Attachments 11.4 and 11.5 - City of Busselton

LAND inSights
ATTACHMENT A – DRAFT LEPS ITEM 11.5 COUNCIL 12/10/2011
Executive Summary
3 Biodiversity
3.1 Background
Introduction
Biodiversity is defined by the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts as the
variety of life: the different plants, animals and microorganisms and the ecosystems of which
they are a part (DEWHA, 2009). The Shire of Busselton is located within the South-west of
Western Australia, which is identified as being an international ‘Biodiversity Hotspot’. This
means that the region has met two strict criteria: it contains at least 1, 500 species of vascular
plants as endemics, and it has lost at least 70% of its original habitat (Conservation
International, 2007).
As the level of biodiversity is an important asset to the Shire, it is important that all future
planning decisions take into account the issue of biodiversity protection.
Remnant Vegetation
Approximately 48% of the Shire comprises remnant vegetation (Shire of Busselton, 2004). A
majority of this remnant vegetation is contained within National Park or State Forest. The
central area of the Shire is mostly cleared of native vegetation and which occurred in the past
for agricultural pursuits. To accommodate Urban Development clearing has also occurred in
placesalong the northern coastline between the eastern Shire boundary and Dunsborough.
Much of the remnant vegetation exists in the eastern section of the Shire (which covers
approximately one third of the Shire) and along the western coastal areas.
Vegetation Complexes
The vegetation complexes vary across the Shire to correspond with the various landforms that
exist. In general, most of the complexes exist in ‘bands’ which run parallel with either the
western or northern coastlines. The vegetation complexes that exist along the northern coastal
area include Quindalup (which occurs closest to the coast) and Ludlow (exists further inland to
the south of the Quindalup complex). Much of the central agricultural region consists of
vegetation belonging to the Abba vegetation complex. The Yelverton and Treeton vegetation
complexes occur at the southern end of the Shire.
Different vegetation complexes also run parallel to the western coast. Some patches of
Kilcarnup vegetation complex occur along the rocky coastline and the Gracetown vegetation
complex occupies the remainder of this rocky coastline. Beyond this exists a relatively larger
strip of vegetation belonging to the Cowaramup complex.
The vegetation complexes found in the eastern section of the Shire include Rosa, Telera,
Kingia, Bidella, Jalbaragup, Preston and Coate.
Vegetation complexes and vegetation classes which have less than 30% of the pre-European
extent remaining are commonly referred to as ‘poorly represented’ (EPA, 2000). Vegetation
complexes with less than 400 ha remaining in the state are also considered to be poorly
represented. Most poorly represented vegetation complexes are found along the northern
VER 1 – FINAL DRAFT
Shire of Busselton Local Environmental Planning Strategy
Report 3 – Objectives, Strategies and Actions
November 2010
Page 24