Bega Valley

Issue: Biodiversity

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What does the Shire have?

Bega Valley Shire has a rich biodiversity—91 different vegetation types have been mapped and at least 1926 plant species (native and introduced). Fauna species recorded in the Shire include 300 bird species, 145 fish species, 73 mammal species, 44 reptile species and 27 amphibian species.

This reflects the habitat diversity in the Shire—from coastal areas and lowland plains to the escarpment. It also reflects the Shire's high native vegetation cover—42% of the Shire's area is in some form of conservation reserve, native forests comprise most of the 24% of land under timber production, and 14% of the Shire is bushland.

The Shire contains occurrences of 13 endangered ecological communities, and populations of 40 plant and 71 animal species that are vulnerable or endangered nationally or in New South Wales. An additional 17 plant species and eight animal species listed as vulnerable or endangered are also predicted to occur in the Shire.

What has changed?

Insufficient data were available to assess many aspects of the Shire's biodiversity during the reporting period. The major data gaps relate to changes in the extent and condition of terrestrial and riparian ecosystems (including vegetation change through clearing and fire), changes in native species populations and abundance, changes in threatening processes, information on aquatic macroinvertebrates, the extent to which recovery plan actions have been carried out and their effectiveness and changes in the distribution and population densities of pest animal species (including the effectiveness of control measures). There is little monitoring or systematic collection of data on species, populations or communities, so data quality is generally poor.

The number of ecological communities and species present in the Shire listed as vulnerable or endangered increased during the current reporting period. Nine ecological communities were listed as critically endangered or endangered in NSW or nationally. Fifteen plant species listed as vulnerable or endangered were added to the Shires threatened species list due to recent survey efforts and the use of different data sets. The number of flora species (excluding non-natives) recorded in the Shire decreased by 184 due to further refinement of existing flora data sets.

Fauna species recorded in the Shire increased by three during the current reporting period, primarily the result of different data sets and recent survey efforts. No analysis of change in status of fauna species status took place during the current reporting period, however most pressures on these species are unlikely to have been reduced.

Although no quantitative data is available to indicate if the condition of biodiversity is deteriorating within the Shire, general trends in NSW indicate the diversity of terrestrial species remains under threat and response mechanisms to protect them have not yet reversed this trend. Even where pressures on species are reduced, due to lag effects, it may take many years for the full effects to become evident. The number of species, populations and communities listed as threatened has generally increased over time. The distribution and abundance of many species not listed as threatened continues to decline due to habitat destruction and other pressures.

For this reason, Threatened Species Conservation Act listings do not give a complete picture of the broader decline occurring across the region as habitats shrink and become fragmented, reducing ecological ranges and genetic diversity. Another problem may be the considerable time-lags involved in the process of identifying a species of concern, nominating them for listing and obtaining the data to finally determine the status. The true level of decline is unknown as the number of species is much greater than the state of knowledge about them. The vast majority of species that make up our biodiversity, such as invertebrates, have not been described; their ecological functions is known only in general terms and their conservation status not known at all in most cases. This lack of knowledge about species and the full potential of impacts may itself contribute to biodiversity loss.

Habitat removal, disturbance and fragmentation, through vegetation clearing and/or modification, are thought to have continued as major threats to native species and ecosystems in the Shire area. Population increases and the resulting demand for urban development within the Shire during the reporting period placed pressure on native species and communities, particularly in lowland and coastal areas. Disturbances such as development, fires and drought led to further degradation or loss of ecological communities. Invasive plants and animals continued to exert further pressure on ecological communities and species.

Insufficient information was available during the current reporting period to accurately assess on the variety of programs and projects to enhance and protect biodiversity by Council, individuals and community groups.

The 'pressure points'

The 'pressure points' are specific processes that continue to exert detrimental effects on species and ecological communities. If these continue unabated, they will cause these species and ecological communities to slide further towards extinction. To preserve and recover species and ecological communities effective management strategies and actions need to be implemented to relieve pressures. The following key pressure points are negatively impacting on biodiversity in the Shire.

Habitat removal, disturbance and fragmentation, through vegetation clearing and/or modification, were considered major threats to native species and ecosystems in the Council area.
Land development in coastal and lowland areas continues to pose the major threat to native species and ecosystems, through clearing or degradation of habitat resulting from impacts like increased runoff, sedimentation and erosion. The Shire's population growth over the reporting period was steady with corresponding residential development increases.
Drought conditions that were prevalent during much of the reporting period are likely to have affected many native species and ecosystems in the Shire.
At least 10,649 hectares of vegetation was burnt by fire hazard reduction burns, and 455 hectares by wildfires during the reporting period. No information is available on the number of vegetation communities, including those known to be fire sensitive, affected by fire, or the extent of impact on these communities.
Six pest animal species and nine pest plant (weed) species were of high concern during the reporting period. Two weed species, African Lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) and Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis), continued to spread despite control measures. These invasive species represent one of the most serious threats to biodiversity in the Shire.
There is already evidence of climate change impacts on biodiversity, including effects on species physiology, distribution and the timing of life-cycle events. Climate change is also expected to exacerbate other threatening processes. It may enable invasive species to expand into new areas, create more frequent forest fires and cause declining water quality. The combined effects of other pressures reduce the options for native species to adapt to climate change.

Protecting and enhancing biodiversity

Biodiversity describes the variety of animals and micro-organisms, their genes and the ecosystems of which they are a part. The natural environment maintains many essential functions that form the foundation of a healthy and sustainable environment. These are often called 'ecosystem services' and include air and water purification, waste detoxification and decomposition, crop and natural vegetation pollination, dispersal of seeds and nutrients and regulation of climate. Biodiversity is vital in supporting human life on Earth.

Local Councils are in a prime position to take a leading role in maintaining these vital ecosystem services. A range of activities in the Local Council areas during the reporting period were aimed at improving the condition of native ecosystems and the habitat of native species and reducing the pressures on them. The main responses to biodiversity loss on a state level are amendments to the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, introduction of the Priorities Action Statement, increasing the number of reserves in the protected area system, and natural resource management reforms.

The area of land managed specifically for conservation increased by approximately 53.5 hectares. These additions to the overall reserve system helped ensure the Shire's biodiversity, including vegetation communities, were more adequately reserved in the region.

Of the 111 threatened species known to occur in Bega Valley Shire, only six animals species have formal recovery plans in place. Thirty animal species were covered by three National Action Plans, at least two of which were completed prior to 2001.

A Shire-wide bushfire management plan and fire management plans for five conservation reserves within the Shire was developed.

Significant progress was made towards controlling Bitou Bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera), Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus), Serrated Tussock (Nassella trichotoma) and St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum).

Council prepared plans and strategies to help enhance biodiversity within the Shire and continued its involvement in on-ground projects. Council and community groups also undertook a number of ecological restoration projects. However, no specific information was available on any of these projects.

The future—what does this mean for Council?

Ongoing population growth in Bega Valley Shire is likely to see continued expansion of urban and rural residential development. This will place further pressure on terrestrial and aquatic native species and ecosystems, including endangered ecological communities and some threatened species. Urban expansion may also result in weed invasion into areas currently relatively weed free, and may 'tarnish' the Shire's reputation for pristine waterbodies due to impacts such as increased runoff, erosion, sedimentation, and excess nutrients entering waterways. Continuing impacts from industry sectors such as agriculture and forestry are likely to exert ongoing pressures upon biodiversity in the Shire.

The continuing issue of lack of data to allow a full assessment of the Shire's biodiversity status carries with it the risk that approved development proposals will have unanticipated adverse impacts. Lack of monitoring of native species, populations and communities within the Shire may also hamper conservation efforts, as impacts from urban and rural development, forestry practices and other pressures (e.g. fire, drought) cannot be determined and remediation measures cannot be planned to an appropriate level. Monitoring is also essential to determine whether environmental plans and strategies and on-ground management projects are achieving the desired biodiversity outcomes.

Bega Valley Council needs to maintain appropriate effort and resources in the following areas of its environmental management.

Improve our knowledge of the region’s biodiversity through linking databases and information relating to biodiversity across government agencies. This, and close liaison with these agencies to encourage programs of data collection will aid conservation planners, land managers and members of the public to gain a clearer and more up-to-date picture of biodiversity within the region and associated management issues relevant to it. The greatest information need (and the one that will be most important in the longer term) is the development of agreed methodologies for assessing vegetation condition that will facilitate its monitoring and reporting.
Utilise a range of existing government agency programs (as outlined in the NSW Biodiversity Strategy) which protect native species and ecosystems across NSW. This includes initiatives such as adopting regional strategies (eg. pest management strategies) and management plans conducted with other agencies, local government, landowners and the community.
Implementing the NSW Threatened Species Assessment Guidelines (DECC 2007) to assist the community, developers and Council assessment staff to ensure the legislative requirements are readily understood. Utilise regional-scale Biodiversity Survey and Assessment Guidelines (DCE 2004) that provide information about how to approach survey and assessment of biodiversity to inform regional planning.
Continue to ensure biodiversity impacts are adequately considered in planning for and implementing landuse zoning, assessment of development applications, road management and construction activities, stormwater management, hazard control burning and weed control activities. The regulation of these activities needs to be in accordance with legislative requirements and also include, as a minimum, consideration of terrestrial and aquatic native species and ecosystems generally, in addition to specific consideration of endangered ecological communities and vulnerable or endangered plant and animal species known or predicted to occur in the Shire.
Incorporate best practice for biodiversity planning as outlined in the Biodiversity Planning Guidelines for Local Government (Commonwealth of Australia, 2006). This Guide aims to assist Councils carry out biodiversity conservation as part of their day-to-day functions, especially those relating to planning and development. The Guide highlights the importance of planning for biodiversity conservation and the need to integrate regulatory and other approaches to achieve improvement. It shows how Councils can conserve biodiversity through their existing regulatory and operational functions. The Guide does not create new planning processes, but presents a package of strategies and tools that can be applied within existing frameworks.
Education of staff and the wider community on biodiversity is required. There is generally poor understanding of the importance of biodiversity in maintaining life support systems for human and environmental health. A broader understanding and appreciation of the values of biodiversity and will assist in underpinning future success in conserving biodiversity and critical ecological services.
Help ensure appropriate (relevant and achievable) monitoring programs are in place to measure the effectiveness of Council's environmental policies, strategies, management activities and on-ground restoration projects in achieving desired biodiversity outcomes.
Continue to support and encourage community involvement in biodiversity conservation and monitoring.
Maintain collaborative arrangements with other land management agencies within the Region to ensure ongoing effectiveness with pest animal and plant control; fire management; and to develop awareness of new land management principles, innovations or approaches.
Work closely with the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority to help ensure consistency in approach to biodiversity conservation and complementary actions to achieve this.

References

Commonwealth of Australia. 2006. Biodiversity for local government. Available online. http://www.nrm.gov.au/publications/factsheets/pubs/bio-local-govt.pdf. accessed 18/11/08

DCE (Department of Conservation and Environment), NSW. 2004. Threatened Biodiversity Survey and Assessment: Guidelines for Developments and Activities. Working Draft. Sydney.Available online. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/nature/TBSAGuidelinesDraft.pdf. accessed 18/11/08

DECC (NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change).2007. NSW Threatened Species Assessment Guidelines. Sydney. Available online. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/threatenedspecies/tsaguide07393.pdf, accessed 18/11/08

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Regional State of the Environment Report 2008