Approved Recovery Plan 	

Bellinger	River	Emydura 
Emydura	macquarii 

(Bellinger		River) Recovery	Plan 

July 2001

N S W NATIONAL PARKS
AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

© NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2001.
This work is copyright.  Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced without prior written permission from NPWS.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
43 Bridge Street (PO Box 1967) Hurstville NSW 2220
Tel: 02 9585 6444 www.npws.nsw.gov.au

For further information contact
Threatened Species Unit
Conservation Programs & Planning Division
Northern Directorate
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Locked Bag 914
Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
Tel 02 6651 5946

Cover illustration: Bellinger River Emydura Emydura macquarii (Bellinger River) Illustrator: Ann Sheppard

This plan should be cited as follows:
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2001). Bellinger River Emydura Emydura macquarii
(Bellinger River) Recovery Plan. NPWS, Hurstville, NSW. ISBN 0 7313 6367 1

National Parks and Wildlife Service Recovery Planning Program

Bellinger	River	Emydura 
Emydura	macquarii 
(Bellinger	River) Recovery	Plan 

Foreword

The conservation of threatened species, populations and ecological communities is crucial for the maintenance of this State’s unique biodiversity.  In NSW, the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act) provides the framework to conserve and recover threatened species, populations and ecological communities through the preparation and implementation of recovery plans.

The preparation and implementation of recovery plans is identified by both the National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biological Diversity and the draft NSW Biodiversity Strategy as a key strategy for the conservation of threatened flora and fauna.  The object of a recovery plan is to document the research and management actions required to promote the recovery of a threatened species, population or ecological community and to ensure its ongoing viability in nature.

The TSC Act requires that the Director-General of National Parks and Wildlife prepare recovery plans for all species, populations and ecological communities listed as endangered or vulnerable on the TSC Act schedules. Similarly, the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) requires the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment ensure the preparation of a recovery plan for nationally listed species and communities or adopt plans prepared by others including those developed by state agencies. Both Acts include specific requirements for the matters to be addressed by recovery plans and the process for preparing recovery plans. This recovery plan has been prepared to satisfy both the requirements of the TSC Act and the EPBC Act.

This recovery plan describes our current understanding of the Bellinger River Emydura, documents the research and management actions undertaken to date, and identifies the actions required and parties responsible in addressing the conservation of the taxon in the wild.

Brian Gilligan	Bob Debus MP
Director-General	Minister for the Environment

Table of contents

Foreword ........................................................................................................................................... 1
1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 3
2.0 Description and distribution...................................................................................................... 3
3.0 Current conservation status ...................................................................................................... 3
4.0 Habitat and ecology.................................................................................................................... 3
5.0 Relevant legislation .................................................................................................................... 4
6.0 Recovery plan implementation.................................................................................................. 4
6.1 Critical habitat .......................................................................................................................... 4
6.2 Environmental assessment........................................................................................................ 5
7.0 Management issues..................................................................................................................... 5
7.1 Threats ...................................................................................................................................... 5
7.2 Social and economic consequences .......................................................................................... 5
7.3 Biodiversity benefits................................................................................................................. 6
8.0 Previous actions undertaken ..................................................................................................... 6
8.1 Survey and research ................................................................................................................. 6
8.2 Action plan ............................................................................................................................... 6
8.3 Habitat protection and management ......................................................................................... 6
8.4 Community awareness.............................................................................................................. 6
8.5 Licensing of protected fauna .................................................................................................... 6
9.0 Species’ ability to recover .......................................................................................................... 7
10.0 Recovery objectives .................................................................................................................. 7
11.0 Recovery performance criteria ............................................................................................... 7
12.0 Recovery actions ....................................................................................................................... 7
12.1 Survey and research ............................................................................................................... 7
12.2 Protection of population and habitat ...................................................................................... 7
12.3 Community awareness and involvement ................................................................................ 8
13.0 Implementation......................................................................................................................... 8
14.0 Preparation details ................................................................................................................... 8
15.0 Review date ............................................................................................................................... 8
16.0 References ................................................................................................................................. 9
17.0 Acronyms used in this document ............................................................................................ 9
18.0 Implementation Tables .......................................................................................................... 10

1.0 Introduction

The Bellinger River Emydura is a rare form of the freshwater turtle Emydura macquarii (Gray,
1830) and is restricted in distribution to the Bellinger River on the NSW mid north coast. It is listed as a vulnerable species on Schedule 2 of  the  Threatened  Species  Conservation  Act
1995  (TSC  Act)  and  also  as  a  vulnerable species in the Commonwealth Environment Protection  and  Biodiversity  Conservation  Act
1999  (EPBC  Act).  The  aim  of  this  recovery plan is to identify the full range of the taxon, identify and control threats and encourage protection and management of habitat in cooperation with the community.

2.0 Description and distribution

The  genus  Emydura  (Family  Chelidae)  is  a group of short-necked turtle species inhabiting rivers,   streams,   billabongs   and   lagoons   in eastern  and  northern  Australia  and  southern New Guinea (Cogger 1996). The most recent taxonomic treatment of freshwater turtles in NSW	regards	Emydura	macquarii	as		a widespread  species  occurring  in  the rivers of the Murray-Darling Basin as well as coastal rivers of northern NSW and south-eastern Queensland	(Cann	1998).		Populations	of Emydura macquarii from the coastal rivers of northern NSW and south-eastern Queensland were previously considered a separate species, Emydura signata (Cogger 1996). Cann (1998) formally recognised different subspecies of Emydura macquarii for the Brisbane River, Clarence River, Macleay and Hastings Rivers, and Hunter River, but did not formally describe the Bellinger River Emydura as a distinct subspecies, presumably because of a lack of comparative material. Only two specimens are held in the Australian Museum.

Cann (1998) reported that the Bellinger River Emydura was a morphologically distinct form of Emydura macquarii, with the carapace (or upper shell) considerably more flared towards the rear than subspecies of Emydura macquarii from other rivers, a shell length of up to 25 cm and a golden-yellow iris with a yellowish inner ring.

Spencer and Thompson (2000), however, noted that there was much morphological variation within Emydura macquarii and that the flared carapace and iris colour may not be diagnostic characteristics	of	the	Bellinger	River population. Further work is needed to determine any genetic or morphological distinctiveness of the Bellinger River Emydura.

The Bellinger River Emydura may be confused with the two other species of turtle which occur in  the  Bellinger  River,  the  Eastern  Snake- necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis) and the Bellinger River Elseya (Elseya georgesi). It can be distinguished from these species by the combination of short neck (extended head and neck shorter than shell), golden yellow iris, and lighter coloured shell without a serrated rear margin and without black-edged seams on the underside.

The Bellinger River Emydura is known from two sites along a single stretch of the Bellinger River   upstream   from   Thora   (Cann   1993a; Cogger  et  al.  1993;  Spencer  and  Thompson
2000) (Figure 1). It has also been recorded at one site in the vicinity of Bellingen township (Cann pers. comm. 1999), although occurrence at this location may be the result of accidental or intentional release of pet animals (Spencer and Thompson 2000).

Given that the Bellinger River Emydura has an apparently restricted distribution and a small total   population,   exact   locations   are   not provided to protect the taxon from illegal collection.

3.0 Current conservation status

While at the species level Emydura macquarii is widespread in NSW with a current status of common and secure, the Bellinger River population is rare and at risk. The Bellinger River Emydura is possibly one of the rarest turtles in Australia (Cann 1998). The number of animals within the population is unknown but is thought to be small. At the location near Thora a total of only eight individuals have been recorded (Spencer and Thompson 2000). There is  no  evidence  to  suggest  that  the  Bellinger River Emydura’s population has declined or its range contracted; however, given its restricted range and the evidence of threats, it is likely to become	endangered	unless	the	factors threatening its survival cease to operate (NSW Scientific Committee 1997).

4.0 Habitat and ecology

Cann (1993a) reported that the Bellinger River Emydura is omnivorous with a diet including small crustaceans, aquatic insects, filamentous algae and possibly aquatic weed. Spencer and Thompson (2000), however, reported that it is primarily insectivorous, leading to considerable dietary overlap with the Bellinger River Elseya. The animals recorded near Thora on the upper Bellinger River occupy several long, deep pools

#

# DORRIGO

Bindarr i Nat ional
Park

Bellinger Ri ver
Nati onal Park

Dor r igo National Par k

# THOR A

Bongi l Bongil
Nati onal Park

N

KALANG RIVE R

#
BELLINGEN

W 	E
BEL LINGER RIV ER

S

Ganay Natur e Reser ve

#
URUNGA

Legend

Coastline

Juugawaar r i Natur e
Reserve

0	2	4	6	8	10	12     14

Jaani ngga Nat ure
Reserve

KM

Major River s

# 	Towns

NPWS Estate

Figure 1. Bellinger River and associated tributaries.

in moderately broad reaches along a one kilometre  section  of  the  river  (Cogger  et  al.
1993; Spencer and Thompson 2000).

Little information is available concerning the ecology   of   the   Bellinger   River   Emydura. Nesting occurs from October to early January and multiple clutches may be laid (Cann 1998). Elsewhere, populations of Emydura macquarii utilise fallen timber (snags) in rivers as basking sites and lay their eggs in nests excavated in the river banks.

Riparian vegetation is a significant component of aquatic ecosystems (Koehn 1993), and is likely to be important for the Bellinger River Emydura. The values of riparian vegetation include the following:

	providing a major energy and nutrient input to ecosystem functioning in the form of organic matter such as leaves, bark and twigs;
	buffering against high water temperatures by providing shade;
	providing   a   source   of   river   snags   for basking;
	providing nesting sites;
	preventing streambank erosion;
	providing habitat for aquatic species with a terrestrial  component  to  their  lifecycles; and

	filtering sediment and pollutants from run- off from surrounding landuses.

5.0 Relevant legislation

The Bellinger River Emydura is listed as a vulnerable species on Schedule 2 of the TSC Act. The taxon (identified as Emydura signata (Bellinger River)) is also listed as a vulnerable species in the Commonwealth EPBC Act.

6.0 Recovery plan implementation

The TSC Act requires that a government agency must not undertake actions inconsistent with a recovery plan. The authorities responsible for the actions identified in this Plan are listed in Table 1.

The EPBC Act specifies that a Commonwealth agency	must	not	take	any	action	that contravenes a recovery plan.

6.1 Critical habitat

The TSC Act makes provision for the identification and declaration of critical habitat for	species,	  populations	and	ecological communities	listed	as	endangered.	Once declared,  it  becomes  an  offence  to  damage

critical habitat (unless the action is specifically exempted by the TSC Act) and a species impact statement  is  mandatory  for  all  developments and activities proposed within critical habitat.

The Bellinger River Emydura is not currently eligible   for   declaration   of   critical   habitat because it is not listed as endangered under Schedule 1 of the TSC Act.

Under the EPBC Act, critical habitat may be registered  for  any nationally listed  threatened species	or	ecological	community.	When adopting a recovery plan the Federal Minister for the Environment must consider whether to list habitat identified in the recovery plan as being critical to the survival of the species or ecological community.   It is an offence under the EPBC Act for a person to knowingly take an action that will significantly damage critical habitat (unless the EPBC Act specifically exempts the action). This offence only applies to Commonwealth areas.   However an action which is likely to have a significant impact on a listed species is still subject to referral and approval under the EPBC Act.

This  Recovery  Plan  (section  4.0)  identifies those habitat features currently known to be critical to the survival of the Bellinger River Emydura as required by the EPBC Act.

6.2 Environmental assessment

The TSC Act amendments to the environmental assessment provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) require that consent and determining authorities consider	relevant	recovery	plans	when exercising a decision-making function under Parts  4  &  5  of the EP&A Act. Consent and determining authorities must consider the conservation strategy outlined in this plan when considering a proposed development or activity that may affect the Bellinger River Emydura.

Any other action not requiring approval under the EP&A Act, and which is likely to adversely affect the Bellinger River Emydura may be licensed under Part 6 of the TSC Act.

As the Bellinger River Emydura is listed nationally under the EPBC Act, any person proposing to undertake actions likely to have a significant impact on The Bellinger River Emydura should refer the action to the Commonwealth  Minister  for  the  Environment for consideration. The Minister will then decide whether the action requires EPBC Act approval. This is in addition to any State or Local Government approval requirement specified above for the NSW EP&A Act.

Administrative guidelines are available, from Environment Australia, to assist proponents in determining  whether  their  action  is  likely  to have a significant impact.   In cases where the action does not require EPBC Act approval, but will result in the death or injury of a member of the Bellinger River Emydura and the member is in, or on a Commonwealth area, a permit issued by   the   Commonwealth   Minister   under   the EPBC Act, will be required.

7.0 Management issues

7.1 Threats

The three major threats to the Bellinger River Emydura have been identified as predation of nests by foxes (Vulpes vulpes), competition for food  and  other  resources  with  the  Bellinger River Elseya and introduction of captive or pet Emydura  macquarii,  sourced  from elsewhere, into  the  Bellinger  River  population  (Spencer and Thompson 2000).

Other threats and potential threats to the Bellinger River Emydura were listed by Cogger et al. (1993) and the NSW Scientific Committee (1997) as:

	water	pollution	and	increased	river sediment load resulting from activities including logging of native forests in the catchment upstream of the population and grazing and agricultural activities upstream and in the vicinity of the population;
	construction of bridges and fords upstream and in the vicinity of the population;
	extraction	of	river	sand	and	gravel upstream and in the vicinity of the population; and
	line fishing.

Threats and potential threats additional to those listed above are clearing of riparian vegetation, degradation of riparian vegetation and river banks through access by domestic stock and reduced stream flow through extraction of water (Thompson 1983; Cann 1993a; Cann 1993b). It is also possible that sources of water pollution not identified above are a potential threat due to their cumulative effect on river health.

7.2 Social and economic consequences

This	Recovery	Plan	aims	to	encourage community stewardship for the protection and recovery of the Bellinger River Emydura. Implementation of protection and management measures will be based on local community involvement.

The plan recommends consideration of potential impacts on the Bellinger River Emydura by consent and determining authorities considering

developments and activities upstream or in the vicinity of known sites and in areas of potential habitat.

Funding for implementation of recovery actions is specified in Table 2. Implementation has been costed at $34135 (priority 1) and $108445 (priorities 1 and 2).

7.3 Biodiversity benefits

This Recovery Plan aims to promote the Bellinger River Emydura as a flagship species for   management   of   the   Bellinger   River. Through   awareness   of   the   status   of   the Bellinger River Emydura the profile of river management issues and aquatic biodiversity and conservation issues will be raised in the local community.

The   conservation   of   the   Bellinger   River Emydura	as	a	restricted	and	vulnerable population  of  a  widespread  species  will  also raise community awareness of the issue of biodiversity conservation at the genetic or intra- species level.

8.0 Previous actions undertaken

8.1 Survey and research

Opportunistic searches for the Bellinger River Emydura along the length of the Bellinger River have been undertaken over a 20 year period, resulting in the discovery of the taxon at only one confirmed site. A targeted survey of areas of potential habitat in the Bellinger River and tributaries and the Kalang River has identified one  additional  site  (Spencer  and  Thompson
2000).  These two sites are located along a one kilometre   stretch   of   the   Bellinger   River upstream of Thora.

Research   concerning   the   ecology   of   the Bellinger	River	Emydura	has	provided information   on   diet   and   possible   threats (Spencer and Thompson 2000). Blood samples from  captured  individuals  have  been  lodged with the Australian museum for future genetic studies and to ensure the preservation of Bellinger River Emydura DNA.

8.2 Action plan

A species recovery outline for the Bellinger River Emydura was prepared by Cogger et al. (1993), summarising the available information concerning the taxon, listing threats and identifying recovery objectives and actions. Information from the Action Plan has been included in this recovery plan.

8.3 Habitat protection and management

The	Bellinger	Catchment	Management
Committee  (BCMC)  promoted  a  number  of

habitat protection measures on private lands, including the protection of riparian vegetation and  protection  of  water  quality.  The  Upper North Coast Catchment Management Board (CMB)	has	recently	replaced	Catchment Management Committees and will continue to honour BCMC commitments. The Mid North Coast Water Management Committee has been formed to prepare a River Management Plan as the basis for ecologically sustainable water resource management in the future.

In 2000, the Bellinger Care Coordinating Committee received $56 400 from the National Heritage	Trust	to	fund	riparian	zone management in the Bellinger catchment.   The NPWS provided a further $10 000 for this work in 2001.  This work will assist in protecting and enhancing  potential  habitat  of  the  Bellinger River Emydura.

Some areas of known and potential habitat for the Bellinger River Emydura are protected in Bellinger River National Park.

Riparian vegetation in Bellingen Shire is protected	under	the	Native	Vegetation Conservation Act 1997 (NVC Act) and the current  Bellingen  Local  Environmental  Plan
1990 (LEP).

State Forests NSW (SFNSW) undertaking forestry activities in wood production forests in the Bellinger River catchment protect riparian buffers   and   implement   a   range   of   other measures to control soil erosion and protect water quality as outlined in the relevant Environmental  Pollution  Control  Licence  and the Threatened Species Licence for the Lower North East Region of the Forestry and National Park Estate Act 1998 negotiated for the Integrated	Forestry	Operations	Approval (NPWS and SFNSW 1999).

8.4 Community awareness

The Bellinger River Emydura has received considerable attention in the local media since listing	as	a	vulnerable	species,	raising community awareness of the status of the species.

A Bellingen Turtle Group, with representatives from the local community, National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Department of Land and Water Conservation (DLWC), has been formed to promote the conservation of the Bellinger   River   Emydura   and   other   turtle species in the local community.

8.5 Licensing of protected fauna

As protected fauna, Emydura macquarii that are sourced   from   outside   the   Bellinger   River

catchment and are being kept as pets must be licensed under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPW Act).

9.0 Species’ ability to recover

Given the current information base, the ability of the taxon to recover is unknown, but is considered likely to be positive. One new site has been reported since the Bellinger River Emydura was listed under the TSC Act in February 1997.

10.0 Recovery objectives

The overall objective of this recovery plan is to promote the recovery of the Bellinger River Emydura in the wild. Specific objectives for the first five years of this recovery plan are listed below.

	Objective 1: to	encourage	community stewardship	of	  the	conservation	and recovery of the Bellinger River Emydura;
	Objective 2: to identify the full range of the taxon;
	Objective 3: to  obtain  information  on  the taxon’s biology and ecology relevant to its recovery;
	Objective 4: to identify and manage threats to the taxon;
	Objective 5: to  encourage  monitoring  and protection of water quality within the Bellinger River catchment; and
	Objective 6: to   encourage   and   assist   in improving protection and management of the taxon and its habitat.

11.0 Recovery performance criteria

Recovery performance criteria are listed below.

	Criterion 1: community  awareness  of  the status of the Bellinger River Emydura, and community participation in its conservation and recovery, is increased;
	Criterion 2: survey	for	additional populations is undertaken;
	Criterion 3: research  providing information on   the   taxon’s   ecology   and   biology relevant to recovery is supported;
	Criterion 4: control	and	abatement	of identified threats is supported;
	Criterion 5: monitoring  and  protection  of water quality in the upper Bellinger catchment is supported; and
	Criterion 6: the	protection	and management  of  the  taxon  and  its  habitat and potential habitat is improved.

12.0 Recovery actions

12.1 Survey and research

1.	Monitoring of the recruitment of juveniles and subadults into the population will be undertaken using a combination of trapping and nest marking. This will be undertaken in	conjunction	with	monitoring	the effectiveness of fox control outlined in the NSW Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by the Red Fox (NPWS in prep), in which the Bellinger River Emydura has been identified as a high priority species for management  actions.  (Objectives  3  and
6/Performance criteria 3 and 6).

2.	Further  research  to  provide  information concerning the biology and ecology of the Bellinger River Emydura relevant to the management	of	threats	and	the conservation of the taxon is supported. Research priorities are:

	long term studies to determine specific habitat requirements;
	DNA   analysis   to   determine   if   the Bellinger	River	Emydura	is	a distinctive	 sub-group	of	Emydura macquarii or if it has been introduced from elsewhere;
	determination  of  the  full  impact  of external	threats,	including	fox predation;
	determination	of		the	extent	  of interspecific competition between the Bellinger	River	Elseya		and	the Bellinger River Emydura; and
	extended	dietary		analysis		 of	the Bellinger	 River		Elseya	and	the Bellinger River Emydura, including prey	availability		    and		ecology. (Objectives		3	and	6/Performance criteria 3 and 6).
Outcome
Increased  knowledge  of  distribution  of  the taxon and its habitat, monitoring of recruitment levels, and collection of additional information to assist in the conservation and management of the taxon and its habitat.

12.2 Protection of population and habitat

3.	Bellingen	 Shire	Council		(BSC)	and determining	authorities		  considering proposed	developments	and	activities upstream and in the vicinity of known sites of  the  Bellinger  River  Emydura,  and  in areas of potential habitat, will consider potential impacts on the taxon, including impacts  on  water  quality,  river  sediment

load and riparian vegetation. (Objectives 4-
6/Performance criteria 4-6).

4.	NPWS	will	recommend	to	relevant approval authorities that proposed logging activities on private lands upstream and in the vicinity of known sites of the Bellinger River Emydura, and in areas of potential habitat, will require riparian buffers and other   relevant   soil   erosion   and   water quality protection measures equivalent to those observed by SFNSW. (Objectives 4-
6/Performance criteria 4-6).

5.	Identify  areas  of  riparian  vegetation  that require remedial works upstream and in the vicinity of known sites of the Bellinger River Emydura, and in areas of potential habitat, and encourage and provide support to landowners undertaking measures to protect, manage and enhance riparian vegetation. (Objectives 4-6/Performance criteria 4-6).

6.	Authorities		with	responsibility		for management	 of	  the	Bellinger	River catchment	will	consider	inclusion		of protection of water quality and habitat values as primary strategic outcomes. (Objectives 4-6/Performance criteria 4-6).

7.	NPWS  will  liaise  with  NSW  Fisheries regarding riverine habitat management activities such as desnagging in the vicinity of known sites and in areas of potential habitat of the Bellinger River Emydura. (Objective 6/Performance criterion 6).

8.	Monitoring and protection of water quality in the upper Bellinger River catchment will be	supported.	(Objectives	5	and
6/Performance criteria 5 and 6).

9.	Control of foxes in the vicinity of known sites of the Bellinger River Emydura will be	undertaken.	The	Bellinger	River Emydura has been identified as a high priority species for fox control under the NSW Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by   the   Red   Fox   (NPWS   in   prep.) (Objectives 4 and 6/Performance criteria 4 and 6).

Outcome
Increased protection of taxon and its habitat.

12.3 Community awareness and involvement

10. Development  and  implementation  of  a community		education	and	  awareness program	to	encourage	community awareness concerning the status of the Bellinger River Emydura and to provide information concerning threats, and actions

which can be taken to control threats. NPWS,	in	consultation	with	other authorities, will prepare a brochure for distribution  in  the  local  community  with the following components:

   promote the Bellinger River Emydura as a flagship species for ecologically sustainable	management	of	the Bellinger River catchment;
   provide   information   concerning   the value and management of riparian vegetation;
 provide information concerning the potential impact on the Bellinger River Emydura   of  the  release  of  pet  or captive Emydura macquarii into the Bellinger River catchment;
   encourage and assist the community to identify and report additional sites supporting	the	Bellinger	River Emydura; and
 provide information concerning the potential impact on the Bellinger River Emydura  of  line  fishing,  particularly the use of stainless steel hooks (which do not rust). (Objectives 1, 2 and 4-
6/Performance criteria 1, 2 and 4-6).

11. Activities by the community to improve water  quality  in  the  Bellinger  catchment will  be  encouraged.  (Objectives  1  and
5/Performance criteria 1 and 5).

Outcome
Increased	community	awareness	of	the Bellinger River Emydura and involvement in its recovery.

13.0 Implementation

Table	1	allocates	responsibility	for	the implementation of recovery actions specified in this plan to relevant government agencies for a period of five years from the time this recovery plan is adopted.

14.0 Preparation details

This   document   was   prepared   by   Michael Murphy	and	Shane	Ruming,	  Threatened Species Officers NPWS Northern Directorate in consultation with the Bellinger Catchment Management		Committee.	Background information  and  assistance  was  provided  by Ross Sadlier, Ricky-John Spencer, John Cann and Stephen Hull.

15.0 Review date

This  Recovery  Plan  will  be  reviewed  within five years of the date of publication.

16.0 References

Cann,  J.  (1993a).  The  Bellinger  and  Orara Rivers  Water  Supply  Scheme:  An  Aquatic Study of the Freshwater Turtles. Unpublished report to Department of Works, Coffs Harbour NSW.

Cann, J. (1993b). Do not take our freshwater turtles	for	granted.	Pages	363-365	in Herpetology in Australia: a diverse discipline. Edited by D. Lunney and D. Ayers. Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Mosman, NSW.

Cann, J. (1998). Australian Freshwater Turtles. Beaumont Publishing Pty Ltd, Singapore.

Cogger,   H.,   Cameron,   E.,   Sadlier,  R.  and Eggler,   P.   (1993).   The   Action   Plan   for Australian	Reptiles.	Australian	Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra.

Cogger, H. G. (1996). Reptiles and Amphibians of  Australia  (5th  edition  with  amendments). Port Melbourne, Victoria.

Koehn, J. D. (1993). Fish need trees. Victorian
Naturalist 110 (6): 255-257.

NSW  National  Parks  and  Wildlife  Service and State Forests of NSW (1999). Terms of License	Under	the	Threatened	Species Conservation Act for the Integrated Forestry Operations  Approval  for  the  Lower  North East Forest Agreement Region.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (in prep.). The NSW Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes). National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville.

NSW Scientific Committee (1997). Final Determination to list the turtle Emydura macquarii	(Bellinger	River	form)	as	a vulnerable species on Schedule 2 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. Gazettal date 21/2/97.

Spencer, R. and Thompson, M.B. (2000). The Bellinger River Emydura Survey: The Ecology and Status of Emydura macquarii and Elseya georgesi in the Bellinger River.   Unpublished report to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Thompson,   M.   (1983).   Populations   of   the Murray  River  Tortoise  Emydura  (Chelodina): the effects of egg predation by the Red Fox Vulpes vulpes. Aust. Wildl. Res. 11: 491-499.

17.0 Acronyms used in this document

BCMC – Bellinger Catchment Management
Committee

BSC – Bellingen Shire Council

CMB – Upper North Coast Catchment
Management Board

DLWC – Department of Land and Water
Conservation

EP&A Act – NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979

EPBC Act – Commonwealth Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999

LEP – Local Environmental Plan

NPW Act – NSW National Parks and Wildlife
Act 1974

NPWS – NSW National Parks and Wildlife
Service

NVC Act – NSW Native Vegetation
Conservation Act 1997

SFNSW – State Forests of NSW

TSC Act – NSW Threatened Species
Conservation Act 1995

18.0 Implementation Tables

Table 1. Responsibility for implementation, timing and priority of recovery actions for five year life of plan. Priority is categorised as 1 (essential) or 2 (highly desirable).

Description	Responsibility for implementation	Timeframe	Priority	
12.1 Survey and Research
1.	Monitoring of recruitment
2.	Research into biology and ecology	
NPWS NPWS	
Life of Plan
Years 1 and 2	
1
2	
12.2 Protect Populations and
Habitat
3.	Consideration of species in environmental impact assessment
4.	Protect water quality in private logging operations
5.	Support protection of riparian vegetation by landholders
6.	Water quality management

7.	Management of riverine habitat
8.	Water quality monitoring
9.	Fox control	

BSC and other approval authorities

NPWS

CMB, Landcare groups and other community groups CMB, BSC and determining authorities
NPWS DLWC NPWS	

Life of plan

Life of plan Life of plan Life of plan Life of plan
Life of plan
Life of plan	

1

1

1

1

1
2
2	
12.3 Community Awareness
10.  Community awareness brochure
11.  Community water quality protection	
NPWS DLWC	
Years 1 and 3
Life of plan	
1
1	

Table 2. Estimated costs of implementing recovery actions. Costs presented are unsecured unless otherwise noted.

Tasks	Item	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5	
Survey and
Research	1.  monitoring of recruitment
2.  research	6027+
5000	6027+
5000	6027+
-	6027+
-	6027+
-	
Protect Populations and
Habitat	3.  environ. impact assessment
4.  private logging protocols
5.  riparian veg. protection
6.  water quality management
7.  riparian management
8.  water quality monitoring
9.  fox control	✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
●
12862	✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
●
12862	✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
●
12862	✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
●
12862	✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
●
12862	
Community
Awareness	10.community brochure
11.water quality protection	2000
●	-
●	2000
●	-
●	-
●	
Annual costs of implementing Plan	25889	23889	20889	18889	18889	
Total cost of Recovery Plan	108445	

+	Funded through Fox Threat Abatement Plan
  No direct cost; however, relevant party or public authority must consider action
  Costs covered by agency core duties

43 Bridge Street Hurstville 2220 (02) 9585 6444