Flora & Fauna Survey & Ecological Assessment (pdf. 5MB)

Flora & Fauna Survey & Ecological Assessments – 35 Water Street Wahroonga
3.3 Field Survey Results
3.3.1 Vegetation Communities
Previous studies (UBMC 2005, 2006, 2007 & UBM 2011, Smith & Smith 2006, Cumberland Ecology 2007)
have confirmed the remnant native vegetation within the Subject Property as BGHF. The remnant consists
primarily of mature canopy trees (Sydney Blue Gum Eucalyptus saligna) considered to be ‘diagnostic’ of the
BGHF, with a small number of locally indigenous shrubs and ground covers ‘characteristic’ of the CEEC also
present (see Final Determination Appendix 1). While many of the native trees are likely to be remnant
individuals, having been retained when the gardens were developed in the late 19 th and early 20 th Centuries,
some of the younger trees have been planted since that time.
The extent of the existing (and potential) BGHF on the Subject Property was determined by Smith & Smith
(2006) to be 6,350 sq metres (0.635 ha). This area was subsequently adopted by the Land & Environment
Court (Proceedings 11193 of 2006) and it has been used in all subsequent surveys and reports, including the
current UBM flora and fauna survey.
The ‘Core’ BGHF Habitat on the Subject Property is located in the eastern part of the Property, in an L-
shaped distribution fronting Water and Young Streets. The understorey in dominated by woody weeds
(Privets - Ligustrum spp, African Olive - Olea europaea subsp cuspidata, Lantana camara, and Cape Broom -
Genista monspessulana) (see Plates).
A second Core Habitat area is located towards the centre of the Property, within parts of the arboretum and
landscaped gardens, although in these areas the native understorey has been totally cleared and the large
trees under-planted with horticultural introductions and lawns (see Plates and Figure 1.2).
3.3.2 Indigenous Flora Species
A list of plant species recorded for the eight (8) transects 11 quadrats and established and surveyed in the
Subject Property has been provided in Appendix 2 (transects) and Appendix 3 (quadrats) respectively.
Figure 3.1 provides the location of these transects and quadrats within the Subject Property.
Transect Results: For the eight (8) Transects established in the south-eastern part of the Property
proposed for limited future development (i.e. Subject Sites proposed new Lots 3, 4 and 5), 170 flora species
were recorded (see Appendix 2). Of these, 75% were horticultural introductions, non-indigenous native
species, or weeds. See Section 3.5 for a description of the vegetation occurring.
Quadrat Results: For the 11 20 x 20 metre quadrats established through the mapped BGHF Habitat Area
220 flora species were recorded. Of these, 174 species (79.1%) were horticultural introductions, nonindigenous
native species (i.e. planted) or weeds (see Appendix 3).
Only 46 species are considered to be naturally-occurring species ‘characteristic’ of the BGHF ecological
community were present (see Final Determination, Appendix1). See Section 3.4 for a description of the
vegetation occurring.
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