Edithvale and Bonbeach Level Crossing Removal Inquiry and Advisory Committee: Expert Witness Statement

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by the City of Kingston 28 May 2018 Biosis

1 P1359/2013: Expert Witness Statement Edithvale and Bonbeach Level Crossing Removal Inquiry and Advisory Committee: Expert Witness Statement Expert retained by the City of Kingston 28 May 2018 Biosis September 2012 Leading ecology and heritage consultants 1

2 1. Author s Statement This statement has been prepared by myself, Jeff Yugovic, Senior Consultant Ecologist with Biosis Pty Ltd of 38 Bertie Street, Port Melbourne. I have over 35 years of experience in vegetation assessment, management and research and extensive knowledge of the ecology of southeast Australia. Since becoming a senior ecologist with Biosis Research in 1992, I have been senior scientist and project manager on numerous investigations. Refer to Attachment 1 for my short curriculum vitae. An expanded CV is available on request. Instructions I have been commissioned by Russell Kennedy Lawyers on behalf of the City of Kingston to provide evidence in relation to the Edithvale and Bonbeach Level Crossing Removal Projects Environment Effects Statement to the appointed Inquiry and Advisory Committee. In particular I was asked to prepare a report detailing my opinions in respect of: a peer review of the EES and the EES technical documents which relate to my area of expertise, in particular impacts of the project on the coastal foreshore vegetation, and any other matters I believe relevant to the proceeding within my area of expertise. Investigation I have visited the study area on several occasions since 2012 when I mapped the foreshore vegetation for the City of Kingston (Biosis Research 2012a,b) and again on 20 May 2018 to make further observations. Report prepared I have prepared this expert witness statement in response to the request by Russell Kennedy Lawyers. Conflicts of interest To the best of my knowledge, I have no conflicts of interests or business relationships relevant to this statement. Biosis 2018 Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting 1

3 2. Statement of Evidence 2.1 Scope of evidence This statement comprises a review of two technical reports ( Reports ) in the Edithvale and Bonbeach Level Crossing Removal Projects Environment Effects Statement: AECOM-GHD JV 2018a. Edithvale and Bonbeach Level Crossing Removal Projects Environment Effects Statement Technical report B, ecological impact assessment: wetlands and groundwater dependent ecosystems. Report prepared for Level Crossing Removal Authority, AECOM-GHD Joint Venture, February AECOM-GHD JV 2018b. Edithvale and Bonbeach Level Crossing Removal Projects Environment Effects Statement Technical report D, ecological impact assessment: project areas. Report prepared for Level Crossing Removal Authority, AECOM-GHD Joint Venture, February Summary My conclusions may be summarised as follows: The EES Reports contain some inaccuracies based on my experience, inspection and earlier work done by Biosis. Provided the groundwater modelling for both Edithvale and Bonbeach foreshores is accurate, any material adverse impact on the foreshore vegetation appears unlikely. It would be sensible and appropriate to monitor the foreshore vegetation, comparing it with control sites as the first Report suggests, with agency responsibilities clearly defined in this process. 2.3 Wetlands and groundwater dependent ecosystems (AECOM-GHD JV 2018a) My review does not examine the validity of the groundwater model that predicts groundwater change caused by the railway trench, as that would take a suitably qualified hydrogeologist. Accordingly I provide my review on the basis of the predicted groundwater change. Edithvale Wetland has no predicted change in groundwater with or without groundwater management (AECOM-GHD JV 2018a, Figures 24, 25). Assuming the groundwater model is correct, this makes assessment of a nil impact on the ecological character of Edithvale Wetland largely irrelevant. The description of Edithvale Wetland in the technical report is not reviewed here. However there is predicted groundwater drawdown on Edithvale foreshore (1.5 ha) and Bonbeach foreshore (2.1 ha) (AECOM-GHD JV 2018a, Figures 27, 29) which could affect the vegetation there. The sections of the technical report that relate to these areas are subject to this review, as follows. Biosis 2018 Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting 2

4 Plant species The technical report lists 19 indigenous plant species on the foreshore. Some are not known on the foreshore south of Mordialloc Creek (Kingston Flora Database 2017): Disphyma crassifolium Monotoca elliptica Pteridium esculentum Rounded Noon-flower Tree Broom-heath Austral Bracken Monotoca does not occur in the Port Phillip area. The presence of the other two species in the study area is curious as there are no previous records and the habitat does not appear suitable. During field inspection I noted a further 11 species: Actites megalocarpus Allocasuarina verticillata Alyxia buxifolia Atriplex cinerea Carpobrotus rossii Leucophyta brownii Myoporum insulare Olearia glutinosa Ozothamnus turbinatus Pelargonium australe Pomaderris paniculosa Dune Thistle Drooping Sheoak Sea Box Coast Saltbush Karkalla Cushion Bush Common Boobialla Sticky Daisy-bush Coast Everlasting Austral Stork's-bill Scurfy Pomaderris Vegetation The report refers to four ecological vegetation classes (EVCs): Coast Banksia Woodland Coastal Dune Scrub Coastal Dune Grassland Coastal Tussock Grassland Agreed Agreed Agreed In my experience this EVC does not occur in the City of Kingston (Biosis Research 2006). The report refers to this EVC on page 113 and it appears extensively on the vegetation maps (Figures 21, 22). It is plausible this EVC is meant to be Coastal Dune Grassland, however areas mapped as Coastal Tussock Grassland are largely Marram Grass. Biosis 2018 Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting 3

Vegetation mapping Detailed mapping of the foreshore vegetation is available (Biosis

to have been utilised. To assist I produce some of that work in Figure 2 below.

areas mapped as Coastal Tussock Grassland are largely introduced grassland dominated by

Vegetation map in technical report (Figure 22). Figure 2.

5 Vegetation mapping Detailed mapping of the foreshore vegetation is available (Biosis Research 2012a,b) and although some of this mapping is referred to it does not appear to have been utilised. To assist I produce some of that work in Figure 2 below. The vegetation mapping in the technical report (AECOM-GHD JV 2018a) is limited in that areas mapped as Coastal Tussock Grassland are largely introduced grassland dominated by Marram Grass Ammophila arenaria not native vegetation. Figure 1. Vegetation map in technical report (Figure 22). Figure 2. Vegetation map of same area in Biosis Research (2012a), a detailed representation of vegetation. Biosis 2018 Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting 4

6 Figure 3. Introduced Marram Grass grassland, rather than native Coastal Tussock Grassland, north of Sinclair Avenue, Edithvale. Figure 4. Marram Grass grassland (foreground), Coast Banksia Woodland (middle distance, right), Coastal Dune Scrub (background), caption is not particularly accurate. Biosis 2018 Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting 5

Vegetation quality assessment The vegetation quality assessment contains some inaccuracies. Reproduced below is the habitat hectare calculation for the foreshore with some of my estimates added.

7 Vegetation quality assessment The vegetation quality assessment contains some inaccuracies. Reproduced below is the habitat hectare calculation for the foreshore with some of my estimates added. One difference is the large tree score: such trees are not at >70% of the EVC benchmark density as implied, there is only one large tree in the mapped area of Coast Banksia Woodland and it is a dead stag. With the understorey component, 50% of life forms which are required for a score of 15 are not present Figure 5. Vegetation quality assessment. Biosis 2018 Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting 6

8 Effects of groundwater drawdown The modelled groundwater drawdown during a (maximum effect) wet year reaches 0.1 to 0.2 metres on Edithvale foreshore (Figure 27) and 0.4 to 0.5 metres on Bonbeach foreshore (Figure 29). Unlike Edithvale, drawdown at Bonbeach is also predicted in a (minimum effect) dry year, reaching 0.1 to 0.2 metres. Bonbeach would thus be permanently affected. The groundwater model predicts level fluctuations in the order of 2 metres within a 20 year period due to seasonal and longer term climatic trends (EES Technical Report A Groundwater). The predicted maximum groundwater drawdown is some 20% of this natural range but could produce unprecedented low groundwater tables ( = -2.4 m). However increased drawdown during a wet year would tend to be offset by the increased rainfall in that year, such that water from above replaces water from below in terms of available soil moisture. This would tend to lessen or remove drought stress on vegetation and so minimise any change. As the report states it is difficult to predict the effect if any on vegetation due to a paucity of relevant published studies and also there is uncertainty as to whether the foreshore vegetation is actually groundwater dependent, as it may receive most or all of its water directly from rainfall. We appear to have reached a limit of knowledge of the ecology of dry coastal vegetation. Accordingly, it would be sensible and appropriate to monitor the foreshore vegetation, comparing it with control sites as the report suggests, with agency responsibilities clearly defined in this process. Biosis 2018 Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting 7

2.4 Project areas (AECOM-GHD JV 2018b) The technical report on the ecology of the project areas identifies, maps and assesses 38 habitat zones (Figures 21, 22, Tables 6, 7).

9 2.4 Project areas (AECOM-GHD JV 2018b) The technical report on the ecology of the project areas identifies, maps and assesses 38 habitat zones (Figures 21, 22, Tables 6, 7). These are proposed to be removed during construction and so require detailed assessment in order to quantify the loss of vegetation and determine offsets. The report identifies two EVCs: Coast Banksia Woodland Coastal Dune Scrub Agreed NatureKit (DELWP 2018) models Coast Banksia Woodland for almost all of the Nepean Highway, indicating that Coast Tea-tree stands that may appear to be Coastal Dune Scrub are modified Coast Banksia Woodland that has lost its Banksia canopy and should be mapped and assessed as Coast Banksia Woodland. A large tree in the Coast Banksia Woodland EVC benchmark has a diameter at breast height (1.3 metres above the ground) of 50 or more centimetres. Habitat zones 16 and 22 have a full score of 10 for large trees. The trees may look old but they are not large trees when measured at 1.3 metres. The same limitation appears in the foreshore vegetation data (see Figure 4 this statement). All habitat zones have a score of either 0 or 10 which is unlikely given that intermediate scores are available. Some habitat zones have a full tree canopy score of 5 when there are either no canopy trees, which must be Coast Banksias of 12 or more metres in height, or the tree canopy cover is below the 50% benchmark cover. This applies to HZs 1, 14, 17, 20 and 21. All habitat zones have a tree canopy score of either 0 or 5 which is unlikely given that intermediate scores are available. Figure 6. Habitat zone 21, Banksias <12 metres. The delineation of habitat zones is satisfactory or good at the scale of mapping. Planted indigenous vegetation is left off the mapping presumably as it is exempt from permit requirement in the planning scheme provided permission is obtained from the agency that planted the vegetation. It is possible that more of the vegetation is planted including several Drooping Sheoak stands currently mapped as Coast Banksia Woodland. While the technical report may slightly overestimate its quality, the native vegetation has considerable landscape importance or social value. Biosis 2018 Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting 8

10 2.5 References Biosis Research Coastal vegetation of the City of Kingston. Report to City of Kingston, Author Yugovic J, Biosis Research Pty Ltd, Melbourne, July Biosis Research 2012a. Assessment of City of Kingston natural reserves (Stage 2): Kingston Heath Reserve, Caruana Reserve, Heights Park, Bonbeach Foreshore. Report to Kingston City Council, Author Yugovic J, Biosis Research Pty Ltd, Melbourne, February Biosis Research 2012b. Assessment of City of Kingston natural reserves (Stage 4): Kingston Foreshore Reserve (Mordialloc Creek to Bonbeach, Carrum). Report to Kingston City Council, Author Yugovic J, Biosis Research Pty Ltd, Melbourne, December DELWP NatureKit. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria. Kingston Flora Database Kingston Flora Database. Editors Bainbridge D, Yugovic J, Kingston Conservation and Environment Coalition. Biosis 2018 Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting 9

11 3. Author's Declaration I have made all inquiries that I believe are desirable and appropriate and no matters of significance which I regard as relevant have to my knowledge been withheld from the Advisory Committee. Dr Jeff Yugovic Senior Consultant Ecologist Biosis Pty Ltd 28 May 2018 Biosis 2018 Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting 10

12 4. Attachment 1: Curriculum Vitae Biosis 2018 Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting 11

Curriculum vitae Jeff Yugovic Position Senior Consultant Ecologist Qualifications BSc(Hons), PhD Professional experience Dr Jeff Yugovic has over 35 years of experience as an ecologist working

Jeff has extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna of southeast Australia. He has expertise in vegetation assessment and management and has published a large number of scientific reports and papers.

13 Curriculum vitae Jeff Yugovic Position Senior Consultant Ecologist Qualifications BSc(Hons), PhD Professional experience Dr Jeff Yugovic has over 35 years of experience as an ecologist working throughout southeast Australia in the government and private sectors. He has been a senior consultant with Biosis for over 25 years. Jeff has extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna of southeast Australia. He has expertise in vegetation assessment and management and has published a large number of scientific reports and papers. He also has many years of hands-on supervisory experience in reserve management. Key project experience Ecologist Ecologist Ecologist Vegetation mapping of saltmarshes and estuaries in Victoria Vegetation mapping of Melbourne Airport Vegetation mapping of Sydney Second Airport site option (Holsworthy) Vegetation mapping of 2.8 million hectares of western Victoria Ecology and design advice, Eastlink Freeway Aurora Matted Flax-lily Translocation Program Commonwealth Golf Club Revegetation Advice Kingston Bay Trail Ecology Advice Five Mile Creek Reserve Essendon Land Management Plan Natural Grasslands of the South Gippsland Plains Review Glenfern Valley Bushlands Management Plan White Star-bush EPBC Act nomination Biosis Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting -

14 Curriculum vitae Jeff Yugovic Other qualifications and training Cert IV Training and Assessment DipEd, University of Melbourne First Aid Certificate, Level 2 Vegetation Quality Assessment Accreditation (State Government of Victoria) Publications Jeff has written or co-written over 350 consultant reports and over 15 papers including: Yugovic J Do ecosystems need top predators? A review of native predator-prey imbalances in south-east Australia. The Victorian Naturalist 132: Yugovic J Ecology of the Kooweerup Swamp and associated grasslands. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 123: Cook D, Yugovic J Clyde-Tooradin grassland rediscovered. The Victorian Naturalist 120: Yugovic J Ecological gardening: Incorporating dynamic processes. Ecological Management & Restoration 4: Kutt AS, Yugovic JV Fauna of the Grantville gravel reserve with reference to vegetation and conservation status. The Victorian Naturalist 113: Carr GW, Yugovic JV, Robinson KR Environmental Weed Invasions in Victoria: Conservation and Management Implications. Dept of Conservation & Environment & Ecological Horticulture Pty Ltd. Yugovic J The Grey Glasswort Halosarcia halocnemoides in coastal Victoria and some implications for the Orange-bellied Parrot. The Victorian Naturalist 101: McIntyre S, Yugovic J A checklist for Studley Park and Yarra Bend Reserves. The Victorian Naturalist 99: Professional affiliations and memberships Member, Victorian Country Fire Authority (CFA) (2002 present) Member, Invasive Species Council (2002 present) Member, Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association (1986 present) Member, Mount Eliza Foreshore Advisory Group, Mornington Peninsula Shire (2005 present) Member, Ecological Consultants Association of Victoria (2017 present) Biosis Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting -

Mordialloc Bypass Project Report of Andrea Murphy

1 INTRODUCTION Mordialloc Bypass Project Report of Andrea Murphy My name is Andrea Murphy, and I am the Projects Manager and Company Director at Tardis Enterprises Pty Ltd trading as Archaeology at Tardis