Warrawee Substation - Review of Environmental Factors

trees, known food tree species, wetland areas and rock outcrops. Opportunistic observations of faunaspecies were also recorded: species were identified by sight, by call or by observation of scats, tracks orother traces.1.1.2 Existing EnvironmentThe site is highly modified and shows evidence of historic clearing, soil disturbance and reprofiling, anddumping of fill and construction materials. The site is dominated by a variety of garden ornamental andweed species, with large cleared areas along the railway line and access tracks. The rail corridor issurrounded by residential areas with little connectivity to areas of native vegetation.To the north of Brentwood Avenue, the site slopes up towards Warrawee station and is relatively dry,with planted street trees along the eastern boundary of the rail corridor and a thin strip of nativeunderstorey plants bordering the railway cutting.South from Brentwood Avenue, the site is divided by a steep east-facing slope. Above the slope anddirectly adjacent to the railway line the site comprises cleared grassy areas bordered by a dense thicketof weeds, which continue down the slope. Approximately 20 m south from the northern end of BrentwoodAvenue, stormwater enters the site from a small culvert under the railway track and flows downhill alongthe bottom of the slope, flowing into a small unnamed drainage channel which also passes under therailway track at the southern limit of the site.FloraOne hundred and six flora species from 54 families were recorded during the site inspection, of which 62were exotic (see Appendix A). No threatened flora species were observed or are likely to occur.Cleared grassy areas of the site occur along the railway line and access tracks and are regularly slashedor mowed to provide access and prevent encroachment of vegetation onto the railway line. These areasare dominated by exotic grasses such as Paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum*), Common Couch (Cynodondactylon*) and Narrow-leaved Carpet Grass (Axonopus fissifolius*) and herbs such as Clover (Trifoliumspp.*), Cobbler’s Pegs (Bidens pilosa*) and Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale*). In moist areas in thesouth-east of the site, a variety of moisture-loving grasses and semi-aquatic plants become moredominant, including Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum*), Umbrella Sedge (Cyperus eragrostis*),Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens*) and Juncus usitatus*.The majority of the vegetation is dominated by exotic and ornamental species. Planted street trees occuralong the fence in the eastern side of the site, and include Camphor Laurel (Cinnamomum camphora*),Pin Oak (Quercus palustris*) and Liquidambar (Liquidambar styraciflua*). The majority of these streettrees have been slated for removal due to safety concerns. Dense stands of Bamboo (Phyllostachyssp.*) occur under these trees south from the end of Brentwood Avenue, with occurrences of SweetPittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum), Privet (Ligustrum spp.*) and other weeds. Dense thickets ofLantana (Lantana camara*) and Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus spp. agg.*) dominate the steep slope in thesouth of the site, interspersed with numerous exotic shrubs and climbers such as Wild Tobacco(Solanum mauritianum*), Moth Vine (Araujia sericifera*) and Balloon Vine (Cardiospermumgrandiflorum*).21/19721/1780112