetation Complex (17% remaining)Open woodland of Corymbia calophylla - Eucalyptus marginata - Banksia spp. with fringing woodlands ofE. rudis - Melaleuca rhaphiophylla along creek banks.Bassendean Central and South Vegetation Complex (24% remaining)Woodland of Eucalyptus marginata - Allocasuarina fraseriana - Banksia spp. to low woodland of Melaleucaspp. and sedgelands on the moister sites.2.6.1.3 Vegetation Associations (Keighery and Trudgen, 1992)In a study of the vegetation of the Eastern Swan Coastal Plain, Keighery and Trudgen (1992) identifiedseveral main Vegetation Associations within the Pinjarra Plain landform. These are listed below.1. Corymbia calophylla Woodland to Open Forest2. Casuarina obesa Woodland to Open Forest3. Corymbia calophylla and Eucalyptus wandoo Woodland to Open Forest4. Eucalyptus wandoo Woodland to Open Forest5. Eucalyptus rudis Woodland to Open ForestTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Regional Setting 156. Ephemeral Wetlands, a complex mosaic of shrublands, heaths, sedgelands and herblandsThe Corymbia calophylla and the Casuarina obesa woodlands and open forests and the wetland vegetationmosaic were considered to be the most common units prior to the large-scale clearing of the Pinjarra Plain.2.6.1.4 Floristic Community Types (FCTs)Early work to classify the vegetation of the Swan Coastal Plain using numerical classification of floristicdata was carried out by Havel (1968) and, later, by Heddle et al. (1980). More comprehensive survey andanalysis of the vegetation of the SCP was carried out by Gibson et al. (1994) to define finer-scale vegetationunits than those of the regional-scale Vegetation Systems of Beard (1979) and the Vegetation Complexes ofHeddle et al. (1980). The vegetation units derived by Gibson et al. (1994; Government of Western Australia2000) are known as the Floristic Community Types of the Swan Coastal Plain (SCP FCTs).As there were only 43 FCTs identified for the entire SCP by Gibson et al. (1994), it is a fair assumption toconsider that these FCTs represent relatively high order units (as discussed by Trudgen, 1999, and by Griffin,Appendix C). In the current survey, the FCTs are therefore considered as sub-regional scale vegetation unitsto differentiate them from the local scale vegetation units that were mapped in the current study (and in otherstudies of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands, including Mattiske and Associates, 1992) at a scale ofapproximately 1:5,000 or finer.The derivation of Floristic Community Types, after Gibson et al. (1994), is an example of a purely-floristicmethod of vegetation classification. In floristic classification, vegetation classes are defined by the groupingof standard-sized, sample plots of native vegetation (on the basis of the similarity matrices of the floristiccomposition of these plots) with the aid of software such as PATN®. In the case of the FCTs of the SwanCoastal Plain defined by Gibson et al. (1994) and in subsequent update studies, the standard size of thevegetation sample plot from which floristic data are recorded for the purposes of FCT definition is a 10 m by10 m quadrat. It is important to note that the definition of FCTs on the SCP by this method does not includevegetation structure data or individual taxa abundance data from the vegetation sample plots in the analysis.Only presence/absence data of all vascular flora taxa (regardless of height and cover class) are included inthe analysis.In Gibson et al. (1994), 509 standard quadrats were surveyed on public lands throughout the SCP to recordfloristic data. A numerical classification of these vegetation samples resulted in the identification of foursupergroups of sites. These supergroups were correlated with three of the major geomorphic units of the SCP(Foothills/Pinjarra Plain, Bassendean Dunes and Spearwood/Quindalup Dunes) and seasonal wetlands. TheGibson et al. 1994 supergroups can thus be considered as showing regional scale patterning of the vegetationat approximately the same scale as the Vegetation Complexes of Heddle et al. (1980).Within the four supergroups of Gibson et al. (1994) there were a total of 43 clusters of sites. Each of these 43clusters of sites was designated by Gibson et al. (1994) as a Floristic Community Type (FCT). The SeasonalWetlands supergroup contained the largest number of FCTs. However, the mean number of quadrats thatwere sampled per FCT in this supergroup was the lowest of all the supergroups, i.e. the seasonal wetlandswere relatively poorly sampled in this study.Numerous attempts have been made (e.g. Trudgen, 1999) to numerically compare the floristics of thevegetation units derived by fine scale mapping on the SCP with the data obtained in Gibson et al. 1994. Thevegetation units recorded in environmental assessment projects, such as the current survey, that, on analysis,show affinity with the Gibson et al. (1994) FCTs that are recognised as Threatened Ecological Communities(DEC, 2007 and DEWHA, 2008) have very high conservation value. However, because most of theThreatened Ecological Communities (TECs) of the SCP are defined exclusively by their statistical similaritywith the FCTs found by Gibson et al. (1994), vegetation that does not show floristic affinity to these FCTs, isoften, in practice, automatically deemed to be of low conservation significance. The results of such analyseshave often failed to recognise vegetation that is known to be genuinely rare and threatened on the SCP by themost experienced botanists and environmental scientists working in Western Australia (Trudgen, 1999 beingthe best documented example of this).The floristic classification of the vegetation of the SCP of Gibson et al. (1994) was later updated by theaddition of floristic data from a further 613 quadrats surveyed on both private and public lands of the SCPTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Regional Setting 16(Keighery, 1997). These data supplemented the data available for some of the previously poorly-sampledlandforms, such as seasonal wetlands and the Quindalup Dunes, and included data (for the first time) ofvegetation on the Dandaragan Plateau and Muchea Limestone (Muchea Limestone was thought to be entirelycleared of vegetation at the time of the Gibson et al. survey). The updated analysis resulted in a newclassification that added 20 new vegetation units (S1 to S20) to the original list of FCTs of the SCP. Thisvegetation classification for the SCP was adopted in Government of Western Australia (2000) as a baselinefor the assessment of the conservation status of native vegetation throughout the Perth Metropolitan Region.It is important to note that the urgency of the task to conserve the globally-significant biodiversity of thePerth Region and the lack of resources available for biological research in Western Australia justifies, tosome extent, the methods used. However, it is unfortunate that the additional data used to supplement Gibsonet al. (1994) remain unpublished and inaccessible for use in assessing the conservation value of vegetation insurveys such as that currently conducted in the MKSEA.It may be concluded that the FCTs derived from Gibson et al. 1994 and subsequent updates should becautiously interpreted as showing valuable indications of the sub-regional scale patterning and conservationvalues of the vegetation on the SCP but not as a rigorous standard (especially in the absence of criticaldiscussion) for determining the conservation value of all vegetation in subsequent surveys.Nevertheless, in the absence of more suitable methods and a greater amount of contextual data that wouldadd scientific rigour to the process of assessing the conservation value of vegetation on the SCP, there aresignificant records of vegetation units at the sub-regional scale of the FCTs in the vicinity of Kenwick andMaddington. At least 15 Floristic Community Types (FCTs) have been identified in the City of Gosnells byTrudgen and Keighery (1995) and in the Bush Forever sites of Cannington, Forrestfield, Kenwick,Maddington, Orange Grove, Queens Park, Southern River, Welshpool and Wattle Grove by various workers(Government of Western Australia, 2000b). Some of these FCTs were identified by inference rather than bymultivariate analysis. The FCTs that have been listed in the vicinity of the MKSEA are listed below.Supergroup 1: Foothills and Pinjarra Plain FCTs• FCT 2: Southern wet shrublands.• FCT 3a: Eucalyptus (Corymbia) calophylla – Kingia australis woodlands on heavy soils.• FCT 3b: Corymbia calophylla – Eucalyptus marginata woodlands on sandy clay soils.Supergroup 2: Seasonal Wetlands FCTs• FCT 4: Melaleuca preissiana damplands.• FCT 7: Herb rich saline shrublands in claypans.• FCT 8: Herb rich shrublands in claypans.• FCT 10a: Shrublands on dry clay flats.• FCT 12: Melaleuca teretifolia/Astartea shrublands.• FCT 13: Deeper wetlands on heavy soils.• S2: Northern Pericalymma ellipticum dense low shrublands.Supergroup 3: Uplands centred on Bassendean Dunes (or Dandaragan Plateau) FCTs• FCT 20a: Banksia attenuata woodlands over species-rich dense shrublands.• FCT 20b: Eastern Banksia attenuata and/or Eucalyptus marginata woodlands.• FCT 21c: Low lying Banksia woodlands or shrublands.• FCT 23a: Central Banksia attenuata – B. menziesii woodlands.Restricted Floristic Community Type Mosaic• Shrublands and woodlands on Muchea Limestone.2.6.2 Local scale vegetation units and habitats previously recorded in theGreater Brixton Street WetlandsThe flora of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands (BFS 387) has been extensively collected. Most of thecollections of the area are held by the Western Australian Herbarium and the Herbarium of the School ofTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Regional Setting 17Plant Biology, University of Western Australia. The Greater Brixton Street Wetlands and nearby areas havebeen the subject of numerous studies, including some detailed, quadrat-based vegetation studies (Speck andBaird, 1984; Gibson et al. 1994; Keighery and Tauss, 2008; Tauss, 2009) and other brief, reconnaissancelevelsurveys (Goble-Garratt, 1991; Mattiske & Associates, 1992; Keighery, 1995a, 1995b; Koch, 2004).A study of the plant habitats of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands was conducted by VCSRG (2001). Thisstudy attempted to sample the entire area recommended for BFS 387 in Government of Western Australia(2000) and provided very detailed data of plant habitats, defined on the basis of several years of monitoringof surface and groundwater levels, soil moisture and water chemistry. However, the vegetation of many areasof BFS 387 remains relatively poorly known. Many of the flora collections from this area were made manyyears ago and were not annotated with detailed locations or habitat details. There are also a large number oftaxa that have been recorded in the area that have not been formally described and remain listed by theWestern Australian Herbarium under informal phrase names.Marshall (2000) summarised 26 vegetation units mapped within the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands inSpeck and Baird (1984), Goble-Garratt (1991), Mattiske & Associates (1992), Keighery (1995a, 1995b) andGibson et al. (1994) at scales of approximately 1:5,000. The vegetation units in the studies included in thissummary were associated with four, loosely-defined vegetation habitats: (1) water filled depressions; (2)seasonally waterlogged or inundated flats, (3) dry or occasionally waterlogged flats and (4) uplands. To tryto understand the local context of the vegetation of the MKSEA, some of the more detailed previousaccounts of the vegetation and habitats of BFS 387 (Marshall, 2000; VCSRG, 2001; Keighery and Tauss,2008; and Tauss, 2009) were compared (Table 2.3).The taxonomic and vegetation description data available from BFS 387 were found to be quite variable. Tocollate the information from the numerous authors and to compare the data (Table 2.3) a list of synonymousterms is suggested below.• The terms ‘claypan’ or ‘water filled depression’ (Marshall, 2000) are equivalent to ‘sumpland’ (VCSRG,2001; Keighery and Tauss, 2008; Tauss, 2009).• The terms ‘seasonally or occasionally waterlogged flat’ (Marshall, 2000) are equivalent to ‘palusplain’,‘sandy flat’ and ‘sandy palusplain’ (VCSRG, 2001; Keighery and Tauss, 2008; Tauss, 2009).• The term ‘seasonally inundated flat’ (Marshall, 2000) is equivalent to ‘floodplain’ (VCSRG, 2001).• The term ‘paluslope’ (VCSRG, 2001) that was used to denote a seasonally waterlogged slope in BFS 387has no equivalent in the other literature of BFS 387. Paluslopes are uncommon on the SCP and thecharacterisation of these landforms requires detailed stratigraphic and hydrological data.• The term ‘dry flats’ (Marshall, 2000) are presumed to be equivalent to ‘low sand ridges’ (VCSRG, 2001).• The term ‘dry clay flats’ as per Floristic Community Type 10a (Gibson et. al. 1994) were equivalent to‘mud palusplain’ (VCSRG, 2001). The use of the term ‘dry clay flats’ to denote the habitat of this TECcan be confusing as in the eastern SCP setting, most clay or mud flats are actually wetlands, albeit with ashorter hydroperiod than sumplands in this setting.Table 2.3: A broad comparison of local scale vegetation units and associated habitats recorded in the Greater BrixtonStreet Wetlands (1984-2009). [Note: each row in table compares similar vegetation units from similar habitats asrecorded in disparate studies]BFS 387 (Marshall, 2000;Government of WesternAustralia, 2000)Melaleuca lateritia shrubland -Amphibromus nervosus grassland(water filled depressions).M. rhaphiophylla low woodland(water filled depressions).Eucalyptus rudis - M.rhaphiophylla open woodland toBFS 387(VCSRG, 2001)M. lateritia - Meeboldina cana(sumplands).M. rhaphiophylla, M. viminea(sumplands).Lot 106 Wanaping Rd inBFS 387 (Keighery andTauss, 2008)M. rhaphiophylla tall openshrubland over M. lateritiaopen heath (sumpland).M. rhaphiophylla -Viminaria juncea openscrub over very open sedges(sumpland).- - -Lots 28 and 32 BrookRd in BFS 387(Tauss, 2009)Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10-M. rhaphiophylla lowopen forest over opensedges (sumplands).

Regional Setting 18BFS 387 (Marshall, 2000;Government of WesternAustralia, 2000)low open woodland (water filleddepressions).Pericalymma open heath (waterfilled depressions)/Pericalymma -Tremulina scrub (seasonallywaterlogged or inundatedflats)/Pericalymma shrubs (dry oroccasionally waterlogged flats).Halophytic complex of Sarcocorniaquinqueflora and sedges (waterfilled depressions).Chaetanthus flats (water filleddepressions).Sedgelands (water filleddepressions).-Myrtaceae spp. mixed open heath.Hypocalymma angustifolium –Myrtaceae spp. open heath(seasonally waterlogged orinundated flats).Viminaria juncea tall shrubland(seasonally waterlogged orinundated flats).Actinostrobus scrub (seas.waterlogged or inundatedflats)/Mixed scrub/Tall scrub (dryor occ. waterlogged flats)Myrtaceae spp. – Proteaceae spp. -Actinostrobus closed heath(seasonally waterlogged orinundated flats, dry or occasionallywaterlogged flats).BFS 387(VCSRG, 2001)Pericalymma ellipticum,Tremulina tremula; orViminaria juncea (paluslopes,sandy palusplains, gradationbetween basin and paluslope).Halosarcia (transitional areabetween two vegetation units).Meeboldina cana (muddypalusplains-transitional areabetween two vegetation units).M. uncinata (partly = M.osullivanii) (channels).-Viminaria juncea (wetmounds).-Banksia telmatiaea, A.pyramidalis (mud flats).Lot 106 Wanaping Rd inBFS 387 (Keighery andTauss, 2008)V. juncea tall openshrubland over P. ellipticumvar. floridum open heathover T. tremula rushes andsedges.- -- -- -M. lateriflora – M.brevifolia open heath overChaetanthus aristatus -Gahnia trifida sedgeland(palusplain).V. juncea tall open shrubsover B. telmatiaea - Acacialasiocarpa closed heath(palusplain).Actinostrobus - M. viminea- Hakea varia closed tallscrub (palusplain).- - Banksia telmatiaea closedheath (sandy palusplain).Acacia saligna tall shrubland(seasonally waterlogged orinundated flats).Verticordia plumosa – V. spp.closed heath/Mixed low shrubland(dry/seasonallywaterlogged/inundated flats).- A. saligna - V. juncea - M.rhaphiophylla scrub oververy open sedges(palusplain).Acacia lasiocarpa, Calytrixbreviseta (sandy palusplains).Acacia lasiocarpa. -Verticordia acerosa openheath over open herbs(palusplain).- - A. pyramidalis tall openshrubs, M. seriata -Stirlingia latifolia heath(sand palusplain).Eremaea low shrubland (upland).Banksia woodland or low openwoodland (upland).Corymbia calophylla woodlands(upland).Eremaea pauciflora (low sandridges).Banksia menziesii (high sandridges).Corymbia calophylla woodland,dry sand.E. pauciflora - Hibbertiahypericoides low openshrubland (low dune).- -Lots 28 and 32 BrookRd in BFS 387(Tauss, 2009)-Actinostrobus - M.lateriflora- M.brevifolia scrub over C.aristatus –G. trifidarushes (palusplain).-M. viminea – A.pyramidalis scrub toheath (palusplain).Actinostrobus - B.telmatiaea- M.seriata dense heath overC. aristatus rushes,sedges and herbs(palusplain).- Corymbia calophylla(low dune).-----Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Methods 193. Methods3.1 Guiding PrinciplesThe survey and analysis methods adopted in the current MKSEA flora and vegetation survey, the wetlandssurvey and the assessment of the natural values in the MKSEA were based on:• The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority’s position paper with regard to terrestrialbiological surveys as an element of biodiversity protection (EPA, 2002);• The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority’s Guidance Statement No. 51 for terrestrialflora and vegetation surveys for environmental impact assessment (EPA, 2004b);• The Department of Environment and Conservation protocol for proposing modifications to theGeomorphic Wetlands Swan Coastal Plain Dataset (DEC, 2007);• The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority’s Guidance Statement No. 10 for the level ofassessment for proposals affecting natural areas within the System 6 Region and Swan Coastal Plainportion of the System 1 Region (EPA, 2006); and• The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority’s Guidance Statement No. 33 for planningand development (EPA, 2008).The MKSEA is located on the Eastern Swan Coastal Plain, in the Swan Coastal Plain Bioregion (IBRA,2004) of the South West Botanical Province of Western Australia. Based on the existing regionalmodification and loss of biodiversity, degree of threat and high sensitivity of this bioregion to further loss, aLevel 2 survey (including background research, reconnaissance survey and comprehensive survey) wasrequired (EPA, 2004b). With regard to the current regional survey project, the three components of the Level2 search were fulfilled as below.1. Background Research. A literature review and a search of the rare flora, threatened ecologicalcommunities and wetland values were carried out including relevant Federal and Western AustralianGovernment databases. Advice and information was also sought from a number of relevant experts andstakeholders in government, scientific institutions and the community regarding the known conservationvalues and other environmental issues applicable to the target area.2. Reconnaissance Survey. A reconnaissance field survey was carried out in early spring 2007 to verifythe accuracy of the background information and to obtain an overview of the range of flora, vegetationand wetland values in the area. Transects were walked through areas that were identified from aerialphotographs as retaining natural vegetation. This allowed opportunistic sampling and recording of theflora and vegetation in the more degraded areas, targeted searches of habitat that could potentiallyharbour rare flora and the selection of suitable sites to install quadrats for detailed sampling.3. Comprehensive Field Survey. The level of knowledge of the flora and vegetation of the target areawas enhanced by a detailed quadrat-based flora and vegetation field survey.The wetlands within the MKSEA that are mapped in the DEC Wetlands Database were ground-truthed andre-evaluated with regard to geomorphic classification and management category using the additional finescaledata obtained during the flora and vegetation field survey and data collected by manual augering of thesediments in selected wetlands, the logging of the stratigraphy of these pits and the measurement of the depthto watertable(s) on the day of the augering.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Methods 203.2 Flora Sampling, Vegetation Description and ClassificationThe flora, vegetation and wetlands field survey was carried out from September 2007 to July 2009. Colouraerial photography, stereo pairs of contact prints and topographic maps were used to interpret the vegetationpatterns of the survey area prior to the reconnaissance survey. These interpretations were then verified usingground traverses to record dominant species and vegetation structure and to search for flora of conservationsignificance. Quadrat sites were selected to be representative of the vegetation units as interpreted above.One or more quadrats or relevés were surveyed, where possible, in each vegetation type encountered in theproject footprint.A total of 32 study sites were surveyed in the study. They are listed in Tables 5.5 and 6.2.Fourteen sampling quadrats (each of area 100 m 2 ) were established in species-rich native vegetation that wasin good to very good condition. The quadrat size in this survey was determined by that used in the previoussurveys that contributed to the SCP dataset of Gibson et al. (1994). The quadrats were marked withgalvanised steel fence droppers, and all of the vascular plant taxa in these quadrats were recorded. Voucherspecimens were collected, where necessary, and identified with reference to the Western AustralianHerbarium collections. At each quadrat the following were also recorded: location (including GPScoordinates), landform, shallow stratigraphy (by manual augering), vegetation structure of the site’sdominant vascular flora taxa (in terms of the life-form, height and canopy cover classes given in Table 3.1),presence and cover class of all vascular flora taxa in the quadrat (including naturalised alien taxa),assessment of vegetation condition (using the scale shown in Table 3.2, which is a slight modification of theKeighery (1994) scale used in the Bush Forever study (Government of Western Australia, 2000b), andestimated time since the last fire. Overstorey abundance was estimated over a larger area (approx. 400 m 2 ),which encompassed the marked quadrat in each case.In addition to the 14 marked quadrats, a further 18 relevés (of varying size) were surveyed in vegetation thatwas less species-rich and in good to degraded condition. The relevé method was to compile a comprehensiveinventory list of the vascular plant taxa in a particular vegetation unit during traverses through it.In order to establish the Floristic Community Types of the vegetation of the MKSEA, a multivariate analysisof the floristic data obtained in the current survey was carried out against the SCP floristic dataset of Gibsonet al. (1994). This provided an indication of the similarity of the community types within the MKSEA withpreviously defined Floristic Community Types (FCTs) in the context of the Swan Coastal Plain Bioregion.The classification assisted in the objective evaluation of the conservation significance of the vegetationassemblages found in the MKSEA.The classification of the vegetation in the MKSEA footprint via multivariate analysis was also useful inverifying the patterns derived intuitively in the field in this complex and species-rich vegetation. Theboundaries of the major vegetation units derived from the field observations and the detailed site dataanalysis were mapped onto colour aerial photography of the area at a scale of 1:2,000.Table 3.1: Vegetation Structure Classification (adapted from Government of Western Australia, 2000)Canopy CoverLife Form and HeightDenseMid DenseOpenSparse70% - 100%30% - 70%10% - 30%2% - 10%Trees 10-30 mTrees 2 mShrubs

Methods 21Table 3.2: Bush and Wetland Vegetation Condition (adapted from Government of Western Australia, 2000)Code Condition Description of VegetationP Pristine No obvious signs of disturbance.EVGGDCDExcellentVery goodGoodDegradedCompletelydegradedVegetation structure characteristic of the vegetation type remains intact, disturbance affectsindividual species only, and weeds are non-aggressive species.Vegetation structure altered somewhat; obvious signs of disturbance, but recovering. Some highlyinvasive weeds may be present at low abundance.Vegetation structure modified significantly (and/or floristic composition somewhat altered) byvery obvious multiple disturbances but ability to regenerate is retained (by, e.g. recruitment ofnative species from abundant soil seed bank).Vegetation structure and floristic composition severely impacted by disturbance; scope forregeneration but not to a state approaching good (sic) condition without intensive managementVegetation structure no longer intact; the area almost completely without native species, e.g.isolated native trees or shrubs over pasture (‘parkland cleared’).TC Totally cleared No native vegetation remaining on site.3.3 Wetland AssessmentThe term ‘wetland’ is defined under the Western Australian Environmental Protection Act, 1986 as ‘an areaof seasonally, intermittently or permanently waterlogged or inundated land, whether natural or otherwise,and includes a lake, swamp, marsh, spring, dampland, tidal flat or estuary’.Wetlands of the Swan Coastal Plain, from Wedge Island in the north to Dunsborough in the south, have beencomprehensively surveyed at a broad scale in Hill et al. (1996). In this survey work (covering approximately362,000 ha of wetlands) the wetlands were classified according to the geomorphic wetlands classificationsystem of Semeniuk (1987) and Semeniuk and Semeniuk (1995), mapped and evaluated for managementcategory. This survey forms the basis of the current Department of Environment and Conservation SwanCoastal Plain Wetlands Datasets and Atlas (DEC, 2008a, 2008b, 2008c). In this electronic dataset, eachwetland has been:• classified and allocated to a Consanguineous Suite (after Semeniuk, 1987);• given a unique number that is known as a Unique Function Identifier (UFI); and• allocated to a management category viz. Conservation Category Wetland (CCW), Resource EnhancementWetland (REW) or Multiple Use Wetland (MUW). These management categories are defined in theevaluation section (3.3.3) below.The Swan Coastal Plain Wetlands Dataset is recognised and endorsed as a guide to planning and decisionmaking by all relevant agencies in Western Australia, including representatives of the Western AustralianDepartment of Environment and Conservation, Western Australian Department of Planning andInfrastructure, Western Australian Department of Agriculture and Food, local government and communityconservation groups.The SCP Wetlands Dataset is maintained and updated, when required, by the Western Australian Departmentof Environment and Conservation. These updates are only carried out after rigorous assessments based onwell-documented, scientific evidence and are usually related to the scale of the mapping and the provision ofadditional biological data (DEC, 2007). The wetland mapping carried out by Hill et al (1996), and other datacontributing to the SCP Wetlands Dataset, was at a scale of about 1:25,000. In this mapping, small elevationdifferences were beyond the scale of the mapping but may contribute to the reclassification of wetlands (orparts of wetlands) as reliable data become available at finer scales. There are also sometimes smalldiscrepancies between the broad scale at which the dataset was originally captured and the finer scales atwhich this dataset can now be viewed. Biological data are often valuable in recognising additionalconservation values in the wetlands mapped in the SCP Wetlands Dataset.DEC (2007) outlines some of the information required to assess requests to modify the dataset. Essentiallythe collection of such information requires wetland identification, wetland delineation, wetland classificationTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Methods 22and wetland evaluation. These processes and how they were applied in the current study of the MKSEA aredescribed below. It is important to note that wetlands are complicated ecosystems and that they are subject tochange due to climatic fluctuation and anthropogenic disturbances. The collection of data, at appropriatescales, may require extended periods of field- and laboratory-based research in both biological and earthsciences. This applies particularly to areas of complex stratigraphy and hydrology such as the eastern SwanCoastal Plain, where a broad overview of the biodiversity has only recently been defined (Government ofWestern Australia, 2000) and wetland types and ecological processes are poorly known.The wetland study conducted in the MKSEA in the current survey was, of necessity, a limited andpreliminary approach intended mainly to assess the conservation values of the wetlands within the proposedindustrial footprint, given the additional detailed biological data that were obtained in the current flora andvegetation survey. The MKSEA wetlands assessment was intended to detect any additional and importantvalues that were not recorded in the broadscale survey of Hill et al. (1996) that would require specialprotection in the planning process rather than as a formal proposal to amend the DEC Swan Coastal PlainWetlands Dataset (DEC, 2008a).As the alluvial fan wetlands in the MKSEA are complex environments, it is anticipated that additionalinformation would be required, above the data provided in the current report, for any formal proposals toDEC to amend the Swan Coastal Plain Wetlands Dataset.3.3.1 Wetland Identification and DelineationIdentification and delineation of a wetland relies on evidence from hydrology, soils and vegetation (Hill etal. 1996; Tiner, 1999). An introductory guide to some basic requirements in the identification anddelineation of wetlands is provided in DEC (2007).Because hydrological systems maintaining a wetland are dynamic, hydrological variables at any one site –such as soil moisture, depth to water table and depth of standing surface water – may vary considerably overtime due to such factors as climatic fluctuations, variations in vegetation cover and human use of both thewetland and its catchment area. Thus, a single groundwater or surface water measurement in one part of awetland is seldom sufficient to characterise the hydrology of a wetland. A detailed survey of the wetlandtopography is also usually needed to accurately assess its hydrology.The soils that are formed in wetlands due to prevailing inundation or waterlogging (e.g. peat, peaty or humicsands and some types of carbonate mud), the biochemical evidence of waterlogging or inundation (such asmottling of sediments) and the biogenesis associated with wetland conditions (such as algal or invertebrateremains) provide evidence of the presence of wetland conditions. Semeniuk and Semeniuk (2004) provide adetailed description and discussion of the hydric soils of the SCP. Soil data are very reliable and valuablesources of information as hydric soils persist even when wetlands have been cleared of their originalvegetation. Soil data can also provide indications of past hydrological conditions in a wetland.The inundated and/or waterlogged (anoxic) conditions in wetlands and the characteristics of the hydric soilsof wetlands provide specific habitats for plants. The presence of obligate wetland plant species (Tiner, 1999)that have structural and functional anatomical adaptations to wetland conditions (such as well-developedaerenchyma tissue; Pate and Delfs, 1999) is a reliable, mid-to-long term indicator of wetland conditions.There are also many facultative wetland plant species (those plants that can occur in both wetland and uplandhabitats) that are commonly associated with damplands, palusplains and the wetland zones around theperiphery of lakes and sumplands on the SCP.A limited field survey of the hydrology and shallow stratigraphy of the wetlands in the MKSEA wasundertaken using manual augering in spring 2007 (in addition to detailed flora and vegetation survey) toidentify wetlands (i.e. to distinguish between putative wetland and upland zones) and to delineate wetlands inthe study area, in accordance with the guidelines of DEC (2007). Sixteen study sites were selected to samplethe hydrology and stratigraphy of the survey area.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Methods 23To determine the depth to the water table and the stratigraphic sequence at each of these 16 study sites, holeswere augered manually down to the water table (where possible). In some sites, the low moisture levels ofshallow materials such as laterite or mud prevented augering down to the water table. Surface sediments andthe presence of waterlogging or inundation of surface sediments were recorded opportunistically elsewherethroughout the survey area. The observations of the surface perching of rainwater (early in the wet season) inareas where shallow, relatively impermeable layers were encountered later during the augering werevaluable.Due to the time constraints of the survey it was not practical to install piezometers at the study sites tomonitor watertable change over time. Thus the depth to the watertable was measured only once (immediatelyafter augering) in the holes where the watertable was reached. This method, when augering in sediments thathave low hydraulic conductivity, sometimes does not allow enough time for the groundwater level to rise toits full equilibrium height before measurement. Thus all of the ‘one-off’ watertable levels recorded in thisstudy in situations where there were peaty or muddy sediments should be viewed as being an underestimateof the true height of the water table at each location on the date of measurement.The sediments from the auger holes were sampled at 10 cm intervals, labelled and then examined via a lowpower stereoscopic microscope to assess grain size and sediment fabric. The presence of calcareous materialsin the samples was determined after application of several drops of 10% hydrochloric acid to each sample.The sediments obtained from the augered holes were classified and described using terms consistent withSemeniuk and Semeniuk (2004) (Tables 3.3 and 3.4).Table 3.3: Wetland Sediment Classification (adapted from Semeniuk and Semeniuk, 2004)Descriptorgravelcoarse to very coarse sandfine to medium sandvery fine sandmud or peatDiameter of Grains>2 mm0.5-2 mm0.125-0.5 mm0.063-0.125 mm

Methods 242008c). Due to the time constraints of the survey, the wetlands in the current study area were nottopographically surveyed to accurately determine the landforms present. Also, the hydroperiod assessment ofthe wetlands was based on a single water table measurement taken in spring 2007 (at the time of augering)and usually from only one hole per wetland. Observations of surface water in the wetlands, however,spanned the period September 2007 to December 2008.Table 3.5: Geomorphic Classification of Wetlands (adapted from Semeniuk and Semeniuk, 1995)Channel Basin Flat Slope HillPermanent inundation river lake - - -Seasonal inundation creek sumpland floodplain - -Seasonal waterlogging trough dampland palusplain paluslope palusmontIntermittent inundation wadi playa balkarra - -3.3.3 The Evaluation of Wetland Management CategoriesThe Conservation Category indicates that the wetland should be managed for conservation to protect itshigh value attributes and functions. Alteration to wetlands in this category is strongly discouraged by Stateand Federal environmental regulatory agencies. These wetlands are usually recommended for reservationinto various classes of conservation reserve to protect them from any human-induced deterioration.The Resource Enhancement Category indicates that the priority management objective for the wetlandshould be to maintain the wetland’s natural attributes and functions and, wherever possible, to enhance theecological status of the wetland by such activities as improving water quality or revegetating cleared areaswith endemic, site-appropriate species.The Multiple Use Category indicates that the priority management objective for the wetland should be tomaintain multiple uses of the wetland, including its ecological functions. This necessitates maintaining thegeomorphic integrity of the wetland. It excludes destruction of the wetland through processes such asinfilling, excavation, mining or emplacing urban structures such as roads or buildings.The methods for evaluating wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain are currently under revision. In the interim,three methods are recommended by DEC (2007) to evaluate the management category of wetlands.The first of the methods recommended to evaluate the management category of wetlands is a questionnaire,commonly referred to as Bulletin 686 (EPA, 1993), that was designed before the SCP wetlands werecomprehensively mapped by Hill et al. (1996). The acknowledged drawback of this questionnaire is that ittends to allot the highest scores to wetlands with standing water (such as lakes and sumplands) and thosewetlands that include optimum waterbird habitats (such as open water, dense vegetation, roosting trees andmud flats adjacent to open water). Bulletin 686 does not adequately score wetland condition, floristiccomplexity, the presence of habitat of less conspicuous fauna and the functions and values of wetlands suchas damplands and palusplains (DEC, 2007). The exceptional biodiversity, scarcity and conservation values ofsome of the these wetland types on the SCP have only recently become apparent, through initiatives such asHill et al. (1996) and Bush Forever (Government of Western Australia, 2000). Methods of wetlandevaluation other than, or supplementary to, EPA (1993) are required to assist in the adequate evaluation of alltypes of wetlands on the SCP.The second method for wetland management category evaluation that is currently recognised by DEC (2007)is a questionnaire that was designed for the Western Australian Water and Rivers Commission (VCSRG,1998). This method enables wetland attributes to be assessed from first principles, irrespective of wetlandtype.The third method for wetland management category evaluation involves wetland vegetation condition. Thevegetation condition scale of Government of Western Australia (2000) and guidelines regarding wetlandvegetation in Hill et al. (1996) are recommended for use in this evaluation (DEC, 2007).Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Methods 25All three methods were used to evaluate the management categories of the wetlands in the current survey.The features of each of these methods are summarised below.3.3.3.1 V & C Semeniuk Research Group (1998) method of wetland evaluationThe Water and Rivers Commission instrument designed by VCSRG (1998) supplements Hill et al. (1996)and takes into account all types of wetlands (including palusplains) that have been mapped within theSouthern Swan Coastal Plain. This system recognises that evaluation demands an approach to capture therecognised natural values of all wetland types.In this evaluation system, six classes of wetland values (wetland type, wetland processes, wetland habitats,wetland functions, biodiversity and scientific value) are examined and scored for the wetland in question(Table 3.6). Essentially, each of these values is graded as high, moderate or low for the wetland beingevaluated; then this is translated to the management categories of CCW, REW or MUW, respectively. Thesix wetland values are first checked against the criteria that are appropriate at the level of CCW (Table 3.7).If the wetland does not meet the CCW criteria for at least one question in any of the six values, the wetland isthen checked for these values again at the level of REW (Table 3.8). Then, if necessary, any values that donot meet the REW criteria are checked against the criteria at the level of MUW (Table 3.9). The wetland isthen allocated to a management category (CCW, REW or REW) according to the score achieved (Table 3.6).Table 3.6: A Score Sheet for Wetland Evaluation (after VCSRG, 1998)Wetland valuesCriteria met at thelevel of CCWCriteria met at thelevel of REWCriteria met at thelevel of MUWWetland type Yes/No Yes/No Yes/NoWetland processes Yes/No Yes/No Yes/NoWetland habitats Yes/No Yes/No Yes/NoWetland functions Yes/No Yes/No Yes/NoBiodiversity of wetland Yes/No Yes/No Yes/NoScientific value of wetland Yes/No n/a n/aTotal Score Best score = 6/6 Best score = 5/6 Best score = 5/6Table 3.7: Conservation Category Wetlands Criteria (VCSRG, 1998)Wetland type: A wetland may be classed as Conservation if it satisfies one or more of the following criteria1. It is an anthropogenically unaltered wetland type (i.e. river, creek, paluslope, palusplain, floodplain, lake, sumpland,dampland)2. It is a scarce wetland type3. It is a representative wetland type (i.e. representative of its consanguineous suite)Wetland processes: A wetland may be classed as Conservation if it satisfies one or more of the following criteria1. The wetland is subject to anthropogenically unaltered wetland processes (i.e. recharge and discharge mechanisms,hydroperiod, sedimentary processes)2. The wetland exhibits unusual wetland processes3. The wetland exhibits representative wetland processes (i.e. representative of its consanguineous suite and geomorphicsetting)Wetland habitats: A wetland may be classed as Conservation if it satisfies one or more of the following criteria1. The wetland is a habitat for rare and endangered fauna2. The wetland is a habitat for rare and endangered flora3. The wetland exhibits a high diversity of habitatsWetland functions: A wetland may be classed as Conservation if it satisfies one or more of the following criteria1. The wetland is necessary for maintenance of large faunal populations2. The wetland is a refuge for resident fauna3. The wetland is an important breeding, feeding or watering site for migratory populations (local and international)4. The wetland is a significant regional component of the hydrological cycle (has an important hydrological storage, recharge ordischarge function; or an hydrochemical function)Wetland Biodiversity: A wetland may be classed as Conservation if it satisfies one or more of the following criteria1. The wetland exhibits unaltered wetland vegetation and fauna2. The wetland has a scarce vegetation association or faunal association3. The wetland has a highly diverse wetland flora or faunaTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Methods 26Wetland Scientific value: A wetland may be classed as Conservation if it satisfies one or more of the following criteria1. The wetland contains scientifically significant pollen records2. The wetland is underlain by unusual wetland sediments (indicators of wetland history)3. The wetland has unusual geomorphology (i.e. it is situated in an unusual geomorphic setting or contains unusual geomorphicfeatures within it)Table 3.8: Resource Enhancement Category Wetlands Criteria (VCSRG, 1998)Wetland type: A wetland may be classed as Resource Enhancement if it satisfies the following criterionIt is an anthropogenically altered wetland type (i.e. river, creek, paluslope, palusplain, floodplain, lake, sumpland, dampland) butretains its natural geomorphology and natural, if modified, hydrological mechanismsWetland processes: A wetland may be classed as Resource Enhancement if it satisfies the following criterionThe wetland is subject to anthropogenically altered wetland processes (i.e. recharge and discharge mechanisms, hydroperiod,sedimentary processes) but not to the degree that habitats cannot still be identified and rehabilitatedWetland habitats: A wetland may be classed as Resource Enhancement if it satisfies the following criterionThe wetland habitats are disturbed but the wetland is a habitat for rare and endangered fauna or flora, or the wetland exhibits ahigh diversity of habitats and for these reasons should be rehabilitated (i.e. water quality addressed, water levels naturalised,revegetation of communities undertaken, and re-establishment of ecological links with surrounding areas via corridors and/orbuffer zones)Wetland functions: A wetland may be classed as Resource Enhancement if it satisfies one or more of the following criteria1. The wetland is necessary for maintenance of specific faunal populations2. The wetland is a breeding, feeding or watering site for migratory faunal populations (local)3. The wetland is a fauna refuge but is degraded and requires revegetation or improvement of water quality4. The wetland is a significant local component of the hydrological cycle (has an hydrological storage, recharge or dischargefunction; or an hydrochemical function)5. The wetland is a regionally important hydrological or ecological link in a system6. Portion of extended wetlands is vegetated and therefore functions as an ecological corridorWetland Biodiversity: A wetland may be classed as Resource Enhancement if it satisfies the following criterionThe wetland exhibits some unaltered wetland vegetation and fauna which may be extended through revegetation programsTable 3.9: Multiple Use Category Wetlands Criteria (VCSRG, 1998)Wetland type: A wetland may be classed as Multiple Use if it satisfies the following criterionIt is an anthropogenically altered wetland type and retains its natural geomorphology but has highly modified, hydrologicalmechanismsWetland processes: A wetland may be classed as Multiple Use if it satisfies the following criterionThe wetland is subject to anthropogenically altered wetland processes (i.e. recharge and discharge mechanisms, hydroperiod,sedimentary processes) to the degree that habitats can no longer be identified and rehabilitatedWetland habitats: A wetland may be classed as Multiple Use if it satisfies the following criterionThe wetland habitats are disturbed such that revegetation is possible but not rehabilitation (i.e. sediments, water quality and waterlevels, are altered so that re-establishment of original flora and fauna communities is not possible)Wetland functions: A wetland may be classed as Multiple Use if it satisfies one or more of the following criteria1. The wetland is necessary for maintenance of low numbers of faunal populations2. The wetland is a feeding or watering site for local migratory faunal populations (usually in association with a number ofother wetlands as no single wetland is sufficient to maintain species)3. The wetland is a component of the hydrological cycle and therefore to catchment management (has an hydrological storage,recharge or discharge function; or an hydrochemical function, albeit a minor function)Biodiversity: A wetland may be classed as Multiple Use if it satisfies the following criterionThe wetland has minor biodiversity, but does have ecosystem diversity and landscape diversity3.3.3.2 Bulletin 686 (EPA, 1993) method of wetland evaluationBulletin 686 EPA (1993) was designed to allocate wetlands to five categories: High Conservation, Conservation,Conservation and Recreation, Resource Enhancement and Multiple Use, according to the graphs in the bulletin.These management categories were updated in Hill et al. (1996) (Table 3.10) to the system now recognised onthe SCP (DEC, 2007; EPA, 2008).Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Methods 27Table 3.10: Management categories of wetlands from EPA Bulletin 686 as updated in Hill et al. (1996)Management category General description Management objectiveH – High Conservation(incorporates EPA Bulletin686 categories H and C)R – Resource Enhancement(incorporates EPA Bulletin686 categories O and R)M – Multiple Use(aligned with EPA Bulletin686 category M)Wetlands which support ahigh level of attributes andfunctions.Wetlands which may havebeen partly modified butstill support substantialattributes and functions.Wetlands with fewattributes which stillprovide important wetlandfunctions.To preserve wetland attributes and functions through reservationin national parks, crown reserves and state owned land andprotection under Environmental Protection Policies.To restore wetlands through maintenance and enhancement ofwetland attributes and functions by protection in crown reservesand state or local government owned land and by EnvironmentalProtection Policies or in private property by sustainablemanagement.Use, development and management should be considered in thecontext of water, town (land use) and environmental planningthrough land care.In EPA Bulletin 686, wetland basins are evaluated as isolated units (either with well-defined boundaries orwith diffuse boundaries). It is well-acknowledged that palusplains and damplands are not adequatelyevaluated by the use of Bulletin 686 (DEC, 2007) and that other methods, such as VSCRG (1998) andvegetation condition assessment, are more relevant to the assessment of these wetlands.Bulletin 686 consists of a questionnaire that includes several parts, as briefly listed below (Table 3.11).Table 3.11: Bulletin 686 Questionnaire for Wetland Management Category EvaluationPart I: Presence of Rare SpeciesIf the wetland includes gazetted rare flora or fauna species then the wetland is automatically allocated to CCW.Part II Natural AttributesPart IIA: For permanent and seasonal wetlands with well defined boundariesi. Environmental geology classification: wetlands in the Quindalup Dunes or in river/estuary floodplain receive the highestscore.ii. Adjacent wetlands. Wetlands that have no other wetlands within a 2 km radius of them receive the highest score.iii. Habitat diversity. If the composition and structure of the vegetation of the wetland under evaluation is significantly differentto that found at other nearby wetlands, the wetland receives the highest score.iv. Drought refuge. Wetlands that are major drought refuges for birds receive the highest score.v. Area of wetland. Wetlands greater the 100 ha in area receive the highest score.vi. Habitat type. Habitat types scored in this question include vegetation and landforms typical of lakes and sumplands such asfringing rushes and sedges, extensive in lake beds of rushes and sedges, large paperbark trees, islands, flooded grassland,permanent or seasonal open water, low thickets and samphires. Waterlogged areas are not considered in the scoring.vii. Emergent vegetation. Wetlands with a moderate cover (40-60%) of emergent vegetation receive the highest score comparedto very high or very low cover of vegetation as both open water and vegetation are considered desirable for waterbirds.viii. Adverse water quality. Oil slicks, algal blooms or botulism that have been observed or reported from the wetland in the lasttwo years lower the score received by the wetland.ix. Drainage. This deals with drains into and/or out of the wetland that can alter water levels or water quality. Wetlands withfewer drains entering the wetland receive the highest score as this lowers the chances of nutrient enrichment and artificialelevation of water levels. Wetlands with outlet drains constructed to maintain water levels receive the highest score, whilstoutlet drains constructed to dry out the wetland receive the lowest score.x. Adjacent nutrient scores. Wetlands with more than one nutrient source lower the score received by the wetland.xi. Area of wetland modified. Wetlands with 0-10% of area modified receive the highest score.xii. Reserve Area. The ratio of the area of wetland to the area of reserve around the wetland is considered in this question. Thelowest wetland to reserve ratio (100 ha in area receive the highest score inthe latter question.Part III: Human Use QuestionnaireWetlands that have attributes such as aesthetic values, historical and archaeological features, reserve status and community groupinvolvement and uses such as passive and active recreation, agriculture, mining or water supply receive the highest scores.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Methods 28Part IV: Supplementary QuestionsThese questions concern the occurrence of rare, but ungazetted, flora and fauna species, the effect of wetlands on nearby landvalues, the frequency of human use of wetlands and the importance of the wetland to the owner. This section is usually onlyevaluated if the management category obtained by the uses of Parts I, II and III falls in one of the transitional zones betweencategories on the EPA (1993) graph.In Bulletin 686, wetlands that have gazetted rare species are automatically allocated to the HighConservation Category (=CCW in the wetland management categories currently in use by the EPA, 2008). Ifa wetland includes gazetted rare species, it is recommended that the questions in Part I and Part II of thequestionnaire should still be answered to provide additional management information. However, the scoresarrived at in Parts II and III of the Bulletin 686 questionnaire for a wetland that includes rare species do notalter the allocation of the CCW category to such wetlands.If the wetland undergoing the evaluation does not include gazetted rare species, two graphs are provided atthe end of the Bulletin 686 questionnaire to determine management category. These graphs display the totalPart II scores received by the wetlands that were evaluated in the process of designing this evaluationinstrument versus their total Part III scores. The first graph applies to ‘permanent and seasonal wetlands withwell defined boundaries’. The second graph applies to ‘seasonal and episodic wetlands with poorly definedboundaries’. The two dimensional space in both of the graphs provided in Bulletin 686 is divided up in bothgraphs into five areas. Each of these areas delineates one of the five wetland management categoriesrecognised by the EPA in 1993.The appropriate graph from Bulletin 686 is used to plot Part I scores versus Part II scores for each wetlandthat is evaluated by this method to arrive at a final management category for the wetland.3.3.3.3 Vegetation condition in the evaluation of wetland management categoryThe extent and condition of remnant native vegetation in a wetland is a good guide to which managementcategory is appropriate for the wetland (Hill et al. 1996; EPA, 2008). In the survey of the MKSEA, theevaluation of wetland vegetation condition is of particular relevance due to the very high conservationsignificance of any remnant vegetation of the Guildford Vegetation Complex.For extensive wetlands over 70 ha in area (usually palusplains and damplands on the eastern SCP) all areaswith remnant vegetation were assigned to the management category of Conservation Category Wetland(EPA, 2008) in recognition of the widespread clearing that has occurred in the past in this type of wetland.The assessment by Hill et al. (1996) of what constituted wetland vegetation for extensive wetlands over 70ha in area differed from the bushland condition scale used in Government of Western Australia (2000). Thedefinition of remnant vegetation for this process in Hill et al. (1996) includes:• Complete native vegetation cover;• Partial disturbance of either canopy or understorey; or• Canopy (tree or shrub) cover with understorey removed.For lakes, sumplands and damplands under 70 ha in area, an assessment was made as to the ‘naturalness’ ofthe wetland (EPA, 2008), i.e. the percentage of vegetation that remains undisturbed in a wetland. Thismeasure provided a second tier assessment method of determining the management category for a wetland(Table 3.12).Table 3.12: Vegetation status assessment in the evaluation of the management category of wetlands (adapted from Hillet al. 1996, Table 3)Management Category General Description Vegetation Status AssessmentC – ConservationR – Resource EnhancementM – Multiple UseWetlands which support a high level of attributes andfunctions.Wetlands which may have been partly modified but stillsupport substantial attributes and functions.Wetlands with few attributes which still provide importantwetland functions.>50% vegetation undisturbed10-50% vegetation undisturbed

Methods 29The pattern of vegetation distribution that is present in many palusplains on the SCP presents some specificdifficulties in wetland management category evaluation and in wetland management. Palusplains are laterallyextensive, and on the SCP they are largely cleared of native vegetation and often accommodate a plethora ofpoorly-planned and poorly-managed land uses. The MKSEA is not an exception in being a patchwork ofsmall native vegetation remnants, paddocks, vacant derelict dwellings, dams and drains, areas of dumped fill,roads, houses, factories, poultry sheds, truck yards, mechanical workshops, warehouses, quarries and privaterefuse dumps. If the vegetation of a ‘patchwork’ palusplain is evaluated over its entire area, the vegetationcondition is, effectively, averaged over the large area involved. This method of evaluation would be likely toresult in a MUW or REW category, regardless of the high conservation significance of remnants ofvegetation that may be present. The alternative method of evaluation, which is more commonly used, is toevaluate parts of an extensive palusplain as several, separate entities (after defining the boundaries that are tobe used in the assessment). In this case, the evaluation is likely to result in a MUW or REW category for theunvegetated units and CCW for the small vegetated units.Although the process of splitting an extensive wetland into several management units may be the mostobjective way of recognising small areas of high conservation value vegetation, it serves to reinforce thefragmentation of ecological units that are already critically small. Such splitting up of a palusplain intoseveral management units does little to recognise that ecological functions and processes, such asgroundwater flow, unify parts of a palusplain into a single unit and help to maintain areas of valuablevegetation. It also prompts the further loss of scarce palusplain habitat on the SCP. Palusplains that areclassed as ‘degraded’ or ‘completely degraded’ in terms of native vegetation often retain their geomorphicintegrity, soils or other attributes. Some can be restored and replanted, and can also be recolonised by nativeflora and fauna from adjacent native vegetation. If managed appropriately, such areas can provide additionalhabitat suitable for the reintroduction of flora that is currently threatened because its former range hascontracted to a small fraction of its previous size due to development.The approach taken in the current evaluations of wetlands in the MKSEA was to initially split extensiveareas of palusplain/floodplain into separate units based on vegetation condition. The wetland managementcategories of these wetlands were then evaluated separately via two questionnaire methods (VCSRG, 1998and EPA, 1993) and according to vegetation condition. Subsequently, the opportunities for maintenance andenhancement of conservation values and ecological functions were considered in the discussion of linkage ofareas with high conservation values via buffer zones and ecological corridors.3.4 Survey LimitationsEPA Guidance Statement for Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental ImpactAssessment in Western Australia (EPA, 2004b) identify the main factors that can limit and constrain suchsurveys. The current project was evaluated against these factors (Table 3.4) and several significantlimitations were found to be present. These constraints are addressed below.1. Completeness and intensity of the surveyAn appropriate level of survey was used for the high conservation value flora and vegetation of the areain accordance with EPA recommendations. The only aspect of this survey that was not completed wasthe investigation of several blocks that clearly had remnant vegetation but to which landownerswithdrew or did not grant access (see below).Some investigations into the stratigraphy and hydrology of a sample of sites were made during thecurrent field survey and hydrological features of high conservation significance were found that werenot known previously in the MKSEA or in the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. However, the currentsurvey of the MKSEA was primarily a biological survey, not a detailed hydrological study. Theintensity of the hydrological study was below that required to characterise the essential features of thehydrological cycle in the MKSEA and the hydrological interactions between the MKSEA and theGreater Brixton Street Wetlands. The hydrogeology of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands is relativelywell-known thanks to a detailed, fine-scale hydrological field study by the V & C Semeniuk ResearchGroup (2001). The results of this study and the ongoing monitoring of the bores after 2001 by the V &Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Methods 30C Semeniuk Research Group provide a large baseline database, which will provide a rigorous contextfor monitoring the effects of proposed development in the MKSEA on the Greater Brixton StreetWetlands. A study of the same intensity is required to characterise (in detail) the hydrogeology ofMKSEA, to determine baseline data and to quantify the variables in the hydrological cycle that will be,potentially, affected by development. Some of the issues that require specific investigation include:• The dewatering of native vegetation by the existing drainage schemes and issues that are related tothis, such as salinity, acid sulphate soils and the surface and groundwater requirements of variousflora species and ecosystems in the area;• The formulation of specific guidelines for the management of Yule Brook as a living stream ratherthan a drainage conduit that effectively wastes the water that is needed to maintain the wetlandecosystems of the area;• Investigation of nutrient enrichment and other contamination of the ground and surface waters in thearea due to current land uses;• A full survey to determine the location of artesian springs in the area and the identification of themanagement issues associated with the springs that are found (including the effect of dam excavationon these springs); and• The identification of catchment areas and catchment management issues for the MKSEA and theGreater Brixton Street Wetlands (including an investigation of the hydrological relationship betweenthe dunes in the southeast of the MKSEA and the wetlands of the area).Such studies will require more than one year to adequately capture seasonal variations. There is thus asignificant shortfall in the data available to design the measures required to ensure that the managementof the total water cycle for the MKSEA is compatible with the maintenance and enhancement of theconservation values of the area.A number of recommendations for changes to the management categories of wetlands within theMKSEA were made in this report. Due to the number of changes recommended, the full documentationthat the current protocol for proposing such changes (DEC, 2007) requires is beyond the scope of thissurvey. Some further survey of these wetlands is needed to complete the data collection to support theserecommendations.2. Remoteness and/or access problemsAccess to a number of the private lands in the MKSEA was not granted for the purposes of this survey.This was a significant limitation as some of the lands where access was denied were known from theCardno BSD (2005) reconnaissance survey to include vegetation in very good condition, EPBC-listedand DRF flora, and other high conservation values. Because botanical survey is usually a prerequisite inthe process of obtaining permits and exemptions for the clearing of native vegetation and for developingland, the lands where access was not granted will still be required to be surveyed at some stage duringthe MKSEA planning process.3. Disturbances that affected the results of the surveyAt least five blocks of land within the MKSEA or in BFS 387 that had high conservation value flora andvegetation were either burnt, cleared of native vegetation or had livestock grazing on them during thecurrent survey or in the year before it. One of these blocks was known, from the Cardno BSD (2005)reconnaissance survey, to have an EPBC-listed flora species and vegetation in very good condition. Partof BFS 387, which is known to include listed high conservation significance values (Government ofWestern Australia, 2000), was being grazed by horses at the time of the current survey and hadtemporary fencing set up by the landowners to facilitate this.The disturbance of areas of native vegetation and the taking of DRF or EPBC-listed flora without apermit via activities such as the above is subject to very high penalties under Western Australian andFederal legislation. Also, under the changes to the Western Australian Environmental Protection Act1986 regarding the protection of native vegetation (that came into effect in 2004), it is illegal to clearany native vegetation in Western Australia without a permit or an exemption. Under these changes toTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Methods 31the Act, ‘clearing’ is defined as any act that substantially damages native vegetation (‘(a) the killing ordestruction of; (b) the removal of; (c) the severing or ring-barking of trunks or stems of; or (d) the doingof any other substantial damage to, some or all of the native vegetation in an area, and includes thedraining or flooding of land, the burning of vegetation, the grazing of stock, or any other act or activity,that causes – (e) the killing or destruction of; (f) the severing of trunks or stems of; or (g) any othersubstantial damage to, some or all of the native vegetation in an area; and includes ringbarking, drainingor flooding of land, burning and grazing of stock’).These disturbances did not greatly affect the survey results. The good regrowth of native vegetation inthe burnt sites enabled an adequate assessment to be made; it was possible to identify most plants.4. Availability of contextual information for the survey dataThe Swan Coastal Plain (SCP) is a bioregion that has undergone great climatic and edaphic change inthe past and is renowned for the species-richness of its flora and the complexity of its native vegetation.However, the description of the native vegetation and the processes used to analyse the conservationsignificance of native vegetation on the SCP are complicated by many factors. These factors include therange of methods that have been used in the literature to classify the vegetation (structural vs. floristic;qualitative vs. numerical, etc.); the various scales at which the vegetation has been recorded andmapped; the taxonomic unreliability of many of the floristic datasets that have been collected asunpublished reports by environmental consultants and have not been subjected to peer review; the lackof a single, publicly-available, peer-reviewed database that includes all of the more reliable (DECcollected)floristic data of the SCP, and the low intensity of the survey effort that, to date, hascontributed to the best-available DEC database.Part of the process described by Government of Western Australia (2000) to determine the conservationvalues of remnant vegetation in a survey area on the SCP such as the MKSEA involves the comparisonof floristic data from a survey area (the survey dataset) with that of Gibson et al. (1994) (the SCPdataset) using appropriate software to define clusters of sites called Floristic Community Types (FCTs)on the basis of similarity of floristic composition. However, the identification of FCTs and ThreatenedEcological Communities (TECs) of the SCP (TECs based largely on the FCTs originally identified byGibson et al. 1994) by this method has well-acknowledged limitations (see, for example, Appendix C).The ‘SCP dataset’ included data from a larger number of sites than any previous study and it provided asignificant documentation of the variation present in the native vegetation of the SCP. However,although the ‘SCP dataset’ was collected from a very large area (that is renowned for the multiplicity ofthe fine-scale vegetation types that are clearly evident in the field at a scale of 1:25,000 or finer), itresulted in the definition of a relatively small number of Floristic Community Types. Trudgen (1999)and Griffin (Appendix C) maintain that the relatively small size of the sample of the vegetation capturedby Gibson et al (1994), and the fact that Gibson et al. did not consider vegetation structure and floristicspecies abundance variation, resulted in an underestimation of the true variation that is present in thevegetation of the SCP. The sample size of Gibson et al. (1994) was later augmented by additional data,which resulted in the identification of supplementary FCTs (Government of Western Australia, 2000).However, the additional data have not been published in sufficient detail or in a format that would allowcomparison with other survey datasets (Griffin, Appendix C). Most of the Threatened EcologicalCommunities (TECs) of the SCP currently listed by DEC (2008d) and by DEWHA (2008b) are FCTsthat were identified in the initial cluster analysis of the ‘SCP dataset’. Trudgen (1999) has argued thatthe FCTs of the ‘SCP dataset’ should be regarded as being of a very high rank in the classificatoryhierarchy. A more comprehensive baseline database than that of Gibson et al. (1994) used in clusteranalysis with survey datasets would undoubtedly confirm the TEC status of the FCTs currentlyrecognised as TECs. It would also probably identify additional FCTs that would be eligible for TECstatus.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Methods 32Table 3.13: MKSEA Survey LimitationsAspects Constraints CommentsScopeProportion of floraidentified, recordedand/or collectedAvailability ofcontextualinformation ofbackgroundinformationCompleteness andfurther work whichmight be neededTiming/weather/season/cycleDisturbances whichaffected results ofsurveyIntensity (inretrospect, was theintensity adequate?)ResourcesRemoteness and/oraccess problemsCompetency andexperience of theconsultants whocarried out the surveyNoneNegligibleSignificantSignificantNegligibleSmallSignificantNoneSignificantNoneThe scope of the current study was very wide as was appropriate to an area that is knownto include significant values, wetland types that have attributes that are often poorlyunderstood by the general public and many agencies, and complex ecological processesthat have been poorly managed in the past. The values within the Bush Foreverconservation lands were relatively well-known and were not surveyed. However, somerecommendations of Cardno BSD (2005) regarding wetlands in BFS 387 required reviewin the current survey.The vascular flora inventory for the MKSEA in this survey recorded more than 425 taxa,including three potentially new species. It recorded a large proportion of the total nativeflora known from BFS 387 and BFS 53 from many past surveys and also found manyadditional taxa. Most sites were visited at least 3 times to ensure a comprehensivefloristic inventory of the target area.Abundant existing data of flora and vegetation were available from the literature. Deficitexisted with regard to the regional data and the methods available to classify floristiccommunity types on the SCP (see Appendix C). This deficit is considered to sometimescontribute to an under-estimation of the conservation value of vegetation types that mayin fact be rare or uncommon on the SCP.Access was not granted to survey some of the private lands in the MKSEA. Some ofthese blocks will require survey if any change to zoning or if development is proposed.Detailed study to investigate the total hydrological cycle and hydrological linkagesbetween proposed development lands and conservation areas was beyond the time andresources allocated for this survey. Excellent baseline data for the Greater Brixton StreetWetlands (BFS 387) is available (VCSRG, 2001) and subsequent monitoring of boresestablished that baseline study should be used as a basis for further studies of the area.A number of changes to the DEC SCP Wetlands Dataset (DEC, 2008a, 2008b) areproposed in this report and will require further survey to complete the documentationrequired by DEC for formal changes to datasets. In particular, the upland boundary of thepalusplain wetlands mapped in this study in Precinct 2 will require formal documentationto DEC.Much of the survey was conducted in fine spring weather in 2007 (after the record lowrainfall year of 2006). The vegetation was still recovering from drought at this time.Subsequent visits to various survey areas were made in spring 2008 (and at other timesduring 2007, 2008 and 2009) after heavier, more typical rainfall.At least five blocks of land within the MKSEA were burnt, grazed and/or cleared ofnative vegetation just before or after the current botanical survey was conducted. Thegrazing of horses was also observed within BFS 387. All of these actions contravene theWestern Australian Environmental Protection Act clearing regulations relating to highconservation value native vegetation of the eastern SCP. These disturbances did not alterthe outcomes of the survey significantly.An appropriate level of survey was used for the high conservation value flora andvegetation of the area in accordance with EPA recommendations (see above). Theintensity of the wetlands study was below that required to examine the crucial variablesof the total water cycle in the target area and to characterise the hydrological interactionsbetween the conservation lands and the MKSEA lands (see ‘completeness’ above).The study required more time than anticipated but this was accommodated by the City ofGosnells.Access was not granted to survey a number of the private lands in the MKSEA. If rezoningor development is proposed for these areas, full access and detailed field surveyswill be required.Two very experienced and qualified botanists carried out the survey. Additional inputwas received from a number of specialists in various issues and these are listed in theacknowledgments.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Flora 334. Flora4.1 Flora Desktop StudyA comprehensive search of the flora taxa of conservation significance (at the national, state and regionallevels) that are known to have distributions that may include the MKSEA (or habitats similar to those foundin the MKSEA) was conducted in the literature and the databases of rare flora maintained by relevantagencies. The main aim of this search was to predict the occurrence of the taxa of conservation significancemost likely to occur within the study area and so assist the targeted search and recognition of these taxa inthe field survey. Apart from the names of these taxa and their listed conservation significance codes, otherrelevant information (where available), such as geographic distribution, locality records, growth form,habitat and flowering time, was also included in the list compiled (Appendix A: Table A.1). The sources ofthese data are listed below.1. The list of Flora of National Conservation Significance was compiled from the Threatened FloraDatabase of the DEWHA (2008a).2. The list of Flora of State Significance (the taxa listed as Declared Rare Flora and Priority Flora inWestern Australia) was compiled from searches of three Western Australian DEC Flora Databases byDEC staff. The parameters for each search are shown below.a. The Threatened (Declared Rare) Flora Database, for records in the rectangle defined by thecoordinates 32 0 00’ 00” - 32 0 02’20” S and 115 0 58’ 00” - 116 0 00’ 10” E.b. The Western Australian Herbarium Specimen Database (WAHERB) for records in the rectangledefined by the coordinates above; andc. The Declared Rare and Priority Flora List Database for the locations Beckenham, Brixton,Cannington, Forrestfield, Gosnells, High Wycombe, Kenwick, Kewdale, Maddington, Maida Vale,Orange Grove, Perth Airport, Wattle Grove and Welshpool.There is doubt (based on discrepancies between specimen collection coordinates and stated location inWestern Australian Herbarium [WAH], in 2008, on recorded habitats or on examination of WAHcollections) that none of the eight Priority taxa - Acacia lasiocarpa var. bracteolata long pedunclevariant (G.J. Keighery 5026), Acacia oncinophylla subsp. patulifolia, Aotus cordifolia, Banksiapteridifolia subsp. vernalis, (syn. Dryandra pteridifolia subsp. vernalis), Lasiopetalum bracteatum,Templetonia drummondii, Tetratheca sp. Granite (S. Patrick 1224) [aff. hirsuta] and Thysanotus anceps- has been recorded previously within the Swan Coastal Plain part of the DEC database search area.3. The list of Flora of Regional Significance was compiled from the records of other field surveysconducted in the vicinity of the MKSEA, including Keighery and Trudgen (1992), Keighery andKeighery (2000); Government of Western Australian (2000); Cardno BSD (2005), Tauss (2007a),Keighery and Tauss (2008) and Tauss (2009). All geographical distributions were checked on FloraBase(Western Australian Herbarium, 2008, 2009).4. Much of the data about localities, distributions and flowering times of many of these taxa were providedby the Western Australian DEC database search result and Atkins (2006, 2008). Other data of form,features and habitats were added from Paczkowska and Chapman (2000) and Western AustralianHerbarium (2007, 2008, 2009). Additional data were compiled from examination of herbariumspecimens and their labels in the Western Australian Herbarium, consultations with other botanists,Marchant et al. (1987), Hoffman and Brown (1998) and relevant parts of the Flora of Australia andHow to Know Western Australian Wildflowers series.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Flora 344.1.1 Flora of Conservation Significance4.1.1.1 Flora of National SignificanceFederal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).Flora taxa (species, subspecies or varieties) that are listed as being of National Conservation Significanceunder the EPBC Act are designated one of the six categories (Critically Endangered, Endangered,Vulnerable, Conservation Dependent, Extinct, Extinct in the Wild) defined by the Australian GovernmentDepartment of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA, 2008a). (See Appendix A fordefinitions of the EPBC Act categories.)A search of the Threatened Species Database of the Australian Government Department of Environment,Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA, 2008a) for the local government areas of Gosnells, Kalamunda andCanning yielded records of 14 Flora Taxa of National Conservation Significance listed under the EPBC Act,viz. Acacia anomala (Vulnerable), Acacia aphylla (Endangered), Andersonia gracilis (Endangered),Anthocercis gracilis (Endangered), Caladenia huegelii (Endangered), Conospermum undulatum(Vulnerable), Darwinia apiculata (Endangered), Diuris drummondii (Vulnerable), Drakaea elastica(Endangered), Dryandra mimica (Endangered: now Banksia mimica), Lasiopetalum pterocarpum (syn.Lasiopetalum sp. Serpentine S. Paust 1103A), Lepidosperma rostratum (Endangered), Macarthuriakeigheryi (Endangered) and Thelymitra stellata (Endangered) (Appendix A, Table A1). Six of the EPBClisted species that were found in this desktop search (Acacia anomala, Acacia aphylla, Anthocercis gracilis,Darwinia apiculata, Lasiopetalum pterocarpum and Thelymitra stellata) are typically restricted to rockyhabitats of the Darling Scarp and the Yilgarn Plateau and, consequently, are unlikely to occur within thepredominantly wetland and sand dune settings of the MKSEA.Further searches of the literature and the databases of the Western Australian Department of Environmentand Conservation showed that the following six nationally significant flora species have been recorded inBFS 387 (Government of Western Australia, 2000): Andersonia gracilis (Endangered), Calytrix brevisetasubsp. breviseta (Endangered), Diuris purdiei (Endangered), Eleocharis keigheryi (Vulnerable), Hydatelladioica (Endangered) and Lepidosperma rostratum (Endangered). Additionally, there are records ofCaladenia huegelii (Endangered), Macarthuria keigheryi (Endangered) and Tetraria australis (Vulnerable)from Kenwick or nearby (Western Australian Herbarium, 2007) (Appendix A, Table A1).Two of the Nationally Significant Flora Taxa above (Calytrix breviseta subsp. breviseta and Conospermumundulatum) were recorded by Cardno BSD (2005) in Lot 138 Brentwood Rd and Lot 25 Victoria Rd,respectively. Calytrix breviseta var. breviseta was also recorded from Lot 138 Brentwood Rd in DEC fieldsearches for this species (Western Australian Herbarium, 2009). Conospermum undulatum was also knownfrom the Clifford Street Bushland (BFS 53) in Precinct 1 of the MKSEA (Government of WesternAustralian, 2000).Thus the most likely Flora Taxa of National Conservation Significance that may occur in the vicinity of theMKSEA survey area can be reduced to a total of twelve taxa (Appendix A, Table A1). These are:Andersonia gracilis, Caladenia huegelii, Calytrix breviseta subsp. breviseta, Conospermum undulatum,Diuris purdiei, Drakaea elastica, Banksia (=Dryandra) mimica, Eleocharis keigheryi, Hydatella dioica,Lepidosperma rostratum, Macarthuria keigheryi and Tetraria australis. Of these taxa, five are shrubs(Andersonia gracilis, Calytrix breviseta subsp. breviseta, Conospermum undulatum, Banksia mimica andMacarthuria keigheryi) that are either very conspicuous in flower during spring or are clearly distinguishablefrom other species in a vegetative state. The four EPBC-listed sedge or sedge-like taxa in this list (Eleochariskeigheryi, Hydatella dioica, Lepidosperma rostratum and Tetraria australis) all occur in claypans, aredifficult to distinguish from similar-appearing taxa in the field and are generally located only duringintensive quadrat-based surveys by experienced botanists. One of the orchids is conspicuous in flower(Caladenia huegelii), and another has distinctive vegetative features (Drakaea elastica). The donkey orchidDiuris purdiei (which only flowers after fire and is inconspicuous at other times) is probably the most crypticof the rare species that could be present in the MKSEA.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Flora 354.1.1.2 Flora of State SignificanceWestern Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WA Conservation Act) and Western AustralianDepartment of Environment and Conservation (WA DEC) Priority Flora Taxa.Declared Rare Flora (DRF) taxa are protected under the Western Australia Conservation Act. The list of taxacurrently protected under this Act was gazetted in Government Gazette, WA (2008). DRF taxa are assessedunder the same international criteria as EPBC listed species. Therefore, if a species is listed as DRF inWestern Australia, it is also eligible for listing under the EPBC Act and should be listed as such as soon asthe required administrative process is completed.The Western Australian DEC has also defined four classes of Priority Flora Taxa that are considered to be ofconservation significance (Atkins, 2008). These taxa are grouped into four categories (Priority One, PriorityTwo, Priority Three and Priority Four) depending on the perceived urgency of determining their formalconservation status as indicated by the degree of threat to these taxa. (See Appendix A for the definitions ofDeclared Rare Flora and the four categories of Priority Flora.)Ten Declared Rare Flora taxa are known from the vicinity of the MKSEA survey area (Appendix A, TableA1). These species are the same as the EPBC listed species for this area. Forty-five Priority Species areknown from the same area, of which 24 have been recorded from BFS 387.One species that is currently listed as Priority 4 by DEC, Grevillea thelemanniana, has recently beenconfirmed as being restricted entirely to the Kenwick-Wattle Grove area, an extremely small range for anyspecies (B. Makinson, 2009, pers. comm; P. Olde, 2009, pers. comm.). When this narrow range is consideredin the context of the level of threat that is experienced by native flora in this setting, Grevillea thelemannianais eligible for Declared Rare Flora status and, at least, Endangered status under the EPBC Act.Trudgen and Keighery (1995, Table 1) list 41 taxa of Declared Rare and Priority Flora recorded in the part ofthe City of Gosnells west of the Darling scarp and another 11 that may occur there. Fifteen of these 52 taxaare listed as endemic to alluvial soils on the eastern side of the SCP.4.1.1.3 Flora of Regional SignificanceEPA (2004b) and (Government of Western Australian, 2000) have nominated a number of other criteria(apart from the Federal and Western Australian State criteria of Threatened Flora, Declared Rare Flora andPriority Species) under which flora taxa (i.e. species, sub-species and varieties) may have conservationsignificance. In EPA (2004b) such taxa are termed ‘other taxa of conservation significance’. These criteriaare not explained well in EPA (2004b) and can be somewhat difficult to understand without furtherexplanation. Essentially, the conservation significance of such taxa is assessed primarily by considering theirstatus in the context of a single region (i.e. the Swan Coastal Plain Bioregion when examining the MKSEA),rather than in the context of the whole of Western Australia or Australia. Thus in the MKSEA study, suchtaxa were termed ‘regionally significant’ rather than ‘other taxa of conservation significance’ because theformer term was thought to be more descriptive and easier to understand. The criteria for the conservationsignificance of these taxa (from EPA, 2004b) and how they apply to the Maddington-Kenwick area in thecontext of the SCP are briefly explained below.1. Taxa with populations in Maddington-Kenwick that are significant (with reference to the SCP).Significant populations in this context are populations that are important in maintaining the survival ofthese taxa on the eastern SCP (or, more generally, on the SCP). There are potentially many reasons thatmay ensure that one population is of higher conservation significance than other populations of the samespecies in the region. For example, a large population may be of high regional significance if the otherpopulations in the region are very small. A mature population of obligate re-seeding plants with anabundant soil seed bank may be of high regional significance if most other populations in the regionhave been burnt recently and could be extirpated by another fire. A population that occurs in a wetlandreserve with an adequate buffer zone and has good connectivity to suitable habitat in other wetlandreserves nearby can be of higher regional significance than a population that is confined to the edges ofdrains along road verges. Other factors to consider in assessing regional significance of populationsTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Flora 36include such things as the occurrence of valuable genotypes or phenotypes in some populations, therelative abundance of pollinators in some populations and the levels of threat (e.g. weeds, dieback, andwater abstraction) operating in populations.2. Taxa with populations in Maddington-Kenwick that are disjunct from their main geographic range (i.e.they are isolated outliers from other populations of the same taxon) or are at the limit of theirgeographic range (i.e. they are at the range end of the taxon). These populations may have developedvaluable genetic resources that are not present in populations within the main range of the taxon.3. Narrowly endemic taxa that occur in Maddington-Kenwick. These are taxa that are entirely confined toa relatively small area (in this case, the eastern SCP or the part of the eastern SCP that is in the PerthMetropolitan Region). These taxa are very vulnerable to relatively small (local or regional-scale)disturbances. Disturbances of the eastern SCP on these scales have included the clearing for farming ofmost of the Guildford Formation habitat, urban development on almost all sandy habitat, thedevelopment of major roads along a particular topographic-habitat zone of the foothills, the increasedfrequency of fire, the alteration of hydrological regimes by district drainage schemes and changes togroundwater and surface water quantity and quality on the eastern SCP due to vegetation clearing inDarling Range catchment areas.4. Taxa occurring in Maddington Kenwick that are poorly reserved (but not already listed as DRF orPriority Taxa).5. Taxa that are regionally extinct elsewhere in the SCP Bioregion but still occur in Maddington-Kenwick(and maybe in other Bioregions of south-west Western Australia).6. Taxa of taxonomic significance in Maddington-Kenwick that are potentially new to science and need tobe formally described prior to their distribution being fully documented.7. Taxa occurring in Maddington-Kenwick that are confined to scarce or refugial habitats on the SCP.These taxa may have been common on the eastern SCP in the past when their habitats were widespread.Currently, these taxa have contracted to ‘islands’ of remnant habitat on the eastern SCP (such aspalusplains and creek banks that have not been cleared of native vegetation) that are separated fromother native vegetation by developed or degraded lands (although some of the taxa may still be morewidespread and common in other regions).8. Keystone taxa occurring in Maddington-Kenwick. These are taxa that may have important ecologicalfunctions and which make special contributions to supporting the biodiversity of the area. For example,Banksia ilicifolia (one of the few species that flowers throughout the year in some bushland) may beconsidered as a keystone species when it occurs in large populations in areas of the Bassendean Duneswhere honey possums are still prevalent. The pollen and nectar of Banksia ilicifolia maintainpopulations of honey possums through the autumn months when few other native plants are floweringand thus enables the possums to be available to pollinate other species that flower in spring and summer.Knowledge of the taxonomy and geographical distributions of flora taxa on the Swan Coastal Plain hasgrown considerably over the last 20 years. This process has been facilitated by the development ofFloraBase, an authoritative electronic database of the flora records of the Western Australian Herbarium(2009), and by numerous flora surveys of the region during this period. As a result of this growth inknowledge, various lists of flora considered to be of national, state or regional significance on the easternSCP have been compiled, lists which have changed over time as taxa have been added to (or subtractedfrom) the DRF and Priority lists maintained by the Department of Environment and Conservation.For example, a study of the eastern Swan Coastal Plain between Gingin and Pinjarra (Keighery and Trudgen,1992) identified 36 regionally significant taxa. These taxa are Acanthocarpus canaliculatus, Agrostocrinumscabrum, Andersonia aristata, Anigozanthos bicolor, Banksia telmatiaea, Burchardia bairdiae, Calandriniacomposita, Calothamnus hirsutus, Conostylis festucacea, Daviesia physodes, Drosera heterophylla,Eryngium pinnatifidum subsp. 'palustris’, Eryngium 'subdecumbens', Grevillea bipinnatifida, Hakeaauriculata, Hakea erinacea, Hydrocotyle lemnoides, Isotoma scapigera, Jacksonia alata, Melaleucalateritia, Melaleuca osullivanii (syn. Melaleuca uncinata in part), Patersonia juncea, Petrophile juncifolia(syn. Petrophile media var. juncifolia), Philydrella drummondii, Prasophyllum drummondii, ScaevolaTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Flora 37lanceolata, Schoenus andrewsii, Stylidium dichotomum, Stylidium divaricatum, Stylidium ecorne, Stylidiumutricularioides, Tribonanthes brachypetala, Tricoryne humilis, Tremulina tremula (syn. Restio tremulus),Verticordia acerosa and Verticordia plumosa.However, Government of Western Australian (2000) identified over 60 taxa that occur in the Foothills andPinjarra Plain (in the Perth Metropolitan Area) as having regional significance. Over 40 of these taxa areknown to occur in the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Apart from a number of taxa in the Keighery andTrudgen (1992) list, the following taxa were also included as species of regional significance on the easternSCP in Government of Western Australia (2000): Caesia micrantha Large Swamp Form (B.J. Keighery &N. Gibson 094), Calandrinia sp. Kenwick (aff. composita; G.J. Keighery 10905, Conospermum huegelii,Conospermum incurvum, Conospermum triplinervium, Cyathochaeta equitans, Cyclosorus interruptus,Darwinia sp. Muchea (B.J. Keighery 2006), Dasypogon obliquifolius, Dielsia stenostachya, Droserabulbigena, Drosera gigantea subsp. geniculata, Drosera macrantha Swan Coastal Plain form (B.J. Keighery& N. Gibson 228), Dryandra kippistiana, Dysphania glomulifera subsp. glomulifera, Epaltes australis,Eremaea purpurea, Eucalyptus lanepoolei, Glischrocaryon aureum, Grevillea althoferum, Grevilleaobtusifolia, Hakea conchifolia, Hakea myrtoides, Hakea aff. lasiantha, Haloragis cordiger, Jacksoniagracilis, Johnsonia pubescens subsp. cygnorum, Kennedia coccinea, Isopogon asper, Kunzea aff. recurva(G.J. Keighery 12828), Melaleuca brevifolia, Pimelea imbricata var. major, Stylidium roseoalatum andStylidium utricularioides.In the current desktop survey, taxa listed as occurring in the Greater Brixton St Wetlands (Keighery andKeighery, 2000; Western Australian Herbarium, 2007, 2008, 2009) the Clifford St bushland (Government ofWestern Australia, 2000) or the Wattle Grove-Kenwick-Maddington area (Western Australian Herbarium,2007, 2008, 2009) and considered as regionally significant in studies of the eastern Swan Coastal Plain(including Keighery and Trudgen, 1992; Gibson et al., 1994; Keighery and Keighery, 2000; Government ofWestern Australia, 2000; Tauss, 2007a, 2009; Keighery and Tauss, 2008) were reviewed against their currentdistributions as given in FloraBase (Western Australian Herbarium, 2007, 2008, 2009). It was concludedthat, currently, about 109 regionally significant taxa are known from the Wattle Grove-Kenwick-Maddingtonarea (Appendix A, Table A2). Moreover, in this review, some of these taxa (e.g. Schoenus elegans andDrosera tubaestylis) were found to be poorly reserved and have very limited distributions; thus they requirereview by DEC in order to determine if they are currently eligible for DRF or Priority listing.The regionally significant species that are known to occur in the vicinity of BFS 387 or BFS 53 (AppendixA, Table A2) were each usually significant for more than one reason. The main categories that wereapplicable to them are listed below.1. Scarce or refugial habitatsMost of these taxa are significant in this area because their habitats on the SCP have been reduced to thestatus of remnants or small refuges. These habitats include the wetlands underlain by the alluvialsediments of the Pinjarra Plain (e.g. palusplains, clay sumplands, i.e. claypans, floodplains and creeks)and uplands underlain by the colluvial sediments of the Foothills of the Darling Range. The habitats ofthese species on the SCP are now very limited compared to their former extent, and they have continueddecreasing and degrading in recent years due to development, illegal clearing and poor management.Some of these species are significant in this area because their distribution is limited entirely to theeastern SCP in these habitats. An example of such a species is Drosera tubaestylis. However, some ofthese species may be significant on the SCP but not in other regions (such as the Jarrah Forest orWarren) where there is more continuous habitat and, possibly, fewer threatening processes.Some other examples of such species and their habitats include Acanthocarpus canaliculatus(palusplains), Conospermum huegelii (palusplains), Thomasia macrocarpa (riparian zone of creeksdraining from the Darling Range onto the Pinjarra Plain), Schoenus elegans (palusplains andfloodplains) and Utricularia inaequalis (claypans and floodplains).These taxa are indicated by labels such as ‘h (wetlands, PP)’ or ‘h (F)’ in Appendix A.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Flora 382. Significant PopulationsA group of taxa form significant populations in the Wattle Grove-Kenwick-Maddington area (i.e.populations that are important in maintaining the survival of these taxa on the eastern SCP) due tofactors such as the size of the local population, the genetic resources in the population, the viability ofthe population due to the security of the reserve it occurs in, the lack of dieback or other threats to thepopulation and many other factors. Examples of taxa that form significant populations in the MKSEAinclude Banksia telmatiaea, which occurs in large, healthy populations that are free of dieback in thearea and Actinostrobus pyramidalis, which also forms large populations in the area and including verytall, mature stands as well as younger cohorts in some areasSome of the factors that contribute to high viability of plant populations in the Wattle Grove-Kenwick-Maddington area include:• The relatively large area of alluvial fan habitat still remaining in BFS 387 and the adjoining MKSEAand the compact shape of the reserve area;• The orientation of the BFS 387 lands and the MKSEA (along the topographic and groundwater flowgradient of the area) is favourable with regard to potentially permitting the expansion and contractionof populations with changing climatic conditions.• The connectivity between BFS 387, the MKSEA and the Darling Range and Canning River. YuleBrook and Bush Forever Sites such as Hartfield Park currently provide a degree of connectivitybetween BFS 387, the MKSEA and other conservation reserves in the Darling Range and theCanning River. Moreover this connectivity can be improved with restoration and better managementof this corridor.• The muddy and clay soils that prevail in the area are relatively resilient (compared with sandyhabitats on the SCP) to disturbances such as weed invasion. Significant natural regeneration has beendemonstrated after well-targeted weed control in the Brixton Street Reserve and other areas on theeastern SCP, such as Meelon Reserve, that were previously weed infested (R. Drummond, Friends ofthe Brixton Street Wetlands; K. Brown, DEC, pers. comm.). Thus the long term viability ofrelatively small areas of remnant native vegetation in these habitats is higher than in the sandy soilsthat prevail over much of the SCP.These taxa are indicated by the label ‘s’ in Appendix A.3. Geographical RangeAnother large group of regionally significant taxa is significant in the Wattle Grove-Kenwick-Maddington area because this area is at, or near to, the end of the natural geographical ranges of thesetaxa or because populations in this area are disjunct from their main ranges.Examples of such species include Anarthria laevis, Anigozanthos bicolor subsp. bicolor, Boroniacrenulata subsp. viminea, Hakea ceratophylla, Lawrencia squamata and Prasophyllum drummondii.These taxa are indicated by labels such as ‘r (S, Kenwick SWA)’ in Appendix A. In this case, thebracketed symbols indicate that the southern end of the taxon’s range in the Swan Coastal PlainBioregion is at Kenwick.4. Taxonomic variantsA fourth notable group of regionally significant taxa in the Wattle Grove-Kenwick-Maddington area issignificant because they require taxonomic study and formal description/publication.An example of such taxa is Calectasia grandiflora subsp. grandiflora R.L. Barrett ms. It requires formaldescription to demonstrate how it differs from other taxa in the Calectasia grandiflora complex. Such adescription will include an assessment of the geographical distribution of this taxon based on theexisting collections held by the Western Australian Herbarium. It will also provide the basis for furtherfield surveys to more fully determine the extent of its distribution.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Flora 39It is anticipated that some of the taxa in the category of ‘taxonomic variants’ in Wattle Grove-Kenwick-Maddington, when fully described in the above manner, may prove to have a very restricted distributionand may be eligible for Priority Flora or DRF/Threatened Flora status.These taxa are indicated by the label ‘t’ in Appendix A.4.2 Flora Field SurveyThe native flora of the remnant vegetation of the MKSEA was found to be very species-rich. A total of 435taxa (330 taxa of native vascular flora and 105 taxa of naturalised alien flora) (Appendix B) were recorded inreconnaissance transects, in 32 sampling sites (quadrats and relevés), and opportunistically within theMKSEA footprint. Most sampling sites were visited at least three times between 2007and 2009 (includingwinter, spring and early summer); therefore, it is considered that a high proportion of the existing MKSEAflora was recorded.Three Threatened Flora Taxa (listed under the Federal EPBC Act as having national conservationsignificance), four Declared Rare Flora taxa and eight listed Priority Species (listed under the WesternAustralian State Wildlife Act and Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation,respectively) were recorded in the MKSEA in the current survey.Approximately a third of the native flora recorded in the MKSEA in the current survey was considered tobe of regional conservation significance according the criteria of EPA (2004b) and Government ofWestern Australian (2000).In the current survey, the MKSEA was found to include a number of dune and wetland habitats that did notoccur in BFS 387 or BFS 53. However, the native vegetation of the MKSEA was fragmented amongst manysmall remnants, whereas most of the vegetation of the BFS 387 was mainly concentrated in a single polygon(although one dissected by a number of roads).The family composition of the native flora of the MKSEA was similar to that recorded in the Greater BrixtonStreet Wetlands (Table 4.1) although the MKSEA had a greater proportion of perennial taxa in the familiesMyrtaceae and Papilionaceae than BFS 387 did. Naturalised alien taxa (weeds) formed a larger percentage ofthe total flora in the MKSEA than in the total flora of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands (Table 4.2). Thepercentage of native annuals in the total native flora of the MKSEA was low compared to the total for BFS387 but in excess of that found in some surveys of areas in BFS 387. The total number of native flora taxaand rare species and the percentage of native annuals recorded in the MKSEA in the current survey wasconsiderably in excess of that found in the same area by Cardno BSD (2005) (Tables 4.1 and 4.2).There was a mean of 42 taxa recorded per 10 m x 10 m quadrat in the MKSEA (range 9-67 taxa). The mostspecies-rich community types and habitats in the MKSEA (all of which are recognised by authorities ateither State or Federal level as Threatened Ecological Communities) were:1. Banksia woodlands on well-drained Bassendean Sands over the Guildford Formation (mean speciesrichnessof 62 taxa per 100 m 2 ); and2. Shrublands on seasonally-waterlogged shallow muddy sand of the Guildford Formation (mean speciesrichnessof 51 taxa per 100 m 2 ).The previously known flora of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands (BFS 387), as compiled by Keighery andKeighery (2000) from numerous sources included at least 555 native taxa. More recent surveys (Keigheryand Tauss, 2008; Tauss, 2009) added an additional seven taxa to the tally for BFS 387. The current surveyfound 32 native taxa within the MKSEA (including at least three Priority Flora species) that have not beenrecorded previously in BFS 387 or BFS 53. One of the Declared Rare Flora Species found in the MKSEA inthe current survey (Eremophila glabra subsp. chlorella) is probably no longer extant in BFS 387.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Flora 40The total number of native flora taxa in Kenwick-Wattle Grove (i.e. in BFS 387 and MKSEA, whichtogether include about 174 ha. of native vegetation) is thus at least 594 taxa. Despite the long history ofsettlement in the district and the extensive clearing that has taken place locally, it can be seen that the arearemains a remarkably species-rich component of the globally significant flora biodiversity of the SwanCoastal Plain and is comparable in this respect with species-rich national parks in south west WesternAustralia.Table 4.1: The most species-rich native plant families of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands (BFS 387) compared to theMKSEAFamilyNative Taxa (and % of total nativetaxa) in the richest families of nativetaxa in BFS 387(Keighery and Keighery, 2000)Native Taxa (and % of totalnative taxa) in the samefamilies of native taxa inMKSEA (Cardno BSD, 2005)Native Taxa (and % of totalnative taxa) in the same familiesof native taxa in the currentMKSEA surveyCyperaceae 53 (9.5%) 9 (6.5%) 33 (10%)Myrtaceae 43 (7.8%) 27 (19.4%) 38 (11.5%)Proteaceae 39 (7.0%) 19 (13.7%) 21 (6.4%)Asteraceae 32 (5.8%) 4 (2.9%) 12 (3.6%)Papilionaceae 22 (4.0%) 11 (7.9%) 18 (5.5%)Poaceae 17 (3.1%) 2 (1.4%) 10 (3%)Total natives 555 (100%) 139 (100%) 330 (100%)Table 4.2: Species-richness of native flora in the MKSEA compared with other areas of high conservation significanceflora nearbySurvey Area (native vegetation only)Greater Brixton Street Wetlands(BFS 387) (Keighery and Keighery, 2000)TotalArea ofBushlandTotalNativeTaxaTotal Weeds(% of totalflora)Total NativeAnnual Taxa(% of totalnatives)TotalCurrentEPBC/DRF TaxaTotalCurrentPriorityTaxa126.7 ha 555+ 120 (17.8%) 140 (25.2%) 7 26MKSEA(current survey, Tauss and Weston)Lot 106 Wanaping Rd, Kenwick(BFS 387) (Keighery and Tauss, 2008)Lot 48 & Pt Lot 35 Brixton St(BFS 387) Goble-Garratt (1991)MKSEA(Cardno BSD, 2005)Lots 28 and 32 Brook Rd, Wattle Grove(BFS 387) (Tauss, 2009 )Lots 17-33, 36, 340, 341 Brook–Boundary Rds (BFS 387) including Lots28, 32 Brook Rd (Mattiske & Associates,1992)Lots 105A Brixton St and 107 KenwickRd (Koch, 2003)45.6 ha 330 105 (24.1%) 47 (14.2%) 4 88 ha 220 67 (23.4%) 44 (19.9%) 2 630.29 ha 163 48 (22.6%) 36 (21.9%) 1 245.6 ha 139 60 (30.2%) 7 (5.7%) 2 24.5 ha 97 54 (36%) 25 (17.9%) 2 6

Flora 411. Calytrix breviseta subsp. breviseta (Myrtaceae).This small shrub is currently listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act (DEWHA, 2008d).A small population comprising about 20 plants was found in the current survey. Calytrix brevisetasubsp. breviseta is endemic to the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain in the Perth MetropolitanRegion (Kelly et al., 1993), where it is only known from two populations. One of these populations iscentred on BFS 387 in Kenwick. The other population is at Bellevue. There has been a decline in thehabitat of this species at Kenwick that is probably due to falling groundwater levels and increasedsalinity resulting from local drainage practices (Luu and English, 2004). Efforts to translocate thisspecies into nearby blocks at BFS 387 have not been successful, probably due to lack of informationabout the specific habitat requirements of this shrub.2. Conospermum undulatum (Proteaceae).The current status of this species under the EPBC Act (DEWHA, 2008d) is Vulnerable. A previouslyunrecorded population of this species was found in the MKSEA during the current survey. Anotherpopulation in the MKSEA that was reported by Cardno BSD (2005) was also confirmed in this survey.This species is endemic to the foothills of the Darling Range, where it occurs in a number of smallfragmented bushland remnants from about Muchea to Maddington (Western Australian Herbarium,2009). Much of its previous habitat has been cleared.The two populations of Conospermum undulatum in the MKSEA are close to the southern range end ofthe species. The small sizes and fragmented distributions of Conospermum undulatum populations maybe threats to the long-term survival of the species.3. Lepidosperma rostratum (Cyperaceae).This rather inconspicuous perennial sedge is currently listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act(DEWHA, 2008d). It was found on three palusplain blocks in the current survey.Prior to the current MKSEA survey, Lepidosperma rostratum was known from one site within BFS 387and at Forrestdale Lake Nature Reserve (Western Australian Herbarium, 2009). One of the areas whereLepidosperma rostratum was found in the current MKSEA survey coincided with an occurrence ofCalytrix breviseta var. breviseta. Lepidosperma rostratum has also been reported from two otherKenwick/Wattle Grove areas (Koch, 2003; Tauss, 2009).Many of the Lepidosperma rostratum plants observed in the MKSEA in early September 2007 (after thedriest year on record, 2006) appeared to be drought-stressed. Many, but not all, of these moribundLepidosperma rostratum plants recovered as the rainfall increased later in 2007. There is no data aboutthe reproductive biology of Lepidosperma rostratum. However, as this sedge lacks extensive rhizomes,it is likely to be an obligate re-seeding species. Based on the observations of this species in the MKSEAsurvey, the threatening processes that endanger Calytrix breviseta var. breviseta also appear to bethreatening Lepidosperma rostratum. Further intensive survey of this species in the area after favourablerainfall is required to establish a baseline for efforts to conserve it in the area.4.2.2 Flora of State Conservation Significance found in the MKSEAApart from the three taxa of national significance above, which are also listed as Declared Rare Flora (DRF)under the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act, there are nine flora taxa of State ConservationSignificance (one listed as DRF and eight as Priority Flora by the Western Australian Department ofEnvironment and Conservation) (Atkins, 2008; Smith 2009; FloraBase, 2009) that were found in the currentfield survey of the MKSEA (Table 4.3). These taxa are described below.1. Eremophila glabra subsp. chlorella (Myoporaceae) (Declared Rare Flora).This low shrub is listed as Declared Rare Flora in Western Australia (Atkins, 2008; Western AustralianHerbarium, 2009). The most recent information available about this taxon indicates that it is extremelyrare (G.J. Keighery and R.J. Chinnock, pers. comms.).Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Flora 42Eremophila glabra subsp. chlorella was previously confused with another subspecies of, butEremophila glabra subsp. chlorella is now known to be extremely rare (R.J. Chinnock and G.J.Keighery, pers. comms.). Apart from the occurrence in the MKSEA, the only other occurrence ofEremophila glabra subsp. chlorella on the SCP appears to be in one small suburban degraded bushremnant (B.J. & G.J. Keighery pers. comms.).Active recovery measures are urgently needed to prevent the extirpation of Eremophila glabra subsp.chlorella on the SCP.2. Schoenus pennisetis (Cyperaceae) (Priority 1). This is inconspicuous annual sedge that is usually lessthan 10 cm in height. This sedge was present in a number of blocks in scrub, heath and sedgelands onpalusplain and in sumplands.3. Lepyrodia curvescens ms (Restionaceae) (Priority 2). This is a dioecious, tufted, shortly rhizomatousrush 0.24–0.4 m in height. The rhizomes are at, or very near, the soil surface and are glabrous and palebrown. This species is poorly known and probably poorly collected. It is most similar to Lepyrodiahermaphrodita and L. monoica but is dioecious, has appressed culm sheaths and a longer leaf lamina. Itcan be distinguished from L. macra by its sparser inflorescence and appressed culm sheaths. Lepyrodiacurvescens is infrequent on peaty sand and shallow sand over ‘laterite’ (Western Australian Herbarium,2009) on the margins of wetlands and in seasonally waterlogged basins. It flowers between Septemberand November. It has been recorded previously in Marri woodland near Jurien, wetland heath nearMogumber and in Eucalyptus todtiana woodland and Marri-Kingia woodland at Hazelmere in theDarling Range Foothills. The occurrence in the MKSEA (in Marri-Kingia woodland) is a southern rangeextension for this species. From FloraBase descriptions (Western Australian Herbarium, 2009) itappears that occurrences of Lepyrodia curvescens in Hazelmere were recorded from habitats(Bassendean Sands overlying the Guildford Formation in close proximity to the Darling RangeFoothills) similar to some of those in the MKSEA.4. Trichocline sp. Treeton (B.J. Keighery & N. Gibson 564) (Asteraceae) (Priority 2). This perennialherb has narrow glabrous leaves and a large inflorescence of white and pink ray florets, similar to themore common Trichocline spathulata. It was recorded on two blocks in the MKSEA, amongst shrubson palusplain.5. Baeckea sp. Perth Region R.J. Cranfield 444 (Myrtaceae) (Priority 3). This wispy shrub, less thanabout 1 m in height, is often overlooked or mistaken for a species of Astartea or Verticordia. It wasrecorded on five blocks in the MKSEA on palusplain in dense heath or sedgelands.6. Cyathochaeta teretifolia (Cyperaceae) (Priority 3). This rhizomatous perennial sedge grows to about 1m or more in height and has culms that are round to broadly elliptical in cross-section. It is generallyfound in peaty sumplands that are maintained by uncommon hydrological factors. Cyathochaetateretifolia inhabits a number of locations in the Warren and Jarrah Forest Bioregions, including thefringes of tributaries of the Blackwood River that are maintained by the deep Yarragadee andLeederville aquifers. However, the habitat of Cyathochaeta teretifolia is very uncommon on the SCP.Records of this species on the SCP are predominantly from collections made many decades ago fromwetlands where the hydrological conditions and vegetation are now completely degraded.A closed sedgeland of Cyathochaeta teretifolia was recorded in this survey in a wetland that wasassessed as having very high conservation significance. It is probably the only permnanentlywaterlogged wetland in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands where the vegetation remainsmore or less intact.7. Calothamnus rupestris (Myrtaceae) (Priority 4). This is a tall shrub with red flowers and needle-like,pungent leaves. It also appeared to have been planted in an additional site adjacent to Yule Brook.Calothamnus rupestris is uncommon on the Swan Coastal Plain; it is generally confined to granite andlaterite habitats along creeks in the Darling Range and the Darling Scarp (mainly in the Perth Region).8. Grevillea thelemanniana (Proteaceae) (Priority 4). This attractive low or prostrate shrub was recordedon palusplain in several blocks in the MKSEA. Although this shrub is relatively common in the GreaterBrixton Street Wetlands it is a very narrowly-endemic species entirely confined to the Kenwick area.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Flora 43The continued existence of Grevillea thelemanniana in its natural habitat is dependent on theconservation and appropriate management of the fragmented populations in this area. As it appears to bea bird-pollinated species, its reproduction is probably also dependent on the maintenance of local birdhabitats. This species is eligible for listing as Threatened Flora (B.J. Keighery, P. Olde, R. Makinson,pers. comm.).9. Verticordia lindleyi subsp. lindleyi (Myrtaceae) (Priority 4). This small shrub is endemic to theeastern SCP; but most of its previous habitat has been cleared. Kenwick has significant populations inthe Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Several plants were recorded in two blocks in the MKSEA.Notes:1. Isopogon drummondii (P3) was recorded by Cardno BSD (2005) in the MKSEA, but that record was notconfirmed in the current survey, probably due to lack of access to the block where Cardno BSD (2005)recorded it. This block will require full survey at a later date if development is proposed for it.2. Acacia lasiocarpa var. bracteolata (long peduncle variant) (P2) was was also recorded by Cardno BSD(2005) in the MKSEA, but not in the current survey. Acacia lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa sens. strict. wasthe only Acacia recorded in the current survey in the area where Acacia lasiocarpa var. bracteolata(long peduncle variant) was recorded by Cardno BSD. It is probable that the Cardno BSD (2005) recordis this variety.Table 4.3: Summary of the Flora of National and State Significance recorded in the MKSEA Field SurveySpeciesStatus1. Calytrix breviseta var. breviseta Endangered (EPBC Act); DRF (WA Wildlife Act)2. Conospermum undulatum Vulnerable (EPBC Act); DRF (WA Wildlife Act)3. Lepidosperma rostratum Endangered (EPBC Act); DRF (WA Wildlife Act)4. Eremophila glabra subsp. chlorella DRF (WA Wildlife Act)5. Schoenus pennisetis P16. Lepyrodia curvescens ms P27. Trichocline sp. Treeton (B.J.Keighery & N.Gibson 564) P28. Baeckea sp. Perth Region (R.J.Cranfield 444) P39. Cyathochaeta teretifolia P310. Calothamnus rupestris P411. Grevillea thelemanniana P412. Verticordia lindleyi subsp. lindleyi P44.2.3 Flora of Regional Conservation Significance found in the MKSEAApart from EPBC-listed, DRF and Priority Species, EPA Guidance Statement 51 (EPA, 2004b) andGovernment of Western Australia (2000b) define a third set of criteria under which flora taxa (i.e. species,sub-species or varieties) may have conservation significance. This set of criteria is referred to in this reportas ‘regional conservation significance’ (see Section 4.1.1 above).The MKSEA was found to have about 97 flora taxa that can be considered as regionally significant underthese criteria (Appendix B). Most of these are also in BFS 387 and/or BFS 53 (Appendix A). The regionallysignificant taxa that are in the MKSEA and not in BFS 387 or BFS 53 are Dielsia stenostachya, Eucalyptusdecipiens subsp. decipiens, Eucalyptus gomphocephala, Gastrolobium ebracteolatum, Lepidosperma sp.Kenwick (C.Tauss 2598), Leucopogon strictus, Schoenus subflavus subsp. subflavus, Schoenusunispiculatus, Tricoryne aff. elatior (C. Tauss 1905) and Trymalium odoratissimum subsp. odoratissimum.The most numerous regionally significant taxa in the MKSEA could be grouped under the following criteria.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Flora 441. Taxa of scarce or refugial habitatsMost of the regionally significant taxa in the MKSEA are plants whose habitats on the SCP have beenreduced to the status of remnants or small refuges. These habitats in the MKSEA include:a. Muchea Limestone habitats in Precincts 2 and 3B. These habitats had the following species:Burchardia bairdiae, Comesperma cf. polygaloides, Dielsia stenostachya, Dodonaea ceratocarpa,Eucalyptus decipiens, Eucalyptus gomphocephala, Gahnia trifida, Gastrolobium ebracteolatum,Hakea ceratophylla, Lawrencia squamata, Melaleuca brevifolia, Prasophyllum drummondii,Samolus junceus, Sphaerolobium vimineum, Thysanotus arenarius, Tricoryne aff. elatior andWilsonia backhousei.b. Floodplains of Yule Brook. Although these wetlands have been degraded in many areas and theirecological functions have been somewhat disturbed, a number of regionally significant taxa havepersisted on the levee banks and floodplains of this watercourse in the MKSEA. These taxa includeMelaleuca osullivanii, Thysanotus dichotomus and Trymalium odoratissimum subsp.odoratissimum.c. Muddy sand palusplains were most prevalent in Precinct 2 of the MKSEA and were host to thelargest group of regionally significant taxa in the MKSEA. These taxa include Acanthocarpuscanaliculatus, Anigozanthos viridis subsp. viridis, Borya scirpoidea, Burchardia multiflora,Calothamnus hirsutus, Chaetanthus aristatus, Conostylis festucacea subsp. festucacea,Cytogonidium leptocarpoides, Dichopogon preissii, Drosera bulbosa subsp. bulbosa, Droseramenziesii subsp. menziesii, Drosera tubaestylis, Gastrolobium capitatum, Isotoma scapigera,Grevillea bipinnatifida subsp. bipinnatifida, Hypocalymma angustifolium Mud Habitats Variant,Kunzea micrantha subsp. micrantha, Melaleuca lateriflora subsp. acutifolia, Mesomelaenatetragona, Neurachne alopecuroidea, Hakea sulcata, Petrophile juncifolia, Philydrella pygmaeasubsp. pygmaea, Pimelea imbricata var. major, Pogonolepis stricta, Scaevola lanceolata, Schoenusasperocarpus, Schoenus elegans, Schoenus odontocarpus, Schoenus plumosus, Schoenusvariicellae, Schoenolaena juncea, Stylidium roseoalatum, Thelymitra antennifera, Tremulinatremula, Tribonanthes brachypetala, Triglochin muelleri, Verticordia acerosa var. preissii,Verticordia plumosa var. brachyphylla and Wurmbea dioica subsp. alba.d. Muddy sumplands (claypans) and floodplains were located in Precincts 2 and 3B and had a numberof aquatic or emergent taxa that are regionally significant, including Amphibromus nervosus,Chorizandra enodis, Melaleuca lateritia, Utricularia inaequalis, Utricularia multifida, Villarsiacapitata and Wurmbea dioica subsp. Brixton (G.J. Keighery 12803).e. Dunes of Bassendean Sands over the Guildford Formation were located in Precincts 1 and 2.Regionally significant taxa in these habitats are Cyathochaeta equitans and Dasypogonobliquifolius.2. Significant PopulationsMany of the taxa in the MKSEA that are regionally significant for other reasons also formed large,healthy, resilient populations in this area despite the stresses on these small wetland remnants. Thesetaxa include Acacia lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa sens. strict., Actinostrobus pyramidalis, Banksiatelmatiaea, Gahnia trifida, Goodenia pulchella subsp. Coastal Plain B (M.Hislop 634) p.n.,Hypocalymma angustifolium Mud Habitat Variant (C. Tauss 1850), Melaleuca brevifolia, Melaleucalateriflora subsp. acutifolia, Pimelea imbricata var. major and Thysanotus arenarius.3. Geographical RangeThe MKSEA has a large group of taxa that are at, or near to, the ends of their natural geographicalranges or have populations in this area disjunct from their main ranges. These taxa are Anarthria laevis,Anigozanthos manglesii x bicolor, Banksia telmatiaea, Boronia crenulata subsp. viminea, Cytogonidiumleptocarpoides, Hakea ceratophylla, Lawrencia squamata, Leucopogon strictus, Pimelea imbricata var.major, Podolepis capillaris, Prasophyllum drummondii, Schoenus elegans and Schoenus subflavussubsp. subflavus.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Flora 454. Taxonomic variantsTaxa in the MKSEA that are significant because they differ morphologically from currently accepteddescriptions and forms, and which require taxonomic study and possibly recognition as distinct taxa,include Calectasia grandiflora subsp. grandiflora R.L. Barrett ms, Comesperma cf. polygaloides (C.Tauss 2541), Hypocalymma angustifolium Mud Habitat Variant (C. Tauss 1850), Lepidosperma sp.Kenwick (C. Tauss 2598), Podolepis gracilis Swamp Form (G.J. Keighery 13255), Tricoryne aff.elatior (C. Tauss 1905), Velleia aff. trinervis (G.J. Keighery 10429) and Wurmbea dioica subsp. Brixton(G.J. Keighery 12803).4.2.3.1 Descriptions of the some taxa of regional conservation significance recorded in the currentfield survey of the MKSEASome of the regionally significant taxa that occur in the MKSEA are described below. For further taxonomicnotes, particularly for cross-referencing other names of taxa listed below, see Appendix B, Table B1. Forother information about them, see Appendix A, Table A2.Family Anthericaceae1. Tricoryne aff. elatior (C. Tauss 1905). This perennial herb was found in the MKSEA in severalpalusplain sites where Muchea Limestone was present. It had a tall, lax, tangled habit to about 1 m inheight and very scabrous stems. The form of Tricoryne elatior that is more prevalent on the SCP alsooccurred in the MKSEA, but it was recorded only in sandy, upland sites.2. Thysanotus arenarius. This fringe lily species is a calcicole that is common in sandy, upland habitatsoverlying Tamala Limestone of the Spearwood Dunes. In the MKSEA it was very abundant in someMuchea Limestone sites. It has also been noted in other sites on the eastern SCP associated withMuchea Limestone (Keighery and Keighery, 1995).3. Thysanotus dichotomus. This striking perennial fringe lily has large mauve flowers and forms thick,intricate clumps up to a height of about 1.2 m. It was on the floodplain of Yule Brook. The main rangeof this species is in the Jarrah Forest, Avon and Warren Bioregions. There are no previous Swan CoastalPlain collections of this species in the Western Australian Herbarium (2009). The species has beennoted several times on the SCP; near BFS 65 at Oakford adjacent to Beenyup Brook (Tauss, 2007b), atLot 61 Welshpool Rd adjacent to Yule Brook (Tauss, 2007a) and at the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands(Keighery and Keighery, 1991). Thysanotus dichotomus, as currently circumscribed, appears to includeseveral taxa (T. MacPharlane, pers. comm.), and the very robust form found at Yule Brook is in need offurther taxonomic study.Family Asteraceae1. Podolepis capillaris. BFS 387 and the MKSEA are the only areas on the SCP where this daisy has beenrecorded. It is otherwise widespread in the semi-arid regions of the Southwest and Eremaean BotanicalProvinces of Western Australia. Further taxonomic studies on this form are required to establish thedifferences between it and the common, dry inland habitat form of Podolepis capillaris.2. Podolepis gracilis Swamp Form (G.J. Keighery 13255). This is a robust, glabrous form of Podolepisgracilis, with large pink or white flowers, that is known from the seasonally inundated heavy soils of thePinjarra Plain from Gingin to Busselton. Further taxonomic studies on this form are required to establishwhether it can be distinguished taxonomically from the common, upland form of Podolepis gracilis.Family Colchicaceae1. Burchardia bairdiae. This is generally a species of the Pinjarra Plain wetlands. However, populationshave recently been recorded at Piney Lake Reserve (BFS 339), at Alfred Cove Nature Reserve and atthe Serpentine River (its most southern location). In the current survey this robust geophytic herb wasfound to be very abundant in one of the Muchea Limestone areas.2. Wurmbea dioica subsp. Brixton (G.J. Keighery 12803). This is a tall hermaphrodite form of Wurmbeadioica subsp. alba that grows in sumplands (claypans) on the Swan Coastal Plain and in the Jarrah Forest(from Cervantes to Beaufort River and Lake Muir). This taxon is common in BFS 387. In the MKSEA itTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Flora 46was recorded in a small claypan adjacent to Yule Brook. The small, more common, dioecious form ofWurmbea dioica subsp. alba was also recorded in the MKSEA and BFS 387 but in seasonallywaterlogged sites rather than in sumplands. This complex of taxa requires further taxonomic study.Family CupressaceaeActinostrobus pyramidalis. This conifer (Swamp Cypress) is typical of wetland communities on shallowsand over Pinjarra Plain sediments. Most of the former habitat of this species on the Swan Coastal Plain hasbeen cleared of native vegetation, and this species is vulnerable because it recruits from seed after fire andhas a long establishment phase. The MKSEA and BFS 387 population of this species is significant because itis quite large and includes stands of tall mature trees. And there is additional habitat in the MKSEA wherethis species can recruit, given appropriate management.Family Cyperaceae1. Gahnia trifida. On the SCP, this large sedge is associated with calcareous habitats and samphires in theQuindalup and Spearwood Dunes and with Muchea Limestone on the Pinjarra Plain. The MKSEA andBFS 387 population of this species is significant because it is quite large and it often indicates a rarehabitat and an EPBC listed TEC.2. Lepidosperma sp. Kenwick (C. Tauss 2598). This taxon has not been recognized previously in thecurrent revision of Lepidosperma by R.L. Barrett. The full distribution of this taxon is not known, but itprobably is a short range endemic species that is confined to muddy palusplains of the eastern SCP inthe Perth Metropolitan Region.3. Schoenus elegans. This is a tufted annual sedge to 30 cm tall that grows on loam, sand and granite onseasonally waterlogged sites and along streams. It has been recorded in only seven locations in the SwanCoastal Plain, Jarrah Forest and Warren Bioregions. Further study and probably an upgrade to PriorityFlora are required for this species. Schoenus elegans is quite abundant in parts of BFS 387 but it wasonly encountered once in the current survey of the MKSEA. It appears to be a species that is vulnerableto disturbance that is soon lost from small wetland remnants.4. Schoenus rigens. This perennial sedge grows in sandy clay wetlands from Leeman to Tuart ForestReserve - Ludlow State Forest (Simmonds Wetland) on the Swan Coastal Plain and is considered to beendemic to the Swan Coastal Plain. Schoenus rigens was quite abundant in most palusplain sites in thecurrent survey of the MKSEA.5. Schoenus subflavus subsp. subflavus. This is a tufted perennial sedge to 30 cm in height that grows onloam, sandy clay and sand in seasonally waterlogged areas. It is widespread throughout the SouthwestBotanical Province but is rare on the southern Swan Coastal Plain. Apart from the MKSEA occurrence,it has previously been recorded on the SCP near Mandurah and at Ruabon (Western AustralianHerbarium, 2009).6. Schoenus unispiculatus. This tufted perennial sedge to 45 cm in height grows on sand, lateritic sand,gravel and loam. It is widespread in the western Southwest Botanical Province, where it is mostcommon on Darling Range and scarp sites. It is relatively uncommon on the Swan Coastal Plain(Western Australian Herbarium, 2009).Family DasypogonaceaeAcanthocarpus canaliculatus. On the Swan Coastal Plain this is an uncommon low shrubby species that isassociated with clay-based wetlands on the Pinjarra Plain. Its southernmost occurrence is near Kemerton(north-east of Bunbury).Family EpacridaceaeLeucopogon strictus. This small (

Flora 47Family HaemodoraceaeConostylis festucacea subsp. festucacea. On the Swan Coastal Plain this perennial herb occurs in PinjarraPlain clay-based wetlands from the Anstey/Keane Dampland and Adjacent Bushland (BFS 342) inForrestdale and extends north to the southern end of the Geraldton Sandplains Bioregion. The populations inthe Perth area are disjunct from other occurrences.Family JuncaginaceaeTriglochin muelleri. This annual herb is endemic to the SCP region and is associated with claypans fromCooljarloo to Busselton (B.J. Keighery, pers. comm.). Near Busselton it is found in Tuart Forest Reserve -Ludlow State Forest (Simpson Wetland) and at Fish Road, Yoongarillup and Ruabon Bushlands.Family MalvaceaeLawrencia squamata. This is a spinescent shrub that can grow to about 1 m in height and grows in sandy,saline, gypsum and limestone soils on wetland flats and depressions. It occurs in only two, disjunct areas onthe Swan Coastal Plain; both (Bullsbrook and Cannington-Kenwick) are near Perth. Otherwise, the species iswidespread in semi-arid and arid regions, especially northern and eastern parts of the Southwest BotanicalProvince and the south-western quarter of the Eremaean Botanical Province.Family MimosaceaeAcacia lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa sens. strict. Of the several forms of Acacia lasiocarpa that are currentlyinformally grouped under the name of Acacia lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa and occur on the Swan CoastalPlain, the form that was recorded in the current survey of the MKSEA most closely matches the type conceptof Acacia lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa (Maslin, 1975; B. Maslin, pers. comm.).Family Myrtaceae1. Eucalyptus decipiens subsp. decipiens. The main habitat of this mallee on the SCP is sand over TamalaLimestone in near-coastal areas of the SCP. However, it also occurs (much more rarely) as disjunctpopulations on the Pinjarra Plain on the eastern side of the SCP, where it is an indicator of MucheaLimestone (Keighery and Keighery, 1995). The occurrence in the current survey of the MKSEA is verysignificant as this species and Muchea Limestone were not known previously from the vicinity of BFS387.2. Eucalyptus gomphocephala (Tuart). The main habitat of this large tree on the SCP is sand over TamalaLimestone in near-coastal areas. Some of the occurrences of this species that were recorded in thecurrent survey of the MKSEA at Victoria Rd, although large mature trees, were obviously trees thathave been planted by landowners. However, some of the Tuarts in the MKSEA occur in areas wherethere is calcareous material (that may be Muchea Limestone) in adjacent drainage channels. All of theoccurrences of Tuart in the MKSEA require detailed assessment to determine if they are naturaloccurrences associated with Muchea Limestone (and thus of very high conservation significance) or not.3. Hypocalymma angustifolium Mud Habitat Variant (C. Tauss 1850). The MKSEA and BFS 387populations of this undescribed taxon are significant because this species is a dominant component ofmany vegetation units in these areas. This taxon inhabits muddy palusplains, in contrast to the form ofHypocalymma angustifolium that is prevalent on the SCP (but is relatively uncommon in Kenwick) andinhabits peaty to humic sand on the margins of sumplands and damplands.4. Melaleuca brevifolia. This species is widespread in the south-west of Western Australian including theGeraldton Sandplains, Swan Coastal Plain, Avon Wheatbelt, Mallee and Esperance Plains Bioregions. Itis uncommon on the Swan Coastal Plain where it occurs in a small number of disjunct populations inwetlands of the Pinjarra Plain. The most northerly occurrence of this taxon is at the Bullsbrook NatureReserve and the adjacent bushland (BFS 292). The most southerly occurrence is at Kemerton Bushland.Several of the wetlands inhabited by Melaleuca brevifolia on the SCP are recognised as occurrences ofthe Muchea Limestone Threatened Ecological Community.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Flora 485. Melaleuca osullivanii. This shrub species occurs in a small number of populations from Augusta toMogumber and inhabits muddy palusplains of the Pinjarra Pain and riparian/estuarine habitats (WesternAustralian Herbarium, 2009). It has recently been segregated taxonomically from the large complex oftaxa known previously as Melaleuca uncinata.Family Papilionaceae1. Gastrolobium ebracteolatum. This tall sparse shrub is uncommon in the SCP Bioregion where it isgenerally confined to ‘mound springs’ (Bullsbrook), riparian zones (Bennett Brook) and a few otherlocations including Lake Pinjar, Wellard, Piney Lakes and Baldivis (Western Australian Herbarium,2009). It seems likely that hydrological factors that are uncommon on the SCP (such as seepage fromperched aquifers and artesian springs) may determine the occurrence of this species.2. Sphaerolobium vimineum. This small shrub is uncommon in the SCP Bioregion. Records in the WesternAustralian Herbarium (2009) for this region are confined to a few old collections on the Pinjarra Plainor riparian habitats (at Guildford and Bayswater, where it is probably no longer extant, and scatteredoccurrences from a few other sites, including Bateman, Bullcreek and Henley Brook). In the MKSEA,this species occurred in a wetland associated with Muchea Limestone.Family PoaceaeAmphibromus nervosus. This is a tall emergent grass that is characteristic of sumplands on the Pinjarra Plain.It flowers in spring while the water level in these wetlands is still high.Family PolygalaceaeComesperma cf. polygaloides (C. Tauss 2541). An undescribed taxon of palusplains that is allied toComesperma polygaloides and was first distinguished in the current field survey, this taxon is a sparse subshrubwith a clonal habit, small glaucous leaves and mauve flowers. It is very inconspicuous except when itis flowering, in summer. It was later found to also occur in BFS 387 (Keighery and Tauss, 2008; Tauss,2009).Family ProteaceaeBanksia telmatiaea. This species extends from the southern Geraldton Sandplains onto the SCP as far southas Serpentine. The majority of the collections on the SCP are from wetlands on the Pinjarra Plain in the PerthMetropolitan Region (PMR). While many of these populations are in reserves or proposed reserves (BushForever sites) all populations are at risk from water draw down and/or Phytophthora dieback. Thepopulations in the BFS 387 are some of the largest and healthiest known in the PMR. The most southernpopulation record is near Serpentine but is uncertain if the later is still extant.Family Restionaceae1. Cytogonidium leptocarpoides. This small rush occurs occasionally in wetlands of the eastern SCP fromGingin to Busselton, in scattered locations in the Jarrah Forest and on the south coast from Augusta toAlbany. The most northern occurrence on SCP is in the Gingin area.2. Dielsia stenostachya. This perennial sedge with horizontal thick, dark-brown hairy rhizomes formsdense mats usually under 20 cm high, on peaty sand (to clayey) damplands, from the southern end of theGeraldton Sandplains Bioregion to south of Mandurah. It is usually in Bassendean Dunes and unusual inPinjarra Plain habitats and in the Jarrah Forest Bioregion.3. Tremulina tremula. This large rush occurs at Scott River, Albany-Walpole-Rocky Gully and south ofthe Greater Brixton Street Wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain and adjacent Darling Range. Somescattered populations near Busselton are the only other known populations on the SCP.Family RhamnaceaeTrymalium odoratissimum subsp. odoratissimum. This shrub is common and widely distributed in theDarling Range and the Jarrah Forest Bioregion. However, on the SCP it is unusual and confined to smallpopulations (that are outliers from its main range) along a few watercourses, such as Yule Brook, thatTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Flora 49traverse the Pinjarra Plain. In the past it is probable that transport of plant propagules of species likeTrymalium odoratissimum from the Darling Range via waterways such as Yule Brook was an important wayin which the large species pool of the Pinjarra Plain was developed. Most of its previous habitat on the SCPhas been cleared and degraded.Family SapindaceaeDodonaea ceratocarpa. This shrub is generally confined to granitic habitats in the Darling Range, on theLeeuwin-Naturaliste Block and along the south coast from Cape Leeuwin to Cape Arid. It also inhabitscoastal limestone over granite and uncommon basalt habitats in the lower south west and south coastal areas(Western Australian Herbarium, 2009). The MKSEA and BFS 387 (Keighery and Keighery, 2000) appear tobe the only locations on the Swan Coastal Plain where this species has been recorded. The form of Dodonaeaceratocarpa that occurs in BFS 387 and the MKSEA requires further taxonomic study to determine if itdiffers from other populations beyond the Swan Coastal Plain.Family ThymeliaceaePimelea imbricata var. major. This is a taxon restricted to Pinjarra Plain clay flats and pans. The mostsouthern population known is on the Busselton Plain in the Fish Road Bushland (B.J. Keighery, DEC. pers.comm.) The most northern population is just north of Gingin. This subspecies is endemic to the SwanCoastal Plain.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 505. Vegetation5.1 Vegetation Desktop StudyRare and threatened vegetation and other Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) that are listed as beingof National Conservation Significance under the EPBC Act are designated as one of the six categories(Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Conservation Dependent, Extinct, Extinct in the Wild) asdefined by the Australian Government Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA,2008b). (See Appendix A for definitions of the EPBC Act categories relevant to this MKSEA survey.)The Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation also maintains a list of ThreatenedEcological Communities (TECs) that have been endorsed by the Western Australian Threatened Species andCommunities Scientific Committee and the Environment Minister of Western Australia, but some of theseare yet to be endorsed at the Federal level. These TECs are defined under the same criteria and are equivalentto the categories of Threatened Ecological Communities under the Federal EPBC Act. The WesternAustralian Department of Environment and Conservation also maintains a list of Threatened EcologicalCommunities (TECs) that have been endorsed by the Western Australian Threatened Species andCommunities Scientific Committee but are yet to be endorsed by the Environment Minister of WesternAustralia. These last TECs are designated as Priority Threatened Ecological Communities (PTECs).5.1.1 Vegetation of National Conservation SignificanceA search of the Threatened Ecological Communities Database of the Australian Government Department ofEnvironment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA, 2008b) for the local government areas of Gosnells,Kalamunda and Canning yielded records of two TECs listed under the EPBC Act (Table 5.1).Table 5.1: Vegetation of National and State Conservation Significance known from the vicinity of the MKSEASCPFCT3an/aName of TECEucalyptus calophylla – Kingiaaustralis woodlands on heavy soilsShrublands and woodlands onMuchea Limestone(Keighery and Keighery,1995)Occurrences in vicinity ofMKSEADundas Road, Forrestfield andBrixton St Reserve (BFS 387).Not supplied on EPBC databaseConservation status(WA) Atkins, 2008Critically EndangeredCR B) ii)EndangeredEN B) ii)Conservationstatus (Federal)EPBC ActEndangeredEndangeredFurther searches of the literature (including Trudgen and Keighery, 1995 and Government of WesternAustralian, 2000) and the TEC database of the Western Australian Department of Environment andConservation showed that no other occurrences of other nationally listed TECs had been recorded inCannington, Forrestfield, Kenwick, Maddington, Orange Grove, Queens Park, Southern River, Welshpool orWattle Grove.The two TECS listed under the EPBC Act in the vicinity of the MKSEA are discussed further below.1. Corymbia calophylla – Kingia australis woodlands on heavy soils of the Eastern Swan CoastalPlain (SCP FCT 3a)The series of Marri (Corymbia calophylla) - dominated plant communities (FCTs 3a, 3b and 3c) that occuron the alluvial soils between Waterloo (near Bunbury) and Bullsbrook are considered to have been the mostextensive vegetation types on the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain (Beard, 1979a). However, all formsof this vegetation unit have undergone extensive clearing and are now rare (Keighery and Trudgen, 1992;Gibson et al. 1994; DEP, 1996). The Corymbia calophylla - Kingia australis vegetation was found to besubject to the most prolonged waterlogging; whilst the other two units inhabited sites where there was betterdrainage. The Corymbia calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii unit was associated with the driest conditionsand in Gibson et al. (1994) had the lowest species-richness of the three eastern SCP Marri units (48.0 spp.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 51per 100 m 2 ). All of these vegetation units have been reduced by at least 90% (as estimated for vegetation ofthe eastern side of the Swan coastal plain as a whole by Government of Western Australian, 2000). Theremaining patches of this vegetation are threatened by clearing, weed invasion and frequent fire.The Corymbia calophylla – Kingia australis woodlands on heavy soils (FCT 3a) occur on a variety oflandforms where shallow sand over mud aquitards perch rainwater and contribute to seasonal waterloggingin this vegetation. This FCT had a mean species-richness of 58.9 spp. per 10 m x10 m site in Gibson et al.(1994). Plant taxa that were almost always associated with this FCT in Gibson et al. (1994) were Banksiadallanneyi var. dallanneyi, Desmocladus fasciculatus, Kingia australis, Mesomelaena tetragona, Philothecaspicata and Xanthorrhoea preissii. Also present at high consistency levels in this unit were Borya scirpoidea,Cyathochaeta avenacea, Hakea ceratophylla, Pericalymma ellipticum and Synaphea petiolaris. Althoughsome of the taxa consistently present in FCT 3a may also be present in the two other Marri (Corymbiacalophylla) units (Table 5.2), each of these FCTs have been shown to have floristic and habitat factors thatclearly distinguish them from each other (English and Blyth, 2000a). There are approximately 83 ha of FCT3a remaining at 10 documented sites that are located at Pinjarra, Waroona, Byford, Mundijong, Wungong,Forrestfield and Kenwick (English and Blyth, 2000a). The Forrestfield occurrences of this TEC total 4.6 ha(4 ha and 0.6 ha in two reserves). The known Kenwick occurrence is 0.75 ha and is located in the BrixtonStreet Reserve (BFS 387).Table 5.2: Native taxa recorded in at least 50% of sites in the three Corymbia calophylla TECs of the Eastern SCP inGibson et al. (1994). (Taxa in 90% or more sites are underlined)Corymbia calophylla/Kingiaaustralis FCT 3ATreesCorymbia calophyllaShrubsBanksia dallanneyi var. dallanneyiHakea ceratophyllaKingia australisPericalymma ellipticumPhilotheca spicataSynaphea petiolarisXanthorrhoea preissiiHerbsBorya scirpoideaCassytha glabellaConostylis setigeraCyathochaeta avenaceaDampiera linearisDesmocladus fasciculatusDrosera menziesii subsp. menziesiiGoodenia caeruleaHaemodorum laxumHypolaena exsulcaMesomelaena tetragonaNeurachne alopecuroideaPatersonia occidentalisTetraria octandraThysanotus manglesianusTricoryne elatiorXanthosia huegelii.Corymbia calophylla/EucalyptusmarginataFCT 3BCorymbia calophyllaEucalyptus marginataAcacia willdenowianaBaeckea camphorosmaeBanksia dallanneyi var. dallanneyiBossiaea eriocarpaBurchardia umbellataGompholobium marginatumHibbertia hypericoidesXanthorrhoea preissiiBurchardia umbellataCaesia micranthaCaladenia flavaChamaescilla corymbosaConostylis junceaDesmocladus fasciculatusDrosera erythrorhizaDrosera stoloniferaHaemodorum laxumHomalosciadium homolocarpumHypolaena exsulcaKennedia prostrataLagenifera huegeliiLepidosperma angustatumLomandra hermaphroditaMesomelaena tetragonaPronaya fraseriSowerbaea laxifloraTetraria octandraThysantus thyrsoideusCorymbiacalophylla/Xanthorrhoea preissiiFCT 3CCorymbia calophyllaEucalyptus wandooAcacia pulchellaBanksia dallanneyi var. dallanneyiBurchardia umbellataGompholobium marginatumHypocalymma angustifoliumXanthorrhoea preissiiBurchardia umbellataCaesia micranthaCyathochaeta avenaceaDesmocladus flexuousDichopogon capillipesDrosera menziesii subsp. penicillarisLepidosperma sp. BJK & NG232Mesomelaena tetragonaNeurachne alopecuroideaOpercularia vaginataTetraria octandraTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 522. Shrublands and Woodlands on Muchea Limestone of the Swan Coastal PlainMuchea Limestone (ML), a geological unit also known as Plain Limestone (Gozzard, 1982), occurs on theeastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain. It occurs in a discontinuous distribution from Muchea to Bengeralong the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain.The known occurrences of the Muchea Limestone TEC currently include a range of wetland and welldrainedplant habitats, on a variety of landforms. Unlike many other TECs, that are defined primarily on thebasis of floristic composition (e.g. a single Floristic Community Type from Gibson et al.,1994), the MucheaLimestone TEC is defined as a range of relatively heterogeneous assemblages that inhabits a rare geologicalformation. The vegetation that has been recorded on Muchea Limestone includes Melaleuca huegeliishrubland, Eucalyptus decipiens mallee, Casuarina obesa woodland and Melaleuca spp. (M. brevifolia, M.systena, or M. viminea) shrublands (Keighery and Keighery, 1995). Calcicole species such as Eremophilaglabra, Eucalyptus decipiens, Eucalyptus gomphocephala, Gahnia trifida, Grevillea curviloba, Grevilleaevanescens, Melaleuca brevifolia and Thysanotus arenarius can be present (Keighery and Keighery, 1995;English and Blyth, 2000b; B.J. Keighery, pers. comm.). Muchea Limestone vegetation was not sampled byGibson et al, (1994) and/or not identified as a distinct FCT in that study. Floristic analyses of vegetation ofthe eastern SCP that are conducted against the SCP database of Gibson et al, (1994) often group MLvegetation with the FCTs of Tamala Limestone in the Spearwood Dunes or FCT 18 (Shrublands onCalcareous Silts) due to the calicole species common to all of these vegetation types (English and Blyth,200b).The range of flora and vegetation that occurs in Muchea Limestone and the habitats of this TEC are, as yet,poorly documented. In addition to the generally high levels ( >90%) of loss and degradation of nativevegetation on the eastern SCP due to clearing and grazing(Government of Western Australian, 2000a, Table4, Pinjarra Plain), many occurrences of Muchea Limestone on the SCP have been extirpated by mining(Keighery and Keighery, 1995). There is little known about the aquifers that maintain this vegetation and thedevelopment of calcicole vegetation on the eastern SCP. There are no data available about the basiccharacteristics of these aquifers (e.g. fine scale maps of the aquifers or identification of the catchment areasthat maintain them) that could inform in the sustainable management of these ecosystems. The stygofaunathat potentially inhabit these aquifers have also not been investigated. Muchea Limestone and the biotaassociated with it are thus of high scientific and conservation significance.Muchea Limestone TEC occurrences are, as yet, poorly documented, but available data cite only twooccurrences south of the Swan River in the Perth Metropolitan Region. These are in BFS 465, SouthernRiver (Government of Western Australian, 2000) and in Cannington (; B.J. Keighery, pers. comm.).5.1.2 Vegetation of State Conservation SignificanceA search of the Threatened Ecological Communities Database of DEC (2008d) and searches of the literature(including Trudgen and Keighery, 1995 and Government of Western Australian, 2000) showed that, apartfrom the two EPBC listed TECS (as above), occurrences of another seven TECs that are listed by theWestern Australian Department of Environment and Conservation (Table 5.3) have been recorded inCannington, Forrestfield, Kenwick, Maddington, Orange Grove, Queens Park, Southern River, Welshpooland Wattle Grove. There were no Priority Threatened Ecological Communities (PTECs) listed by DEC(2008d) for this area.The seven TECS listed by DEC (2008d) have all been assessed and approved by the Western AustralianThreatened Species Scientific Committee, under the same international criteria that are used to determineTECS under the EPBC Act and thus they are, in a scientific sense, all of national conservation significance.However, these Western Australian-listed TECs are yet to be endorsed by the Federal Department ofEnvironment, Water, Heritage and the Arts for EPBC listing.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 53Table 5.3: Vegetation of State Conservation Significance known from Bush Forever Sites (BFSs) in Localities in thevicinity of the MKSEASCPOccurrences in Localities (BFSs) in vicinity of Conservation statusName of TECFCTthe MKSEA(WA) Atkins, 20082 Southern wet shrublands Forrestfield (BFS 319) Endangered EN B) ii)3bCorymbia calophylla- Eucalyptusmarginata woodlands on sandy clay soilsMaddington (BFS 53) Vulnerable VU B)7 Herb rich saline shrublands in claypans Kenwick (BFS 387) Vulnerable VU B)8 Herb rich shrublands in claypans Kenwick (BFS 387) Vulnerable VU B)10a Shrublands on dry clay flats Kenwick (BFS 387) Endangered EN B) ii)20a20bBanksia attenuata woodlands overspecies-rich dense shrublandsEastern Banksia attenuata and/orEucalyptus marginata woodlandsWattle Grove (BFS 50, BFS 320); Forrestfield(BFS 319, BFS 320, BFS 401, BFS 440); QueensPark (BFS 283); Orange Grove (BFS 51)Maddington (BFS 53)Endangered EN B) ii)Endangered EN B) i)EN B) ii)Some characteristic features of each TEC listed in Table 5.3 as recorded in Gibson et al. (1994) are presentedbelow.FCT 2: Southern Wet Shrublands(mean species-richness per 100 m 2 =51 spp).These were shrublands or low open woodlands on seasonally-inundated, or waterlogged, sandy mud. Thehigh species-richness of these sites was due to the number of shrubs recorded, not the annuals and herbs (asin the other species-rich seasonal wetlands of FCTs 7, 8 and 10a on the eastern SCP).Species that were present in 50% or more of the sites sampled in Gibson et al. (1994) in this FCT wereAcacia stenoptera, Astartea affinis, Calothamnus lateralis, Cassytha glabella, Dampiera linearis,Desmocladus fascicularis, Eutaxia virgata, Grevillea brachystylis, Hakea ceratophylla, Hakea sulcata,Hakea varia, Haemodorum sparsiflorum, Hypocalymma angustifolium, Hypolaena exsulca, Isopogonscaber, Kingia australis, Kunzea micrantha, Leptocarpus tenax, Lyginia barbata, Mesomelaena tetragona,Pericalymma ellipticum, Stylidium brunonianum, Stirligia latifolia, Synaphea petiolaris, Thelymitra crinita,Thysanotus multiflorus and Xanthorrhoea preissii.FCT 3b: Corymbia calophylla- Eucalyptus marginata Woodlands on Sandy Clay Soils(mean species-richness per 100 m 2 =61.2 spp). (Discussed in Section 5.1.1, number 1 above in comparisonwith FCT 3a.)FCT 7: Herb Rich Saline Shrublands in Claypans(mean species-richness per 100 m 2 =46.6 spp).This vegetation was usually dominated by Melaleuca viminea, M. osullivanii, M. cuticularis or Casuarinaobesa (or a mixture of these species) and it inhabited the more deeply inundated sumplands (with maximumstanding water up to about 30cm in depth) that had a long hydroperiod. The species-richness was evident inthe many annuals and geophytes that developed over the annual cycle of inundation and gradual drying ofthese wetlands from winter to early summer. Many annual and geophytic species were present at lowfrequency in this FCT including aquatic species (in winter and early spring) and emergent species. Theseincluded Amphibromus nervosus, Aponogeton hexatepalus, Baumea arthrophylla, *Callitriche stagnalis,Cotula coronopifolia, Crassula natans, Isoetes muelleri (Keighery and Tauss, 2008), Schoenus natans,Wurmbea dioica subsp. aff. alba and Villarsia submersa.Species that were present in 50% or more of the sites sampled in Gibson et al. (1994) in this FCT were*Briza maxima,*Briza minor, Centrolepis aristata, *Cicendia filiformis, Cotula coronopifolia,*Hypochaerisglabra, Melaleuca viminea, Philydrella pygmaea, Pogonolepis stricta, Schoenus odontocarpus, Thysantusmanglesianus and Utricularia multifida.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 54FCT 8: Herb Rich Shrublands in Claypans(mean species-richness per 100 m 2 =52 spp).This vegetation also occurred in seasonally inundated muddy wetlands but the hydroperiod was shorter inthese wetlands than in FCT 7. Dominant shrub species included Viminaria juncea, Melaleuca viminea, M.osullivanii or M. lateritia. Low shrub species such as Hypocalymma angustifolium, Acacia lasiocarpa andVerticordia huegelii that were not present in FCT 7 occurred in this vegetation type, along with some aquaticspecies.Species that were present in 50% or more of the sites sampled in Gibson et al. (1994) in this FCT were*Briza maxima,*Briza minor, Centrolepis aristata, *Cicendia filiformis, *Cyperus tenellus, Droseraglanduligera, Drosera menziesii subsp. menziesii, Drosera rosulata, Goodenia micrantha, Haemodorumsimplex, Hyalosperma cotula, *Hypochaeris glabra, *Juncus capitatus, Meeboldina cana, Melaleucaviminea, *Monopsis debilis, Schoenus odontocarpus, Utricularia multifida and Viminaria juncea.FCT 10a: Shrublands on Dry Clay Flats(mean species-richness per 100 m 2 =53.7 spp).This FCT occurred on muddy palusplains that had a shallow ferricrete layer. The hydroperiod in thesewetlands was short compared with the other three species-rich wetland types (FCT 2, 7 and 8) and aquaticspecies were not present in this FCT.Species that were present in 50% or more of the sites sampled in Gibson et al. (1994) in this FCT wereAphelia cyperoides,*Briza minor, Burchardia multiflora, Centrolepis aristata, Centrolepisdrummondiana,*Cicendia filiformis, *Cyperus tenellus, Drosera menziesii subsp. menziesii, Droseragigantea, Goodenia micrantha, Hakea sulcata, Kunzea micrantha, *Monopsis debilis, *Parentucelliaviscosa, Pericalymma ellipticum, Philydrella pygmaea, Schoenus odontocarpus, Siloxerus humifusus,Stylidium calcaratum, Stylidium repens, Thelymitra antennifera, Utricularia multifida and Viminaria juncea.FCT 20a: Banksia attenuata Woodlands over Species-Rich Dense Shrublands(mean species-richness per 100 m 2 =67.4 spp).This vegetation type occurred on sandy soils at Koondoola (on Spearwood Dunes) and Forrestfield (onSouthern River landforms). The presence of Cyathochaeta equitans was a reliable indicator of this type ofvegetation (B.J. Keighery, pers. comm.). This was the most species-rich Banksia woodland vegetation of theSCP.Species that were present in 50% or more of the sites sampled in Gibson et al. (1994) in this FCT wereAlexgeorgea nitens, Amphipogon turbinatus, Banksia attenuata, Bossiaea eriocarpa, Burchardia umbellata,Allocasuarina humilis, Conostephium pendulum, Dampiera linearis, Daviesia triflora, Drosera menziesiisubsp. penicillaris, Eremaea pauciflora, Hemiandra pungens, Hibbertia huegelii, Hypolaena exsulca,Lomandra hermaphrodita, Mesomelaena pseudostygia, Monotaxis grandiflora, Patersonia occidentalis,Petrophile linearis, Philotheca spicata, Scaevola repens, Schoenus curvifolius, Stirlingia latifolia, Stylidiumbrunonianum, Stylidium piliferum, Synaphea spinulosa and Xanthosia huegelii.FCT 20b: Eastern Banksia attenuata and/or Eucalyptus marginata Woodlands(mean species-richness per 100 m 2 =62.7 spp).This vegetation type occurred on sandy soils at the base of the Darling Scarp on the Guildford andForrestfield Formations.Species that were present in 50% or more of the sites sampled in Gibson et al. (1994) in this FCT wereAllocasuarina humilis, Amphipogon turbinatus, Banksia attenuata, Banksia dallanneyi var. dallanneyi,Bossiaea eriocarpa, Burchardia umbellata, Conostephium pendulum, Conostylis juncea, Dasypogonbromeliifolius, Hibbertia huegelii, Lomandra hermaphrodita, Pyrorchis nigricans, Mesomelaenapseudostygia, Petrophile linearis, Philotheca spicata, Stirlingia latifolia, Stylidium brunonianum, Stylidiumpiliferum and Xanthosia huegelii.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 555.2 Vegetation Field SurveyIn order to compare the MKSEA vegetation with the data available from the literature and assess itsconservation significance, the floristic, structural and habitat data from the current survey were analysed in ahierarchical manner, as outlined below.1. Vegetation units recorded in the current MKSEA Field Survey.The MKSEA data were first classified and mapped using a simple vegetation structure approach. Thisprovided a preliminary (and purely descriptive) overview of the range of fine-scale vegetation units thatwere recorded in the MKSEA without attempting to relate the vegetation to any previous classifications.2. Vegetation of the MKSEA in comparison to vegetation within the local conservation estate.The fine-scale vegetation units above were then compared to units that have been described and/ormapped previously (at a similar scale) within the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands and in the CliffordStreet Bush Forever Site (Marshall, 2000; Government of Western Australian, 2000; VCSRG, 2001,Keighery and Tauss, 2008; Tauss, 2009). This comparison was carried out to determine if there wereany vegetation types present in the MKSEA that were not represented locally within the conservationestate.3. The conservation significance of the vegetation recorded in the current field survey.The floristic data of the MKSEA were then numerically classified in the context of the SCP database ofGibson et al. (1994) to examine the statistical similarity between the vegetation of the MKSEA and theFCTs and TECS of the SCP as defined by Gibson et al. (1994). The results of this analysis were thencritically reviewed (by considering the limitations of the above approach, the total evidence of floristics,vegetation structure and habitat available from the MKSEA and from other studies of the SCP) to assessthe conservation values of the MKSEA vegetation and map these values.5.2.1 Vegetation units recorded in the current MKSEA field SurveyThe MKSEA vegetation data were first classified according to the vegetation structure of the tallest layer(i.e. forest, woodland, mallee, tall shrubs, low shrubs or rushes/sedges) and the dominant species of this layer(e.g. Corymbia calophylla, Melaleuca rhaphiophylla, Actinostrobus pyramidalis, Melaleuca lateriflora,Banksia telmatiaea, Meeboldina cana). Further division within the above categories was then made when theunderstorey included distinctive and unusual, dominant species (e.g. dense Cyathochaeta teretifolia sedges)or the understorey was degraded and it was not possible to reliably infer original composition. This provideda simple, first pass overview of the range of fine-scale vegetation units that are present in the MKSEAwithout attempting to relate the vegetation to any previous classifications. From the data collected in thereconnaissance survey and the 32 sampling quadrats and relevés established within the current MKSEA fieldstudy it was possible to define and map 28 vegetation units, at a scale of 1: 2,000, within the MKSEA (Table5.4). These vegetation units are described below.Vegetation Unit T1: Corymbia calophylla low woodland to low open forest over Xanthorrhoea preissiiand/or Kingia australis, low shrubs that often include Pericalymma ellipticum, Hypocalymma angustifoliumMud Habitat Variant (C.Tauss 1850) and Hakea sulcata, and an open perennial rush and sedge layer withCyathochaeta avenacea, Mesomelaena tetragona and Tetraria octandra.This unit was in good to very good condition and inhabited palusplains of shallow muddy sand over sandymud and clay between about 13 m and 16 m AHD. The understorey of this vegetation was in very goodcondition in a block in Precinct 1 of the MKSEA, where it had been carefully managed to control weeds inthe understorey and to exclude fire. On two adjacent blocks the canopy of this vegetation unit was intact, butthe understorey was dominated by weeds in some places, probably due to frequent burning. However, therewere no highly invasive weeds present in theseblocks that could not be controlled successfully with amoderate management regime that would enable natural regeneration and recruitment of native species fromthe adjoining very good condition bushland. The large Corymbia calophylla trees in this vegetation areimportant native fauna habitat (for native birds, bats and possums); they provide connectivity of habitatbetween the forest of the Darling Range and the woodlands of the SCP, and they also have high landscapevalue.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 56In several blocks in Precinct 2 of the MKSEA, this vegetation was in good to degraded condition andincluded floristic components that were not present in the Precinct 1 bushland referred to above, such as theperennial herb Borya scirpoidea (that was abundant in the ground layer) and the shrub Baeckeacamphorosmae. This vegetation appeared to have been lightly grazed and had a mid-dense cover of*Ehrharta calycina in some parts. The Corymbia calophylla woodland here graded into two very unusualvegetation types viz. Eucalyptus decipiens mallee (Vegetation Unit M1) and an unusual, species-rich heath(Vegetation Unit SL1) that included floristic elements characteristic of the muddy soil of Vegetation Unit T1understorey (such as Hakea ceratophylla) but also Conospermum undulatum (which is usually characteristicof deep sand habitats).Associates of this vegetation included: Acacia willdenowiana, Astartea scoparia, Baeckea camphorosmae,Banksia dallanneyi var. dallanneyi, Banksia littoralis, Borya scirpoidea, Bossiaea eriocarpa,*Briza maxima,Calothamnus rupestris, Conostylis setigera subsp. setigera, Dampiera linearis, Dasypogon bromeliifolius,Desmocladus fasciculatus, Drosera glanduligera, *Ehrharta calycina, Gahnia trifida, Haemodorum laxum,Hakea ceratophylla, Hakea sulcata, Hakea varia, Hypocalymma angustifolium Mud Habitat Variant(C.Tauss 1850), Hypolaena exsulca, Juncus pallidus, Kingia australis, Lepidosperma pubisquameum sens.lat., Lepyrodia curvescens, Lomandra hermaphrodita, Lyginia imberbis, U*Melinis repens, Neurachnealopecuroidea, Nuytsia floribunda,*Olea europaea, Opercularia vaginata, *Orobanche minor, *Paspalumdilatatum, Patersonia occidentalis var. occidentalis, Pericalymma ellipticum var. floridum, Philothecaspicata,*Romulea rosea var. australis, Schoenus pedicellatus, Schoenus rigens, *Sparaxis bulbifera,Tricoryne elatior, Ursinia anthemoides, Verticordia densiflora subsp. densiflora and Viminaria juncea.Vegetation Unit T2: Corymbia calophylla low open forest over open Xanthorrhoea preissii and openAnarthria laevis - Cytogonidium leptocarpoides rushes and sedges.This unit was partly in good condition and inhabited a muddy sand palusplain to gentle slope between about16m and 18m AHD in Precinct 1 of the MKSEA. It was very similar to Vegetation Type T1 in floristiccomposition except for the dominance of the two rushes Anarthria laevis - Cytogonidium leptocarpoides inthe understorey. Anarthria laevis and Cytogonidium leptocarpoides are both wetland species and are veryuncommon on the SCP. There are no other documented occurrences of these species on the SCP inassociation with Corymbia calophylla. Vegetation Unit T2 probably represents vegetation closely related toT1 that was more prevalent in the past on the eastern side of the SCP, but has now been cleared. The largeCorymbia calophylla trees in this vegetation are important native fauna habitat (for native birds, bats andpossums); they provide connectivity of habitat between the forest of the Darling Range and the woodlands ofthe SCP and they also have high landscape value. The thick understorey in part of this unit is also habitat forQuenda and other fauna.Associates of this vegetation included: Acacia willdenowiana, Banksia dallanneyi var. dallanneyi,,Burchardia umbellata, Calothamnus rupestris, Dasypogon bromeliifolius, *Ehrharta calycina, Hakea varia,Hypocalymma angustifolium Mud Habitat Variant (C.Tauss 1850), Jacksonia furcellata, Kingia australis,Lepidosperma pubisquameum sens. lat., *Leptospermum laevigatum, Lyginia imberbis, * Melinis repens,Mesomelaena tetragona, *Paspalum dilatatum, *Pericalymma ellipticum, Philotheca spicata, Schoenusrigens, Tremulina tremula, Verticordia densiflora var. densiflora, Verticordia lindleyi subsp. lindleyi andWatsonia sp.Vegetation Unit T3: Corymbia calophylla low woodland to low open forest over largely alien understorey.This unit was mostly in a completely degraded condition and inhabited palusplain between about 10 m and12 m AHD in Precincts 1 and 3A. It occurred mainly along the road verges, where it had an understorey ofalien species, in some places with occasional Xanthorrhoea preissii and Kingia australis shrubs, the nativesedges Baumea juncea and Mesomelaena tetragona and few other natives. There were several large grovesof fine, mature Corymbia calophylla trees in these areas (larger than any of the Corymbia calophylla trees inBFS 387) that had an understorey dominated by the naturalised alien grasses *Eragrostis curvula and*Ehrharta calycina. Several groves of smaller Corymbia calophylla that had regrown after clearing werealso present in the MKSEA. The large Corymbia calophylla trees in this vegetation are important nativefauna habitat (for native birds, bats and possums); they provide connectivity of habitat between the forest ofthe Darling Range and the woodlands of the SCP and they also have high landscape value.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 57Vegetation Unit T4: Melaleuca rhaphiophylla – Eucalyptus rudis - Actinostrobus pyramidalis low openforest to low open woodland.Associates of this vegetation also included: Acacia lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa sens. strict., UAcacia salignaUvar. saligna, Acanthocarpus canaliculatus, Alternanthera nodiflora, Amphibromus nervosus, Anarthrialaevis, Astartea scoparia, Banksia telmatiaea, Baumea juncea, U Bolboschoenus caldwellii, CassytharacemosaU, Casuarina obesa, Chaetanthus aristatus, Corymbia calophylla, Cyathochaeta avenacea,Dichopogon capillipes, Drosera glanduligera, Gahnia trifida, Grevillea thelemanniana, Hakea varia,Hypocalymma angustifolium Mud Habitat Variant (C.Tauss 1850), Jacksonia sternbergiana, Juncuspauciflorus, Lepidosperma longitudinale, Lepyrodia glauca, *ULolium multiflorumU, Lomandra micranthasubsp. micrantha, Meeboldina roycei, Melaleuca osullivanii, Melaleuca viminea subsp. viminea,*Pennisetum macrourum, Schoenus asperocarpus, Schoenus efoliatus, Schoenus pennisetis, Tetrariaoctandra, Thysanotus dichotomus, Tricoryne elatior, Triglochin linearis, Trymalium odoratissimum subsp.odoratissimum and Viminaria juncea.This vegetation was part of a complex mosaic fringing channel wetlands in Precinct 3B. The floristiccomposition and structure of Vegetation Unit T4 varied according to the level and type of disturbance, andhydroperiod (the depth and persistence of standing water or waterlogging experienced by the site). Thecanopy of this vegetation was dominated by one or more of the following: Melaleuca rhaphiophylla,Eucalyptus rudis, Actinostrobus pyramidalis, Acacia saligna or Melaleuca viminea subsp. viminea.Melaleuca rhaphiophylla was most abundant in floodplain areas that were inundated in winter. Actinostrobuspyramidalis occurred on seasonally-waterlogged soils and was largely absent from frequently burnt areas.The riparian vegetation included flora species (Trymalium odoratissimum subsp. odoratissimum andThysanotus dichotomus) that are rare on the SCP but are abundant in the Darling Range; water serves as ameans for the dispersal of plant propagules of such species from the Darling Range towards the CanningRiver.Much of this area has experienced a number of disturbances (including the clearing of native vegetation, thedeepening of the channel of the watercourse, the dumping of fill, frequent burning in some areas, grazing andweed invasion). The more disturbed native vegetation fringing Yule Brook had an open canopy over adegraded understorey dominated by dense stands of the naturalized alien grass *Pennisetum macrourum or*Watsonia meriana var. bulbillifera. Other invasive weeds in degraded parts of this vegetation includedpatches of *Acacia podalyriifolia, *Allium triquetrum, *Chamaecytisus palmensis and *Zantedeschiaaethiopica. All of these weeds are probably spread by machinery involved in the excavation of watercoursesto reduce local flooding.The dense scrub, woody litter and the dense grass weeds along watercourses provide good native faunahabitat and form an important fauna corridor from the Darling Range to the Canning River. There wereabundant birds noted in the area at the time of the survey and Isoodon obesulus (Quenda) diggings werefrequent. The native water rat Chrysomys melanogaster (Rakali) may also still use this corridor.Whilst the course of the Yule Brook may have been somewhat straightened and the channel excavated overpart of the MKSEA, it is important to note that the long term position of this waterway is clearly indicated byspecific native vegetation (as mapped in this survey) and the surface sediments mapped in Jordan (1986; seeunit MS4 in Figure 6). This pattern of deposition of floodplain sediments along the natural, long term courseof Yule Brook indicate that this watercourse has conformed fairly closely for many years to the vicinity ofthe current channel. However, an investigation of the deeper sediments of the area (VCSRG, 2001) hasprovided evidence of the more extensive meandering of watercourses draining from the Darling Range inthis area (such as the current Yule Brook and Bickley Brook) over much longer, geological time frames.Vegetation Unit T5: Melaleuca rhaphiophylla – M preissiana. - low open forest over Xanthorrhoea preissiigrass trees and Lepidosperma longitudinale-Cyathochaeta teretifolia closed sedges.Common associates of this unit included: *Acacia longifolia, Acacia saligna var. saligna,*Amphipogonsetaceus, Aphelia cyperoides,*Anagallis arvensis var. caerulea, Aotus gracillima, Astartea affinis,Centrolepis aristata, *Cicendia filifolia,*Cortaderia selloana, ,*Eragrostis curvula, Dampiera linearis,Dielsia stenostachya, Gastrolobium ebracteolatum, Hypocalymma angustifolium Sand Habitat Variant(C.Tauss 1895), Lepyrodia glauca, ULobelia anceps, *Lotus subbiflorus, Meeboldina roycei, Patersoniaoccidentalis var. angustifolia ,*Ricinus communis, *Schinus terebinthifolius, Senecio pinnatifolius var.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 58latilobus, Sphaerolobium vimineum, *Symphyotrichum squamatum, Thysanotus arenarius, Typha?domingensis, *Watsonia meriana var. bulbillifera, Xanthorrhoea preissii and *Zantedeschia aethiopicaVegetation Unit T5 inhabited a gentle slope underlain by a well developed peat layer and coarse quartz sand.It was a transitional zone between a deep quartz sand dune and a muddy palusplain (i.e. between about 15 mand 17.5m AHD) in Precinct 2. There was a very high water table in this habitat throughout the year (suchthat the soil surface was waterlogged for most of the year).The condition of the vegetation in this area was generally in good to very good condition with an intactvegetation structure. However, a number of invasive woody weeds have invaded the wetland and requiremanagement before they become more abundant. These weeds are *Acacia longifolia,*Cortaderiaselloana,*Ricinus communis and *Schinus terebinthifolius.Vegetation Unit T6: Melaleuca preissiana low open forest over Lepidosperma longitudinale- Schoenusrigens open sedges and open herbs.Vegetation Unit T6 inhabited the base of the slope below about 15 m AHD on shallow sand over mud inPrecinct 2. This area was waterlogged and remained damp due to seepage from upslope for most of the year.Common associates of this unit included: *Acacia longifolia, Aotus gracillima, Banksia littoralis,Burchardia bairdiae, Baumea juncea, *Cortaderia selloana,*Eragrostis curvula, Dampiera linearis, Dielsiastenostachya, Drosera gigantea subsp. gigantea, *Ricinus communis, *Schinus terebinthifolius, Seneciopinnatifolius var. latilobus, Sphaerolobium vimineum, *Symphyotrichum squamatum, Thysanotus arenariusand *Zantedeschia aethiopica.This vegetation was well developed and in good condition in one block in Precinct 2 despite a few largewoody weeds. Another occurrence in Precinct 2 had a degraded understorey.Vegetation Unit T7: Melaleuca preissiana low open forest over Dielsia stenostachya mid-dense rushes andopen herbs.Common associates of this unit included: Beaufortia squarrosa, Chamaescilla corymbosa var. corymbosa,*Conyza sumatrensis, Drosera heterophylla, Drosera macrantha subsp. macrantha, *Ehrharta calycina,*Gladiolus undulatus, Lomandra micrantha subsp. micrantha, Melaleuca rhaphiophylla, Schoenus rigens,Thysanotus arenarius, Thysanotus manglesianus, Thysanotus thyrsoideus, *Urospermum picroides.This vegetation was an unusual unit that was only recorded from one area in the MKSEA (in Precinct 2). Itinhabited a dampland where the sandy soil was waterlogged during the winter and early spring only,probably due to sub-surface seepage. Unfortunately there was insufficient access allowed to this wetland bythe landowner to characterise this habitat in more detail.The condition of the vegetation in this area was good although weedy grass species were abundant in parts ofthe wetland, probably due to frequent burning.Vegetation Unit T8: Melaleuca rhaphiophylla low woodland to low open forest over degraded understorey.All of the vegetation in the MKSEA that includes a canopy of low Melaleuca rhaphiophylla trees and adegraded understorey is this unit. It occurred in a number of areas in Precincts 3A, 2 and 1. On the SCP,Melaleuca rhaphiophylla is a key indicator of the seasonally high water tables. In the MKSEA thesewetlands were either sumplands, floodplains or paluslopes.Vegetation Unit T9: Casuarina obesa - Eucalyptus rudis low open woodland over Melaleuca lateritia –Melaleuca viminea - Astartea affinis patchy mid-dense scrub with patchy Casuarina obesa -Eucalyptus rudislow trees over open herbs, grasses, and sedges including *Romulea rosea, Amphibromus nervosus andChorizandra enodis.Common associates of this unit included: Isolepis cernua var. setiformis, *Juncus capitatus, Lepyrodiaglauca,*Lolium multiflorum, Meeboldina cana, Meeboldina roycei, *Ranunculus muricatus, Triglochinlinearis and Wurmbea dioica subsp. aff. alba.This vegetation inhabited a small clay sumpland in Precinct 3B.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 59The canopy of this wetland was more or less intact but the understorey was somewhat depauperate anddominated by naturalised alien taxa. The rest of the block was completely degraded with a dense cover of*Watsonia meriana var. bulbillifera and *Watsonia marginata. The block was grazed by several horses butthe thick vegetation in the sumpland tended to exclude the horses.Vegetation Unit T10: Allocasuarina fraseriana- Eucalyptus todtiana- Banksia menziesii low woodland overspecies-rich low shrubs.This vegetation was one of the most species-rich vegetation types recorded in the MKSEA; it included morethan 62 taxa per 100 m 2 . Unlike the other species-rich vegetation in the MKSEA, that inhabited muddypalusplains and sumplands, Vegetation Unit T10 inhabited upland areas of sand dunes in the south east of theMKSEA where deep Bassendean Sands overlie the Guildford Formation. This unit occurred in three blocksin Precinct 1. The occurrences of this vegetation unit two of these blocks were in very good to goodcondition whilst the occurrence the third block was degraded and dominated by invasive woody and grassyweeds. One of the blocks that was in very good condition had the EPBC Listed Threatened SpeciesConospermum undulatum; it had been burnt about a year before the current survey but was regeneratingwell. The understorey of this bushland was dominated by Austrostipa compressa, an annual, native grass.The recruitment of abundant Austrostipa compressa after fire is a characteristic of bushland that includes anabundant soil seed bank of native annual species.Common associates of this unit included: Acacia willdenowiana, Adenanthos cygnorum, Alexgeorgea nitens,Allocasuarina humilis, Amphipogon turbinatus, Austrostipa compressa, Austrostipa elegantissima,Austrostipa pycnostachya, Baeckea camphorosmae, Banksia attenuata, Bossiaea eriocarpa, Briza maxima,*Briza minor, Burchardia umbellata, Comesperma calymega, Conospermum undulatum, Conostylis aurea,Conostylis juncea, Corymbia calophylla, Crassula exserta, Cyathochaeta equitans, Dampiera linearis,Dasypogon bromeliifolius, Dasypogon obliquifolius, Desmocladus fasciculatus, *Dischisma arenarium,Drosera macrantha subsp. macrantha, Drosera stolonifera, *Ehrharta calycina, *Ehrharta longiflora,*Eragrostis curvula, Eremaea pauciflora var. calyptra, Gastrolobium linearifolium, *Gladioluscaryophyllaceus, Gompholobium confertum, Gompholobium tomentosum, Haemodorum paniculatum,Haemodorum spicatum, Hakea ruscifolia, Hemiandra pungens, Hibbertia hypericoides, Hybanthuscalycinus, *Hypochaeris glabra, Hypolaena exsulca, Jacksonia angulata, Jacksonia floribunda, Johnsoniapubescens, Kunzea glabrescens, Lechenaultia expansa, Lepidosperma scabrum Eastern Terete Form (B.J.Keighery & N. Gibson 232), Lepidosperma squamatum sens. lat., *Leptospermum laevigatum, Levenhookiapusilla, Levenhookia stipitata, Lomandra caespitosa, Lomandra hermaphrodita, Lomandra sericea, Lyginiabarbata, Lyginia imberbis, Mesomelaena pseudostygia, Mesomelaena tetragona, Microtis media, Monotaxisgrandiflora var. grandiflora, Nuytsia floribunda, Patersonia occidentalis var. occidentalis,*Pentaschistisaeroides, Phlebocarya ciliata, Phlebocarya filifolia, Philotheca spicata, Pimelea sulphurea, Rhodanthecitrina, Scaevola repens var. repens, Schoenus caespititius, Schoenus curvifolius, Senecio pinnatifolius var.latilobus, Siloxerus filifolius, *Sonchus oleraceus, Stirlingia latifolia, Stylidium calcaratum, Stylidiumdiuroides subsp. diuroides, Stylidium piliferum, Stylidium repens, Stylidium schoenoides, Synapheaspinulosa, Thysanotus manglesianus, Thysanotus sparteus, Thysanotus thrysoideus, Trachymene pilosa,Tricoryne elatior, Tricoryne tenella, *Trifolium arvense var. arvense, *Ursinia anthemoides, Verticordiadensiflora var. densiflora,*Vulpia fasciculata, *Wahlenbergia capensis, Wahlenbergia gracillenta andXanthorrhoea preissii.Vegetation Unit T11: Allocasuarina fraseriana-Banksia menziesii low open woodland over a degradedunderstorey.This unit occurred in Precinct 1 and, less commonly, in Precinct 2. All of the occurrences of this unit in theMKSEA were in a degraded condition probably due frequent fire with a patchy sparse tree canopy andunderstorey dominated by a mid-dense to dense cover of invasive weeds such as *Ehrharta calycina,*Eragrostis curvula and *Leptospermum laevigatum.Common associates of this unit included: Acacia huegelii, Acacia pulchella var. glaberrima, Acacia salignavar. saligna, Adenanthos cygnorum, Alexgeorgea nitens, Allocasuarina humilis, Arnocrinum preissii,Banksia ilicifolia, Bossiaea eriocarpa, *Briza maxima, Burchardia umbellata, Conostylis juncea, Dampieralinearis, Dasypogon bromeliifolius, Desmocladus fasciculatus, *Dischisma arenarium, *Ehrharta calycina,*Eragrostis curvula,, Eremaea pauciflora var. pauciflora, Eucalyptus todtiana, *Gladiolus caryophyllaceus,Gompholobium tomentosum, Hakea ruscifolia, Hemiandra pungens, Hibbertia hypericoides, HibbertiaTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 60racemosa, *Hypochaeris glabra, Jacksonia floribunda, Kunzea glabrescens, Lechenaultia expansa,*Leptospermum laevigatum, Leucopogon conostephioides, Lomandra hermaphrodita, Lyginia barbata,Macrozamia reidlei, Melaleuca seriata, Nuytsia floribunda, Patersonia occidentalis var. occidentalis,Phlebocarya ciliata, Philotheca spicata, Schoenus curvifolius, Scholtzia involucrata, *Sonchus oleraceus,Stirlingia latifolia, Stylidium repens, Thysanotus manglesianus, *Ursinia anthemoides and Xanthorrhoeapreissii.Vegetation Unit T12: Eucalyptus marginata - Allocasuarina fraseriana low woodland over *Leptospermumlaevigatum tall shrubland over a degraded understorey of *Ehrharta calycina - Mesomelaena pseudostygiaopen grasses and sedges.This unit occurred in two blocks in Precinct 1.Vegetation Unit T13: Eucalyptus gomphocephala scattered trees over alien understorey. .Four very small populations of Eucalyptus gomphocephala, with a total of seven large trees, all well over 10m tall, were recorded near Coldwell Rd, The trees are in Precinct 3B. Large Eucalyptus gomphocephala treeswere also noted in other parts of the MKSEA where, judging by the configuration of the groves, they werethe result of plantings by landowners. However, the Precinct 3B Eucalyptus gomphocephala trees appearedto be a natural occurrence as they were associated with sub-surface calcareous material (in drainage ditchesadjacent to these trees). The presence of this material was also strong evidence that this area is naturalEucalyptus gomphocephala habitat. As such, the Eucalyptus gomphocephala in Precinct 3B should befurther investigated as a rare occurrence of Eucalyptus gomphocephala on Muchea Limestone and thuspossibly of high conservation significance.Vegetation Unit M1: Eucalyptus decipiens subsp. decipiens mid-dense mallee over *Olea europaea tallopen shrubs, patchy open sedges and mid-dense naturalised alien grasses.This unit occurred at one location in Precinct 2, on a palusplain with low, outcropping Muchea Limestone.The artesian spring at this site is no longer active, possibly due to human disturbance. The naturalised aliengrass *Ehrharta calycina and the woody calcicole weed *Olea europaea dominated the understorey. Thecanopy of Eucalyptus decipiens subsp. decipiens was, however, more or less intact. The relatively richassemblage of native sedges, grasses and herbs that is currently present in the understorey of this vegetationwould probably regenerate well if the alien grasses were controlled.Common associates of this unit included: Acacia saligna var. saligna, Austrostipa sp. ,*Asparagusasparagoides, Baumea juncea, Conostylis festucacea subsp. festucacea, Corymbia calophylla, Cyathochaetaavenacea,*Cynodon dactylon,*Ehrharta calycina, Hakea prostrata, Lomandra hermaphrodita,Lepidosperma longitudinale, Lepidosperma pubisquameum sens. lat., Lyginia imberbis, *Melinis repens,Neurachne alopecuroidea, Nuytsia floribunda, Patersonia occidentalis var. occidentalis, Schinusterebinthifolius, Tetraria octandra, Tricoryne elatior and Xanthorrhoea preissii.Vegetation Unit ST1: Actinostrobus pyramidalis tall open shrubs over Melaleuca seriata, Jacksoniasternbergiana, Melaleuca viminea and other shrubs.This vegetation unit occurred in Precinct 3B just south of Yule Brook. It appeared disturbed due to heavyweed invasion but was considered to have good potential for restoration. This area (and other similar areas inthe MKSEA along Yule Brook) were once probably thick scrubs, similar to that still found in the floodplainareas adjacent to a tributary of Yule Brook in the University of Western Australia Allison Baird FloraReserve in Bush Forever Site 387. They are likely to retain species-rich, native soil seed banks and could berestored to thick scrubs given a moderate management input and remediation of the hydrological regime ofYule Brook. Meanwhile, the dense scrub, woody litter and the dense grass weeds in areas like this alongYule Brook provide good native fauna habitat and form part of an important fauna corridor from the DarlingRange to the Canning River.Associates of this vegetation included: Acacia lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa sens. strict., Acanthocarpuscanaliculatus, Astartea scoparia, UCassytha racemosaU, Cyathochaeta avenacea, Drosera glanduligera,Gonocarpus nodulosus, Hakea trifurcata, Hakea varia, Hypocalymma angustifolium Mud Habitat Variant(C.Tauss 1850), Kunzea micrantha subsp. micrantha, Lomandra micrantha subsp. micrantha, Melaleucaincana subsp. incana, Melaleuca lateritia, Melaleuca osullivanii, Neurachne alopecuroidea, SchoenusTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 61asperocarpus, Schoenus pennisetis, Senecio pinnatifolius var. latilobus, Trymalium odoratissimum subsp.odoratissimum and Viminaria junceaVegetation Unit ST2: Viminaria juncea open scrub over Lepidosperma longitudinale mid-dense sedges andBurchardia bairdiae - Thysanotus arenarius open herbs.This vegetation occupied a small area in Precinct 2 in seasonally waterlogged to shallowly inundated peatand humic sand over a shallow layer of coarse muddy sand. Although this area was small, it was distinctivein having an unusual understorey assemblage of sedges and geophytes that did not occur elsewhere in theMKSEA or BFS 387.Associates of this vegetation included: *Briza minor, Drosera gigantea subsp. gigantea, Drosera rosulata,*Hypochaeris glabra and Prasophyllum drummondii.Vegetation Unit ST3: Melaleuca rhaphiophylla - Melaleuca viminea- Melaleuca lateritia open to middensescrub over sparse rushes, sedges and, mainly naturalised alien, grasses. Alien understorey speciesusually dominant.This vegetation inhabited shallowly inundated sumplands in Precincts 2 and 3B .Associates of this vegetation included: Amphibromus nervosus,*Asparagus asparagoides, Baumeaarthrophylla, Baumea juncea, Chaetanthus aristatus, Chorizandra enodis, *Crassula natans var. minus,Eremophila glabra subsp. chlorella, Gahnia trifida, Halosarcia lepidosperma, *Hesperantha falcata,Hypocalymma angustifolium Mud Habitat Variant (C.Tauss 1850), Isolepis cernua var. setiformis, *Loliummultiflorum, *Lotus subbiflorus, Melaleuca lateriflora subsp. acutifolia, *Sparaxis bulbillifera, Triglochinlinearis, Villarsia capitata and Viminaria juncea.Vegetation Unit ST4: Melaleuca viminea – M. lateriflora – M. brevifolia open scrub over Hypocalymmaangustifolium- Acacia lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpaU sens strict. over species-rich herbs.This vegetation was very species-rich and inhabited palusplains of muddy sand over a shallow hardpan inPrecincts 2 and 3A. It was generally in good to very good condition except for the presence of a number ofold, dumped vehicles. The areas in good condition were, however, quite patchy, with areas of understoreyinvaded by pasture grasses and herbs interspersed with very species-rich areas of native herbs. Thisvegetation was very species-rich and was also notable in that it included a number of Declared Rare andPriority Flora Species.Associates of this vegetation included: Acacia stenoptera, Actinostrobus pyramidalis, Baeckea sp. PerthRegion (R.J. Cranfield 444), Baumea juncea, Brachyscome pusilla, *UBriza minorU, *Briza maxima, Caladeniapectinata, Calandrinia sp. Kenwick (G.J. Keighery 10905), Calothamnus hirsutus, Calytrix breviseta subsp.breviseta, Cassytha glabellla, UChaetanthus aristatusU, UCentrolepis aristataUCentrolepis polygyna,UChorizandra enodisU, *Cicendia filifolia, Comesperma aff. polygaloides, *Crassula glomerata, Diurislaxiflora, Dodonaea ceratocarpa, *Disa bracteata, Drosera glanduligera, Drosera heterophylla, Droseramacrantha subsp. macrantha, Drosera menziesii subsp. menziesii, Gahnia trifida, Goodenia micrantha,Goodenia pulchella sp. Coastal Plain (M. Hislop 634) p.n.,, Grevillea thelemanniana, Haemodorum laxum,Hakea varia,*Heliophila pusilla, Hydrocotyle alata, *Hypochaeris glabra, Isolepis stellata, *Juncuscapitatus, Lawrencia squamata, Lepidosperma rostratum, Lepidosperma sp. Kenwick C.Tauss 2598,Lomandra micrantha subsp. micrantha, *Lotus subbiflorus, Microtis media ,*Monopsis debilis, *Moraeaflaccida *Parentucellia latifolia, *Parentucellia viscosa, Phyllangium paradoxum, Philydrella pygmaeasubsp. pygmaea, Podolepis gracilis sens. lat., Pogonolepis strictus, Quinetia urvillei, U*Romulea rosea,Samolus junceusU, Scaevola lanceolata, Schoenus odontocarpus, Schoenus plumosus, Schoenussubfascicularis, Schoenolaena juncea, *Sparaxis bulbifera, Stylidium divaricatum, Tecticornialepidosperma, Thelymitra antennifera, Thelymitra vulgaris, Thysanotus manglesianus, Tribonanthesaustralis, Tribonanthes longipetala, Tribonanthes violacea, Triglochin mucronata, Triglochin muelleri,Trithuria bibracteata, *Ursinia anthemoides, Utricularia multifida, Verticordia densiflora subsp. densiflora,Verticordia huegelii var. huegelii, Verticordia plumosa var. brachyphylla, Viminaria juncea and *Vulpiabromioides.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 62Vegetation Unit ST5: Hakea trifurcata – Xanthorrhoea preissii open scrub over patchy Hypocalymmaangustifolium - Xanthorrhoea preissii closed heath over mid-dense Mesomelaena tetragona - Cyathochaetaavenacea sedges.This vegetation was species- rich and it inhabited a palusplain of deep muddy sand in Precinct 2. It wasgenerally in good condition except for some small localized areas of rubbish dumping and excavations thathad been made many years ago and had now grown over with thick heath and scrub. There was a dense weedinfestation on the periphery and part of the central area of this block (mainly *Eragrostis curvula,*Hyparrhenia hirta and *Watsonia meriana var. bulbillifera).Associates of this vegetation included: Acacia stenoptera, Anarthria laevis, Aphelia cyperoides, *Asparagusasparagoides, Actinostrobus pyramidalis, Baeckea camphorosmae, Baeckea sp. Perth Region (R.J. Cranfield444), Banksia dallanneyi var. dallanneyi, Baumea juncea,*UBriza minorU, Calytrix aurea, Cheilanthesaustrotenuifolia, Chordifex sinuosus, Conostylis aculeata subsp. preissii, Centrolepis aristataU, Dampieralinearis, Desmocladus fasciculatus, Drosera glanduligera, Drosera heterophylla, Drosera neesii subsp.neesii, Drosera rosulata, *Ehrharta calycina, *Ehrharta longiflora, Gastrolobium capitatum, Haemodorumlaxum, Hypolaena exsulca, Jacksonia floribunda, Kingia australis, Lepidosperma longitudinale,Lepidosperma pubisquameum sens. lat.., Lomandra caespitosa, Lomandra micrantha subsp. micrantha,*Lotus subbiflorus, UNeurachne alopecuroideaU, Patersonia occidentalis var. angustifolia, Pericalymmaellipticum var. floridum, Philotheca spicata, Pimelea imbricata var. major, Scaevola lanceolata, Schoenussubflavus subsp. subflavus, Schoenolaena juncea, Stylidium dichotomum, Stylidium repens, Thelymitramucida, Tribolium uniolae, Tribonanthes australis, Tricoryne elatior, Tripterococcus brunonis,*Ursiniaanthemoides, Verticordia densiflora subsp. densiflora and *Wahlenbergia capensis.Vegetation Unit ST6: Acacia saligna - Actinostrobus pyramidalis - Melaleuca viminea closed scrub oversparse rushes and sedges.This vegetation was in good to very good condition and inhabited a muddy floodplain-palusplain adjacent toYule Brook in Precinct 3B. It had a dense canopy as it was recovering from a fire that had occurred in thevegetation less than five years before the current survey. The dense scrub and moderate woody litter on thesite was observed to be very good fauna habitat for native birds and Isoodon obesulus (Quenda). This areawas similar floristically to the species-rich vegetation on an adjacent block, but it had a closed, tallervegetation structureand was less species-rich in some places. The ecological attributes of these two blocksare complementary and they should be managed as one unit by replanting the small cleared area betweenthem.Associates of this vegetation included: Acacia lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa sens. strict. Acanthocarpuscanaliculatus, Banksia telmatiaea, Baumea juncea, Cassytha racemosaU, Chaetanthus aristatus,Cyathochaeta avenacea, Dichopogon capillipes, *Ehrharta calycina, Gahnia trifida, Grevilleathelemanniana, Hypocalymma angustifolium Mud Habitat Variant (C.Tauss 1850), Lepidospermalongitudinale, Lepyrodia glauca, Lomandra micrantha subsp. micrantha, *ULolium multiflorumU, Meeboldinaroycei, Melaleuca brevifolia, Melaleuca lateriflora subsp. acutifolia, Melaleuca osullivanii, Samolusjunceus, Schoenus asperocarpus, Thysanotus dichotomus, Tricoryne elatior, Triglochin linearis, Viminariajuncea, *Watsonia meriana var. bulbillifera and *Watsonia marginata.Vegetation Unit SL1: Hypocalymma angustifolium – Banksia telmatiaea mid-dense heath overCyathochaeta avenacea- Mesomelaena tetragona open sedges.This vegetation inhabited a palusplain of muddy sand over sand over sandy mud and calcareous mud(Muchea Limestone) in Precinct 2. It was an unusual, species-rich heath in very good condition that includedsome floristic elements characteristic of the muddy soil of the understorey of Vegetation Unit T1 (such asHakea ceratophylla), but also Conospermum undulatum (which is usually characteristic of deep sandhabitats). The weed cover in this vegetation was very low but there were invasive weeds nearby including*Hyparrhenia hirta. There are no other known occurrences of this type of vegetation in the MKSEA or BFS387 nor were any found in the literature for elsewhere on the Swan Coastal Plain.Associates of this vegetation included: UAcacia stenoptera, Acanthocarpus canaliculatus, Amphipogonturbinatus, Andersonia lehmanniana subsp. lehmanniana, Banksia dallanneyi var. dallanneyi, Boroniacrenulata subsp. viminea, *Briza maxima, Calectasia grandiflora subsp. grandiflora R.L. Barrett ms,Calytrix aurea, Centrolepis aristata, Chaetanthus aristatus, Comesperma aff. polygaloides, ConospermumTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 63undulatum, Conostylis setigera subsp. setigera, Daviesia physodes, Desmocladus fasciculatus, Droseraglanduligera, Drosera menziesii subsp. menziesii, Drosera macrantha subsp. macrantha, *Ehrhartacalycina,Gahnia trifida, Goodenia micrantha, Goodenia pulchella sp. Coastal Plain (M. Hislop 634) p.n.,Grevillea bipinnatifida subsp. bipinnatifida, Grevillea thelemanniana, Haemodorum laxum, Hakeaceratophylla, Hakea sulcata, Hakea varia,*Hesperantha falcata, Hibbertia aurea Hypocalymmaangustifolium Mud Habitat Variant (C.Tauss 1850), *Hypochaeris glabra, Laxmannia ramosa var. ramosa,Lomandra suaveolens, Lyginia imberbis, Melaleuca seriata, Opercularia vaginata, Patersonia occidentalissubsp. occidentalis, Pericalymma ellipticum var. floridum, Petrophile juncifolia, Petrophile seminuda,Philotheca spicata, Scaevola lanceolata, Schoenus odontocarpus, Schoenus pedicellatus, Schoenus rigens,Schoenus subfascicularis, Schoenus unispiculatus, *Sparaxis bulbillifera, Stackhousia monogyna sens. lat.,Stylidium repens, Tetraria octandra, Thelymitra crinita, Thysanotus manglesianus, Thysanotus multiflorus,Tribonanthes australis, Trichocline sp. Treeton (B.J. Keighery & N. Gibson 564), Tricoryne aff. elatior,*Trifolium campestre, Tripterococcus brunonis, Velleia aff. trinervis G.J. Keighery 10429, Verticordiadensiflora var. densiflora, Verticordia acerosa var. preissii, Viminaria juncea, Xanthorrhoea brunonis.Vegetation Unit SL2: Melaleuca seriata - Hypocalymma angustifolium - Kunzea micrantha mid-denseheath over sparse, species-rich sedges, rushes and herbs.This vegetation inhabited a palusplain of deep muddy sand over sandy mud in Precinct 2. It was a veryspecies-rich heath (64 taxa per 100 m 2 ) that was in very good condition. There were invasive weeds nearby(*Gomphocarpus fruticosus and *Hyparrhenia hirta) but the dense heath of Vegetation Unit SL2 had notbeen burnt for many years and included only a few individuals of minor weedy grasses and herbs.Associates of this vegetation included: Acacia lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa sens. strict., Acacia stenoptera,Acanthocarpus canaliculatus, Actinostrobus pyramidalis, Angianthus preissianus , Aphelia cyperoides,Baeckea sp. Perth Region (R.J. Cranfield 444), Banksia dallanneyi var. dallanneyi, Borya scirpoidea,*Brizamaxima, *Briza minor, Centrolepis aristata, *Cicendia filiformis, Comesperma cf. polygaloides, Chordifexsinuosus ,*Cyperus tenellus, *Disa bracteata, Diuris laxiflora, Drosera gigantea subsp. gigantea, Droseraglanduligera, Drosera menziesii subsp. menziesii, Drosera macrantha subsp. macrantha, Goodeniamicrantha, Haemodorum laxum, Haemodorum paniculatum, Hakea candolleana, *Hesperantha falcata,Hydrocotyle alata, Hypocalymma angustifolium Mud Habitat Variant (C.Tauss 1850), Jacksonia angulataKunzea micrantha subsp. micrantha, Laxmannia ramosa var. ramosa, Lepidosperma rostratum,Lepidosperma scabrum Eastern Terete Form (B.J. Keighery & N. Gibson 232), Leucopogon strictus,Meeboldina cana, Melaleuca seriata, *Monopsis debilis, Neurachne alopecuroidea, Patersonia occidentalissubsp. occidentalis, Petrophile seminuda, Phyllangium paradoxum, Philydrella drummondii, Podolepisgracilis, Pimelea imbricata var. major, Scaevola lanceolata, Schoenolaena juncea, Schoenus odontocarpus,Schoenus pennisetis, Schoenus plumosus, Schoenus rigens, Schoenus subflavus subsp. subflavus, Schoenusunispiculatus, Stylidium dichotomum, Stylidium calcaratum, Stylidium roseoalatum, Thelymitra antennifera,Thysanotus manglesianus, Tribonanthes australis, Tribonanthes australis x brachypetala, Trichocline sp.Treeton (B.J. Keighery & N. Gibson 564), Trithuria bibracteata, Utricularia multifida, Verticordia acerosavar. preissii, Verticordia densiflora var. densiflora, Verticordia huegelii var. huegelii and Viminaria juncea.Vegetation Unit SL3: Acacia lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa - Actinostrobus pyramidalis mid-dense heath andopen, species-rich rushes, sedges and herbs.This vegetation inhabited a palusplain of shallow muddy sand over sandy mud, coarse muddy sand andcalcareous mud in Precinct 3B. The most species-rich area of this vegetation was in very good condition andwas dominated by shrubs that re-seeded after a recent fire (Actinostrobus pyramidalis, Viminaria juncea, andAcacia lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa), native herbs and grasses. The vegetation structure had been modified butwas regenerating well into a dense scrub/heath. It was relatively weed free and resilient against the invasionof weeds that inhabited the more disturbed fringes of this block. There is good potential for the restoration ofthis entire block to good condition vegetation. Part of the vegetation adjacent to the species-rich area abovehad been cleared recently (and piles of brush from the clearing were still evident in some places) but wasregenerating naturally after the fire. Some of this disturbed area was Eucalyptus rudis (Flooded Gum) lowopen forest with an understorey of Melaleuca osullivanii that was re-growing after the fire. *Ehrhartacalycina was the dominant weed (30-50% cover) in the totally degraded area. The only other aggressiveweed of the block,*Sparaxis bulbifera, was sparse (

Vegetation 64Associates of this vegetation included: UAcacia saligna var. saligna, Acacia stenoptera, Acanthocarpuscanaliculatus, Anigozanthos manglesii x bicolor, Anigozanthos viridis subsp. viridis, Aphelia cyperoides,*Arctotheca calendula, Austrodanthonia acerosa, Austrostipa compressa, *Avena barbata, *Avena fatua,Baeckea sp. Perth Region (R.J. Cranfield 444), Banksia dallanneyi var. dallanneyi , Banksia telmatiaea,Baumea juncea, Borya scirpoidea, *Briza maxima, *Briza minor, Caladenia pectinata, Caladenia serotina,Calandrinia corrigioloides, Calandrinia sp. Kenwick (G.J. Keighery 10905), Calothamnus hirsutus,Cassytha glabella, Centrolepis aristata, Chaetanthus aristatus, Conostylis festucacea subsp. festucacea,*Cotula turbinata, Crassula colorata var. acuminata, *Crassula decumbens var. decumbens, Cyathochaetaavenacea, Dampiera linearis, Desmocladus fasciculatus, Drosera bulbosa subsp. bulbosa, Droseraglanduligera, Drosera heterophylla, Drosera macrantha subsp. macrantha, Drosera menziesii subsp.menziesii, Drosera pallida, *Ehrharta calycina, Elythranthera brunonis, *Eragrostis curvula, Eucalyptusrudis, Gahnia trifida, Gompholobium aristatum, Goodenia micrantha, Goodenia pulchella subsp. CoastalPlain B (M. Hislop 634) p.n., Grevillea thelemanniana, Haemodorum laxum, Haemodorum paniculatum,*Heliophila pusilla, Hypocalymma angustifolium Mud Habitat Variant (C.Tauss 1850), Hypolaena exsulca,*Isolepis marginata, Isotropis cuneifolia subsp. cuneifolia, Jacksonia angulata, Jacksonia furcellata, Kunzeamicrantha subsp. micrantha, Laxmannia ramosa var. ramosa, *Lolium multiflorum, *Lotus subbiflorus,*Lupinus consentinii, Lyginia imberbis, Melaleuca lateriflora subsp. acutifolia, Melaleuca viminea subsp.viminea, *Monopsis debilis, *Moraea flaccida, Neurachne alopecuroidea, Philydrella drummondii, Pimeleaimbricata var. major, Pogonolepis stricta,*Romulea rosea var. australis, *Romulea rosea var. communis,Scaevola lanceolata, Schoenus asperocarpus, Schoenus rigens, Tetraria octandra, Tremulina tremula,Schoenolaena juncea, Schoenus efoliatus, Schoenus odontocarpus, Schoenus pennisetis, Schoenus plumosusSchoenus subfascicularis, Schoenus unispiculatus, *Sonchus oleraceus, *Sparaxis bulbillifera, Stylidiumroseoalatum, Thysanotus arenarius, Thysanotus manglesianus, Thysanotus multiflorus, Tribonanthesaustralis, Tribonanthes brachypetala, Tribonanthes longipetala, Tricoryne aff. elatior, *Trifolium arvensevar. arvense, Trithuria bibracteata, Verticordia densiflora var. densiflora, Viminaria juncea, *Vulpiabromoides and Xanthorrhoea brunonis.Vegetation Unit SL4: Melaleuca lateriflora – Hypocalymma angustifolium mid-dense heath over speciesrichherbs.This vegetation was very species-rich and inhabited palusplains of muddy sand over a shallow hardpanPrecinct 2. It was generally in good to very good condition except for patchy areas of understorey invaded bypasture grasses and herbs that were interspersed with very species-rich areas of native herbs.Associates of this vegetation included: Acacia lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa sens. strict., Acanthocarpuscanaliculatus, Actinostrobus pyramidalis, Baeckea sp. Perth Region (R.J. Cranfield 444), Baumea juncea,Brachyscome pusilla, *Briza minor, *Briza maxima, Bulbine semibarbata, Burchardia multiflora, Caesiamicrantha sens. lat., Caladenia pectinata, Calandrinia sp. Kenwick (G.J. Keighery 10905), Calothamnushirsutus, Cassytha glabellla, Chaetanthus aristatus , Centrolepis aristata, Centrolepis polygyna,Chorizandra enodis, *Cicendia filifolia, Comesperma aff. polygaloides, *Crassula glomerata, Dichopogonpreissii, Diuris laxiflora, Drosera glanduligera, Drosera heterophylla, Drosera macrantha subsp.macrantha, Drosera menziesii subsp. menziesii, Drosera rosulata, Gnephosis drummondii, Goodeniamicrantha, Grevillea thelemanniana, *Heliophila pusilla, *Hypochaeris glabra, *Isolepis marginata, Stomascapigera, Juncus pauciflorus, *Juncus capitatus, Lepidosperma rostratum, Lepidosperma sp. Kenwick(C.Tauss 2598), Leptoceras menziesii, Leucopogon strictus, Levenhookia pusilla, Lomandra micranthasubsp. micrantha, *Lotus subbiflorus, Melaleuca brevifolia, *Moraea flaccida, *Myoporum insulare,Neurachne alopecuroidea, Opercularia vaginata, *Parentucellia viscosa, Philydrella drummondii,Philydrella pygmaea subsp. pygmaea, Podolepis capillaris, Podolepis gracilis sens. lat., Pogonolepisstrictus, Quinetia urvillei, *Romulea rosea var. communis , Samolus junceus, Schoenus pennisetis, Schoenusplumosus, Schoenus subflavus subsp. subflavus Sporobolus virginicus, Stylidium divaricatum, Stylidiumguttatum, Stylidium roseoalatum, Thelymitra antennifera, Thysanotus manglesianus, Thysanotus tenellusTribonanthes australis, *Ursinia anthemoides, Utricularia multifida, Verticordia acerosa var. preissii,Verticordia huegelii var. huegelii, Verticordia plumosa var. brachyphylla and Wurmbea dioica subsp. alba.Vegetation Unit SL5: Pericalymma ellipticum mid-dense heath over open, species-rich rushes, sedges andherbs.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 65Small areas of this vegetation inhabited seasonally waterlogged slopes of humic sand to peaty sand (betweenseasonally waterlogged or inundated clay flats and low dunes) in Precincts 1 and 2. This vegetation gradedupslope into either Melaleuca preissiana low woodland and degraded Banksia menziesii low woodland orCorymbia calophylla low forest.Associates of this vegetation included: Banksia littoralis, Burchardia bairdiae, Calandrinia sp. Kenwick(G.J. Keighery 10905), Drosera nitidula, Eutaxia virgata, Grevillea pinnatifida subsp. pinnatifida,Hydrocotyle diantha, Hypocalymma angustifolium Mud Habitat Variant (C.Tauss 1850), Juncuscaespiticius,*Lotus subbiflorus,U Lepidosperma longitudinale, UMeeboldina roycei, Melaleuca preissianaU,Microtis atrata, Schoenus asperocarpus, Schoenus discifer, *Parentucellia viscosa, Patersonia occidentalisvar. angustifolia, Pimelea imbricata var. major, Schoenus rigens, Tremulina tremula, Tribonanthes australis,Verticordia densiflora subsp. densiflora, Verticordia lindleyi subsp. lindleyi, Viminaria juncea.Vegetation Unit SL6: Hypocalymma angustifolium and other low, open to mid-dense shrubs over alienunderstorey. This was a degraded vegetation unit that was probably originally similar to other units such asSL2 or SL3. A number of areas of this vegetation unit in Precinct 2 were interspersed amongst vegetationthat was in better condition.Vegetation Unit SL7: Tecticornia indica subsp. bidens - Tecticornia lepidosperma low open shrubs overother succulents and naturalised alien grasses and herbs understorey. This was a very degraded vegetationunit that was probably originally similar to ST4. Areas of this vegetation in Precinct 2 were interspersedamongst vegetation that was in better condition.Vegetation Unit RS1: Meeboldina cana - Chaetanthus aristatus mid-dense, species-rich rushes, sedges andopen herbs and patchy Viminaria juncea tall open shrubs.This vegetation inhabited muddy floodplains in Precinct 2. It was generally in very good to good condition.There were also some areas where grazing and trampling of soils appeared to have allowed weed invasionand the regrowth was less species-rich.There were also much smaller, much more degraded stands of this vegetation in Precinct 1.Associates of this vegetation included: Acacia lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa sens. strict., Acanthocarpuscanaliculatus, Baeckea sp. Perth Region (R.J. Cranfield 444), Angianthus preissianus, Baumea arthrophylla,Brachyscome pusilla, Burchardia multiflora, Calandrinia sp. Kenwick (G.J. Keighery 10905), Centrolepisaristata, *Cicendia filifolia, Drosera gigantea subsp. gigantea, Drosera glanduligera, Drosera menziesiisubsp. menziesii , Drosera rosulata, Drosera tubaestylis, *Eragrostis curvula,*Ehrharta calycina, Eutaxiavirgata, Gahnia trifida, Goodenia micrantha, Goodenia pulchella sp. Coastal Plain (M. Hislop 634) p.n.,Hakea varia, Hypocalymma angustifolium Mud Habitat Variant (C.Tauss 1850), Isolepis cernua var.setiformis, Juncus caespiticius, *Juncus capitatus, Lepidosperma rostratum, *Lotus subbiflorus, Meeboldinaroycei, Melaleuca lateritia, *Parentucellia viscosa, Pogonolepis stricta, Philydrella pygmaea subsp.pygmaea, Pimelea imbricata var. major, Podolepis gracilis swamp form, *Romulea rosea var. australis,Senecio pinnatifolius var. latilobus, Scaevola lanceolata, Schoenolaena juncea, Schoenus asperocarpus,Schoenus discifer, Schoenus odontocarpus, Schoenus pennisetis, Schoenus plumosus, Schoenus rigens,Sowerbaea laxiflora, Stylidium calcaratum, Stylidium dichotomum, Stylidium divaricatum, Tecticornialepidosperma, Thysanotus arenarius, Tribonanthes australis, Tribonanthes longipetala, Triglochin muelleri,Utricularia multifida, Utricularia inaequalis, Utricularia violacea, Velleia aff. trinervis (G.J. Keighery10429), Verticordia acerosa var. preissii, Verticordia plumosa var. brachyphylla.Table 5.4: Classification (by structure and dominant species) of Vegetation recorded in the MKSEA field surveyMap Unit& Total HaVegetation DescriptionStudy Sites(species richness)Vegetation ConditionLow Woodlands to Low ForestsT13.05Corymbia calophylla low woodland to low open forest overXanthorrhoea preissii and/or Kingia australis, low shrubs andCyathochaeta avenacea - Mesomelaena tetragona rushes andsedges.Sites 17 (31 spp.), 28(27 spp.)GoodVery good-goodTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 66Map Unit& Total HaVegetation DescriptionStudy Sites(species richness)Vegetation ConditionT20.32Corymbia calophylla low open forest over open Xanthorrhoeapreissii and open Anarthria laevis- Cytogonidium leptocarpoidesrushes and sedges.Site 30 (26 spp.)GoodT36.20Corymbia calophylla low woodland to low open forest over alienunderstorey.n/aDegradedT46.90Melaleuca rhaphiophylla – Eucalyptus rudis- Actinostrobuspyramidalis low open forest to low open woodland.Adj. Sites 1, 2, 5Degraded, canopy often intactT51.40Melaleuca rhaphiophylla – M preissiana - low open forest overCyathochaeta teretifolia closed sedges.Site 15 (26 spp.)Very goodT60.68Melaleuca preissiana low open forest over Lepidospermalongitudinale- Schoenus rigens open sedges and open herbs.Site 14-15Site 13GoodGoodT70.86Melaleuca preissiana low open forest over Dielsia stenostachyamid-dense rushes and open herbs.Site 27 (16 spp.)GoodT83.90Melaleuca rhaphiophylla- M. preissiana - low closed forest to lowwoodland over degraded understorey.n/aDegraded understoreyT90.18T101.90T111.70T120.19Casuarina obesa -Eucalyptus rudis low open woodland. Site 3 DegradedAllocasuarina fraseriana- Eucalyptus todtiana- Banksia menziesiilow woodland over species-rich low shrubs.Allocasuarina fraseriana-Banksia spp. degraded low open woodlandover aliens.Eucalyptus marginata- Allocasuarina fraseriana low woodland over*Leptospermum laevigatum tall shrubland over *Ehrharta calycina-Mesomelaena pseudostygia open grasses and sedges.Site 22 (62 spp.)Site 23Site 24Site 25Site 29n/aVery goodDegradedVery goodDegradedDegradedGood to DegradedT13 Eucalyptus gomphocephala scattered trees over alien understorey. n/a Completely DegradedMalleeM10.52Eucalyptus decipiens subsp. decipiens mallee. Site 26 (21 spp.) DegradedTall ShrublandsST13.00Actinostrobus pyramidalis tall open shrubs over Melaleuca seriata,Jacksonia sternbergiana, Melaleuca viminea and other shrubs.Site 1DegradedST20.24Viminaria juncea open scrub over Lepidosperma longitudinale middensesedges and herbs.Site 16GoodST31.20Melaleuca rhaphiophylla - Melaleuca viminea - Melaleuca lateritiaopen scrub over sparse rushes and sedges and mainly naturalisedalien, grasses.Site 21Good to DegradedDegradedDegradedST43.20Melaleuca viminea – M. lateriflora – M. brevifolia open scrub overHypocalymma angustifolium - Acacia lasiocarpa over species-richherbs.Site 9 & 10 (51 spp.)Site 20 (19 spp.)Good to Very goodGoodST50.79Hakea trifurcata - Xanthorrhoea preissii open scrub over patchyHypocalymma angustifolium- Xanthorrhoea preissii closed heathover mid-dense Mesomelaena tetragona- Cyathochaeta avenaceasedges.Site 12 (48 spp.)GoodST62.10Acacia saligna- Actinostrobus pyramidalis -Melaleuca vimineaclosed scrub over sparse rushes and sedges.Site 5GoodLow ShrublandsSL10.53Hypocalymma angustifolium –Banksia telmatiaea mid-dense heathover Cyathochaeta avenacea- Mesomelaena tetragona open sedges.Site 19 (48 spp.)SL20.65Melaleuca seriata - Hypocalymma angustifolium -Kunzea micranthamid-dense heath over sparse, species-rich sedges, rushes and herbs.Site 8 (64 spp.)Very goodTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 67Map Unit& Total HaSL30.44Vegetation DescriptionAcacia lasiocarpa - Actinostrobus pyramidalis mid-dense heath andopen, species-rich rushes, sedges and herbs.Study Sites(species richness)Site 4 (67 spp.)Vegetation ConditionVery goodSL40.42Melaleuca lateriflora – M. brevifolia - Hypocalymma angustifoliummid-dense heath over species-rich herbs.Site 11 (56 spp.)Very goodSL50.32Pericalymma ellipticum mid-dense heath over open, species-richrushes, sedges and herbs.Site 7 (20 spp.)GoodSL61.50Hypocalymma angustifolium and other low, open to mid-denseshrubs over alien understorey.n/aDegradedSL70.28Tecticornia indica subsp. bidens low open shrubs and otherhalophytes over alien understorey.n/aDegradedRushes and SedgelandsR-S13.1Meeboldina cana – Chaetanthus aristatus mid-dense, species-richrushes, sedges and open herbs and Viminaria juncea tall open shrubs.Site 6 (35 spp.)Site 13Site 14 (35 spp.)Site 18Adj. to Site 28Very goodGoodGoodNow clearedGood5.2.2 Vegetation of the MKSEA in comparison to vegetation within the localconservation estateMany of the vegetation units that were recorded in the current MKSEA survey (T1, T4, T8, T11, ST2, ST3,ST4, ST5, ST6, SL2, SL3, SL4, SL5 and RS1) were similar to those recorded by other workers in BFS 387(Table 5.4).A number of vegetation units recorded in the current MKSEA survey (T3, T9, T12, ST1, SL6, and SL7)were relatively degraded units and there were insufficient data to fully evaluate them with regard topreviously recorded vegetation in the district. This vegetation was valuable as it included genetic resources,provided habitat for native fauna and could potentially be replanted and form valuable links between areas ofhigh conservation value and wetland buffer zones. The resilience of native vegetation on the eastern side ofthe Swan Coastal Plain and its potential for regeneration subsequent to appropriate weed control have beenshown to be high (Brown et al., 2008); therefore, some of the weedy “degraded” vegetation of the MKSEAcould, potentially, be restored with appropriate management.There were, however, seven unusual vegetation types (T2, T5, T6, T7, T10, M1 and SL1) recorded in thecurrent survey of the MKSEA that have not been recorded previously in BFS 387 or in BFS 53. Four of theseunusual vegetation units (T5, T6, M1 and SL1) were in sites where calcareous materialwas recorded in thissurvey in the sediments underlying the sites. The unusual vegetation types recorded in the MKSEA are listedbelow.1. Vegetation Unit T2: Corymbia calophylla low open forest over open Xanthorrhoea preissii and openAnarthria laevis - Cytogonidium leptocarpoides rushes and sedges. This unit was similar to FCT 3a thathas been recorded in BFS 387. It was a Marri low forest located on seasonally waterlogged soils andincluded many of the floristic indicator species typical of FCT 3a (such as Kingia australis,Pericalymma ellipticum and Philotheca spicata). However, the understorey of this vegetation wasdominated two native rushes Anarthria laevis - Cytogonidium leptocarpoides that are very uncommonon the Swan Coastal Plain. It is most likely to be one the vegetation types that have been almost totallycleared on the ESCP but were part of the group of vegetation types that is represented in Gibson et al.,(1994) as FCT 3a.2. Vegetation Unit T5: Melaleuca rhaphiophylla - M. preissiana - low open forest over Cyathochaetateretifolia closed sedges. This vegetation was an unusual unit that was only recorded from one area inthe MKSEA in association with calcareous sediments. This type of vegetation is not present in BFS 387or BFS 53 and has not been recorded elsewhere within Bush Forever Sites on the Pinjarra Plain(Government of Western Australian, 2000). It appears to be most similar in floristics and habitat tovegetation recorded in the Bassendean Dunes at the Egerton Mound Spring in Ellenbrook (GovernmentTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 68of Western Australian, 2000) which includes rare invertebrates and is a wetland listed on the Register ofthe National Estate under the EPBC Act.3. Vegetation Unit T6: Melaleuca preissiana low open forest over Lepidosperma longitudinale -Schoenus rigens open sedges and open herbs. This vegetation was an unusual unit that was onlyrecorded from one area in the MKSEA, in associationwith calcareous sediment. It is not known in BFS387 or BFS 53. It is immediately adjacent to Unit T5 and, similarly to it, it is probably of very highconservation significance.4. Vegetation Unit T7: Melaleuca preissiana low open forest over Dielsia stenostachya mid-dense rushesand open herbs. Dielsia stenostachya is a species that is endemic to the SCP in the Perth MetropolitanRegion but has not been recorded in BFS 387 or BFS 53. This vegetation was an unusual unit that wasonly recorded from one area in the MKSEA; it is not known in BFS 387 or BFS 53. This vegetation unitis most similar to Unit T6; it is probably of high conservation significance. The habitat of thisvegetation needs to be more fully investigated as the factors maintaining the wetland are not at all clearfrom the limited investigation that was possible in the current survey.5. Vegetation Unit T10: Allocasuarina fraseriana- Eucalyptus todtiana- Banksia menziesii low woodlandover species-rich low shrubs. This vegetation included rare or uncommon species such as Conospermumundulatum, Cyathochaeta equitans and Dasypogon obliquifolius; it was extremely rich in species, and itoccurred on deep Bassendean Sands over the Guildford Formation. This combination of habitat andvegetation is not present in BFS 387 or BFS 53.6. Vegetation Unit M1: Eucalyptus decipiens subsp. decipiens mid-dense mallee over *Olea europaeatall open shrubs, patchy open sedges and mid-dense naturalised alien grasses. This unit occurred on alow mound of Muchea Limestone. Eucalyptus decipiens was not found elsewhere in BFS 387 or BFS53.7. Vegetation Unit SL1: Hypocalymma angustifolium – Banksia telmatiaea mid-dense heath overCyathochaeta avenacea - Mesomelaena tetragona open sedges. This vegetation inhabited a palusplainwith calcareous mud in a shallow aquifer that is referrable to Muchea Limestone. It was an unusual,species-rich heath that included some floristic elements characteristic of the muddy soil of theunderstorey of FCT 3a Vegetation Unit T1 (such as Hakea ceratophylla), but also Conospermumundulatum (which is usually characteristic of deep sand habitats). There are no known occurrences ofthis type of vegetation in BFS 387 or BFS 53.8. Vegetation Unit T13: Eucalyptus gomphocephala scattered trees over alien understorey in some partsof the MKSEA appeared to be natural occurrences of this species associated with sub-surface calcareousmaterial. These trees should be further investigated as rare occurrences of Eucalyptus gomphocephalaon Muchea Limestone and thus possibly of high conservation significance.5.2.3 Results of the multivariate analysis of the MKSEA vegetation andassignation of FCTsThe multivariate analysis performed on the MKSEA data against the SCP dataset of Gibson et al. (1994)(‘the SCP dataset’) by Griffin (Appendix C), and assessed against ecological data collected in the currentsurvey suggest some relationships between the MKSEA and FCTs of the SCP (Table 5.5). The relationshipsdescribed between the MKSEA and FCTs of the SCP (below) should be viewed with caution whenattempting to determine the conservation significance of vegetation in the MKSEA. There is little doubt thatthe vegetation of the sites in the SCP dataset that are the basis of the currently defined Threatened EcologicalCommunities represent rare, significant and threatened vegetation types. However, as noted in Section 3.4(Survey Limitations), given the less-than-adequate sample of the SCP vegetation types contained within theSCP dataset, a lack of congruence between the floristic data of survey sites on the eastern SCP, such as theMKSEA, with the SCP dataset of Gibson et al. (1994) cannot be interpreted as diminishing the conservationvalue of the vegetation in the survey area.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 69The multivariate analysis (Appendix C) conducted on the floristic data collected in the quadrats of theMKSEA in combination with the SCP dataset of Gibson et al. (1994) (‘the SCP dataset’), provided someobjective evidence of the occurrence of the three threatened FCTs 3a, 8 and 20a in the MKSEA (Table 5.5,Column 3). The classification dendrogram of the quadrat only data (‘DEN quads’) from the MKSEAprovided more unequivocal results than the Nearest Neighbour analysis (‘NNB’) (Table 5.5, Column 4). Therelationships between the relevés (that were surveyed in the more degraded areas of the MKSEA) and theSCP dataset in the ‘DEN all’ classification (Appendix C, Table 2) were less clear. The habitat data collectedin the current survey provided additional resources for dealing with some of the shortfalls in the purelyfloristic approach to vegetation classification that is often used to determine the conservation value ofvegetation on the SCP.The relevés (that were surveyed in the more weedy areas of the MKSEA) tended to group preferentially withquadrats of the MKSEA in the ‘DEN all’ classification rather than with SCP dataset sites (Appendix C,Table 2). This is a common occurrence that has been observed in such analyses that is consistent with thegeneral ecological relationship of distance decay. The similarity indices that were used in the analysis wereinfluenced by both presence and absence of species. Therefore, both a deficit in native species numbers and asurplus of weeds in the MKSEA relevés contributed to decreasing the similarity between MKSEA relevésand SCP dataset sites. The addition of relevé data to quadrat data in the MKSEA (the ‘DEN all’) analysisresulted in a disruption of the pattern observed between the quadrat data and the SCP data in the ‘DENquads’ analysis and did not provide additional insights. Thus, the discussion below is confined mainly to the‘DEN quads’ (Table 5.5, Column 3) and ‘NNB’ (Table 5.5, Column 4) results rather than the ‘DEN all’results.Quadrats 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22 and 28 of the MKSEA were sampled in the most speciesrichand undisturbed vegetation of the survey area, and Relevés 14, 24 and 26 were analysed with them, asquadrats. All of these quadrats (except 15, 16 and 27, the only three sites with affinities to FCT 11) clusteredin the classification of the quadrat data ‘DEN quads’ with three FCTs of the SCP that are ThreatenedEcological Communities (3a, 8 and 20a) (Table 5.5, Column 3). The nearest neighbours for the quadrats ofthe MKSEA in the NNB analysis were (as expected) other quadrats and relevés from the MKSEA, followedby sites of the SCP dataset from FCTs 3a, 8, 20a and other FCTs. Any ambiguities that were added to therelatively simple ‘DEN quads’ pattern by the NNB results provided further insights about the MKSEAquadrat sites.The multivariate analysis of the MKSEA sites against the SCP dataset produced ambiguous results withregard to all MKSEA sites where Muchea Limestone was identified in the stratigraphic or hydrologicalsurvey. This is significant as Gibson et al. (1994) (‘the SCP survey’) did not identify any vegetationinhabiting Muchea Limestone as a FCT. Firstly, the SCP survey was limited to publicly owned land andthere was no extant native vegetation on limestone outcrops within these lands on the eastern side of theSCP. Secondly, the SCP survey did not investigate habitat in sufficient detail to detect the potential presenceof calcareous sediments unless it was a surface outcrop. Thirdly, the SCP survey did not generally include avery representative sample of seasonal wetland sites. Fourthly, the SCP survey used only floristic data todetermine clusters of sites. The Muchea Limestone TEC as currently defined (Keighery and Keighery, 1995;English and Blyth, 2001) is not a Floristic Community Type. It is a heterogeneous suite of native vegetationtypes that inhabit a specific but rare habitat on the eastern SCP.Consideration of the multivariate analysis summary (Table 5.5, Column 5) with the ecological evidence fromthe MKSEA survey leads to the inference that six groups (A, B, C, D, E and F) of sites that correspond toFCT 3a, FCT 20a, FCTs 7/8/10a, ML, Degraded Sites and Unassigned Sites occur in the MKSEA. The 32MKSEA floristic sites and their groups and conservation values are listed in Columns 6a and 6b of Table 5.5,and the groups of FCTs and the sites assigned to them are discussed below.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 70Group A. FCT 3aResultsSites 12, 17, 19, 26 and 28 of the MKSEA clustered with FCT 3a sites of the SCP dataset (Marri-KingiaTEC) in ‘DEN quads’ (Appendix C). The nearest neighbours of most of these sites in ‘NNB’ (Appendix C)were other sites within this group in the MKSEA or FCT 3a sites in the SCP dataset (such as MUD-4, brick6,brick3, brick5, MUD-5, BRIX-2, brick7, brick8 and waro 06). The nearest neighbours of Site 28 were FTC3a sites but also included the Melaleuca preissiana dampland FCT 4 sites (MODO-1 and FL-1 of theSouthern River Vegetation Complex) and card12 (FCT 3b) . The apparent similarity of Site 28 with FCT 4was probably due to the lack of discrimination in the SCP dataset between the Southern River (sand habitat)form of Hypocalymma angustifolium and the Pinjarra Plain form of this taxon that occurred in Site 28 andalso the encroachment of Dasypogon bromeliifolius into Site 28 (

Vegetation 71Site 23 was adjacent to Site 22 and was somewhat degraded whilst still retaining sufficient floristic elements(including Cyathochaeta equitans) that enabled its recognition as FCT 20a.Assignation of FCTs (Table 5.5, Column 6a)Sites 22, 23 and 24 were assigned to FCT 20a on the basis of the floristic analysis.Sites 25 and 29 were degraded and there was insufficient evidence to assign them to FCT 20a. It appears,from the floristic analysis, that they are more likely to be related to FCT 23a.Group C. FCTs 7/8/10aResultsIn the classification analysis (DEN quads), Sites 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 18 and 20 of the MKSEA clusteredexclusively with FCT 8 (Species Rich Shrublands in Claypans) sites of the SCP dataset (such as BRIX-1,BRIX-3, ELLEN1-5, MEELON1&2). The nearest neighbours of these sites were generally either otherquadrats within the MKSEA, relevés in the MKSEA (1, 3, 5, 9, 13, 18, 21) or FCT 10a sites in the SCPdataset (such as KOOLJ-7, FISH-3, KOOL-6, BULL-8, Yule-5). FCT 7 sites of the SCP dataset includingGINGIN-1, YULE-5, BULL-8, were also, more rarely, near neighbours of these sites.Table 5.5: Floristic Community Types (FCTs) determined in MKSEA study sitesKEY TO FCTs and regional landforms associated with theseFCT 3a (TEC 16): Eucalyptus (Corymbia) calophylla – Kingia australis [Marri-Kingia] woodlands on heavy soils (Pinjarra Plain)FCT 6: Weed dominated wetlands on heavy soils (Pinjarra Plain)FCT 7 (TEC 32): Herb rich saline shrublands in claypans (Pinjarra Plain)FCT 8 (TEC 33): Herb rich shrublands in claypans (Pinjarra Plain)FCT 10a (TEC 35): Shrublands on dry clay flats (Pinjarra Plain)FCT 11: Wet forests and woodlands (Bassendean and Pinjarra Plain)FCT 12: Melaleuca teretifolia/Astartea aff. fascicularis shrublands (Bassendean)FCT 13: Deeper wetlands on heavy soils (Pinjarra Plain and Bassendean)FCT 17: Melaleuca rhaphiophylla-Gahnia trifida seasonal wetlands (Quindalup/Spearwood).FCT 20a (TEC 1): Banksia woodlands over species-rich dense shrublands (Spearwood and Bassendean)FCT 23a: Central Banksia attenuata – B. menziesii woodlands ( Bassendean)FCT S2: Northern Pericalymma ellipticum dense low shrublandsnot FCT (TEC 11) ML: Shrublands and woodlands on Muchea Limestone (Pinjarra Plain and Bassendean)1.SitesQ=quadratR=relevé2.VegetationCondition3.Dendrogram(’DEN quads’from App. C, p.10, Table 2)4.Nearest NeighbourAnalysis (‘NNB’from Appendix C, p.10, Table 2)5.SummaryfromAppendixC6a.FCT(s)suggestedby totalevidence1R degraded ?6/8 ?6/8 ?6/82R degraded ?3R degraded 13/8 13/8 13/84Q very good ?8 ?3a/10a ?3a/10a ML5R good ?17 ?17 ML6Q very good ?8 10a/?8 10a/?8 7/87R good inferred S2/?10a8Q very good ?8 8/?10a 8/?10a ?8/10a9R good ?8 ?8 ?8/10a/ML10Q very good ?8 8 8 ?8/10a/ML11Q very good ?8 8/7 8/7 ?8/10a12Q very good 3a 3a 3a 3a13R good 6 6 ?8/10a14R good ?6 ?8 ?7/8 7/815Q very good 11 ?11/12 ?11/12 ML16Q very good 9/11/12 ?9/12 ?9/12 ML17Q good 3a 3a 3a 3a18R degraded ?8 ?8 ?8/10a19Q very good 3a 3a 3a ML/3a20Q good ?8 ?12/7 ?12/7/8 ML21R good ?17/6 ?17/6 ML22Q very good 20a 23a/20 20a/23a 20a23R degraded 6?28 6?28 20a24R very good 20a 20a/?23 20a/?23 20a6b.ConservationValueTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 721.SitesQ=quadratR=relevé2.VegetationCondition3.Dendrogram(’DEN quads’from App. C, p.10, Table 2)4.Nearest NeighbourAnalysis (‘NNB’from Appendix C, p.10, Table 2)5.SummaryfromAppendixC6a.FCT(s)suggestedby totalevidence25R degraded 24/23a 24/23a 23a26R good 3a ?3c ?3c ML27Q good 11/14 ??11/6/9 ??11/6/9 ?28Q very good 3a ?3a/4 ?3a/4 3a29R degraded 23b/24 23b/24 23a30R good inferred 3a31R degraded inferred S2/?10a32R good-degraded inferred ?8/10a6b.ConservationValueNote 1: Sites 14R, 24R and 26R went through the multivariate analysis as quadrats, although they are relevés.Note 2: The colours in Column 6a indicate Groups:A B C D E FNote 3: The colours in Column 6bindicate, respectively, an EPBC-listed TEC, a WA DEC-listed TEC, or a DegradedFCT &/or FCT 23a (these are the colours used in an FCT map to show the conservation status of the FCTs)Site 4 was unusual in Group C as its nearest neighbours in the SCP sites were Sites 8, 13 and 10 in theMKSEA and MUD-5 (FCT 3a), Site 11 of the MKSEA, YULE-4 (10a) of the SCP dataset, Sites 1 and 12 ofthe MKSEA, TWIN-2 (FCT 6) and ELLEN-5 (FCT 8) of the SCP dataset. Site 4 was located in palusplainand the vegetation and was very species-rich and in good to very good condition. It included severalcalcicole species (Gahnia trifida, Thysanotus arenarius and Tricoryne elatior) and was underlain by ashallow Muchea Limestone aquifer (Appendix C). The ambiguity associated with Site 4 with regard to theFCTs of the SCP was probably due to the presence of the Muchea Limestone. Other sites in the MKSEA thatshowed high similarity with Site 4 in the NNB were Sites 8, 10, 11, 12, 13 that also included a numbers ofcalcicole species (Gahnia trifida, Melaleuca brevifolia, Samolus junceus, Wilsonia backhousei) althoughshallow hardpans at these sites prevented a thorough investigation of the stratigraphy and hydrology.Sites 5, 6, 14 and 21 of the MKSEA were the sites in Group B that were most similar to the habitat describedfor FCT 7 in Gibson et al. (1994) as they were the sites that had the most persistent standing water in winterand spring. They also included aquatic species and/or emergent macrophytes that are a hallmark of FCT 7(e.g. Amphibromus nervosus, Baumea arthrophylla, *Cotula coronopifolia, *Crassula natans, Lepyrodiaglauca, Triglochin linearis, Utricularia spp., Villarsia capitata) in or adjacent to the sites surveyed.However, the habitat of these areas in the MKSEA was best described as floodplains (seasonally inundatedflats) rather than the sumplands or claypans that are typical of FCT 7.Site 5 in the nearest neighbour analysis was atypical as it had high similarity to sites at Paganoni Swamp(FCTs 17 and 13 from Spearwood Dunes with Tamala Limestone) in the SCP dataset; Sites 21, 4 of theMKSEA (that both showed evidence of Muchea Limestone); Site 1, another site adjacent to Yule Brook inthe MKSEA; and cool-11 (FCT 11, Quindalup Dunes and calcareous mud). The stratigraphy and hydrologyof Site 5 was not investigated in detail; however, there were calcicole species in and adjacent to Site 5(Casuarina obesa, Gahnia trifida, Melaleuca brevifolia, Samolus junceus, Tricoryne elatior, Wilsoniabackhousei) and small pieces of limestone evident in firebreaks in this area.Site 21 in the NNB was most similar to Sites 5, 20 and 10 in the MKSEA and PAGA-5 (FCT 17) inPaganoni Swamp (Spearwood Dunes with Tamala Limestone) in the SCP dataset, Site 4 (MucheaLimestone), MTB-5 (FCT 17) and cool-11 (FCT 17 from Spearwood Dunes with Tamala Limestone)) of theSCP. Site 21 was inhabited by the rare calcicole species Eremophila glabra subsp. chlorella and othercalcicoles (Melaleuca brevifolia and Gahnia trifida) and was adjacent to Site 20 where calcareous materialwas noted in the shallow sediments.Sites 8 and 11 of the MKSEA were palusplain areas where a shallow hardpan limited the investigation ofsediments and hydrology. Neither of these areas had standing water in winter and spring or aquatic species;the habitats were more akin to those of FCT 10a than FCT 8.Sites 9, 10 and 20 of the MKSEA were all palusplain areas where a shallow hardpan limited the investigationof sediments and hydrology. None of these areas had standing water in winter and spring or aquatic species;the habitats were more akin to those of FCT 10a than FCT 8. These sites included a number of calcicolespecies (Gahnia trifida, Melaleuca brevifolia, Samolus junceus, and Wilsonia backhousei) that suggestedTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 73that they may be underlain by Muchea Limestone. However, Site 20 showed evidence of calcareous materialin the shallow sediments.Sites 7 and 31 were narrow zones dominated by Pericalymma ellipticum that were not included in themultivariate analysis because they were thought to be transitional zones between other vegetation units.Pericalymma ellipticum dominated shrubs are not uncommon in BFS 387 (Table 4.4) where they occureither as an understorey in FCT 3a or as narrow zones on gentle slopes (as they do in Sites 7 and 31 in theMKSEA) that are flanked on the upland side by low lying Banksia woodland (FCT 21c) and downslope byspecies-rich rush/sedge/herblands of FCTs 7 and 8. MKSEA Sites 7 and 31 were most similar to FCT 10a, asinferred from species lists in Table 12 (Gibson et al., 1994).Assignation of FCTs (Table 5.5, Column 6a)Sites 4 and 5 were assigned to the Muchea Limestone TEC as this best reflected the total data available forthis area.Sites 6 and 14 were assigned to FCTs 7/8 as apart from their species-richness and the results of the floristicanalysis which tended to indicate FCT 8, they were inundated for a lengthy period each spring and theyincluded aquatic species.Sites 20 and 21 were assigned to the Muchea Limestone TEC as this best reflected the total data available forthis area.Site 18 was cleared shortly after the survey; the floristics indicated FCT 8 or 10a.Sites 8 and 11 were species-rich with numerous shrubs as well as geophytes, did not include aquatic speciesand were not inundated (except for short periods after rain). The floristic analysis indicated an affinity withFCT 8 and the ecological data with FCT 10a. These sites were tentatively assigned to FCTs 8/10a.Sites 9, 10 and 18 were species-rich with annuals and geophytes, did not include aquatic species and werenot inundated (except for short periods after rain). The floristic analysis indicated an affinity with FCT 8, theecological data with FCT 10a and floristic indicator species (except for Site 18) with ML. Sites 9 and 10were tentatively assigned to FCTs 8/10a/ML pending further hydrogeological investigation.Sites 7 and 31 were tentatively assigned to FCT 10a, as inferred from species lists in Table 12 (Gibson et al.,1994).From the above, the vegetation of Sites 4, 5 and 20 should be regarded as part of the complex of vegetationtypes associated with the Muchea Limestone Threatened Ecological Community (EPBC CategoryEndangered). The other blocks that included sites provisionally assigned to FCTs 7, 8 or 10a require furtherhydrogeological investigations to determine the Muchea Limestone issue. Pending these investigations, all ofthe remnant vegetation of Sites 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 Rd should be protected as representatives of the complex ofFCTs (7, 8, 10a) that are part of the mosaic of very species-rich seasonal wetland vegetation of the GuilfordVegetation Complex.Group D. MLResultsThe MKSEA quadrat sites 15, 16 presented a very ambiguous pattern in relation to the SCP dataset and thevegetation of these sites was also unlike any other vegetation previously recorded in BFS 387 or BFS 53.The investigations in the current survey showed that an active spring (associated with Muchea Limestone)contributed to the maintenance of the wetland and vegetation at Sites 15, 16 and probably to some extent toSite 14. Unlike the other wetlands of the MKSEA that were investigated in this survey and other wetlands ofBFS 387 (VCSRG, 2001) the water table of the wetlands at Sites 14 and 15 was constantly high, the arearemained waterlogged throughout the year and there was a layer of peat at the ground surface. Theunderstorey of Site 15 was dominated by the sedge Cyathochaeta teretifolia. This sedge is rare In the PerthMetropolitan Region this sedge is known from Whiteman Park, Lake Gnangara, Ellenbrook, Bullsbrook,Pinjar, Wanneroo and Muchea but is rare on the Pinjarra Plain and south of the Swan River. It is usuallyassociated with artesian springs or other hydrological settings that are uncommon on the SCP (for anexample of such unusual settings see the listing for the Egerton Mound Spring on pages 226-227 inGovernment of Western Australian, 2000). This species is no longer extant in many locations on SCP whereTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 74it was recorded previously (including Bassendean and Midland). There are a number of other regionallysignificant species in Sites 15 and 16, including Thysanotus arenarius (a calcicole species that is an indicatorof ML on the Pinjarra Plain), Burchardia bairdiae, Gastrolobium ebracteolatum, Prasophyllum drummondii,Sphaerolobium vimineum and Utricularia inaequalis.Assignation of FCTs (Table 5.5, Column 6a)The vegetation of Sites 15 and 16 should be regarded as part of the complex of vegetation types associatedwith the Muchea Limestone TEC.From the data collected in the current survey and the (sometimes ambiguous) trends expressed by the resultsof the multivariate analysis of these sites against the SCP dataset, Sites 4, 5, 19, 20, 21 and 26 were assignedto the Muchea Limestone TEC (see Groups A and C above).Sites 8, 9, 10, 11 and 18 were tentatively assigned to FCTs 8/10a pending further hydrogeologicalinvestigation of the contribution of Muchea Limestone aquifers to the maintenance of vegetation in theseareas (see Group C above).Group E. Degraded SitesResultsSites 1, 3, 25, 29 and 32 were relatively degraded sites. Sites 1 and 3 were wetland sites on GuildfordFormation sediments and Sites 25 and 29 were upland sites on Bassendean Sands.Assignation of FCTs (Table 5.5, Column 6a)These sites were not reliably assigned to FCTs by the floristic analysis and there was insufficient otherevidence to further inform the analysis results. Sites 1 and 3 were probably most similar to Sites 4 and 5before disturbance.Sites 25 and 29 were probably not part of FCT 20a but the more common FCT 23a that has been recordedpreviously in BFS 387 (Government of Western Australian, 2000).Group F. Unassigned SitesResultsMKSEA Site 2 was too weedy for assigning it to any FCT, and Site 27 presented a very ambiguous pattern inrelation to the SCP dataset. The vegetation of this site was also unlike any other vegetation previouslyrecorded in BFS 387 or BFS 53.Site 27 was not able to be investigated in as much detail as the other sites due to access problems. There wasno evidence of calcareous material at the site (although one calcicole species Thysanotus arenarius wasrecorded) and the water table was relatively low. Unlike Sites 15 and 16 there was no evidence of a welldevelopedpeat layer in this wetland. However, the vegetation recorded at this site had species that wereundeniably obligate and facultative wetland species. The unusual wetland vegetation at this site appearedsomewhat at odds with the physical conditions at the site.Assignation of FCTs (Table 5.5, Column 6a)It was not possible to assign Site 27 to any FCT or TEC. This area requires further hydrogeologicalinvestigation to determine the habitat. However, as intact remnant vegetation of the eastern SCP this areahas, at least, high regional significance.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 75Table 5.6: Vegetation of the MKSEA. Summary of Floristic Community Types (FCTs) of the SCP and Conservation SignificanceVeg Unit andLocation in MKSEAVegetation DescriptionExplanatory NotesT1Site 17T1Site 28T2Site 30ST5Site 12T5Site 15T6Site 14T13M1Site 26SL1Site 19ST3Site 21ST4Sites 9,10 & 20SL3Site 4ST6Site 5Eucalyptus (Corymbia) calophylla – Kingia australis woodlands on heavy soils of the Swan Coastal Plain (FCT 3a). CONSERVATION STATUS: EPBC EndangeredCorymbia calophylla low woodland to low open forest over XanthorrhoeaFloristic analysis unequivocally assigned this vegetation to FCT 3a. Muchea Limestone ispreissii and/or Kingia australis, low shrubs and Cyathochaeta avenaceaalsopresent throughout this area (see Sites 19 and 26).Mesomelaena tetragona rushes and sedges.Corymbia calophylla low open forest over Kingia australis, Xanthorrhoeapreissii, Hakea ceratophylla, Pericalymma ellipticum open shrubs andCyathochaeta avenacea-Mesomelaena tetragona open sedges.Corymbia calophylla low open forest over open Xanthorrhoea preissii andopen Anarthria laevis - Cytogonidium leptocarpoides rushes and sedges.Hakea trifurcata open scrub over patchy Hypocalymma angustifolium-Xanthorrhoea preissii closed heath over mid- dense Mesomelaenatetragona- Chordifex sinuosus- Cyathochaeta avenacea sedges.Floristic analysis, Guildford Formation stratigraphy, and high abundance of Kingia australisimmediately adjacent to sample site all confirm FCT 3a.Floristic composition indicates this vegetation is part of FCT 3a complex. Uncommon rushesdominating understorey suggest this is an uncommon variant of TEC 3a not surveyed inGibson et al. (1994).Floristic analysis unequivocally assigned this vegetation to FCT 3a. Patchiness observed inthis vegetation may be consistent with partial clearing many years ago.Shrublands and Woodlands on Muchea Limestone of the Swan Coastal Plain. CONSERVATION STATUS: EPBC EndangeredMelaleuca rhaphiophylla – M. preissiana low open forest overCyathochaeta teretifolia - Lepidosperma longitudinale closed sedges.Melaleuca preissiana low open forest over Lepidosperma longitudinale-Schoenus rigens open sedges and open herbs.Eucalyptus gomphocephala scattered trees over alien understorey.Eucalyptus decipiens subsp. decipiens mid-dense mallee.Hypocalymma angustifolium – Pericalymma ellipticum - Banksia telmatiaeamid-dense heath over Cyathochaeta avenacea - Mesomelaena tetragonaopen sedges.Melaleuca rhaphiophylla- Melaleuca viminea- Melaleuca lateritia openscrub over sparse rushes and sedges and naturalised alien grasses.Melaleuca viminea – M. lateriflora – M. brevifolia open scrub overHypocalymma angustifolium- Acacia lasiocarpa over species-rich herbs.Acacia lasiocarpa - Actinostrobus pyramidalis mid-dense heath and speciesrichopen rushes, sedges and herbs.Acacia saligna - Actinostrobus pyramidalis - Melaleuca viminea closedscrub.An active spring associated with Muchea Limestone maintains this vegetation; a rarevegetation type that was not sampled in Gibson et al. (1994).An active spring associated with Muchea Limestone maintains this vegetation; a rarevegetation type that was not sampled in Gibson et al. (1994).Associated with Muchea Limestone near Yule Brook; a rare vegetation type that was notsampled in Gibson et al. (1994).Eucalyptus decipiens, an indicator species on the eastern SCP for Muchea Limestone(Keighery & Keighery, 1995) grows on a low mound of calcareous material confirmed asMuchea Limestone at this site.Floristic analysis assigned this vegetation to FCT3a. Stratigraphic study shows MucheaLimestone at depth and this may account for the structural and floristic variation in thevegetation of this site c.f. that previously described in this TECAmbiguous floristic analysis, a rare calcicole species and presence of limestone traces insediments indicates this vegetation is probably one of the vegetation types associated withMuchea Limestone.Ambiguous floristic analysis, a number of calcicole species and the presence of limestonetraces in sediments indicate this vegetation is probably one of the vegetation types associatedwith Muchea Limestone.Analysis indicates possible affinity to three TECs. Stratigraphy and calcicole species presentindicates this vegetation is one of the vegetation types associated with Muchea Limestone.Surface limestone in places, calcicole species and proximity to Site 4 indicates this vegetationis one of the vegetation types associated with Muchea Limestone.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Vegetation 76Veg Unit andLocation in MKSEAST2Site 16Vegetation DescriptionViminaria juncea open scrub over Lepidosperma longitudinale mid-densesedges and Burchardia bairdiae – Drosera gigantea open herbs.Explanatory NotesCalcicole species present and proximity to spring with Muchea Limestone indicates thisvegetation is one of the vegetation types associated with Muchea Limestone.T10Sites 22, 23 & 24Banksia attenuata woodlands over species-rich dense shrublands (FCT 20a). CONSERVATION STATUS: Endangered B) ii [W.A.]Allocasuarina fraseriana - Eucalyptus todtiana - Banksia menziesii lowwoodland over species-rich low shrubs.High species-richness, floristic analysis and indicator species Cyathochaeta equitans allconsistent with this FCT.R-S1Sites 6 & 14SL2Site 8SL4Site 11Site 7T7Site 27T4Adjacent to YuleBrookHerb rich saline shrublands in claypans/Herb rich shrublands in claypans (FCTs 7 or 8). CONSERVATION STATUS: Vulnerable B) [W.A]Meeboldina cana - Chaetanthus aristatus mid-dense, species-rich rushes,sedges and open herbs and Viminaria juncea tall open shrubs.High species richness of annuals and geophytes, inundated habitat, aquatic species andfloristic analysis all consistent with these FCTs.Shrublands on Dry Clay Flats (FCT10a). CONSERVATION STATUS: Endangered B) ii [W.A]Melaleuca seriata-Hypocalymma angustifolium-Kunzea micrantha middenseheath over sparse, species-rich sedges, rushes and herbs.Very high species richness including many shrubs, waterlogged habitat, shallow hardpanlayer, no aquatic species and floristic analysis indicate this FCT.Melaleuca lateriflora –M. brevifolia- Hypocalymma angustifolium middenseheath over species-rich herbs.layer, no aquatic species and floristic analysis indicate this FCT.Very high species richness including many shrubs, waterlogged habitat, shallow hardpanPericalymma ellipticum mid-dense heath over open, species-rich rushes, Inferred from comparison with floristic composition of this FCT in Table 12 of Gibson et al.sedges and herbs.(1994).Miscellaneous Vegetation of Regional Conservation Significance (or not allocated to FCTs)Melaleuca preissiana low open forest over Dielsia stenostachya mid-denserushes and open herbs.Melaleuca rhaphiophylla – Eucalyptus rudis- Actinostrobus pyramidalislow open forest to low open woodland.Requires further study of habitat.Conservation significance as riparian vegetation.T9Site 3 Casuarina obesa -Eucalyptus rudis low open woodland. Conservation significance as riparian vegetation.ST1Site 1T8Small remnantsthroughout MKSEAT11Sites 25 & 29Actinostrobus pyramidalis tall open shrubs over Melaleuca seriata,Jacksonia sternbergiana, Melaleuca viminea and other shrubs.Melaleuca preissiana – M. rhaphiophylla-low closed forest to low woodlandover degraded understorey.Allocasuarina fraseriana-Banksia spp. degraded low open woodland.Conservation significance as riparian vegetation.Conservation significance as vvegetation of CCW/REW wetlands.FCT 23a on floristic analysis.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 776. Wetlands Field SurveyThe current wetlands survey built on the foundation provided by the mapping of Hill et al. (1996). It enabledthe recognition of additional wetlands, geomorphic wetland types and wetland values that were notpreviously known in the area. It also provided a fine scale management category assessment for all of thewetlands that are mapped as CCW and or REW in DEC (2008a). To complete the wetland assessmentrequired by DEC (2007) for recommendations to amend or modify the SCP Wetlands Dataset, further studyis indicated to delineate wetland boundaries more accurately and characterise factors (such as MucheaLimestone aquifers) that maintain wetlands, particularly along the interfaces of the Pinjarra Plain with theBassendean Dunes. As there are complex stratigraphic/hydrological features and threatened ecosystems inthe area, this study should be carried out by specialist wetland scientists with ecological expertise. It shouldalso be at a fine scale that is appropriate to the processes that affect native vegetation and part of an overallplan for determining and restoring the environmental water requirements of the vegetation of the greater areaof the alluvial fan and increasing the quality and quantity of the groundwater in the Yule Brook and BickleyBrook catchments.The MKSEA is part of an alluvial fan complex that forms an almost continuous wetland ecosystem thatextends over most of Kenwick and Maddington and has been mapped as about 70 wetlands (palusplains,sumplands or damplands) that are identified under Unique Function Identifiers (UFIs) in the SCP WetlandsDataset (DEC, 2008a; Table 6.1). Other wetland types (palusplains and floodplains) that are rarer on the SCPhave also been described at a finer scale in the vicinity of the MKSEA (VCSRG, 2001). The system fornumbering individual wetlands using UFIs in DEC (2008a); Figures 9, 10; Table 6.1) is somewhat artificialin the MKSEA (and other areas of the Pinjarra Plain) as the boundaries of wetlands are not clearly evident inlow relief, predominantly wetland landscapes that are underlain by complex stratigraphy. UFI boundaries insuch areas are largely artefacts of the various land uses and cadastral boundaries, whereas the natural wetlandboundaries are, usually, the interfaces between the wetland landscape of the Pinjarra Plain and any uplandareas of low dunes of Bassendean Sands.From the broadscale mapping of surface sediments and landforms in Kenwick and Maddington (Jordan,1986; Figure 6) and the climate of the SCP, it could be predicted that the only parts of the MKSEA area thatare not waterlogged or inundated in winter would be relatively small areas of dunes. In the project area, suchuplands all occur in the broadscale soil type S8 (Figures 6, 11) where deep Bassendean Sands overlie themuddy sediments of the Guildford Formation. Under the Mediterranean climate that is experienced byGosnells (with a mean rainfall of approximately 838 mm per annum) most of the flat or gently undulatinglands of shallow Bassendean Sands over the Guildford Formation (S10), the clayey sands (Sc) and the sandyclays (Cs) of the MKSEA could be expected to be poorly drained. Given appropriate topography, these areason the eastern SCP readily form palusplains (seasonally waterlogged flats), sumplands (seasonally inundatedbasins) or damplands (seasonally waterlogged basins), due to the perching of rainwater by shallow aquitards.To database the plethora of wetlands on the SCP, DEC (2008b) has allotted a Unique Function Identifier(UFI) to each wetland. This number usually applies to the full natural extent of the wetland irrespective ofcadastral boundaries. An exception to this rule (that applies in the MKSEA) concerns the more extensivewetlands in the dataset (those with an area greater than 70 ha) that are not lakes or sumplands and have beendegraded over part of their extent. These are divided into several sections (according to wetland condition)and have a separate UFI for each section. In the MKSEA, although the wetlands in DEC (2008b) are mappedunder a total of about 70 UFI numbers, this large number of wetlands is mainly a consequence of the patchyland use history of this area (and subsequent wetland degradation) and not the natural wetland boundaries. Inthis ecosystem, the individual wetland areas that are mapped under separate UFIs are generallyinterconnected by such factors as groundwater flow, subsurface water flows along impermeable layers andchannelled surface water flows (Perth Groundwater Atlas, 2004; VCSRG, 2001).The natural wetland boundaries of the MKSEA (including the main boundaries between the wetlandlandscape of the Pinjarra Plain and the small upland area of the Bassendean Dunes) particularly in the areasthat have been cleared of native vegetation, are not sharply marked and are difficult to delineate withoutdetailed hydrogeological studies. This was illustrated in BFS 387, where the wetlands were investigated byVCSRG (2001) using the same principles that they had developed in Hill et al. (1996), but at a finer scale.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 78The stratigraphic sequences (that underlie the superficial sediments that were mapped simply by Jordan in1986 as S10, Cs and Sc) were found to be complex and varied. Also many factors (groundwater, artesianflow, subsurface seepage etc) apart from rainfall were found to contribute to the recharge and discharge ofwetlands in this area (VCSRG, 2001). Thus in some areas of the dunes, (e.g. in the University of WesternAustralia Allison Baird Flora Reserve), the seasonal waterlogging was found to extend over part of theslopes of dunes and to form paluslopes (seasonally waterlogged slopes). Floodplains (seasonally inundatedflats) were also found to be present adjacent to the dunes. The paluslopes and floodplains described in BFS387 in VCSRG (2001) have not, as yet, been incorporated into the SCP Wetland Dataset. Paluslope wetlandsare uncommon in south west Western Australia. Paluslopes have not been characterised in any other areas ofthe SCP. Floodplains with intact native vegetation are also very uncommon on the SCP as most of thesewetlands have been cleared for agriculture or highly modified by drainage works. Both paluslopes andfloodplains are represented by areas of intact native vegetation in BFS 387; these wetlands are of highconservation significance.The primary task of the current survey was to characterise the conservation values in the MKSEA. As intactnative vegetation is usually a good proxy for high conservation values on the eastern SCP, the current surveyfocussed primarily on all of the areas of remnant native vegetation in the MKSEA that could be classed as‘native bushland’ according to Government of Western Australia (2000). Each area of native bushland wasexamined in the reconnaissance survey and most were later sampled in the site-based flora and vegetationstudy. Many of the sampled sites were also investigated with regard to stratigraphy and hydrology to verifywetland status in the manner recommended by DEC (2007). This approach captured all of the highconservation value wetlands in the MKSEA that are currently assessed as CCW and or REW (DEC, 2008). Italso enabled the recognition of some additional wetlands, some wetland types and wetland processes in theMKSEA that are of high conservation value and that were not previously known from Government ofWestern Australia (2000) or the SCP Wetlands Dataset (DEC, 2008).The current survey was not intended as a fine scale mapping of the wetland boundaries and a definitiveassessment of the management categories of wetlands (in order to submit a case for changes to the SCPWetlands Dataset DEC or to develop a plan to manage the important wetlands of the area for conservation)but as an overview that reliably identified areas of the highest conservation significance/ecologicalsensitivity and priorities for further investigation. Similarly, the water monitoring currently commissionedby the City of Gosnells (where the sampling of water levels has been confined to a small number ofpiezometers spread over a large area) will not be sufficiently intensive to adequately characterise thewetlands of the area to the standard required prior to rezoning and development proposals according to DEC(2007). Due to the complicated stratigraphy, hydrology and biology of the area, further fine-scale wetlandstudies at a scale and intensity similar to VCSRG (2001) should be carried out to map the main wetlandboundaries more accurately and to investigate and analyse the processes that maintain the wetlands. Thisadditional wetland mapping and assessment should be carried out at a scale that will take into account theeffect of the drainage measures that are installed on individual landholding blocks in the MKSEA. Implicit insuch a study would be an examination of the stratigraphy and hydrology at a scale appropriate to habitatvariables that determine native vegetation. It would be most appropriate to carry out such further wetlandswork as part of the development of an integrated management plan for remediating the hydrological cycle inthe area and the sustainable management of the water resources of Yule Brook, BFS 387, BFS 53 and areasof high conservation significance in the MKSEA.The wetlands identified and delineated in the current survey, the geomorphic classification and themanagement category determined for each wetland are presented below in Sections 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3respectively.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 79Table 6.1: Summary of wetlands as mapped in DEC SCP Wetlands Dataset 2008b (See Figures 9 and 10)The MKSEA Precincts below are as per Figure 3 (City of Gosnells Concept Plan, July 2008).MKSEA Precincts and Study Sites Wetland UFI Geomorphic Classification Management Category3A 7632 Dampland MUW3A 7633 Sumpland MUW3B 7634 Palusplain REW3A/3BMKSEA Study Site 47635 Palusplain REW3A/3BMKSEA Study Site 57635 Palusplain REW3B 7635 PalusplainREW3B 7636 Palusplain REW3B 7774 Palusplain CCW3B 7776 Palusplain MUW3B 7779 Palusplain MUW3BMKSEA Study Sites 20 & 217780 Palusplain CCW3B 7781 Palusplain CCW3B 7784 Palusplain CCW3B 7787 Palusplain CCW3BMKSEA Study Site 327787 Palusplain CCW3BMKSEA Study Site 113362 Palusplain MUW3BMKSEA Study Site 213362 Palusplain MUW3BMKSEA Study Site 313362 Sumpland MUW3A/3B 13362 PalusplainMUW3B 13362 Palusplain MUW2 7645 ?Palusplain ?MUW2 7647 ?Sumpland ?REW2 7774 Palusplain CCW2 7782 Palusplain CCW2 7783 Palusplain MUW2MKSEA Study Site 87785 Palusplain CCW2 7786 Palusplain CCW2 7788 Palusplain CCW2 7789 Palusplain CCW2 7797 Palusplain CCW2 7798 Palusplain MUW2 7799 Palusplain MUW2MKSEA Study Site 77800 Palusplain MUW2 7805 Palusplain MUW2 8030 Palusplain MUW2 8031 Sumpland CCW2 8032 Sumpland CCW2MKSEA Study Site 128033 Palusplain CCW2REW8034 SumplandMKSEA Study Site 132 8035 Sumpland CCW2 8036 Sumpland REWTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 80MKSEA Precincts and Study Sites Wetland UFI Geomorphic Classification Management Category2 8038 SumplandREW2 8045 Palusplain REW2MKSEA Study Site 198046 Palusplain CCW2 8047 Dampland MUW2 13128, 7637, 7787 PalusplainCCW2 13368 PalusplainCCW2 13542 Palusplain MUW2 13541 Palusplain MUW2MKSEA Study Site 27Not on DEC maps nil nil2 13826 Palusplain REW2MKSEA Study Sites 14, 15, 1613827 Palusplain CCW2 14115 Palusplain MUW2 14116 Palusplain REW2 14117 Palusplain MUW2 14118 Palusplain REW2 14119 Palusplain MUW2 14120 Palusplain REW2 14122 Palusplain REW2MKSEA Study Site 614122 Palusplain REW2 14122 Palusplain REW2MKSEA Study Sites 9 & 1014122 Palusplain REW2MKSEA Study Site 1114122 Palusplain REW2MKSEA Study Sites 17 & 2614122 Palusplain REW2 14122 Palusplain REW1 7961 Sumpland MUW1 8048 Palusplain MUW1 8049 Palusplain MUW1REW8050 SumplandMKSEA Study Site 281MKSEA Study Site 188051 Sumpland MUW1 8052 Palusplain MUW1 8053 Sumpland MUW1MKSEA Study Site 188054 Sumpland MUW1 8055 Dampland MUW1 12114 Palusplain CCW1 12115 Palusplain MUW1 12116 Palusplain CCW1MKSEA Study Sites 30, 3113368 Palusplain MUW1 13369 Palusplain MUW1MKSEA Study Site 1813369 Palusplain MUW1 13369 Palusplain MUW1 13999 Palusplain MUWTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 816.1 Identification and delineation of wetlands in the MKSEAThe identification and delineation of wetlands relies on the characterisation of the hydrology, hydric soilsand vegetation (Hill et al., 1996; Tiner,1999) and a general guide for this is provided in DEC (2007). Inaccordance with these principles, investigations were conducted to distinguish between putative wetland andupland zones in the MKSEA. A limited field survey of the hydrology and shallow stratigraphy of thevegetated wetlands of the MKSEA that are mapped in DEC (2008a) was undertaken in addition to thedetailed flora and vegetation study reported above. Obligate and facultative wetland flora plants at eachstudy site in the survey area and elsewhere were noted during the flora and vegetation survey (Appendix D).In the current survey, the uplands of the MKSEA were found to be either naturally elevated landforms ormore low-lying areas where the land surface had been elevated above the high watertable of the surroundingterrain by the importation of sand (or other fill materials). The natural upland areas of the MKSEA were alldeep Bassendean Sands. The boundaries between the natural uplands of the area and the wetlands (that wereall underlain by muddy sediments of the Guildford Formation or shallow sand over muddy sediments) weresubtle in some areas and difficult to map. The locations of these boundaries are provisionally indicated(Figure 11). However, they will require detailed topographic survey and further study of hydrology andstratigraphy to map at a finer scale prior to a final determination of development and buffer zones. Therewere two main locations of boundaries of this type in the MKSEA.• In Precinct 2 of MKSEA there was an irregular boundary between the Pinjarra Plain wetlands and theBassendean Dune uplands that extended obliquely from Tonkin Highway (just south of Brentwood Rd) toVictoria Rd. This was a sensitive boundary in terms of the very high natural conservation values that arelocated in several areas along this boundary and the wetland processes that still operate along the areaswhere native vegetation has been cleared.• In Precinct 1 the boundary above continued along the contact between the Pinjarra Plain wetlands and theBassendean Dunes and divided this precinct into an upland zone in the north east and a wetland zone inthe south-west.The artificially raised areas throughout the MKSEA were mapped, very approximately, from aerialphotographs, as non-wetlands. This mapping was also not a definitive assessment and there was notsufficient access to many properties to verify the location of many areas of fill. This mapping does, however,provide an indication of the scale and pattern of the (largely unregulated) filling of the local wetlands.There was ample evidence of hydric soils, high water tables and surface and groundwater dependantvegetation indicative of wetland conditions in most of the sample sites representative of the MKSEA in thecurrent survey (Table 6.2). The native vegetation of most of the MKSEA had predominantly obligatewetland species in the areas of shallow sand over Guildford Formation and in areas of clayey sands andsandy clays. Most of the areas mapped as wetlands in the SCP Wetland Dataset (DEC, 2008a) wereconfirmed as wetlands in the current survey (Figure 11). There was also an additional wetland area identifiedin the current survey that had not been mapped previously as wetland area in DEC (2008a).The boundaries between the extensive palusplains and the Bassendean Dune uplands that were mapped in thecurrent survey (Figure 11) differ somewhat from the boundary mapped in the SCP Wetland Dataset (Figures9 and 10). There was also an additional wetland area identified in the current survey that had not beenmapped previously as wetland area in DEC (2008a). To provide the evidence necessary to support amodification of the wetland boundary in the SCP Wetland Dataset (i.e. to more accurately delineate thewetlands in this area prior to any planning decisions), a fine scale hydrogeological study to describe thestratigraphy and the hydrology of the wetlands along the interface of the wetlands and the Bassendean Dunesis recommended. It is likely that Muchea Limestone aquifers in the MKSEA are closely connected towetlands in BFS 387. The occurrences of Muchea Limestone in the MKSEA (and the catchment areas of theaquifers associated with these occurrences) require further investigation and detailed mapping to understandhow these wetlands are maintained and how they interact with the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands.Subsequently, measures can be taken to protect catchment areas, conserve and restore wetlands in theMKSEA and link them via vegetated corridors to bushlands reserved in the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 826.2 Geomorphic classification of wetlands in the MKSEA areaThe wetlands of the MKSEA were classified in this survey according to the geomorphic system of Semeniuk(1987), in which the hydroperiod and geomorphic features of wetlands were the sole determinants of wetlandclass (regardless of wetland biota or the factors that maintain the wetland conditions). Most of the existinggeomorphic classifications and mapping of the wetlands of the MKSEA in DEC (2008a) were confirmed inthe current field survey. From the additional fine-scale data that were collected in the current survey(Appendix D) there were, however, some wetlands (Table 6.2) that may require changes to the currentgeomorphic classification. If any changes were to be made to the geomorphic classification of wetlands inthe MKSEA relative to DEC (2008a), these changes would not affect the wetland management categories ofthese wetlands. The wetlands involved will require detailed survey of the topography and an appropriatelydesignedground and surface water monitoring program in order to compile the data necessary for proposingchanges to the SCP Wetlands Dataset. Given the expert resources of wetland specialists to design such adetailed study, a range of pragmatic objectives that could contribute to the remediation of the hydrologicalregime and better management of the biodiversity of the area, apart from a scientifically accurateclassification of the wetlands, could be met by such a study. Some of these objectives could include acharacterisation of the processes that have been important in the development of the wetland (and thus adetermination of the baseline hydrological regime of these wetlands, prior to the widespread alteration of thecatchment) an assessment of the effects of the local drainage scheme on these wetlands and a determinationof the environmental water requirements of the biota of the wetlands. In the interim, the recommendations ofthe current survey may be useful as a preliminary guide to inform the more sustainable management of thesewetlands and the biodiversity that many of them support.The conclusions reached about the geomorphic classification of wetlands in the MKSEA are listed below.a. Palusplains that are mapped in DEC (2008b) where no change in geomorphic classification isrecommended from the current surveyMost of the study sites surveyed in the MKSEA (Sites 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26,28, 30, 31 and 32) were located on gently sloping to gently undulating plains that were underlain byshallow aquitards and were waterlogged in the early spring of 2007 and 2008 (Table 6.2). These areaswere all mapped as palusplains in DEC (2008b) and were confirmed as palusplains in the current fieldsurvey.Sites 1, 2 and 4 are located adjacent to Yule Brook and were floodplains before the brook was excavatedin response to the greater volume of surface flow that was initiated by clearing in the catchment area andthe need to increase the conveyance of this storm water (and water drained from superficial aquifers bydrains) via Yule Brook towards the Canning River. These floodplain areas should be restored.b. Palusplains that are mapped in DEC (2008b) where a change of classification to floodplain may beconsideredA few of the study sites surveyed in the MKSEA (Sites 3, 5, 6, 14, 16 and 21) were located on gentlyundulating plains (that occasionally included a few very small basins or channels). All of these areaswere shallowly inundated in early spring of 2007 and 2008. These areas were all mapped as palusplainsin DEC (2008b) but were considered to be floodplains on the data obtained in the current field survey.Sites 3, 5 and 21 are located adjacent to Yule Brook and were probably inundated for longer and, attimes, experienced higher standing water levels that at present. The vegetation of these floodplain areasshould be regenerated as part of a comprehensive plan to restore Yule Brook as a living stream. Sites 6,14 and 16 are located at the base of sand dunes and the wetlands there are probably partly maintained byseepage from the base of these dunes. These wetlands are currently drained by excavated channels thatexport water downslope to Yule Brook via Lot 106 Wanaping Rd or via Brentwood Rd and a drain inthe University of Western Australia Allison Baird Flora Reserve.These wetlands require protection by the reservation of an appropriate buffer zone upslope from them inthe dunes that should be revegetated and kept free of all development and infrastructure. The stormwaterfrom any developments upslope from these wetlands should be infiltrated at source to maintain seepageTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 83onto the floodplains below. The drains downslope from these floodplains should be redesigned to allowthe infiltration into the groundwater and nutrient stripping by vegetation in extensive but shallow,vegetated swales that mimic the original floodplains of the area.c. Palusplain mapped in DEC (2008b) where a change of classification to paluslope may be consideredSite 15 of the MKSEA study was located on a gentle slope that was mapped as a palusplain in DEC(2008b), but it was considered to be a paluslope on the data obtained in the current field survey. This isthe most well developed peat paluslope that has been identified locally and requires further study andcareful management to conserve its significant natural values.d. Upland mapped in DEC (2008b) where a change of classification to dampland may be consideredSite 27 of the MKSEA study was located in a shallow basin and was seasonally waterlogged. This areawas not mapped as part of a wetland in DEC (2008b) but was considered to be a dampland on the dataobtained in the current field survey. The hydrological factors maintaining this wetland are not clear andneed to be investigated in detail in order to manage the surrounding areas in a manner that is compatiblewith the conservation of this wetland.e. Sumpland mapped in DEC (2008b) where a change of classification to palusplain may be consideredUFI 8050 is mapped in DEC (2008b) as a sumpland. The area where this wetland is located is thelowest lying area in Precinct 1 and there is obviously a high watertable in this area (probably due toseepage from the base of the adjoining dunes of Bassendean Sands onto the Pinjarra Plain surface in thevicinity of UFI 8050. There are small sumplands in this area.However, these sumplands appear to havebeen excavated by landowners for use as ornamental ponds, and the fringing vegetation is degraded tocompletely degraded. The sumplands are interconnected by excavated channels to two drains (one ofwhich conveys water north via BFS 387 to Yule Brook, and the other west to Bickley Brook).The current investigation showed that the vegetated area of UFI 8050 is a palusplain (seasonallywaterlogged flat). It comprised Corymbia calophylla low forest over Kingia australis and mid-denselow shrubs in which about half of the species were obligate wetland plants.As with other areas of the MKSEA where there is a boundary between the Bassendean Sands and thePinjarra Plain, this area requires hydrogeological study to accurately map the wetland to define anappropriate buffer zone above the wetland and to develop a plan to restore the hydrological regime inthis area.f. Creeks that were not indicated in DEC (2008b)There was a small watercourse mapped in the current survey that extended from the UFI 7632 damplandto Yule Brook via UFI 7635. Part of the upper reaches of this creek were modified into an excavateddrain. However, the creek retained its natural form over much of its course.There was also a drain that extended from the UFI 7633 sumpland to Yule Brook via Coldwell Rd. Thisdrain was aligned along the route of a pre-existing creek in the area.A drain north-west of wetland UFI 7800 was also probably aligned along the route of a pre-existingcreek in the area.g. Uplands where no changes to the DEC (2008b) classification were recommended in the current surveyMKSEA Sites 22, 23, 24, 25 and 29 were located in dunes of deep, well-drained Bassendean Sands.These areas were not mapped as wetlands in DEC (2008b), which was confirmed in the current fieldsurvey.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 84Table 6.2: MKSEA Study sites and their wetland identificationSite No.1. Hydroperiod and Water Table(WT) Relative to GroundSurface2. LandformStratigraphyFacultative & ObligateWetland Taxa1. F (as % total siteflora)2. O (as % total siteflora)Wetland Criteria of Site1. Hydric soils2. Hydrology3. Wetland taxa (O+F % of Total site flora)UFI and WetlandType1. Classification inSCP WetlandsDataset2. Classification inCurrent SurveySite 11. Surface waterlogged in spring.2. Flat.Shallow muddy quartz sand –sandy mud perches rainwater.(Deeper sediments notinvestigated)1. 59%2. 34%1. Hydric soils: shallow aquitard.2. Hydrology: waterlogged surface in winter, previouslyflooded by Yule Brook in winter.3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa (93% of taxa are Oor F wetland taxa).1. Hydric soils: shallow aquitard.2. Hydrology: waterlogged surface in winter where sand fillhas not been dumped, previously flooded by Yule Brook inwinter. 3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa at edge ofYule Brook.1. Hydric soils: shallow aquitard.2. Hydrology: inundation. Whole area previously flooded byYule Brook in winter.3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa (74% of taxa are O orF wetland taxa).1. Hydric soils: shallow aquitard, calcareous mud at depth.2. Complex hydrology: waterlogged surface, also shallowconfined aquifer. Previously flooded by Yule Brook inwinter.3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa (79% of taxa O or F)1. UFI 13362Palusplain2. PalusplainSite 21. Surface waterlogged in spring exceptwhere artificial fill has beendumped.2. Flat.Shallow muddy quartz sand –sandy mud perches rainwater.(Deeper sediments notinvestigated)Mostly naturalised andplanted aliens exceptriparian vegetationwhich is like Site 11. UFI 13362Palusplain2. PalusplainSite 31. Inundated to about 30 cm in spring.2. Small basin within a flat.Shallow sandy mud perchesrainwater.(Deeper sediments notinvestigated)1. 21%2. 53%1. UFI 13362Palusplain2. Palusplain/sumplandSite 41. Waterlogged at surface in spring.Deeper aquifer at about -145 cm.2. Flat.Muddy quartz sand oversandy mud (perchesrainwater) over coarse,gravelly-muddy sand, overcalcareous mud.1. 43%2. 36%1. UFI 7635Palusplain2. PalusplainSite 51. Standing water up to about 0.5 m inplaces, flooded by Yule Brook and atributary of Yule Brook that drainspart of Precinct 3.2. Mosaic of flats, shallow channelsand basins.1. Shallow standing water in springapprox +5cm max., deeper nearBickley Rd (except where sand fillhas been dumped near road).Shallow sandy clay perchesrainwater. Wetland partlymaintained by seepage from adjacentdune and possibly other factors.2. Flat.Shallow sandy clay.(Deeper sediments notinvestigated)1. 47%2. 41%1. Hydric soils: shallow aquitard.2. Complex hydrology: inundated and waterlogged areas inspring, maintained by several sources3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa (88 % of taxa O or F)1. UFI 7635Palusplain2. FloodplainSite 6Shallow sandy clay overhardpan at -80cm.1. 16%2. 81%1. Hydric soils: shallow aquitard.2. Complex hydrology: surface inundated in spring due toperching, seepage and possibly other factors3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa (97% of taxa O or F)1. UFI 14122Palusplain2. FloodplainTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 85Site No.1. Hydroperiod and Water Table(WT) Relative to GroundSurface2. LandformStratigraphyFacultative & ObligateWetland Taxa1. F (as % total siteflora)2. O (as % total siteflora)Wetland Criteria of Site1. Hydric soils2. Hydrology3. Wetland taxa (O+F % of Total site flora)UFI and WetlandType1. Classification inSCP WetlandsDataset2. Classification inCurrent SurveySite 71. Waterlogged in spring.2. Flat to gentle slope.Peaty quartz sand over sandyclay (Deeper sediments notinvestigated)1. 14%2. 76%1. Hydric soils: peaty sand over shallow hardpan.2. Complex hydrology: surface waterlogged in spring due toperching, seepage and possibly other factors.3. Vegetation: dominated by wetland taxa (90% of taxa O orF).1. UFI 7800Palusplain2. PalusplainSite 81. Surface waterlogging in spring.2. Flat.Muddy quartz sand overmuddy sand with gravel,mottles from -60 cm, oversandy mud. Hardpan at-130cm.1. 37%2. 47%1. Hydric soils: shallow aquitard and mottling.2. Hydrology: waterlogged in spring.3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa (84% of taxa O or F)1. UFI 7785Palusplain2. PalusplainSite 91. Surface waterlogging in spring.2. Flat.Muddy-sand over sandy mudat -30 and hardpan at -50cm.1. 31%2. 53%1. Hydric soils: shallow aquitard.2. Hydrology: waterlogged surface in winter.3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa (84% of taxa O or F)1. UFI 14122Palusplain2. PalusplainSite 101. Surface waterlogging in spring.2. Flat.Muddy quartz sand withmottles at -30cm, layers ofsandy mud and muddy sandover quartz sand from -180cm and hardpan at -250cm.1. 39%2. 48%1. Hydric soils: shallow aquitard. Complex stratigraphy.2. Complex hydrology: waterlogged surface in winter.3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa (87% of taxa O or F)1. UFI 14122Palusplain2. PalusplainSite 111. Surface waterlogging in spring.2. Flat.Muddy quartz sand overhardpan at -60cm.1. 39%2. 41%1. Hydric soils: shallow aquitard.2. Hydrology: waterlogged surface in winter.3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa (80% of taxa O or F).1. Hydric soils: peaty sand, mottling, shallow aquitard.2. Hydrology: waterlogged surface in winter.3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa (77% of taxa O or F)1. UFI 14122Palusplain2. PalusplainSite 121. Surface waterlogging in early springand WT at about -110 in late spring.2. Flat.Shallow peaty, quartz sandover muddy sand, hardpan atabout -120cm.1. 56%2. 21%1. UFI 8033Palusplain2. PalusplainSite 131. A mosaic of surface waterloggedareas and some smaller areas ofinundation. Not mapped in detail.2. Flat.1. Shallow standing water in springapprox +5cm max., perchedrainwater. Wetland partlymaintained by rainfall, seepage fromdune and flow from spring. Requiresfurther study to manage valuessustainably.2. Flat.Shallow sandy mud perchesrainwater.(Deeper sediments notinvestigated)1. 29%2. 50%1. Hydric soils: shallow aquitard.2. Hydrology: waterlogged/or shallowly inundated in spring.3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa (79% of taxa O or F)1. UFI 8034Palusplain2. PalusplainSite 14Peaty muddy sand to hardpanat -30cm.1. 32%2. 51%1. Hydric soils: peaty, muddy aquitard.2. Complex hydrology: surface inundated in spring due toperching of rainfall, seepage from dune and flow fromspring.3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa (83% of taxa O or F)1. UFI 13827Palusplain2. PalusplainfloodplainTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 86Site No.1. Hydroperiod and Water Table(WT) Relative to GroundSurface2. LandformStratigraphyFacultative & ObligateWetland Taxa1. F (as % total siteflora)2. O (as % total siteflora)Wetland Criteria of Site1. Hydric soils2. Hydrology3. Wetland taxa (O+F % of Total site flora)UFI and WetlandType1. Classification inSCP WetlandsDataset2. Classification inCurrent SurveySite 151. Surface waterlogged all year, WT to-25 cm in late spring. Wetlandmaintained by rainfall, seepage fromdune and flow from spring. Requiresfurther study to manage valuessustainably.2. Gentle slope.1. Surface waterlogged in spring.Wetland partly maintained byrainfall, seepage from dune and flowfrom spring. Requires further studyto manage values sustainably.2. Flat.30cm of peat over peaty sandover coarse muddy quartzsand at about -80.1. 29%2. 54%1. Hydric soils: deep layer of peat and peaty sand.2. Complex hydrology: surface waterlogged due to rainfall,seepage from dune and flow from active ML spring.3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa (83% of taxa O or F)1. UFI 13827Palusplain2. PaluslopeSite 16Sandy peat over peaty sandand muddy sand, hardpan at -80cm.1. 22%2. 67%1. Hydric soils: sandy peat, peaty sand and shallow aquitard.2. Hydrology: waterlogged and sometimes shallowly inundatedin late winter.3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa (89% of taxa O or F).1. UFI 13827Palusplain2. FloodplainSite 171. Surface waterlogging in spring2. Flat.Slightly muddy, quartz sand,muddy, quartz sand, sandymud, cream carbonate mud at-60cm, hard pan at -105 cm1. 48%2. 13%1. Hydric soils: shallow aquitard, carbonate mud.2. Hydrology: waterlogging in spring due to perched rainwater.3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa (61% of taxa O or F).1. UFI 14122Palusplain2. PalusplainSite 181. Surface waterlogging in spring2. Flat.Muddy, quartz sand, mottledat -70cm, hard pan at -160cm1. 22%2. 65%1. Hydric soils: mottling and shallow aquitard.2. Hydrology: waterlogged in spring due to perched rainfall3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa (87% of taxa O or F).1. UFI 13369Palusplain2. PalusplainSite 191. Surface waterlogged in spring. WTin late spring at -140 cm.2. Flat.Quartz sand over muddy,quartz sand with calcareousnodules, sandy mud, creamcarbonate mud from -80cm to-220cm over non –calcareousmud.Muddy sand, grey sandy mudwith white (weaklycalcareous) nodules from 30-40cm, cream mud (weaklycalcareous) hardpan at -40cm.1. 40%2. 31%1. Hydric soils: shallow aquitard, calcareous mud attributableto Muchea Limestone.2. Hydrology: waterlogged in spring and deeper (confined)aquifer.3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa (71% of taxa O or F).1. UFI 8046Palusplain2. PalusplainSite 201. Surface waterlogged in spring.2. Flat.1. 47%2. 32%1. Hydric soils: shallow aquitard, calcareous nodules.2. Hydrology: waterlogging in spring3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa (79% of taxa O or F).1. UFI 7780Palusplain2. PalusplainSite 211. Surface waterlogged to shallowlyinundated in spring.2. Flat.Shallow sandy mud overmud. (Deeper sediments notinvestigated).1. 45%2. 44%1. Hydric soils: shallow aquitard calcareous nodules.2. Hydrology: inundation in winter.3. Vegetation dominated by wetland taxa (89% of taxa O or F).1. UFI 7780Palusplain2. FloodplainSite 221. WT in late spring below -300cm.2. Dune.Humic quartz sand, overgrey, brown, pale yellow,cream and pale orange quartzsand with ferruginous nodulesto -300.1. 26%2. 0% i.e. Vegetationdominated by uplandtaxa1. None.2. None.3. 26%Not wetlandTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 87Site No.1. Hydroperiod and Water Table(WT) Relative to GroundSurface2. LandformStratigraphyFacultative & ObligateWetland Taxa1. F (as % total siteflora)2. O (as % total siteflora)Wetland Criteria of Site1. Hydric soils2. Hydrology3. Wetland taxa (O+F % of Total site flora)UFI and WetlandType1. Classification inSCP WetlandsDataset2. Classification inCurrent SurveySite 231. No waterlogging or inundationobserved.2. Dune.Quartz sand(Deeper sediments notinvestigated).1. 25%2. 0% i.e. Vegetationdominated by uplandtaxa1. None.2. None.3. 25%Not wetlandSite 241. No waterlogging or inundationobserved.2. Dune.Quartz sand(Deeper sediments notinvestigated).1. 21%2. 0% i.e. Vegetationdominated by uplandtaxa1. None.2. None.3.

Wetlands Field Survey 886.3 Evaluation of wetland management categories in the MKSEAEach wetland in the MKSEA was assessed (after Hill et al., 1996 and DEC, 2007) as being one of threemanagement categories: Conservation Category Wetland (CCW), Resource Enhancement Wetland (REW) orMultiple Use Wetland (MUW). The wetlands of the area differed in the degree of anthropogenicmodification they had been subjected to and their position along the topographical gradient of the alluvialsystem associated with Yule Brook between the Darling Range and the Canning River. A number of changesto the management categories of the wetlands as mapped in the SCP Wetlands Dataset (DEC 2008a) andshown in Figure 10 are proposed. DEC (2008a) management categories for the wetlands and proposedchanges to them are listed in Table 6.3, along with their DEC (2008b) geomorphic classifications, whichwetlands MKSEA study sites are in and which wetlands are in BFS 387 or 53.The Yule Brook alluvial fan system, unlike most of the other alluvial fans on the SCP, is mainly zoned ruraland is thus relatively undeveloped and retains native vegetation over some of its extent. Most of the wetlandsassociated with this system are therefore rare or scarce on the SCP and thus (regardless of their vegetationcondition) were carefully considered against CCW criteria for rarity, representativeness and the scientificimportance of this alluvial fan and its wetlands on the SCP.The wetlands of the MKSEA and BFS 387 are interconnected by groundwater and surface flow. Some of themajor conservation and management issues in the MKSEA include the restoration of wetland functions andhabitats in order to sustain the exceptional biodiversity values in the MKSEA, in BFS 387 and BFS 53. Otherimportant issues are the relationship of the MKSEA, Yule Brook and Bickley Brook to issues of waterquality and quantity management in the context of the Swan River Trust Water Quality Improvement Plan(GHD, 2008). In this context, all remnant native vegetation in wetlands in the MKSEA, even if it lacksunderstorey in good condition, is important as it assists in the local infiltration of rainfall into thegroundwater which is one of the main management objectives for the area. Degraded vegetation and roadverge remnants of vegetation in the area also often include significant stands of taxa such as Actinostrobuspyramidalis, Banksia telmatiaea and Corymbia calophylla that are of regional flora conservation importance(see Section 4.0) or provide regionally scarce fauna habitat. The wetlands of Precinct 2 are located upslope(i.e. in the groundwater catchment area) of the high biodiversity CCW of BFS 387 and thus the enhancementof the wetland resources (w.r.t. quality and quantity of water) in Precinct 2 is a major objective in the longterm sustainability of these CCWs. Many of the more degraded wetlands of the MKSEA were thereforecarefully considered with regard to REW criteria for enhancement of wetland functions and attributes toachieve some of the water management objectives above.All of these factors, combined with the comprehensive range of criteria used to evaluate the wetlands,resulted in a number of wetlands that initially appeared relatively degraded (in, for example, the condition ofthe wetland vegetation) achieving a higher score in terms of wetland management category than currentlymapped in the SCP Wetland Dataset (Table 6.3, Columns 3, 4).The evaluation of wetlands in the MKSEA resulted in the mapping of a patchwork pattern of managementcategories and small areas of uplands (Figure 11). This pattern was particularly complex in Precinct 2 as thisarea had the most complex mix of land uses; retained a number of patchy native vegetation remnants androad verges with native vegetation in very good to degraded condition; was relatively densely populated;included hydrological attributes that were conducive to the excavation of many small dams; andencompassed a long and particularly complex boundary between the natural upland and wetland zones.Most of the wetlands of the MKSEA that were assigned the management category of CCW in the currentsurvey were largely unmodified with regard to topography, hydrology and/or vegetation. These wetlandsincluded palusplains, paluslopes, floodplains and sumplands of the Pinjarra Plain. All of these wetland types(if they are unmodified and include native vegetation) are scarce or even rare on the SCP.Eight wetland areas in the MKSEA (UFIs 7635, 8038, 8050 and five areas of the extensive palusplain 14122)that are currently mapped as REWs are recommended for CCW status in this study (Table 6.3; Figure 11).Wetland UFIs 7800 and 8046 (that are currently MUW) are also recommended for CCW status in this study.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 89Some wetlands in the MKSEA were more modified than the CCW above with regard to wetland vegetationand other wetland attributes and processes. These wetlands were palusplains, sumplands, damplands andcreeks of the Pinjarra Plain and thus scarce wetland types. Some of these wetlands retain open to scatterednative vegetation canopy species and/or were important to the maintenance of wetland values and processes(e.g. biodiversity, groundwater quality and quantity) of adjoining CCW and of the Swan Canning Riversystem. The modification that these wetlands have been subject was considered as capable of beingremediated by re-vegetation and by the application of best practice water sensitive design and catchmentmanagement principles in the overall plan for the area.In accord with the above, part of UFI 7645, UFI 7783 and part of UFI 8047 (that are currently MUWs inDEC, 2008a) were assigned the management category of REW in the current survey (Table 6.3; Figure 11).Parts of UFI 13362 adjacent to Yule Brook (that are currently MUW) were also recommended for REWstatus in this study, as part of the proposed amelioration of the hydrological regime in BFS 387 and theMKSEA, the restoration of the former Yule Brook floodplain and to enable catchment managementobjectives with regard to the Swan-Canning River Water Quality Improvement Plan as listed by GHD(2008).One of the areas in UFI 13362 where existing wetland values can be enhanced to meet the objectives aboveis the least altered area of UFI 13362 with regard to soil, landforms and hydrology. Floodplains of this type(that have not had not been built upon and have their geomorphic integrity and hydrology remaining more orless unaltered are scarce wetland types of the Pinjarra Plain (more than 94% of wetlands of the Pinjarra Plainhave been developed or degraded, Hill et al.,1994). The paddocks of this large area are currently sparselystocked and there are few buildings. There is a small creek that traverses UFI 13362 before entering thethickly vegetated, natural area of UFI 7635 (which is recommended as a CCW in the current survey) andflowing into Yule Brook. This creek retains its natural course for much of its length as it traverses thepaddocks and the area around its confluence with Yule Brook (at UFI 7635). This area is the least disturbedarea of floodplain vegetation adjacent to Yule Brook. The Yule Brook floodplain and creek in Lot 2008 canbe enhanced by the regulation of land uses to avoid further modification, control of weeds, revegetation toincrease infiltration of rainfall and surface water into groundwater and appropriate re-design of the MUW atthe head of the tributary (UFI 7632) to improve water quality. The tributary can then function to recharge thefloodplain as well as to provide drainage to developed land to the east.In general, the remainder of the wetlands in the MKSEA had either been excavated to form dams and drains,or had been severely eroded by the intensive grazing of stock or they had been totally or partially filled. Theywere usually totally cleared of native vegetation. These wetlands were assigned the management category ofMUW. Such wetlands are the only category of wetland that can be modified for use in storm water run-offtreatment and, if appropriately designed and engineered, such facilities could contribute to supporting thewetland attributes and functions of nearby CCW and REW wetlands in the MKSEA (as above for REW13362). These wetlands are often located in areas adjacent to CCW and REW and should be reserved asbuffer zones for them (Figures 11, 12). Land uses in wetlands in this category (particularly around BFS 387and the CCWs and REWs of Precinct 2) should be regulated to exclude any additional activities that mayimpact negatively on water quality and quantity of the adjacent CCW and REW and of the Swan CanningRiver system. Revegetation should be a major objective for the MUW of the MKSEA.The management categories that were assigned to wetlands in the current survey are listed in full (incomparison with the corresponding categories in the Swan Coastal Plain Wetlands Dataset) in Table 6.3below.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 90Table 6.3: Review of Wetland Classification and Management Category for wetlands of MKSEA against the existing DEC Wetland DatabaseThe MKSEA Precincts below are as per Figure 3 (City of Gosnells Concept Plan, July 2008). MKSEA Study Site and BFS wetlands are indicated in Column 1.MKSEAPrecinctWetlandUFIDEC 2008bDEC 2008aProposed in thisSurveyComments3A 7632DamplandMUWDamplandMUWandPalusplain REWVegetation degraded and wetland highly modified but retains important wetland function as part of surface watercatchment and headwaters of tributary that delivers into Yule Brook floodplain UFI 13362.Wetland requires restoration and replanting to function in collecting stormwater, stripping nutrients andretaining gross debris. Should be part of a comprehensive plan to restore Yule Brook as a living stream.3A 7633SumplandMUWSumplandMUWVegetation degraded and wetland area highly modified but retains important wetland function as part of surfacewater catchment and headwaters of tributary that delivers into Yule Brook. Requires wetland restoration,replanting and management as part of a planned process to restore Yule Brook as a living stream.3B 7634PalusplainREWPalusplainREWThis is a mature stand of Corymbia calophylla trees that requires linking to the riparian vegetation of YuleBrook by the revegetation of the intervening paddock.3A/3BMKSEA StudySite 4MKSEA StudySite 5763513362adj. toYule BrkPalusplainREWPalusplainMUWPalus- and flood-plainsCCWPalusplain andfloodplainREWCurrent flora survey showed very high conservation values in part of this wetland, so it should be recommendedfor change to CCW. The rest of the riparian zone of Yule Brook and all areas between Yule Brook and BFS 387should be managed as REW, i.e. enhanced by replanting and linked to UFI 7636 and BFS 387.Regulate land uses to avoid further modification and negative impact on Yule Brook and adjacent CCW in BFS387. Revegetate, restore flooding of former floodplain zone and provide fauna habitat.3B 7636PalusplainREWPalusplainREWLink to UFI 7635 by REW adjacent to Yule BrookRegulate land uses to avoid further modification, revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and provide faunahabitat.3B77747776PalusplainCCWPalusplainMUWPalusplainCCWPalusplainMUWCurrent flora survey showed very high conservation values. All of lot should be either CCW, REW for riparianzone of Yule Brook or MUW (managed as a buffer for CCW and REW).3B 7779PalusplainMUWPalusplainMUWManage as a buffer for adjoining CCW and REW.Regulate land uses to avoid further modification and negative impact on adjacent CCW in BFS 387, revegetateto promote groundwater recharge and provide fauna habitat.3BMKSEA StudySites 20 & 217780PalusplainCCWPalusplainCCWCurrent flora survey showed very high conservation values. All of lot should be either CCW, REW for riparianzone of Yule Brook or MUW (managed as a buffer for CCW and REW).3BMKSEA StudySite 32778713362PalusplainPalusplainMUWCCWPalusplain/Sumplands/creek MUWRegulate land uses to avoid further modification and negative impact on adjacent CCW in BFS 387, revegetateto promote groundwater recharge and provide fauna habitat. Control aquatic weeds in dams.Remediate current drainage channel to Yule Brook: control weeds and nutrient enrichment.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 91MKSEAPrecinctWetlandUFIDEC 2008bDEC 2008aProposed in thisSurveyComments3BMKSEA StudySites 1 & 213362PalusplainMUWPalusplainREWRegulate land uses to avoid further modification and negative impact on Yule Brook. Revegetate, restoreflooding of former floodplain zone and provide fauna habitat.3BMKSEA StudySite 2A13362PalusplainMUWPalusplainMUWRegulate land uses to avoid further modification and negative impact on Yule Brook revegetate, restore floodingof former floodplain zone and provide fauna habitat.3BMKSEA StudySite 313362SumplandMUWSumplandMUWRegulate land uses to avoid further modification and negative impact on Yule Brook revegetate, restore floodingof former floodplain zone and provide fauna habitat.3A/3B 13362PalusplainMUWFloodplain/palusplain/creek REWPalusplain MUWRestore and revegetate floodplain of Yule Brook and tributary of Yule Brook that runs through this area.Conserve all stands of native trees, revegetate to increase infiltration into groundwater and improve waterquality of any excess run-off to Yule Brook reconstructed floodplain.27645--7647?Palusplain?MUW--?Sumpland?REWPalusplainREW--SumplandREWThis area is currently very poorly managed with over-stocking, dumping of fill, excavation of wetlands andnutrient enrichment. It is linked to BFS 387 by flow of groundwater and superficial aquifers. Should be managedas part of groundwater control area and buffer zone for BFS 387. Regulate land uses to avoid furthermodification and negative impact on surrounding less-modified palusplain (REW) and adjoining CCWs,revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and provide fauna habitat.2 (in BFS 387) 7774PalusplainCCWPalusplainCCW2 (in BFS 387) 7781PalusplainREWPalusplainREWRegulate land uses to avoid further modification and negative impact on adjacent CCW in BFS 387, revegetateto promote groundwater recharge and provide fauna habitat.2 (in BFS 387) 7782PalusplainCCWPalusplainCCW2 7783PalusplainMUWPalusplainParts are MUWREW & CCWHighly modified lot should remain MUW and form part of the buffer to adjoining wetlands with land-uses on itregulated to avoid negative impact on adjoining CCWs.Lot with degraded native vegetation but otherwise retainng wetland attributes and should be REW to supportadjoining CCWs.Lot with good condition vegetation should be changed to CCW.2 (in BFS 387) 7784PalusplainCCWPalusplainCCW2MKSEA StudySite 87785PalusplainCCWPalusplainCCWVery high conservation values found here in current survey. Extend current CCW over northern half of thisblockTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 92MKSEAPrecinctWetlandUFIDEC 2008bDEC 2008aProposed in thisSurveyComments2 (in BFS 387) 77862 (in BFS 387) 77872 (in BFS 387) 77882 (in BFS 387) 77892 (in BFS 387) 77972 77982 77992MKSEA StudySites 6 & 77800--141222 78052 (in BFS 387) 80282 (in BFS 387) 80302 (in BFS 387) 80312 (in BFS 387) 8032PalusplainCCWPalusplainCCWPalusplainCCWPalusplainCCWPalusplainCCWPalusplainMUWPalusplainMUWPalusplainREW--PalusplainREWPalusplainMUWSumplandCCWPalusplainMUWSumplandCCWSumplandCCWPalusplainCCWPalusplainCCWPalusplainCCWPalusplainCCWPalusplainCCWSumplandMUWPalusplainMUWPalusplain CCW--Floodplain/sumpland CCWSumpland MUWSumplandCCWPalusplainREWSumplandCCWSumplandCCWExcavated dams/ponds. Part of groundwater control area and buffer zone for BFS 387. Regulate land uses toavoid further modification and negative impact on surrounding less-modified palusplain (REW) and adjoiningCCWs, revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and provide fauna habitat.Part of groundwater control area and buffer zone for BFS 387. Regulate land uses to avoid further modificationand negative impact on surrounding less-modified palusplain (REW) and adjoining CCWs, revegetate topromote groundwater recharge and provide fauna habitat.Current flora survey showed very high conservation values over a large part of this block. Recommend thisblock be changed from REW to CCW over much of this block. The part of the area that is inundated in wintershould be changed to sumpland or floodplain.--Part of groundwater and surface water control area for BFS 387. Investigate hydrology of this area thatpreviously formed the headwaters of a creek that drained to BFS 387. Now this creek has been interrupted andconverted to a drain that crosses Brentwood Rd near Bickley Rd and proceeds to BFS 387 in the Wanaping Rdbushland.Part of this block is very degraded by excavations and is flooded in winter. Regulate land uses to avoid furthermodification and negative impact on adjoining CCW 7800. Revegetate to promote groundwater recharge andprovide fauna habitat.The vegetation is somewhat degraded but could regenerate well with some weed control. Regulate land uses toavoid further modification and negative impact on adjoining CCW, revegetate to promote groundwater rechargeand provide fauna habitat.Part of this area has been modified by importing fill and excavations. Regulate land uses to avoid furthermodification and negative impact on adjoining CCW, revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and providefauna habitat.Part of this area has been modified by grazing of horses. This is causing degradation of parts of the adjacent BFS387 vegetation and requires urgent regulation.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 93MKSEAPrecinctWetlandUFIDEC 2008bDEC 2008aProposed in thisSurveyComments2MKSEA StudySite 128033PalusplainCCWPalusplainCCWPart of groundwater control area and buffer zone for BFS 387. Current flora survey showed very highconservation values over a large part of this block.2MKSEA StudySite 138034SumplandREWSumplandREWPart of groundwater control area and buffer zone for BFS 387. Regulate land uses to avoid further modificationand negative impact on surrounding less-modified CCW, revegetate to promote groundwater recharge andprovide fauna habitat.2 (in BFS 387) 8035SumplandCCWSumplandCCW2 8036SumplandREWSumplandREWPart of groundwater control area and buffer zone for BFS 387.Regulate land uses to avoid further modificationand negative impact on adjacent CCW in BFS 387, revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and providefauna habitat. Add two small MUW sumplands nearby (dams) to dataset.2 8038SumplandREWSumplandREWPart of groundwater control area and buffer zone for BFS 387. Although most of the vegetation has been clearedin this wetland and the palusplain has been excavated to form a series of dams, this wetland area is of highconservation significance as it maintains adjacent vegetation. Regulate land uses to avoid further modificationand negative impact on surrounding less-modified CCW vegetation, revegetate to promote groundwater rechargeand provide fauna habitat.28045PalusplainREWPalusplainREWPart of groundwater control area and buffer zone for BFS 387. Regulate land uses to avoid further modificationand negative impact on adjacent CCW in BFS 387, revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and providefauna habitat.2MKSEA StudySite 198046PalusplainCCWPalusplainCCWCurrent flora survey showed very high conservation values over the north part of this block. Part of groundwatercontrol area and buffer zone for BFS 387.2 8047DamplandMUWDamplandREWRecommend resource enhancement to support values in CCW 8046 Part of groundwater control area and bufferzone for BFS 387. Regulate land uses to avoid further modification and negative impact on adjacent CCW,revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and provide fauna habitat2NonumbernilCCWCurrent flora survey showed wetland vegetation in good condition high water table and wetland soils.Significant conservation values in this area. Part of groundwater control area and buffer zone for BFS 387.Investigate hydrology, regulate land uses to avoid further modification and negative impact, revegetate topromote groundwater recharge and provide fauna habitat.2 (in BFS 387)13128,7637,7787PalusplainCCWPalusplainCCW2 (in BFS 387) 13368PalusplainCCWPalusplainCCW2 13542PalusplainMUWPalusplainMUWPart of groundwater control area and buffer zone for BFS 387. Regulate land uses to avoid further modificationand negative impact on adjacent CCW, revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and provide fauna habitat.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 94MKSEAPrecinctWetlandUFIDEC 2008bDEC 2008aProposed in thisSurveyComments2 13541PalusplainMUWPalusplainMUWPart of groundwater control area and buffer zone for BFS 387. Regulate land uses to avoid further modificationand negative impact on adjacent CCW, revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and provide fauna habitat.213826PalusplainREWPalusplainREWPart of groundwater control area and buffer zone for BFS 387. Regulate land uses to avoid further modificationand negative impact on adjacent CCW, revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and provide fauna habitat.2MKSEA StudySites 14, 15, 1613827PalusplainCCWPalusplain, paluslope,floodplainCCWCurrent flora survey showed very high conservation values over most of this block. Also part of groundwatercontrol area and buffer zone for BFS 387. Revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and provide faunahabitat.2 14115PalusplainMUWPalusplainMUWPart of groundwater control area and buffer zone for BFS 387. Regulate land uses to avoid further modificationand negative impact on adjacent CCW, revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and provide fauna habitat.2 14116PalusplainREWPalusplainREWPart of groundwater control area and buffer zone for BFS 387. Regulate land uses to avoid further modificationand negative impact on adjacent CCW, revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and provide fauna habitat.2 14117PalusplainMUWPalusplainMUWPart of groundwater control area and buffer zone for BFS 387. Regulate land uses to avoid further modificationand negative impact on adjacent CCW, revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and provide fauna habitat2 14118PalusplainREWPalusplainREWPart of groundwater control area and buffer zone for BFS 387. Regulate land uses to avoid further modificationand negative impact on adjacent CCW, revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and provide fauna habitat.2 14119PalusplainMUWPalusplainMUWPart of groundwater control area and buffer zone for BFS 387. Regulate land uses to avoid further modificationand negative impact on adjacent CCW, revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and provide fauna habitat.2 14120PalusplainREWPalusplainREWPart of groundwater control area and buffer zone for BFS 387. Regulate land uses to avoid further modificationand negative impact on adjacent CCW, revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and provide fauna habitat.2MKSEA StudySites 9 & 1014122PalusplainREWPalusplainCCWCurrent flora survey showed very high conservation values over most of the northern part of this block. Thecurrently mapped conservation category wetland on this block UFI 7785 should be recommended to be extendedto include this part of the palusplain (currently mapped as REW 14122). Part of groundwater control area andbuffer zone for BFS 387. Regulate land uses to avoid further modification and negative impact on adjacentCCW in BFS 387, revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and provide fauna habitat.2MKSEA StudySite 1114122PalusplainREWPalusplainCCWCurrent flora survey showed very high conservation values over most of the northern part of this block.Recommend change part of this block to CCW. Part of groundwater control area and buffer zone for BFS 387.Regulate land uses to avoid further modification and negative impact on adjacent CCW in BFS 387, revegetateto promote groundwater recharge and provide fauna habitat.2MKSEA StudySites 17 & 2614122PalusplainREWPalusplainCCWCurrent flora survey showed very high conservation values over most of this block. Also part of groundwatercontrol area and buffer zone for BFS 387. Revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and provide faunahabitat.2 14122PalusplainREWPalusplainCCWCurrent flora survey showed very high conservation values over the eastern edge of this block. Recommend thisarea should be changed from REW to CCW. Over the remainder of the block, regulate land uses to avoid furthermodification and negative impact on adjoining CCW, revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and providefauna habitat.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 95MKSEAPrecinctWetlandUFIDEC 2008bDEC 2008aProposed in thisSurveyComments1 7961SumplandMUWSumplandMUWVegetation and other wetland values very modified. Revegetate where possible and manage in context ofBickley Brook catchment to improve water quality.1 8048PalusplainMUWPalusplainMUWVegetation and other wetland values very modified. Revegetate where possible and manage in context of bufferzone to 8050 and Bickley Brook catchment to improve water quality.1 8049PalusplainMUWPalusplainMUWVegetation and other wetland values very modified. Revegetate where possible and manage in context of bufferzone to 8050 and Bickley Brook catchment to improve water quality.1MKSEA StudySite 288050SumplandREWPalusplainCCW SumplandsMUWPalusplain MUWCurrent flora survey showed high flora and vegetation conservation values over part of this area. In other partsdegraded vegetation where a number of small dams linked by channels are excavated. They retain importantwetland function as the headwaters of a drainage system that delivers into Yule Brook via BFS 387. Regulateland uses in a buffer around CCW to avoid further modification and negative impact. Investigate hydrology tounderstand the headwater of this previously natural creek and factors maintaining high watertable here. Managedrainage more sustainably, revegetate to promote groundwater recharge and maintain fauna habitat. Promotelink between 8050 and adjacent CCW by revegetating a buffer zone that would include 8052 and 8055 andregulating activities in this buffer zone.1 8051SumplandMUWDamplandMUWVegetation and other wetland values very modified. Revegetate where possible and manage in context ofBickley Brook catchment to improve water quality.1 8052SumplandMUWPalusplainMUWVegetation and other wetland values very modified. Revegetate where possible and manage as buffer to CCWon 8050 and to promote link between 8050 and adjacent CCW and in context of Bickley Brook catchment toimprove water quality.1 8053SumplandMUWSumplandMUWVegetation and other wetland values very modified. Revegetate where possible and manage in context ofBickley Brook catchment to improve water quality.1 8054SumplandMUWDamplandMUWVegetation and other wetland values very modified. Revegetate where possible and manage in context ofBickley Brook catchment to improve water quality.1 8055DamplandMUWDamplandMUWVegetation and other wetland values very modified. Revegetate where possible and manage as buffer to CCWon 8050 and to promote link between 8050 and adjacent CCW and in context of Bickley Brook catchment toimprove water quality.1 (in BFS 53) 12114PalusplainCCWPalusplainCCW1 12115PalusplainMUWPalusplainMUWVegetation and other wetland values very modified. Revegetate where possible and manage as part of bufferzone to BFS 53 and linkage of nearby CCW wetland with BFS 53.1 (in BFS 53) 12116PalusplainCCWPalusplainCCW1 (in BFS 53) 12117PalusplainMUWPalusplainCCWTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 96MKSEAPrecinctWetlandUFIDEC 2008bDEC 2008aProposed in thisSurveyComments1MKSEA StudySites 30, 3113368PalusplainMUWPalusplainCCWCurrent flora survey showed high flora and vegetation conservation values over part of this area. Regulate landuses in a buffer around CCW to avoid further modification and negative impact. Link to 8050 and BFS 53 via arevegetated buffer zone.1MKSEA StudySite 1813369PalusplainMUWPalusplainMUWThe native vegetation on this block was cleared and the block was graded just after current survey so now thearea is completely degraded.1 13369PalusplainMUWPalusplainMUWVegetation and other wetland values very modified. Revegetate where possible and manage in context ofBickley Brook catchment to improve water quality and other catchment issues. Do not continue to export stormwater from this area to Precinct 2 via current constructed drainage system.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 976.4 Buffer zones for wetlands, foreshore reserves for waterwaysand ecological linkages in the MKSEA6.4.1 Buffer zones and foreshore reservesBuffer zones are areas that may not include significant natural values but are required, by regulatoryauthorities, to be set aside from development (and certain other activities) in order to protect the values ofwetlands. All CCW and REW (including channel wetlands such as Yule Brook, that provide ecologicallinkages between areas of high conservation significance) on the SCP are expected to be protected by thereservation of a buffer zone of, at least, 50 m in width around the entire wetland (Del Marco et al., 2004;EPA, 2004a; EPA, 2008). The term ‘foreshore reserve’ is used interchangeably with ‘buffer zone’ todesignate the area to be reserved for these purposes on both sides of a channel wetland (stream). To map abuffer zone, the wetland boundary must first be accurately delineated according to hydrological, stratigraphicand/or vegetation criteria as summarised in DEC (2007). The wetland boundary can coincide thus with theedge of the wetland-dependant vegetation around a wetland, or the edge of the riparian vegetation thatborders a stream, or the edge of a floodplain adjacent to a stream. The actual width of the buffer zone, abovethe minimum of 50 m required by EPA (2008) should be determined according to the type of developmentplanned adjacent to the wetland or stream (Essential Environmental Services, 2005; EPA, 2008). Forexample, industrial developments are usually required to be separated from wetlands by a minimumvegetated buffer zone of about 200 m.The following management principles are encouraged in buffer zones of wetlands and waterways foreshorereserves (EPA, 2008):• Retention of all remnant native vegetation.• No fill, fertiliser or chemical application, no drainage in or out other than natural or approved stormwatermanagement, no groundwater or wetland water abstraction, no liquid or solid waste disposal, noexcavation permitted in the wetland or the buffer zone.• Repair of degraded or eroded portions of the buffer.• Rehabilitation of wetland vegetation and adjacent dryland zones with indigenous species of localprovenance.• Removal of inappropriate infrastructure.• Installation of fences, paths and gates to control access.• Replacement of inappropriate drainage facilities.In the current survey a number of buffer zones were mapped around all areas of high conservationsignificance, such as the CCW and REW of the MKSEA, BFS 387 and BFS 53, the Yule Brook riparianzone and the Yule Brook floodplains (Figure 12). These buffers are intended to protect conservation values,serve as areas where revegetation can take place to improve ecological functions (such as infiltration ofrainfall into groundwater) and to increase the connectivity among the vegetated MKSEA blocks and betweenvegetated blocks in the MKSEA and nearby Bush Forever sites.As much of the MKSEA is a continuous palusplain terrain, the lands (that would normally be designated asbuffer zones) adjacent to many CCW and REW were usually either wetlands that had been modifiedsufficiently to be categorised as REW and MUW respectively, or areas of artificially raised land that oftenincluded substantial existing developments. Unfortunately, many of the Conservation Category Wetlands inthe MKSEA and adjacent areas are often subjected to the dumping of fill, refuse and hazardous materials;over-stocking; groundwater and surface water pollution and nutrient enrichment; excavation; unregulatedclearing and burning of native vegetation, and weed proliferation. Many areas of the MKSEA are alsodewatered by drainage channels and then risk further degradation due to salinisation and acidification of theland. The proposed wetland buffer zones around the CCWs and REWs in the MKSEA in these cases cannotbe treated as areas where rapid revegetation and dismantling of existing infrastructure should take place. TheTauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 98existing land uses within wetland buffer zones in the MKSEA should be audited to determine the activitiesthat are currently incompatible with the principles that apply to buffer zones (EPA, 2008; see above).Existing land uses incompatible with this should be regulated and slowly phased out. New or additionalinfrastructure or developments in the buffer zones should not be permitted.6.4.2 Ecological linkage corridors (greenways)Connectivity between areas of refugial natural habitat is anticipated to be one of the crucial determinants inbiodiversity survival in the future under fluctuating climatic conditions and increasing anthropogenic stresson the biota (DEWHA, 2009). Ecological linkage corridors (also referred to as greenways) are designed toincrease connectivity by linking high conservation value wetlands and bush reserves through any otherremnant native vegetation, parks and areas with minimal development that are known as ‘regional openspace’. The MKSEA is located in a strategic ecological area with regard to the opportunity to increase theconnectivity of BFS 387 (the most important Bush Forever Site on the SCP) with the large National Parks ofthe Darling Range and the Canning Regional Park. There were two ecological linkage areas proposed in thevicinity of the MKSEA prior to the current survey (by Government of Western Australia, 2000, and by DelMarco et al., 2004), both of which are considered below with regard to the findings of the current survey.6.4.2.1 The Yule Brook- BFS 387 GreenwayYule Brook and BFS 387 are part of a natural ecological linkage corridor between the Darling Range and theCanning River that was recognised by Government of Western Australia (2000). Yule Brook is a naturalecological corridor and this waterway was, over long periods of time, fundamental to the development of thecomplex natural habitats of the local alluvial fan and the biodiversity it supports. The brook also originallyenabled the dispersal of flora propagules from the Darling Range to the SCP. For fauna, it provided pristinequality water, diverse aquatic habitats and a sheltered, densely vegetated migration corridor.A number of indigenous heritage sites have been recorded in the vicinity of Yule Brook. Interestingly, thenatural history of Yule Brook parallels the indigenous cultural heritage of the area with regard to the creativeforce of waterways. The connections between the cultural and natural values of the area are very importantwith regard to the heritage values of the area and the potential interpretive and educational activities thatcould be developed in the area.The current survey identified additional areas adjacent to Yule Brook in the MKSEA that have nationallysignificantvalues that are not currently represented in BFS 387. These values included the EPBC-listedMuchea Limestone Threatened Ecological Community, a Declared Rare Flora Species (Eremophila glabrasubsp. chlorella), three Priority Flora Species, a suite of regionally significant flora, and vegetation of thevery poorly conserved Guildford Vegetation Complex (in good condition). The areas that include thesevalues should be managed as CCWs 7635, 7774 and 7780. The other remnant riparian vegetation of YuleBrook and any undeveloped floodplains adjacent to Yule Brook should be allotted a new UFI and managedas a REW to protect and enhance the existing wetland values and to support the restoration of the formerhydrological regime (i.e. seasonal inundation of floodplains) of this stream. A foreshore reserve of at least 50m in width (or wider in some areas) should be reserved adjacent to the wetlands above on either side of YuleBrook between Welshpool Rd and Roe Highway. Part of the function of the foreshore reserve should be tolink BFS 387 to the CCWs and REW adjacent to Yule Brook and support the restoration of the formerhydrological regime of this stream.Most of the other waterways connecting the Darling Range to the SCP in the Perth Metropolitan Region aremore degraded than Yule Brook and do not flank significant biodiversity conservation areas of the calibre ofBFS 387. The restoration of Yule Brook represents one of the few remaining opportunities on the SCP tomaintain and reinforce the natural ecological connectivity between native vegetation and fauna habitats ofthe Darling Range, the Swan Coastal Plain and the Swan-Canning River system. To restore the role of YuleBrook as an active participant in the sedimentary and hydrological processes of the area and as a high qualityecological and biological linkage area, a number of objectives (including those listed below) should bepursued.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 991. The hydrological regime of the MKSEA should be gradually restored and the water pollution andnutrient enrichment sources in the MKSEA should be identified and ameliorated so that the volume andspeed of run-off into Yule Brook is gradually reduced and the quality of the water is improved.2. The excavation of the Yule Brook channel and the ploughing of firebreaks and mowing of vegetation inthe riparian zone should be discontinued.3. The natural regime of seasonal inundation of the floodplains adjacent to Yule Brook should be graduallyre-established, where possible. This will require the reservation of floodplain land adjacent to YuleBrook as conservation areas or foreshore reserve, the gradual phasing out of residential areas adjacent tothe brook, and potentially some design and engineering of appropriate measures to protect anyremaining infrastructure.4. The vegetation of the Yule Brook riparian area and floodplains should be regenerated and restored. Thiswill require a considerable effort in fencing, the control of weeds and the replanting of native vegetationin some parts. The restoration of the flooding regime over the floodplains may assist in weed controland vegetation restoration as seasonal inundation will not be tolerated by a number of weeds thatcurrently inhabit these areas.5. The Yule Brook floodplains should be linked to the adjacent high biodiversity wetlands in BFS 387(particularly in the vicinity of the intersections of Brook Rd and Grove Rd and of Brook Rd and BickleyRd) by revegetated areas. The roads are poorly designed in this area; they present hazards to traffic andthey fragment and alter the Yule Brook floodplains in an ecologically sensitive area. Rather thanupgrade these roads to carry a larger volume of traffic and perpetuate the environmental problems,traffic reduction measures (including the closure of parts of these roads and the reclamation of someareas of road area to bushland) may be possible and would support environmental objectives in thisarea.6.4.2.2 The BFS 387 – BFS 53 GreenwayThe Muchea Limestone aquifers and the native vegetation maintained by springs and other hydrologicalprocesses that operate along the interface of the Bassendean Sands and Pinjarra Plain in Precincts 1 and 2form a natural ecological linkage between BFS 387 and BFS 53. In the current survey, there were manyhighly significant conservation values (that are not currently represented in BFS 387) identified within thiscorridor in Precincts 1 and 2 of the MKSEA. These values include two EPBC-listed Threatened EcologicalCommunities, three EPBC-listed Threatened Flora Species, numerous Priority Flora Species, numerousConservation Category Wetlands, paluslope wetlands that are rare on the SCP, vegetation assemblages thathave not been recorded elsewhere on the SCP and a suite of regionally significant flora. The areas inPrecincts 1 and 2 of the MKSEA that were identified above as highly significant were previously flagged byDel Marco et al. (2004) as potentially requiring incorporation into an ecological linkage corridor thatextended from BFS 387 to BFS 53 and hence to the Darling Range (Figure 4).The ecological linkage corridor proposed by Del Marco et al. (2004) should be supported and should belocated to encompass as many of the high conservation values of Precincts 1 and 2 as possible. It isparticularly important to link the Muchea Limestone, spring-fed, CCW wetlands along the interface of theBassendean Sands and Pinjarra Plain in Precincts 1 and 2 to each other and to BFS 387 and BFS 53.To consolidate and protect the conservation values in this corridor, a number of objectives (including thoselisted below) should be pursued.1. The high conservation areas identified in the current survey in Precinct 2 should be added to BFS 387.Alternatively, the reservation of a separate conservation area (that encompasses the contact between theBassendean Sands and Pinjarra Plain in Precincts 1 and 2) should be considered.2. Wetland buffers of at least 50-200 m should be reserved around all CCW and REW in Precincts 1 and 2after a detailed hydrogeological study and delineation of wetland boundaries.3. The wetlands and associated native vegetation along the interface of the Bassendean Sands and PinjarraPlain should be linked to each other and to BFS 387 and BFS 53 via revegetated areas.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Wetlands Field Survey 100The regional greenways in the MKSEA discussed above were mapped (Figure 12) over the highconservation significance areas identified in the current survey of the MKSEA. All of the high conservationelements of the MKSEA should, ideally, be linked to BFS 387 via buffer zones proposed in this survey(Figure 12) and ecological linkage areas, and they should be managed as one unit. The revegetation of thecurrently degraded areas in these linkage corridors in the MKSEA would provide substantial environmentaland aesthetic benefits to the area. The conservation of the existing native vegetation along roadsides in theMKSEA (which currently include a number of attractive Priority Species and regionally significant species)and the replanting of roadside reserves and aquatic species in the drainage channels along all of the roads inthe MKSEA would provide additional ecological linkage at a finer scale.The areas of high conservation significance identified in this study, when linked to each other and to BFS387 and BFS 53 (via areas identified as buffer zones and linkage areas above) could, with appropriaterestoration of ecological functions and appropriate management, enable a functional and sustainableconservation reserve interspersed with regional open space and well-regulated, low impact, rural land uses.This combination of land uses may allow an attractive, low density community to develop in the area thatwould be a valuable asset to the City of Gosnells whilst conserving and protecting the exceptional localbiodiversity, geoheritage and indigenous heritage values of the area.Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Conclusions 1017. ConclusionsThe current survey shows that many parts of the MKSEA have values of national, state and regionalsignificance that are of, at least, equivalent importance to the values of the local Bush Forever Sites (BFS387 and BFS 53) (Table 7.1). Moreover, some of the more significant values (rare flora and vegetation types,TECs and rare wetland types) in the MKSEA are not represented in these Bush Forever Sites. The highconservation significance areas in the MKSEA provide some unique insights into the remarkable story ofnatural history development in the area that complement and enrich the values found in the Bush ForeverSites.Connectivity between areas of refugial natural habitat is anticipated to be one of the crucial determinants inbiodiversity survival in the future under fluctuating climatic conditions and increasing anthropogenic stresson the biota (DEWHA, 2009). The conservation values of the MKSEA and of both Bush Forever Sites(particularly BFS 387) are currently subject to levels of stress that are unacceptably high, given the nationalsignificance of the natural values of these areas. The MKSEA is located in an extremely strategic ecologicalarea with regard to the opportunity to increase, via buffer zones and greenways, the connectivity and thus thelong term viability of BFS 387, which is generally considered to be the most biodiverse Bush Forever Site inthe Perth Metropolitan Region.The Greater Brixton Street Wetlands and the Clifford Street Bushland include multiple values that are listedunder the Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and on the Register ofthe National Estate (DEWHA, 2008a). Prior to the current survey there was evidence that the MKSEA alsoincluded nationally significant conservation values (Cardno BSD, 2005; DEC, 2008a, 2008b). The GreaterBrixton Street Wetlands, the Clifford Street Bushland and the MKSEA lands are separated from each otherby cadastral boundaries, but they are an indivisible unit ecologically because they are all part of the samelocal-scale hydrogeological system.The Federal EPBC Act is expected to be triggered by proposals for industrial development in the MKSEAdue to the close proximity of the MKSEA to the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands and the Clifford StreetBushland and the ecological interdependence of the MKSEA and these Bush Forever sites (DEH, 2006). TheEPBC Act will also be triggered by any proposals for industrial development in the MKSEA that threaten toimpact on the nationally significant conservation values contained within the MKSEA (DEH, 2006).In the planning process for the MKSEA, the environmental regulatory authorities (both State and Federal)are anticipated to require that the high conservation value areas of the MKSEA (including all CCW andREW wetlands) are conserved and that the high conservation values of the MKSEA and both Bush ForeverSites are protected by the additional reservation of buffer zones and ecological linkage areas. There are alsopractical limitations involved in developing the MKSEA because most of it is wetland underlain by claysediments and the economic and environmental costs of overcoming these limitations are high. Typically,development in such catchments, even if native vegetation is not cleared and wetlands are not destroyed,results in negative impacts on water quality and quantity both locally and in the Swan-Canning River system.The current survey concluded (as suggested in the earlier reports to the City of Gosnells by GHD and BSDCardno in 2005) that, given the regulatory, practical and environmental constraints on the site, the area of theMKSEA that could be developed without substantial environmental loss or harm is much less than envisagedin the City of Gosnells (2008) MKSEA Concept Plan (Figure 3).On a broader scale, it is evident that all of the alluvial fan system associated with the tributaries of theCanning River in Wattle Grove, Kenwick and Maddington that remains undeveloped is significant whenassessed against the Criteria for the Register of the National Estate (DEWHA, 2008f). This alluvial fanshould, ideally, be viewed as one unit with regard to planning, conservation and management in order todeliver the best outcomes for the important biodiversity, geoheritage and cultural heritage values of the area.Three planning and management zones (listed below) are evident within the alluvial fan system, and each ofthese zones should be governed by individual objectives:Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10

Summary - City of Gosnells

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