Agenda of Biodiversity Advisory Committee Meeting

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy 4.2

Report No. 4.2 Biodiversity and Agriculture Projects and Operations Update

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Lizabeth Caddick, Biodiversity Officer

File No: I2023/498

Summary:

This report provides the Biodiversity Advisory Committee with an update on current projects and programs being undertaken by the Biodiversity team, including:

· Flying Fox monitoring

· No Bat No Me Project

· Koala vehicle strike

· Koala habitat restoration

· Koala monitoring

· Barbed wire website

· Updates to vegetation mapping

· Threatened species lists

· Pest animal management program

· Bringing Back the Bruns

· Farm extension program

· Sustainable agriculture

· Tourism impacts on coastal biodiversity.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Biodiversity Advisory Committee notes the update on current projects and programmes being undertaken by Council staff.

Attachments:

1 Swamp Oak Mapping Report - Earthscapes - FINAL - 24/3/23, E2023/33427 , page 41 ⇩

2 HEV Final Report V5 - 5/5/23, E2023/44987 , page 58 ⇩

3 REPORTING - Updates to 2021 Vegetation Mapping - Final Report - 6/6/23, E2023/57278 , page 103 ⇩

Report

Flying Foxes

National Flying-Fox Monitoring Program - Census

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

4.9 Review and implement monitoring programs to assess effectiveness of Council ecological restoration

In May Byron Shire Council’s Biodiversity Project Officer collected data from 6 flying-fox camps in urban areas in our shire. The data was sent to state government and it’s the baseline for the National Monitoring program. This survey is done quarterly, formally since 2016.

No Bat No Me Project – Flying Foxes/Koala

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Actions:

2.1 Provide expert advice regarding how people can help protect biodiversity

4.9 Implement actions in the Flying Fox Camp Management Plan 2018-2023.

The joint project with flying foxes and koalas that secured $27,100 grant, funded by WIRES, is more than halfway through. Strategically chosen to coincide with flying-fox educational year, this project is also helping to deliver our Environmental Trust educational booklet “Facts about Bats” to all visited schools.

The project main elements:

1. Flying-Fox Workshops presented on 10 local schools: so far, presented in 7 schools and one presentation for 20 home-schooled children (11 presentations in total). Preliminary results indicate a significant impact, with 90% of students expressing changed perceptions about flying-foxes.

2. Media Campaign: to amplify community engagement, Council has prepared a media campaign including newspaper ads, social media posts, street banners and an informative video.

3. Community events: Splendour in the Grass roving presentation with human-sized flying fox costume. This event reached a diverse audience, emphasizing that flying-fox conservation is not only a local but also a national issue. Engagement with visitors from other regions that host flying-foxes was a highlight.

4.
Community survey: conducted at the project's inception and again in September, at the end of the project.

Koalas

Koala Vehicle Strike

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Actions:

4.25 Work with RMS, local wildlife groups and Regional Koala Communications Group to identify road strike hotspots in Byron Shire.

4.26 Seek funding for road strike mitigation trials at priority road strike hotspots.

4.27 Consider roadkill mitigation measures and opportunities to improve wildlife connectivity into design work for new roads and road asset upgrades.

Geolink have developed a preliminary Feasibility Assessment for koala vehicle strike mitigation measures in the key road-strike black spot that extends from Granuaille Rd to Lismore Rd, coming into and out of Bangalow. Infrastructure Services, DPE and Transport for NSW have reviewed the draft options presented, and revised options were presented to stakeholders in June, with proposed options prioritised based on practicality, cost and likelihood of effectiveness. Geolink are now finalising the feasibility study, which will be used by DPE to seek funding for some of the proposed mitigation measures, under the NSW Koala Strategy.

Staff are continuing to progress the Koala LED radar speed signs project, subject to availability of technical staff. This project aims to install flashing radar speed signs and road pavement marking at three koala road strike blackspots, along Broken Head Rd, Coorabell Rd and Coolamon Scenic Drive.

Koala Habitat Restoration

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

3.9 Seek grant funding opportunities for combined Council-private landholder restoration and revegetation projects on private land.

Staff are finalising grant funded koala habitat restoration projects, comprising

- NSW Koala Strategy grant of $101,211 for planting and restoration at 6 sites.

- NSW Koala Strategy grant of $15,000 for ongoing maintenance at 8 existing koala habitat restoration sites.

Koala Monitoring

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

4.7 Implement a monitoring program for the Byron Coast koala population.

The 2023 Koala Activity Survey program will begin in September, with Council partnering with DPE. DPE funding under the NSW Koala Strategy will cover some contractor costs as well as equipment, including purchase of song-meters to provide additional data to support Spot Analysis Technique (koala scat) surveys. 70 sites will be analysed for koala occupancy and activity level over the 2023 koala breeding season.

Northern Rivers Koala Network (NRKN)

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

4.13 Liaise with local conservation groups and government agencies to share information (e.g. monitoring data) and identify opportunities for biodiversity conservation partnerships.

The last meeting (occurs every 2 months) was on 29 June, and included a presentation on the new code of practice for care of sick, injured and orphaned koalas.

Council partnered with the NRKN Koala Officer and Friends of the Koala on 18 July to deliver a community workshop at The Farm in Byron Bay, informing the community about our upcoming survey program, koala health and conservation, and how the community can get involved in habitat restoration and reporting sightings. The event was well attended with some great questions and discussion.

Barbed Wire

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 21-342

1. That Council reviews its use of barbed wire on Council properties with a view to improving the conservation and protection of animals.

2. That Council works with key stakeholders to develop an information and education program for the community and landowners in order to:

a) review the impacts of barbed wire on native fauna and

b) provide ideas for alternatives to barbed wire or measures to mitigate the impacts.

3. That this issue be referred to the Biodiversity Advisory Committee for further consideration.

As reported to a previous BAC meeting, the use of, and need for, barbed wire fencing, has been discussed with Council Open Space staff and with local farming representatives via the Agriculture Cluster Group (meeting 9/10/2021). Barbed wire is generally not used on Council land and Open Space managers are replacing barbed with smooth wire as and when fencing replacements are needed.

Standard farm fencing, for cattle is 5-strand barbed wire. Local farmers advise that barbed wire fencing is often the only effective way of keeping cattle within a property and off of roads, particularly in situations where cattle may be frightened, e.g. near busy roads or when chased by dogs. However, there are opportunities to use smooth strand wire or electric fencing on internal fences, and to use smooth wire for the top strand of perimeter fences. The top strand is generally where the most wildlife impacts occur. Using smooth wire for the bottom strand can also benefit wildlife, but is not practical in fields with young calves as they can get through this. There are likely many properties in the shire that have old barbed wire fences in situ that aren’t really necessary as they are no longer used for livestock agistment.

To encourage landholders to remove old, unnecessary fences and adopt fauna friendly fencing and netting options, Council has developed a Wildlife Friendly Fencing web page Wildlife friendly fencing - Byron Shire Council (nsw.gov.au), which was launched recently with a media campaign. The media campaign included boosted social media posts and a press release highlighting some wildlife friendly fencing that Council recently helped to install at The Farm, in a high-visibility site. The web page contains tips and information on fauna-friendly fencing and netting for farmers and other landholders.

Mapping Projects

Council is continuing to progress a number of biodiversity mapping updates in accordance with the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy. These mapping updates are a useful tool to guide Council and other community conservation groups, on where to prioritise biodiversity conservation activities, including habitat restoration and enhancement.

Updates to Vegetation and HEV mapping

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Actions:

1.14: Update and maintain Council's vegetation and HEV mapping with revised Plant Community Types (PCTs) and current aerial photography;

1.19 Update vegetation mapping to clearly identify recently listed threatened ecological communities.

Earthscapes Consulting have updated Council’s vegetation mapping, funded by a $24,000 grant from NSW DPE Biodiversity Conservation Division. The updated mapping is all available via Council’s online map tool (Online map tools - Byron Shire Council (nsw.gov.au)). Mapping updates include:

· Review of new Plant Community Types (NSW State Vegetation Type Mapping) against Byron Shire Council 2021 Vegetation Mapping - reported at November 2023 BAC meeting.

· Map of Endangered Ecological Communities, including recently listed threatened ecological communities (Coastal Swamp Oak and Coastal Swamp Sclerophyll Forest). Refer Attachment 1 for more details.

· Updated High Environmental Value mapping. High Environmental Value (HEV) criteria were developed and endorsed by NSW Planning for the assessment of planning proposals. The revised mapping includes updated HEV criteria and reflects the most up to date vegetation and threatened ecological community mapping. Refer Attachment 2 for more details.

· Updated Vegetation mapping. Refer Attachment 3 for more details.

Review of coastal wetland and littoral rainforest mapping

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Actions:

1.19 Update vegetation mapping to clearly identify recently listed threatened ecological communities.

1.30 Continue development of Coastal Management Programs for the Shire's coastline and estuaries, ensuring CMPs are consistent with the intent of this Biodiversity Strategy.

As part of the development of Coastal Management Programs for Byron Shire, a Stage 2 study has commenced to fill a key information gap. Council has engaged a consultant to review the coastal wetlands and littoral rainforest areas as mapped in the SEPP (Resilience and Hazards) 2021 following a State-led minor review undertaken in 2018. This will primarily be a desktop assessment using Council’s High Environmental Value mapping (currently being updated), as well as other data such as Plant Community Types (PCT) mapping, Council and agency staff input, and guidance provided by the Department of Planning and Environment on mapping criteria.

Depending on the outcome of the project, if there are any proposed key mapping amendments or changes to Council’s planning framework in relation to coastal wetlands and littoral rainforest provisions, these would be further considered in a later stage of development of the Coastal Management Programs. There will be opportunity for stakeholders and community to provide input at the decision-making stage (Stage 3).

Wildlife Corridor Mapping

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

1.18 Update Council's wildlife corridor mapping and liaise with other NRJO Councils to ensure consistency in wildlife corridor mapping across the region.

The draft Wildlife Corridor System (Landmark 2022) was on public exhibition from 31 October to 12 December, with over 100 submissions were received. Staff have reviewed feedback and have scheduled a Councillor Workshop to update Councillors on the feedback received and proposed amendments. Due to conflicting priorities the workshop has now been rescheduled to 7 September.

Threatened species lists

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

1.11 Conduct a review of Byron Shire's biodiversity values as a baseline for ongoing biodiversity monitoring, including updated Byron Shire flora and fauna lists and status of threatened flora and fauna.

Updated threatened species lists for Byron Shire have been added to Council’s website. Threatened species lists were previously included in the 2004 Biodiversity Strategy, but have now been put on line so it is easier to update them when required. See Threatened species of plants and animals in Byron Shire - Byron Shire Council (nsw.gov.au)

Pest Animal Management Program

Pest Animal Management Plan 2018-23

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

4.23 Work with North Coast LLS and private land managers to develop a coordinated cross-tenure approach to pest animal management.

The team is in the very early stages of evaluating the outcomes of the PAMP from 2018 and preparing a reviewed plan for the next 5 years. The new plan is likely to include the management of deer in the Shire. A consideration of the new plan will be on the involvement/collaboration of neighbouring Councils in recognition that many of the pests are mobile (e.g. dogs, Indian mynas and deer). Council is negotiating some grant funding from DPE Biodiversity and Conservation Division to support review of the PAMP.

Deer

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

4.13 Liaise with local conservation groups and government agencies to share information (e.g. monitoring data) and identify opportunities for biodiversity conservation partnerships.

Byron Shire Council is actively participating of discussions related to regional deer management. A recent outcome from was the formalisation of a joint submission with the surrounding LGAs to the National Feral Deer Action Plan on 20/03/2023.

Community information workshops are planned for later this year.

Indian Myna

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

4.22 Develop and implement Operational Plans for target pest species

Councils supply of Myna traps has finally dried up as the people who made them have retired. We are currently searching for people or an organisation to make more of the traps. The Pee Gee traps we use are superior to any available on the market.

Council’s Indian Myna trapping contractor Rochelle Merdith has a database of all traps being used in the Shire and is encouraging sharing of the traps from those that have eliminated the birds in their area to those in need.

Rochelle has created a Byron Shire Indian Myna Action Group on Facebook. So far there are 16 members. Members share their successes, techniques and also use the page to offer assistance and traps to others if required.

To date 284 Indian Mynas have been trapped in the Shire since 2020.

Imported Red Fire Ant

Recent monitoring has revealed that Red imported fire ants (fire ants) have been found within 5km of the QLD border at Tallebudgera. Fire ants can move approximately 5km per year. Fire ants are invasive exotic ants that cause serious social, economic, and environmental harm. They are aggressive and have a severe, burning sting.

How do fire ants affect us?

· Large numbers of ants will swarm onto a person or animal stinging over and over, causing the sensation of being on fire.

· Stings can become infected and in rare cases lead to fatal allergic reactions.

· Infestations restrict the use of backyards, parks, playgrounds, beaches and sports fields and damage electrical, irrigation and agricultural equipment

· Fire ants feed on seeds, insects, spiders, lizards, frogs, birds and mammals. They can displace or kill off native plants and animals and change whole ecosystems beyond repair.

· Their presence limits the ability to export goods to states or countries free of red imported fire ants.

As a result of this potential invasion, although insects are not managed in the Pest animal management plan, Imported Red Fire Ants will be included as a priority pest in the updated pest management plan. Staff are closely monitoring the situation and following advice from NSW Department of Primary Industries who is the States primary pest management authority.

Bringing Back the Bruns

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action:

4.29 Continue to develop and implement ‘Bringing back the Bruns’ branded projects to address improvements in riparian and instream habitat, water quality, fish passage and habitat connectivity on Council and private land along the Brunswick River and its tributaries.

The Federally funded Fish Habitat Restoration Project on the Brunswick River has been completed. 160m of riverbank has been stabilised with bank re-shaping, log structures designed to dissipate waves and high flow energy and coir logs to trap seeds and promote colonisation of mangroves. The landholder has fenced the site from stock and planted 1400 local native riparian trees and shrubs to create a functioning riparian zone over time. The project was achieved with a $187,000 grant from the Federal Fish Habitat Restoration Program with a partnership with Local Land Services.

Farm Extension

Agriculture Action Plan action:

1.3 Develop and maintain a database of farmers and primary production stakeholders to: identify farmers issues and opportunities and enable easy forwarding of relevant information and activities to specific farmers and stakeholders.

The Byron Farmers Network database now has 380 members and is an excellent resource to share information and advice with the grower’s community, for both Council and other agencies that work to support farmers in the region.

The farm extension program is ongoing, with visits, emails and phone conversations with local producers to provide support, advice and information.

Since the April BAC meeting 8 emails have gone out to the Byron Farmers Network, providing advice and promoting workshops, training, resources and events.

Agriculture Workshops/Field Days

Agriculture Action Plan action:

1.4 Develop and deliver (or refer landholders to) workshops and field days on best practice farming, innovation, productivity, sustainable land use and biodiversity.

We had a field day at Misty Creek Farm May 19 which was a great day of learnings of diverse forms of production with organic chicken and eggs produced amongst a syntropic agroforestry. We had 25 registrations and 22 attendees.

Collaborated with RCS for a Grazing day workshop held @ The Farm Byron bay April 29th with 14 attendees.

Soil biology Workshops held in collaboration with the flood recovery team with local educator John Bond, June 17^th, at The Paddock in Mullum April 22nd and Shara Community Gardens with great feedback from attendees.

A "Weeds as Indicators" webinar was held with context specific information delivered in collaboration with Educator Kim Deans. We had ample time for some great questions as well as some great information from the 51 registrations for the webinar. Learning peoples pain points and struggles and delivering content relevant to that. This is a new approach which enables us to share the recorded webinar and get further value from the engagement. Looking to be a great format for educating our landholders going forward as the field day event space is getting clustered.

We supported a great local presentation on the history of agriculture in our region and what we can do going forward. This was in collaboration with local organisation TROPO (Tweed Richmond Organic Producers Organisation). We filmed the presentation so we can have as a vital resource in educating landholders and farmers. Awaiting to be loaded to BSC YouTube channel for distribution.

Was invited to represent Byron Shire Council on the panel for the film screening "Rachels Farm" which held 2 screenings in Byron on July 25th which were both sold out. There was some great discussion with some great follow up from some of our farmers who attended.

Sustainable Agriculture Activities

Agriculture Action Plan actions:

1.2 Establish and support an agricultural mentoring program to support new and existing farmers in starting up, expanding their enterprise or changing their land management practices.

1.5 Establish and maintain links to relevant organisations for the benefit of information sourcing, project collaboration, resource sharing and support.

3.6 Investigate, develop and support processes and arrangements that increase opportunities to access and activate underutilised farmland.

Continued support with incubator program including playing significant role in getting the mentored farmers a stall at Mullum Farmers market, which will play a crucial part in the program evolving. With 3 mentor sessions held with the young farmers over the April June July period.

Article put out on local farming magazine Going Organic. Discussing the role and what has been achieved in reaching local farmers and supporting a more sustainable approach.

Soil Test Video

Agriculture Action Plan action:

1.6 Source and provide current best practice farming information and techniques to assist farmers to improve productivity and sustainability by practice change

A instructional and inspirational how and why to test soils has been launched and EOI of soil tests is out to the community with the video getting great responses from farmers and educators. To date we have 8 of the 10 soil tests applied for which will close off August 21st.

Awaiting assistance form the comms team for media release on the soils video.

The importance of soil testing - YouTube

Researching the Impacts of Recreational and Tourism Uses on Coastal Biodiversity, Wildlife and Habitats

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Actions:

2.13 Seek opportunities to work with tourism operators to build capacity in environmental awareness

2.16 Partner with Council Tourism Officers to investigate opportunities for development of a volunteer tourism initiative that links environmental community groups with visitors.

The draft report has been received by Council and is currently undergoing review.

Next steps:

· Finalise baseline monitoring.

· Consultant to finalise report. Completion expected by September 2023.

· Report to Council to be noted.

· Place report on website for ‘information only’

· Consider identified recommendations at Stage 3 of preparation of Coastal Management Programs.

· Presentation to Council’s Coastal and ICOLL Advisory Committee. BAC members will be invited to attend this presentation online.

Strategic Considerations

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	CSP Strategy	DP Action	Code	OP Activity
2: Inclusive Community We have an inclusive and active community where diversity is embraced and everyone is valued	2.2: Enhance safety and contribute to the physical, mental, and spiritual health and well being of our people	2.2.4: Companion animals - Promote awareness of the requirements of the Companion Animals Act with respect to the ownership of companion animals	2.2.4.3	Facilitate companion animals education
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.1: Native species - Use best practice land management to improve ecological resilience and reduce threats to biodiversity	3.1.1.1	Partner with DPE to implement koala vehicle strike mitigation in Byron Shire as part of the NSW Koala Strategy 2022-2026.
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.1: Native species - Use best practice land management to improve ecological resilience and reduce threats to biodiversity	3.1.1.2	Engage with the community regarding mitigating threats to koalas.
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.1: Native species - Use best practice land management to improve ecological resilience and reduce threats to biodiversity	3.1.1.3	Partner with Regional Koala Group to progress koala conservation in Northern Rivers region.
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.1: Native species - Use best practice land management to improve ecological resilience and reduce threats to biodiversity	3.1.1.9	Seek funding to implement the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, Coastal Koala Plan of Management and Flying Fox Camp Management Plan.
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.2: Pest and weed management - Use best practice land management to improve ecological resilience and reduce threats to biodiversity	3.1.2.1	Implement Dog, fox and cat trapping program.
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.2: Pest and weed management - Use best practice land management to improve ecological resilience and reduce threats to biodiversity	3.1.2.3	Participate in Northern Rivers Feral Deer Management group.
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.3: Habitat restoration - Restore degraded areas that provide high environmental or community value	3.1.3.1	Update Byron Shire habitat restoration database and DPE Koala Habitat Restoration Archive.
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.3: Habitat restoration - Restore degraded areas that provide high environmental or community value	3.1.3.3	Implement 2022 Koala Habitat Restoration Project.
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.3: Habitat restoration - Restore degraded areas that provide high environmental or community value	3.1.3.4	Investigate grant opportunities for improving the Brunswick Estuary ecosystems and river health.
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.3: Habitat restoration - Restore degraded areas that provide high environmental or community value	3.1.3.5	Deliver Federal Fish Habitat Restoration Project
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.2: Deliver initiatives and education programs to encourage protection of our environment	3.2.3: Planning - Plan to improve the quality of the natural environment	3.2.3.1	Update flora and fauna lists for the shire, including status of threatened flora and fauna.
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.2: Deliver initiatives and education programs to encourage protection of our environment	3.2.3: Planning - Plan to improve the quality of the natural environment	3.2.3.2	Update Byron Shire Vegetation and HEV mapping
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.2: Deliver initiatives and education programs to encourage protection of our environment	3.2.3: Planning - Plan to improve the quality of the natural environment	3.2.3.3	Participate in regional coastal and environmental working groups and initiatives
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.2: Deliver initiatives and education programs to encourage protection of our environment	3.2.3: Planning - Plan to improve the quality of the natural environment	3.2.3.4	Identify priority open forest ecosystems requiring restoration through the reintroduction of fire.
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.3: Protect the health of our coastline, estuaries, waterways, and catchments	3.3.1: Coastal Management Program planning and implementation - Undertake Coastal Management Program planning and implementation	3.3.1.5	Research the effects of recreational uses on coastal biodiversity and habitats
4: Ethical Growth We manage growth and change responsibly	4.3: Promote and support our local economy	4.3.5: Regenerative agriculture - Develop and implement strategies to support regenerative agriculture, agri-business and farmers	4.3.5.1	Maintain and update Byron Shire Farmer database.
4: Ethical Growth We manage growth and change responsibly	4.3: Promote and support our local economy	4.3.5: Regenerative agriculture - Develop and implement strategies to support regenerative agriculture, agri-business and farmers	4.3.5.2	Provide extension services to farmers to support and promote sustainable agriculture.
4: Ethical Growth We manage growth and change responsibly	4.3: Promote and support our local economy	4.3.5: Regenerative agriculture - Develop and implement strategies to support regenerative agriculture, agri-business and farmers	4.3.5.3	Deliver farmer mentoring and farmer education activities.

Recent Resolutions

N/A

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

N/A

Financial Considerations

N/A

Consultation and Engagement

N/A

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy 4.3

Report No. 4.3 Future Discussion Items for Biodiversity Advisory Committee

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Lizabeth Caddick, Biodiversity Officer

File No: I2023/624

Summary:

This report summarises reports and information requested by the Biodiversity Advisory Committee. These requests, resourcing and alignment with Council’s Operational Plan are tabled for discussion by the committee, to resolve whether these requests are taken to Council for consideration for inclusion in a future Council OP and budget.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Biodiversity Advisory Committee notes the report.

Attachments:

1 Attachment 1 - Threatened Species Monitoring on Council Land - 17 Aug 2023, E2023/78469 , page 119 ⇩

2 Lilly Pilly - Biobanking Agreement - SITE action plan_ Lilly Pilly BBA_final 6 March 2020, E2023/40251 , page 127 ⇩

3 Lilly Pilly - Biobanking Agreement - BA 352 Annual report and BCT Audit Template - Yr 3 - 27 June 2021 to 27 June 2022, E2023/40252 , page 226 ⇩

4 Lilly Pilly - Biobanking Agreement - BA352 Active audit letter - Yr 3 Sep 2022 - payment released AMP4, E2023/40253 , page 235⇩

5 Lilly Pilly - Biobanking Agreement - BA 352 - site inspection & photopoint monitoring templates, E2023/40254 , page 248⇩

6 Lilly Pilly - Biobanking Agreement - Active agreement letter - Yr 1 Aug 2019 - BSA 352, E2023/40255 , page 250⇩

7 Lilly Pilly - Biobanking Agreement - BA 352 Annual Report and BCT Audit Template - Yr 2 - 27 June 2020 to 27 June 2021 - unsigned, E2023/40258 , page 252⇩

8 Lilly Pilly - Biobanking Agreement - BA 352_Lilli Pilli BioBanking Agreement final version, E2023/40259 , page 261⇩

9 Lilly Pilly - Biobanking Agreement - BA 352 Annual Report audit letter - Yr 2 - 27 June 2020 to 27 June 2021
- payment released, E2023/40260 , page 325⇩

10 Lilly Pilly - Biobanking Agreement - Supplementary Reports combined_Year 2 - July 2021, E2023/40261 , page 336⇩

11 Lilly Pilly - Biobanking Agreement - Lilli Pilli Photo Monitoring, E2023/40263 , page 364⇩

Report

The following requests for reports or information have been received by Biodiversity Advisory Committee members:

Information requested	Resourcing	Operational Plan & other Council Strategies
Council lands being managed for Biodiversity. Which threatened communities and/or species are being managed in each of the Council-managed areas listed below and is management and monitoring revealing any positive outcomes? i) sections of West Byron STP including Cell H and areas of forest, woodland and shrubland in the NW part of the site, ii) Valances Road STP including (?) land linking to the Ocean Shores STP, iii) land to the east of Lilli Pilli Drive, iv) land to the east of the Byron Bypass, and v) an informal flora reserve adjacent to the southern boundary of Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve off Bashforth Trail. It would be valuable for Council and the community generally to know that areas of Council land are being managed for the conservation of particular threatened communities and species. Public dissemination of this information could have positive benefits for Council in promoting a favourable public image, particularly in light of Byron Shire's location at the centre of one of the most biodiverse regions in Australia and its significance for maintaining refugial populations of many species with Gondwanan lineages. Requested by: David Milledge & Peter Westheimer 18/4/2023	Note: not all of the sites requested are managed by Council: - Council does not manage any land linking Vallances Rd STP with Ocean Shores STP. - Land to the east of the Byron Bypass (Lot 2 DP1289363) is owned by the Transport Asset Holding Entity of NSW. - The informal flora reserve adjacent to the southern boundary of Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve off Bashforth Trail (Lot 58 DP755692) is owned by Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council. Attachment 1 gives a summary of current Council maintenance and monitoring actions at: i) West Byron STP ii) Valances Road STP iii) land to the east of Lilli Pilli Drive iv) land to the east of the Byron Bypass As per the information below it is recommended that: a) For STP sites BAC members can review the Biodiversity Management Plan when the draft is available later in the year. b) For Biobanking sites (Lilli Pilli drive), BAC members can review the attached monitoring reports if these are of interest. In addition, Dave Filipczyk, bush regen team leader, is happy to present his restoration data to a future BAC meeting or show members some of the results on-site. Note also, as per Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action 1.11, updated threatened species lists for Byron Shire have recently been added to Council’s website Threatened species of plants and animals in Byron Shire - Byron Shire Council (nsw.gov.au)	There is no activity in Council’s OP that directly resources this action. The following OP action provides indirect support: OP 3.1.3.6 Undertake bush regeneration activities to maintain and expand restoration of HEV sites on Council owned or managed lands forming part of the Council bush regeneration program. Council is currently developing a Biodiversity Management Plan for West Byron STP that will guide future threatened species monitoring and reporting at this site.

Information requested

Resourcing

Operational Plan & other Council Strategies

Council lands being managed for Biodiversity.

Which threatened communities and/or species are being managed in each of the Council-managed areas listed below and is management and monitoring revealing any positive outcomes?

i) sections of West Byron STP including Cell H and areas of forest, woodland and shrubland in the NW part of the site,

ii) Valances Road STP including (?) land linking to the Ocean Shores STP,

iii) land to the east of Lilli Pilli Drive,

iv) land to the east of the Byron Bypass, and

v) an informal flora reserve adjacent to the southern boundary of Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve off Bashforth Trail.

It would be valuable for Council and the community generally to know that areas of Council land are being managed for the conservation of particular threatened communities and species. Public dissemination of this information could have positive benefits for Council in promoting a favourable public image, particularly in light of Byron Shire's location at the centre of one of the most biodiverse regions in Australia and its significance for maintaining refugial populations of many species with Gondwanan lineages.

Requested by: David Milledge & Peter Westheimer 18/4/2023

Note: not all of the sites requested are managed by Council:

- Council does not manage any land linking Vallances Rd STP with Ocean Shores STP.

- Land to the east of the Byron Bypass (Lot 2 DP1289363) is owned by the Transport Asset Holding Entity of NSW.

- The informal flora reserve adjacent to the southern boundary of Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve off Bashforth Trail (Lot 58 DP755692) is owned by Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Attachment 1 gives a summary of current Council maintenance and monitoring actions at:

i) West Byron STP

ii) Valances Road STP

iii) land to the east of Lilli Pilli Drive

iv) land to the east of the Byron Bypass

As per the information below it is recommended that:

a) For STP sites BAC members can review the Biodiversity Management Plan when the draft is available later in the year.

b) For Biobanking sites (Lilli Pilli drive), BAC members can review the attached monitoring reports if these are of interest.

In addition, Dave Filipczyk, bush regen team leader, is happy to present his restoration data to a future BAC meeting or show members some of the results on-site.

Note also, as per Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action 1.11, updated threatened species lists for Byron Shire have recently been added to Council’s website Threatened species of plants and animals in Byron Shire - Byron Shire Council (nsw.gov.au)

There is no activity in Council’s OP that directly resources this action.

The following OP action provides indirect support:

OP 3.1.3.6 Undertake bush regeneration activities to maintain and expand restoration of HEV sites on Council owned or managed lands forming part of the Council bush regeneration program.

Council is currently developing a Biodiversity Management Plan for West Byron STP that will guide future threatened species monitoring and reporting at this site.

Strategic Considerations

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	CSP Strategy	DP Action	Code	OP Activity
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.1: Partner to nurture and enhance our biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecology	3.1.3: Habitat restoration - Restore degraded areas that provide high environmental or community value	3.1.3.6	Undertake bush regeneration activities to maintain and expand restoration of HEV sites on Council owned or managed lands forming part of the Council bush regeneration program
3: Nurtured Environment We nurture and enhance the natural environment	3.2: Deliver initiatives and education programs to encourage protection of our environment	3.2.3: Planning - Plan to improve the quality of the natural environment	3.2.3.1	Update flora and fauna lists for the shire, including status of threatened flora and fauna.