INTERIM RECOVERY PLAN NO. 60 

Corymbia calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands (Swan Coastal Plain Community type 3c - Gibson et al. 1994)

INTERIM RECOVERY PLAN 
2000-2003 

by 
Val English and John Blyth 

January 2000 
Department of Conservation and Land Management Western Australian Threatened Species and Communities Unit PO Box 51, Wanneroo, WA 6946 

Department of Conservation and 
Land Management 

FOREWORD 

Interim  Recovery   Plans  (IRPs)  are  developed   within  the  framework   laid  down  in  Department   of
Conservation and Land Management (CALM) Policy Statements Nos 44 and 50

IRPs outline the recovery  actions that are required  to urgently  address those threatening  processes  most affecting the ongoing survival of threatened taxa or ecological communities, and begin the recovery process.

CALM is committed to ensuring that Critically Endangered ecological communities are conserved through the preparation  and implementation  of Recovery  Plans  or Interim  Recovery  Plans  and by ensuring  that conservation action commences as soon as possible and always within one year of endorsement of that rank by CALM's Director of Nature Conservation.

This Interim Recovery Plan will operate from 31January 2000 but will remain in force until withdrawn or replaced. It is intended that, if the ecological community is still ranked Critically Endangered, this IRP will be replaced by a full Recovery Plan after three years.

The  provision  of  funds  identified  in  this  Interim  Recovery  Plan  is  dependent  on  budgetary  and  other constraints affecting CALM, as well as the need to address other priorities.

Information in this IRP was accurate at January 2000.

SUMMARY

Name: Corymbia calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands

Description: Plant community located on heavy soils of the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain between Bullsbrook,  and  Waterloo  near  Bunbury.  Dominant  species  in  the  community  are  the  trees  Corymbia calophylla  and  occasionally  Eucalyptus  wandoo;  the  shrubs  Xanthorrhoea  preissii,  Acacia  pulchella, Dryandra nivea, Gompholobium  marginatum,  and Hypocalymma  angustifolia  and the herbs  Burchardia umbellata,  Cyathochaeta  avenacea and  Neurachne  allopecuroidea  (Gibson  et  al.  1994).  The introduced species Briza maxima and Romulea rosea are also common.

CALM Region(s): Swan, Central Forest

CALM District(s): Perth, Mundaring, Mornington

Shire(s): Swan, Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Waroona, Dardanup

Recovery Team: To be established. The team will be chaired by a CALM Swan Region representative. The
Recovery Team will report annually to CALM’s Corporate Executive.

Current status : Assessed 21 November 1995 as Critically Endangered

Habitat requirements : Marri (Corymbia calophylla) dominated plant communities were probably some of the most common on heavy soils on the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain (Keighery and Trudgen 1992; Gibson et al. 1994). Gibson et al. (1994) recognised three distinct communities in this group. The floristic composition of these communities varies with rainfall, with the Corymbia calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands occurring on the driest of the sites.

IRP Objective(s):  To maintain  or improve  the overall  condition  of the plant  community  in the known locations and reduce the severity of threat, with the aim of reclassifying it from Critically Endangered to Endangered.

Criteria for success:

 	An increase in the area of this community under conservation management.
 	Maintenance in terms of diversity and basic composition of native species (as described by Gibson et al.
1994)  as  well  as  hydrological  and  biological  processes,  taking  account  of  natural  change  of  the community over time.
 	Improvement in terms of reduction of numbers of exotic species and of other threatening processes as defined in this document.

Criterion  for failure : Significant  loss  of area  or further  modification  of occurrences  of the threatened ecological community.

Summary of Recovery Actions :

1. Establish Recovery Team	14. Alter purpose of reserve 23953	
2. Liaison with landholders, management bodies and managers	15. Implement drainage strategy	
3. Clarify and monitor boundaries	16. Control rabbits	
4. Disseminate information	17. Place care, control and management of
Occurrence 5 in Shire	
5. Install markers	18. Place care, control and management of UCL in
NPNCA	
6. Develop fire management strategy	19. Monitor flora	
7. Implement fire management strategy, implement dieback hygiene	20. Monitor weed populations	
8. Implement weed control	21. Monitor for dieback	

9. Fence occurrences	22. Replant / rehabilitate	
10. Transfer management of occurrences if necessary	23. Assess hydrological information	
11. Develop Management Plans	24. Conduct research (cost to be determined)	
12. Amalgamate unallocated Crown land (Swan Locations 11314 and 11764), and reserve 6955 if necessary, with reserve 23953	25. Report on management strategies	
13. Negotiate land swaps for reserve 6955		

1.	BACKGROUND

1.1	History, defining characteristics of ecological community, conservation significance and status

A series  of Marri  (Corymbia  calophylla)  dominated  plant  communities  occur  on  heavy  soils  between Waterloo (near Bunbury) and Bullsbrook. These vegetation associations are considered to have been some of the most extensive types on the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain, but have suffered extensive clearing and are now regionally rare (Keighery and  Trudgen 1992; Department of Environmental  Protection 1996; Gibson  et  al. 1994). The dominant  species in the  overstorey  vary  between  the  three  community  types recognised by Gibson  et al. (1994).  The wettest sites are dominated by  Corymbia calophylla  and  Kingia australis; the intermediate type by Corymbia calophylla and Eucalyptus marginata; and the driest type (this one) is dominated by Corymbia calophylla and Xanthorrhoea preissii. The driest community is associated with the lowest species richness. The wettest type is also critically endangered, and the intermediate group is vulnerable.

Seven occurrences of the Corymbia calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands have been located through extensive survey of the southern Swan Coastal Plain that involved compilation and analysis of  data  from  over  1,100  plots  (Keighery  and  Trudgen  1992;  Gibson  et  al.  1994;  Department   of Environmental Protection 1996). All of the occurrences within the area considered under Perth’s  Bushplan that contain the  community  are included in the Perth’s  Bushplan  document  (State  of Western  Australia
1998). This document provides that any proposals likely to affect occurrences of threatened ecological communities  will be dealt with through the  Bushplan  process,  coordinated  between  the  Department  of Environmental Protection, Ministry for Planning, CALM and the Water and Rivers Commision. The aim of Bushplan is to protect sites listed within the Bushplan document (State of Western Australia 1998).

There are only approximately 43 ha of the community remaining. Of this, about four hectares occur on land managed by the Commonwealth, 27 hectares are on lands managed by Shire Councils, ten hectares are in reserves not placed in any management body or on unallocated Crown land, and about 0.3 hectares occur in a nature reserve. Some recently recognised additional occurrences of the community are included in Perth’s Bushplan (State of Western Australia 1998) but are not considered in this IRP. These will be assessed as part of the implementation of this plan.

Dominant species (as per Gibson et al. 1994) are the trees Corymbia calophylla , and occasionally Eucalyptus wandoo; the shrubs Xanthorrhoea preissii, Acacia pulchella , Dryandra nivea, Gompholobium  marginatum, and  Hypocalymma   angustifolia;   and  the  herbs   Burchardia   umbellata,   Cyathochaeta   avenacea  and Neurachne allopecuroidea. The introduced species Briza maxima and Romulea rosea are also common, but weed levels in most occurrences are currently quite low. A full list of taxa that occur in at least 50% of the plots in the community is at Appendix 1.

The most significant threat to the community is clearing, as only 0.3 hectares of the type occurs in a secure conservation reserve and a third of the total area of the community remaining is unvested or on unallocated Crown land. Recreation reserve 23953, vested in the Shire of Swan that contains Occurrence 3 (refer Section
1.2 for descriptions of locations) is, however, managed mainly for conservation and recreation.

Dieback caused by Phytophthora  species is not recorded from occurrences of the community, but may be present.

Too frequent fire is another major threat to the community. Fires have occurred recently in the occurrences at the reserve on Talbot Road, Stratton and at Waterloo (Occurrences 3 and 7 respectively, see Table 1).

The only occurrence located in the  publicly-owned  conservation  estate is at Ellen Brook Nature Reserve. This area is currently managed primarily for the Western Swamp Tortoise (Burbidge and Kuchling 1994). A number  of  management  actions  undertaken  for  the  tortoise  will  also  aid  the  conservation  of  plant communities (refer Section 1.2).

Several occurrences (Occurrences 1, 3 and 4; refer Table 1 below) are surrounded by highly urbanised areas. The frequency of fires, impact of recreational activities and incidence of illegal rubbish dumping and wood cutting are generally increased in urban zones. These factors can all lead to degradation of plant communities through increasing weed invasion and alteration of structure, species composition or loss of component taxa.

Although the occurrences are on the driest sites occupied by Marri communities on the Swan Coastal Plain, Occurrences 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 occur on very low lying land. This may predispose the sites to the impacts of hydrological  changes  such  as  increasing  inundation  and  salinisation  as  a  consequence  of  clearing  or urbanisation of the catchment.

Table 1: Extent and location of occurrences (from north to south)

Occurrence Number	Location	Land Tenure	Estimated area	
Occurrence 1	Bullsbrook; Pearce Airforce
Base	Commonwealth of Australia ­ Department of Defence	4 ha	
Occurrence 2	Ellen Brook Nature Reserve
27620; Great Northern Hwy, Upper Swan	National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority (NPNCA)	0.3 ha	
Occurrence 3	Reserve 23953 - Talbot Road, Stratton	Shire of Swan	27 ha (area estimated from Keighery and Keighery 1993)	
Occurrence 4	Swan Location 11764; Middle
Swan

Cemetery reserve 6955; Middle
Swan	Unallocated Crown land

Metropolitan Cemeteries Board	3.5 ha (areas estimated from Keighery and Keighery 1993)
0.5 ha	
Occurrence 5	Reserve 23793 and Part Lot
101/3 (Plan 3950); Duck Pond
Road Peel Estate	Not placed in any management body	3.6 ha	
Occurrence 6	Reserve 22215; Yarloop	Shire of Waroona	0.5 ha	
Occurrence 7	Reserve 23376; Waterloo	Not placed in any management body	4 ha	

1.2	Description of Occurrences

Wandoo dominates in the overstorey in Occurrence 1. This occurrence is located on land managed by the Commonwealth Department of Defence. Buildings owned by the Department of Defence occur to the west of the site on the opposite side of Great Northern  Highway, and suburban housing occurs to the north and south of the remnant adjacent to the roads that surround the remnant. The approximately triangular remnant containing the community covers about 21 hectares. Great Northern Highway is immediately adjacent to the west,  Chittering  Road  to the east,  and local  roads  occur  to the north  and south  of the remnant.  Litter, including garden waste that increases weed invasion, is deposited into the remnant from surrounding urban areas.

Occurrence  2 is located  within  a Nature  Reserve  that is managed  primarily  for the conservation  of the threatened  fauna species, the Western Swamp Tortoise  Pseudemydura  umbrina (Burbidge  and Kuchling
1994). This reserve also contains the community ‘herb rich shrublands in clay pans’ (community type 8 as described by Gibson et al. 1994) that has been assessed as vulnerable (English and Blyth 1997). Specific land  management  practices  described  in  the  Recovery  Plan  for  the  tortoise  are  likely  to  also  aid  the conservation  of the threatened  plant communities  in the reserve. Actions such as fencing to prevent fox reinvasion,  removal  of the drain that channels  storm water into the reserve,  and prevention  of wildfires

wherever possible are likely to aid the recovery of plant communities  in the reserve. Fencing is likely to prevent degradation from overuse by recreational users. Minimising the frequency of fires and the flow of nutrients from drains would help prevent weed invasion and probably help maintain species composition.

Highly  invasive  weeds  occur  very  close  to  or  within  the  critically  endangered  plant  community  in  the reserve. The use of herbicides to eradicate these weeds, taking care not to impact the tortoise or its food animals, is likely to be a necessary part of the management of the critically endangered and the vulnerable plant communities in this reserve.

Occurrence 3 is located in Talbot Road Recreation reserve 23953. This reserve, covering about 67 hectares, is between Talbot Road to the east and Stratton Boulevard to the west. The remainder of the reserve contains another ecological community type also assessed as critically endangered (English and Blyth 1997). This community type was described as ‘eastern shrublands and woodlands’ (type 20c) by Gibson et al. (1994).

Unallocated Crown land (Swan Location 11314) occurs along the  south-west boundary of reserve 23953, with O’Connor Road and housing occurring adjacent to the remainder of the southern boundary. Cemetery reserve 6955 occurs to the south of the unallocated Crown land. Another section of unallocated Crown land (Swan Location 11764) lies adjacent to the south eastern boundary of the cemetery reserve. All of these areas are contiguous, and contain areas of the other critically endangered community, type 20c (Gibson  et  al.
1994). The entire remnant consisting of four separate areas of land tenure is referred to as ‘Talbot Road
bushland’. Other minor reserves including a compensation basin, and other drainage areas managed by the Water Corporation, and an unused road reserve managed by the Shire of Swan, also occur within the Talbot Road bushland. Another contiguous area of remnant vegetation occurs on  Homeswest land to the north of reserve 23953 in an area that is planned for development.

The Talbot Road recreation  reserve, and the remainder of this remnant is heavily utilised by walkers for recreation. Not all of the boundaries of reserve 23953 are fenced. The reserve has been frequently burnt by illegally  lit fires in the last five years. Occurrence  3 also contains  the Priority  3 taxa (see Glossary  for definitions of terms)  Synaphea acutiloba and Synaphea pinnata.  (Gibson  et  al. 1994). The Priority  flora Isopogon  drummondii  (Priority  three),  Lambertia  multiflora  var  darlingensis  ms  (Priority  three),  and Thysanotus glaucus (Priority 4) occur within community type 20c in the Talbot Road bushland (Gibson et al.
1994). Keighery and Keighery (1993) have recorded a total of 366 native plant taxa in Talbot Road bushland.

Occurrence 4 is located in the southern most parcel of unallocated Crown land and in the adjacent Cemetery reserve within Talbot Road bushland (Gibson  et al. 1994; Keighery and Keighery 1993). Blanchard Road occurs to the south with houses on the opposite side of the road. Houses also occur to the east and north, and an old disused gravel pit that is rehabilitating naturally is to the west side of this remnant. The Priority 3 taxa (see Glossary) - Hakea myrtoides and Synaphea acutiloba occur within this occurrence.

Occurrence 5, the Duck Pond Road site in Peel Estate, is surrounded by roads. Mundijong Road is to the south and Duck Pond Road and the old Mundijong Road alignment to the north, with cleared agricultural lands on the opposite side of each road. This community occupies most of the remnant between the two roads. Another community identified by Gibson et al. (1994) ‘dense shrublands on clay flats’ (type 9) that has been assessed as vulnerable (English and Blyth 1997) occupies the remainder. Part of community 3c occurs in an unvested reserve, with the remainder on unallocated Crown land. The Shire of Serpentine - Jarrahdale manages the whole remnant, as well as the adjacent roadside remnant on Mundijong Road. One species of Declared Rare Flora (see Glossary for definitions) and Acacia lasiocarpha var. bracteata  (Priority
1) also occur within the Duck Pond Road remnant (Keighery 1996; Keighery et al. 1997).

The areas of remnant vegetation on the road verges along Mundijong Road between the Duck Pond Road occurrence and Webb Road to the east are extremely important as they represent one of only two remaining linear remnants that span the alluvial soils of the southern Swan Coastal Plain. The other remnant of this type occurs on the  Wonnerup-Tutunup  Road in Busselton.  The catena of plant communities  that spanned  the southern Swan Coastal Plain is only represented in these two areas (Gibson et al. 1994).

Keighery (1996) provides a detailed treatment of the conservation  values and management  guidelines for roadside remnants on Mundijong Road.

Occurrence 6 at Yarloop is within a four hectare remnant in a Drainage and Camping reserve. However, the community only covers a small proportion of the reserve, with the remainder being a vulnerable community type (English and Blyth 1997). This other type is termed ‘dense shrublands on clay flats’ - type 9 as defined by Gibson et al. (1994). South Western Highway is to the west of the remnant, with cleared farmlands to the north and east, and an area of pines on private land to the south.

Occurrence 7 occupies most of the northern portion of an unmanaged Government Requirements reserve that covers a total of almost eight hectares. The remainder of the reserve contains another two community types identified by Gibson  et  al. (1994).  ‘Herb  rich  shrublands  in  clay  pans’  (type  8)  has  been  assessed  as vulnerable (English and Blyth 1997), and ‘deeper wetlands on heavy soils’ (type 13) is likely to be lower risk as defined by English and Blyth (1997). This reserve was burnt in early 1997 in a series of fires caused by a train passing on the adjacent rail line. The reserve is a long narrow remnant, sandwiched between  South Western Highway to the north and the rail line to the south. A Declared Rare Flora taxon occurs in the reserve adjacent to the rail line. A weed-infested drain divides the reserve east-west. Much of the area of the deeper wetlands in the reserve is infested with the invasive weed Watsonia.

Data  on  all  of  the  above  occurrences  of  threatened  ecological  communities  are  held  in  the  threatened ecological community (TEC)database at CALM, at the Wildlife Research Centre, Woodvale.

Some additional occurrences  of several threatened  ecological  communities,  including type 3c, have been identified recently. This has occurred during the integrated process of updating the ‘System 6’ Conservation Through Reserves System Recommendations and the Ministry for Planning Urban Bushland Strategic Plan, resulting in Perth’s Bushplan (State of Western Australia 1998). Most of these newly found occurrences are small and/or degraded (B. Keighery1  personal communication) and additional information is required to enter them on the TEC database. All occurrences of threatened ecological communities are a focus for protection in Perth’s Bushplan document (State of Western Australia 1998).

1.3	Biological and ecological characteristics

This  community  occurs  on  the  driest  of  the  soils,  and  the  lowest  rainfall  sites  of  the  group  of  Marri dominated communities that occur on the heavy soils on the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain (Gibson et al. 1994). Soils on which the community occurs are still relatively wet, however.

Plant taxa that commonly occur in the community are listed at Appendix 1. The mean species richness for the ten plots in the community is 48 species in 100 square metres (Gibson  et al. 1994). An average of six weed species were recorded per plot, which is higher than in the two other Marri dominated communities in the group, but is still relatively low.

Occurrences 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 all occur on the Guildford Unit of the Fluviatile Deposit group as mapped by Churchward and  McArthur  (1980).  The soils  are otherwise  known  as the Guildford  clays.  This Unit is described  as  “Flat  Plain  with  medium  textured  deposits;  yellow  older  duplex  soils”  (Churchward  and McArthur 1980).

Occurrences  3  and  4  occur  on  or  near  the  junction  of  the  Guildford  Unit  and  the  Forrestfield  Unit (Churchward and McArthur 1980). The Forrestfield Unit of the Ridge Hill Shelf group is described by them as “laterised foothills of the Darling Scarp characterised by gravelly and sandy spurs”.

1.4	Hydrology

Hydrological data on this community are limited. Available data are derived from the personal observations of  those  who  have  surveyed  the  plant  community  (Gibson  et  al.  1994;  Department  of  Environmental Protection 1996), and from information in reports such as Davidson (1995).

The hydrology of specific areas of the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain has been altered through the construction of drains to lower the watertable (Keighery and  Trudgen 1992). Despite a likely increase in

1   Bronwen Keighery, Department of Environmental Protection, 141 St Georges Terrace, Perth, 6000

recharge  due to clearing  and urbanisation,  drainage  has probably  resulted  in an overall  lowering  of the watertable in localised areas (B. Keighery Personal communication.). Altered periods or depths of ponding may affect the timing of growth of herbs in the understorey, and may also affect the composition of the community by favouring different plant species.

Occurrences  frequently  become inundated  in the wetter months due to rainfall and surface flows as the community  occurs  mainly  on  soils  that  contain  a  clay  layer  that  is  quite  impervious.  In  some  areas groundwater is very close to the surface. On Duck Pond Road (Occurrence 5) for example, groundwater is 0­
3 metres below the surface at the end of spring (Davidson 1995). Surface waters may link to groundwater in the wetter months at such sites and may influence the quantity and quality of water on the surface of the sites at this time of the year.

Levels of between 1,500 and 2,000 milligrams per litre total dissolved salts (mg/L TDS) have been recorded for the shallow Leederville aquifer in the area of Occurrence 5 (Davidson 1995). In such areas, Guildford Clay soils inhibit the infiltration of rainfall and cause concentration of salts by evaporation (Davidson 1995). Apart  from  Occurrence  5,  none  of  the  occurrences  of  this  community  is  included  in  areas  studied  in Davidson (1995). Some sites are very close to that study area, however, and water quality and groundwater levels can be extrapolated. The salinity level in Occurrences 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 is likely to be between 500 and
1,000 mg/L TDS. The depth to groundwater in Occurrences 1, 3 and 4 is likely to be greater than 12 metres, whereas it is likely to be 0 to 3 metres in Occurrence 2 (Ellen Brook Nature Reserve). The water level and quality in Occurrences 6 and 7 are not known.

Where the shallow aquifers are saline and groundwater is in contact with the surface in winter, clearing, and particularly urbanisation, have the potential to increase the depth or period of  ponding.  Evaporation  of a greater volume of water may then increase surface salinisation.  Occurrence 5 in particular may be under threat from such processes.  Water quality  and levels in Ellen Brook Nature Reserve  (occurrence  3) are currently monitored as part of the Recovery Plan for the Western Swamp Tortoise (Burbidge and Kuchling
1994), and any required remedial actions would be identified through this program. Development around the Nature Reserve is proposed to be controlled through the development of an Environment Protection Policy by the Environmental Protection Authority.

1.5	Threatening processes

Clearing

Clearing for agriculture has been extensive on the heavy soils on the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain ­ with some 97% of all vegetation in the area cleared historically (Keighery and Trudgen 1992; CALM 1990). The Marri dominated communities on these heavy soils were probably some of the most common on this portion of the plain but are now very rare and are likely to be at least 90% cleared (Gibson  et al. 1994). Future proposals to clear are more likely to be associated with developments for housing, roads, or industry. If proposed developments  are likely to affect occurrences of threatened ecological communities  they will require assessment under the Bushplan process (State of Western Australia 1998).

One of the occurrences in Middle Swan (Occurrence 4) appears to have been partially cleared and gravel extracted from the site. Other areas of the community were probably cleared historically for gravel extraction or other uses, and have been grazed or otherwise disturbed since and have not regenerated. Most occurrences are surrounded by cleared land.

Altered fire regimes

Fires are likely to have a significant effect on the vegetation composition in Mediterranean ecosystems (Gill et al.  1981).  It is also  likely  that  the fire  regime  in the remnants  containing  the occurrences  has been modified  since European  settlement  to more frequent fires, especially  hot burns.  Talbot  Road  bushland, which contains Occurrences 3 and 4, is frequently burnt by vandals, and Occurrence 7 was burnt by wildfire in November 1997.

These Mediterranean ecosystems would be adapted to fire and indeed may require a particular fire regime to assist regeneration. If an appropriate frequency of fires is exceeded however, species that are obligate seeders may not have sufficient time to flower and produce seed. If the time between fires is too long, obligate seeders may become senescent and unable to regenerate. Therefore, fires must occur at appropriate intervals and possibly at the appropriate season and intensity to maintain the integrity of plant communities.

Disturbance events such as fire increase weed invasion, especially in small remnants, as discussed below. The risk of fire is also generally increased by the presence of grassy weeds in the understorey, as they are likely to be more flammable than many of the original native species in the herb layer.

Weed invasion

Weed invasion is usually enhanced by disturbances such as fires and grazing if weed propagules are present. All of the occurrences of this community are close to weed sources such as urban or agricultural areas and would be vulnerable to weed invasion following any disturbance. Small remnants often exhibit surprising resistance to weed invasion particularly if left undisturbed, however (Keighery 1996). In this community, this  relates  to  the  density  of  cover,  seasonal  inundation  and  the  hardness  of  the  soils  in  summer,  and alteration of any of these factors reduces the ability to resist weed invasion (Keighery 1996).

There are tracks through most occurrences of the community. Weeds have invaded to varying extents along these tracks and such areas should be considered priority areas for weed control. In particular, piles of soil scraped from tracks generally contain high concentrations of weeds and act as a source of weed invasion. Such piles should be avoided when tracks are cleared, or be removed where they already exist.

A weed control program would be necessary to maintain or improve the condition of occurrences of the community in the long term. Panetta and Hopkins (1991) state that the aims of weed control are to maintain the pre-invasion condition of the habitat (prevention); control or arrest ongoing weed invasion (intervention); and reverse the degraded condition of the habitat where applicable (rehabilitation). A weed control program would involve the following steps (adapted from Panetta and Hopkins 1991):

1. 	Accurately mapping the boundaries of weed populations
2. 	Selecting an appropriate herbicide or other method of weed control after determining which weeds are present
3. 	Controlling weeds that pose the greatest threat to the community in the early stages of invasion where
possible, eg invasive perennial grasses
4. 	Rehabilitation  through reintroduction  of local native species where areas are no longer capable of regenerating following weed control.

Introduction of Disease

Dieback caused by Phytophthora species has the potential to impact the community, although it is not known if this vegetation type is susceptible to the disease. Plant communities on heavy soils such as those associated with  this  community,  especially  in relatively  flat  areas,  are  generally  not  highly  susceptible  to dieback disease (Helyar 1994). Occurrences have not been tested for the presence of dieback and risk of introduction of  disease  should  therefore  be  minimised  by  ensuring  good  hygiene  procedures.  This  would  involve washdown  of  any  equipment  used  adjacent  to  the  community,  and  restricting  access  by  vehicles  and machinery to dry soil conditions.

Hydrological changes

Increased  clearing  would  be  expected  to  result  in  increased  runoff  and  an  increase  in  recharge  to  the groundwater  table,  while  on  the  other  hand  uncontrolled  extraction  from  irrigation  bores  may  lower groundwater levels, especially in summer. Altered periods or depths of  ponding may affect the timing of growth  of herbs  in the understorey,  and may also effect  the species  composition  of the community  by favouring different plant species.

Salinisation and Inundation

Salinisation may increase as a result of evaporation of increased volumes of surface water, especially where saline superficial aquifers are in contact with the surface. This is especially true for clay soils, which inhibit rainfall infiltration and result in high evaporation rates and concentration of salts (Davidson 1995).

The groundwater  and salinity  levels  in occurrences  of the community  that are at risk (Occurrence  5 in particular) should be monitored to determine if salinisation or increased inundation pose a major threat to the community.  Remedial  actions  such  as  replanting  with  deep  rooted  vegetation  in  strategic  parts  of  the catchment may be necessary if monitoring indicates increased salinisation or inundation are a problem.

Grazing

Grazing of plant communities causes alteration to the species composition, both in the selective grazing of edible species, and in the introduction of weeds as a result of trampling and general disturbance. It is not known if occurrences of the community have been grazed historically, however, weed invasion in some of the remnants containing the type indicates they may have been grazed (Occurrences 1, 2, 5 and 6).

Erosion by wind and water

Erosion by wind and water may also occur following removal of vegetation by clearing, grazing or fire, but may not be significant for this community, which is located on heavy soils. Some erosion of soil occurs as a consequence of the drain through Talbot Road bushland (Occurrence 3).

1.6	Conservation status
The community meets criterion B (ii) as follows, for Critically Endangered (CR) (English and Blyth 1997): Current distribution is limited and there are very few occurrences, each of which is small and/or isolated and
extremely vulnerable to known threatening processes

1.7	Strategy for recovery

To identify, and influence the management  of, the areas in which the community  occurs, so maintaining natural biological and non biological attributes of the sites and the current area covered by the community.

To conduct  appropriate  research  into the ecological  characteristics  of the community  to develop  further understanding about the management actions required to maintain or improve its condition.

2.	RECOVERY AIM AND CRITERIA

2.1	To maintain or improve the overall condition of the Corymbia calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii woodland and shrublands and reduce the level of threat with the aim of reclassifying it from Critically Endangered to Endangered.

2.2.1 	Criteria for success

	An increase in the area, and number of occurrences of this community under conservation management.

	Maintenance in terms of diversity and basic composition of native species (as described in Gibson et al.
1994)  as  well  as  hydrological  and  biological  processes,  taking  account  of  natural  change  of  the community over time.

	Improvement in terms of reduction of numbers of exotic species and of other threatening processes as defined above.

2.2.2 	Criterion for failure

Significant loss of area or further modification of occurrences of the threatened ecological community.

3	RECOVERY ACTIONS

The responsible authority is frequently listed as the relevant CALM District. This refers largely to initiating and guiding  actions.  However,  in general  the relevant  CALM  District,  in cooperation  with the Western Australian Threatened Species and Communities Unit (WATSCU) and the Recovery Team has the primary responsibility for securing funds for recovery actions.

Note 1. The conservation actions conducted under the Western Swamp Tortoise Recovery Plan (Burbidge and Kuchling 1994) will be significant in implementation  of management actions for Occurrence 2 (Ellen Brook Nature Reserve).

Note 2. Wherever applicable, the detailed conservation  actions listed in the Management  Plan for Talbot
Road bushland (Safstrom and Taman 1999) will be adopted for Occurrences 3 and 4.

3.1	Establish a Recovery Team

Responsibility: 	WATSCU
Cost: 	$0 (the small cost of attendance at meetings is expected to be covered by Recovery
Team members)
Completion date : 	Year 1

3.2	Liaise with current management bodies, owners, land managers and other interested groups to implement recommendations held in this IRP

All but one of the occurrences of the community  are managed by authorities other than CALM, or are not placed with a management body. The involvement of management bodies, land managers, local community groups and industry in the recovery of the community wherever possible and practical is therefore essential to the recovery process.

The involvement  of the Biodiversity  Group  of Environment  Australia  and the Northern  Swan Landcare Group  as  well  as  the  Commonwealth  Department  of  Defence  should  be  sought  on  management  of Occurrence 1. The Friends of Talbot Road, Blackadder-Woodbridge  Creek Catchment Group and the local Nyoongar people should be consulted on management of Occurrences 3 and 4. The  unvested remnant on Mundijong Road is managed by the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale  in association with the Roadside Care Volunteers and Serpentine-Jarrahdale Landcare Group. The groups received a Bushcare grant to implement management.  Other  stakeholders  should  be  consulted  on  management  of  the  community  as  they  are identified.

Responsibility: 	 CALM (Perth, Mundaring and Mornington Districts; WATSCU) Cost: 	 $1,500 p.a. for all liaison (not including vehicle costs) Completion date : 	Ongoing

3.3	Clarify and continue to monitor the extent and boundaries of all known occurrences of the community

Other occurrences of this community are identified in Perth’s Bushplan (State of Western Australia 1998). The boundaries of these occurrences, and any others identified in future, will be determined.

Occurrences should be monitored every two years. Boundaries can be determined from current aerial photographs  and minimal onsite checking. This information should be added to the threatened ecological community  database  as  recommended  in  English  and  Blyth  (1997).  English  and  Blyth  (1997)  also recommend the establishment of a Geographic Information System database for information on threatened ecological communities. When this is available, boundary information should be included.

The boundaries of Occurrences 1, 2 and 5 need to be accurately mapped, (Occurrences 6 and 7 were mapped in February/March  1999), but the community is considered to have been well searched for (Keighery and Trudgen 1992; Gibson et al. 1994; DEP 1996). 

Responsibility:	CALM, (Perth, Mundaring and Mornington Districts; WATSCU) 
Cost:	$1,000 p.a. 
Completion date :	Occurrences 6 and 7 were accurately mapped in Feb/March 1999. Ongoing 

3.4	Determine management requirements of any other identified occurrences

The management requirements of the additional occurrence of the community as listed in Perth’s  Bushplan
(State of Western Australia 1998) and any others identified in future will be determined.

Responsibility: 	CALM (Regions; WATSCU)
Cost: 	Costs of all liaison included in 3.2
Completion date : 	Ongoing.

3.5	Disseminate information about the community

To prevent accidental destruction of the community, and gain public support for its conservation it is recommended that information about the community be provided by local CALM staff to all stakeholders including management  bodies, landholders,  and managers of land containing  the community.  This would include information from the threatened ecological community database, and maps indicating the location of the community. This action is recommended in English and Blyth (1997).

Local  CALM  staff  should  ensure  regular  liaison  with  landowners  and  managers  of land  containing  the community to ensure threatened ecological community information is up to date.

A  publicity  campaign  utilising  signs,  local  media  and  poster  displays  in  prominent  areas  should  be undertaken to encourage awareness about this threatened ecological community.

Responsibility: 	CALM (Corporate Relations Division; Perth, Mundaring, and Mornington Districts; WATSCU)
Cost: 	$1,500 in Year 1, $500 in Year 2
Completion date : 	Ongoing

3.5	Install markers to indicate the locations of occurrences of the community alongside tracks, fire-breaks or roads

CALM will mark, or encourage the appropriate authorities to mark roadside occurrences, and occurrences of threatened  ecological  communities  located on tracks or fire-breaks  with the same pegs as used to mark threatened flora, to reduce the likelihood of accidental destruction. This action is recommended in English and Blyth 1997.

This action cannot be undertaken for several occurrences (Occurrences 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 in particular) until action 3.3 is completed.

Responsibility: 	CALM (Perth, Mundaring and Mornington Districts; WATSCU)
Cost: 	$1,000 for 1999
Completion date : 	Year 2

3.6	Monitor flora
Data collected should include weed levels, plant species diversity, and species composition of flora. Occurrences should be monitored two-yearly to provide information on condition. This information should
be added to the threatened ecological community database as recommended in English and Blyth (1997).

Material  from  unfamiliar  plant  species  should  be  collected  (except  identified  Declared  Rare  Flora). Following the second monitoring period, data should be analysed and compared.

Floristic plots have been placed in all occurrences (total of 10 plots - Gibson et al. 1994; Department of Environmental Protection 1996). All native and weed species were recorded, but density or cover values for each species were not included in these data and would be essential for determining changes over time (eg as a result of too frequent fire). Line intercept and photographic methods as described in Hopkins et al. (1987) could be utilised to monitor these parameters, using permanent plots already in place from other surveys (Gibson et al. 1994).

Responsibility:	CALM (Perth, Mundaring and Mornington Districts) 
Cost:	$5,000 every second year (total of 10 plots in the community) for field survey, 
specimen identification, and databasing for 1 monitoring period
Completion date : 	Ongoing

3.7	Develop a Fire Management Strategy

3.7.1 	Develop and implement a fire management strategy that encompasses the following (3.7.1­
3.7.4) and includes an annual fire monitoring and reporting schedule

There is a need for research into recovery of the community from fire (to be conducted under Action 3.6 ­ flora monitoring), and to determine the implications of findings for management. This should also include developing a fire history map of the occurrences, which is updated annually. No planned burns should be implemented for the life of this IRP for areas burnt since 1993, unless results of future studies suggest it is necessary and urgent.

The WA Fire and Rescue Service in liaison with other stakeholders has developed a Fire Management Plan for  Talbot  Road  bushland  that  contains  Occurrences  3  and  4.  It  specifies  no  planned  burns  without consultation  with CALM,  no construction  of new fire-breaks,  a fire-fighting  strategy,  implementation  of dieback hygiene for all vehicles, routine fuel and weed monitoring, and maintenance of fire-breaks.

A similar strategy should be developed for all occurrences of this community, using the plan for Talbot Road bushland as a guide. CALM’s Perth and Mundaring Districts are developing Fire Management Plans for all remnants in their districts that contain occurrences of threatened ecological communities. Close liaison with all stakeholders is needed to develop such Fire Management Plans.

There is a no-burn policy at Ellen Brook Nature Reserve (Burbidge and Kuchling 1994), and the reserve would only be burnt as a result of wild fires.

Responsibility: 	CALM (Perth;  Mundaring  and  Mornington  Districts;  WATSCU);  liaison  with  all stakeholders including Fire and Rescue and Bush Fire Brigades
Cost: 	$1,700 in 1999 and 2000 (for Occurrences 1, 5, 6, and 7)
Completion date : 	Year 2

3.7.2 	Ensure maintenance of strategic fire-breaks to help prevent fire spreading to the community

Maintenance  of  existing  fire-breaks  is  appropriate  where  fire-breaks  are  already  constructed,  unless maintenance is likely to cause spread or intensification of dieback or otherwise degrade the community. Fire­ break maintenance should be carried out with a minimum of soil disturbance, using herbicides or mowing wherever  possible.  No  new  fire-breaks   should  be  constructed   or  existing  breaks  upgraded   around occurrences of this community on CALM managed lands without the approval of the Director of Nature Conservation. Local CALM staff should be involved in planning of fire-break construction and maintenance for all occurrences of the community.

No new fire-breaks should be constructed within the community.

Responsibility: 	CALM (Perth, Mundaring, and Mornington Districts); liaison with surrounding landholders
Cost: 	$1,800 p.a.; costs of liaison included in 3.2
Completion date : 	Ongoing

3.7.3 	Liaise with surrounding landholders to ensure strategies for fuel reduction on their lands do not impact the community

For example,  burning at inappropriate  times when fires are likely to spread to adjacent  lands should be avoided.

Responsibility: 	CALM (Perth, Mundaring and Mornington Districts); liaison with surrounding landholders
Cost: 	Costs of liaison included in 3.2
Completion date : 	Ongoing

3.7.4 	Ensure fire suppression strategy does not impact the community

Ensure  fire  fighting  authorities  recognise  the  importance  of  not  constructing  new  tracks  during  their operations,  including  during wildfires.  The use of heavy machinery  to create new fire-breaks  within the community  should  be  avoided  as  additional  disturbance  would  encourage  further  weed  invasion,  and chemicals  that  may  be  toxic  to  the  community  should  not  be  used.  Guidelines  for  appropriate  fire suppression actions should be developed.

A local  CALM  staff  member  should  be present  during  wildfires  and  controlled  burns  in remnants  that contain occurrences of the community, to advise on protecting the conservation values of the community.

Responsibility: 	CALM (Perth, Mundaring and Mornington Districts); liaison with local Bush Fire
Brigades and Fire and Rescue Service
Cost: 	Costs of preparation of guidelines and liaison included in 3.7.1; additional funds for
CALM district staff to attend fires in the community ($500 p.a.)
Completion date : 	Ongoing

3.8	Ensure hygiene conditions

Occurrences have generally not been tested for presence of dieback, and the susceptibility of the community to the disease is not known. Risk of introduction of disease should therefore be minimised by ensuring good hygiene procedures. This would involve washdown of any equipment used adjacent to the community, and restricting access by vehicles and machinery to dry soil conditions. As standard practice, all vehicles entering remnants that contain the community should be free of soil, and plant propagules.

No vehicle access should be allowed onto undisturbed areas of the community. Hygiene procedures should be applied when using tracks on bushland adjacent to the community.

Responsibility: 	CALM (Perth, Mundaring and Mornington Districts), all personnel using machinery in the occurrences
Cost: 	Costs of all liaison is included in 3.2; other costs to be underwritten by user of machinery
Completion date : 	Ongoing

3.9	Assess and monitor weed populations

Floristic data from Keighery and Trudgen (1992), Gibson et al. (1994) and other reports on individual areas may help identify those weeds that pose the greatest threat to each occurrence, as all weed species that occur in plots have been recorded. Some significant weeds in occurrences may not occur in plots, however. Weed populations should be accurately mapped and appropriate herbicides or other method of weed control determined.

Responsibility: 	CALM (Perth, Mundaring, and Mornington Districts)
Cost: 	Mapping of the boundaries of weeds $2,000 in 1999 and 2001; monitoring of weed levels to be incorporated into Action 3.6
Completion date : 	Ongoing

3.10	Implement weed control, and replanting where necessary

Initial stages of rehabilitation  should involve control of perennial weeds and their replacement  with local species, where appropriate. High priority actions may also include the removal of piles of soil scraped from tracks that contain high concentrations of weeds and act as a source of weed invasion. Local species suitable for replanting should be identified from plot data for each occurrence in Gibson  et al. (1994) and from the results of Action 3.6.

The highest priority should be controlling weeds that pose the greatest threat to the community in the early stages  of  invasion  where  possible,  eg  invasive  perennial  grasses  and  Watsonia .  Rehabilitation  through reintroduction  of  local  native  species  may  be  necessary  if  areas  are  no  longer  capable  of  regenerating following weed control.

Where  possible  only  seed  from  the  same  occurrence  should  be used  for  rehabilitation.  No  species  not occurring,  or  not  thought  to  have  occurred,  in  a  particular  occurrence  should  be  introduced  into  that occurrence.

External funds would need to be obtained to undertake this action.

Responsibility: 	CALM (Perth, Mundaring and Mornington Districts), vestees
Cost: 	$3,000 p.a. for weed control in Occurrences 1, 2, 5, 6, 7; costs of replanting and rehabilitation to be determined. Weed control costs for Occurrences 3 and 4 - $21,600 in 1999, $20,000 in 2000, and $19,800 for weed control (whole remnant); costs of rehabilitation in Occurrences 3 and 4 $2,600 in 2000; $7,500 in 2001
Completion date : 	Ongoing

3.11	Fence remnants that contain the community, where necessary

Fencing may be necessary to prevent degradation where occurrences are in high usage areas, or to prevent grazing. Occurrences 1, 3 and 4 are suffering some degradation from the impact of recreational use such as trail bikes and four wheel drive vehicles and from rubbish dumping. Fencing requirements of Occurrence 1 need to be determined. Occurrence 2 is already fenced, and the remnant that contains Occurrences 3 and 4 is partly fenced to prevent inappropriate vehicle access, however, trail bikes and other unauthorised vehicles still enter the latter areas (G.  MacKinnon2   personal communication.).  The fencing requirements of Talbot Road bushland are described in Safstrom and Taman (1999). Occurrences 5, 6, and 7 probably do not require fencing at this time, as they are more remote from urban areas.

Responsibility: 	Managers of remnants that contain the community in consultation with CALM (Mundaring District)
Cost: 	Costs of fencing remainder of Talbot Road bushland $5,800 in Year 1, $5,100 for each of Year2 and Year 3. Costs for Occurrence 1 to be determined
Completion date : 	Year 3

3.12 	Monitor for dieback

Survey  for dieback  in the community.  Priority  areas for dieback  treatment  in the community  should  be determined from the Dieback Protocol that is currently being prepared by CALM. Data on dieback presence and impact, and future biodiversity implications eg loss or decline of Declared Rare Flora or Priority taxa,

2  Grant MacKinnon, Shire of Swan, Morrison Road, Midland 6056

structurally or functionally important taxa are likely to be important determinants of the priority of treatment of individual occurrences.

Dieback  survey  of Talbot  Road Bushland  (Occurrences  3 and 4) indicates  that much of the remnant  is infested (Safstrom and Taman 1999).

Dieback has so far been recorded in this community only in the Talbot Road occurrences. Wherever it is detected, any dieback front should be monitored at least every five years in summer and flagging marking the front replaced regularly. Additional plot information (refer 3.6) would provide useful monitoring data.

Responsibility: 	CALM (Perth, Mundaring and Mornington Districts)
Cost: 	$8,000
Completion date : 	Year 1

3.13	Assess hydrological information

Occurrences  of  the  community  may  be  at  risk  from  increased  inundation  or  salinisation  due  to  rising groundwater and increased ponding as a result of clearing of the catchments.

Groundwater  levels  and  quality  are  routinely  monitored  by  the  Water  and  Rivers  Commission  (and  in specific areas by Agriculture Western Australia and local Land Conservation District Committees (LCDCs)). Data in Davidson (1995) suggests Occurrence 5, in particular, may be at risk from hydrological changes and information for areas close to this community should be assessed.

Responsibility: 	CALM (Perth District); liaison with Agriculture Western Australia, LCDCs and the
WRC
Cost: 	$500 pa for Occurrence 5
Completion date : 	Ongoing

3.14	Design and conduct research

Research should be designed to increase the understanding of the characteristics of the community to assist future management decisions. Such research could include:

1. 	The hydrogeology of occurrences of the community.

2. 	The impact of weeds on the community.

3. 	The role of disturbance in regeneration of the community.

4. 	The development of a monitoring system. Protocols will be developed based on recommendations held in English and Blyth (1997).

5. 	Significant biological processes in the community eg pollination biology, germination requirements, longevity and time taken to reach maturity of important plant taxa in the community.

Responsibility: 	CALM (CALMScience Division; Perth, Mundaring, and Mornington Districts; WATSCU)
Cost: 	Recovery Team to determine costs and likely funds available through other sources and to recommend a research program and sources of funds to CALM
Completion date : 	To be determined

3.15	Report on success of management strategies for the occurrences

Reporting  should  be  part  of  annual  reports  prepared  by  the  Recovery  Team  for  CALM’s  Corporate Executive. A final report would be presented as part of or complementary to the full recovery plan for the community, if a full recovery plan is necessary.

Responsibility: 	Recovery Team in consultation with CALM (Perth, Mundaring and Mornington
Districts; WATSCU)
Cost: 	$2,000
Completion date : 	Year 3

3.16	Investigate transferring the care, control and management of areas that contain the community to the NPNCA if conservation management seems unlikely, or if the areas become available

If effective management for conservation seems unlikely to result from recommendations held in this IRP or if areas that contain the community become available, CALM will negotiate to have the reserves, and other remnants that contain the community, and adequate buffer areas where required, declared Class A reserves for the purpose of ‘Conservation of Flora and Fauna’ vested in the National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority.

Areas to which this recommendation applies comprise those covered by the community, and include buffer areas in some cases. Suggested management boundaries as listed below follow logical borders such as those of  existing  reserves  or  remnants  and  may  be  selected  to  include  other  known  threatened  ecological communities.

This recommendation applies to the following areas:

i) 	Triangular remnant on Department of Defence land Bullsbrook (Occurrence 1), between Great
Northern Highway and Chittering Road
ii) 	Reserve 23953, reserve 6955 and Swan Locations 11314 and 11764 (Occurrences 3 and 4)
iii) 	Part Peel Estate Lot 101/3, and the remnant portion of Reserve 23793 (Occurrence 5) and the Mundijong Road reserve between Webb Road and the western edge of the remnant at Duck Pond Road.
iv) 	Reserve 22215 (Occurrence 6).

Responsibility: 	CALM (Perth, Mundaring and Mornington Districts, Land Adminstration Section), DOLA
Cost: 	To be determined
Completion date : 	Ongoing

SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT ACTIONS; OCCURRENCES 1, 5 AND 6

3.17	Develop Management Plans

If Management Plans that would conserve the threatened ecological community are not being prepared or implemented, CALM (and the Biodiversity Group, Environment Australia for Occurrence 1) will seek involvement in the cooperative preparation of plans for occurrences that include management considerations as listed in this IRP.

Members of the Northern Swan Landcare Group are involved in the management of Occurrence 1.

The  Roadside  Care  Volunteers   and  the  Serpentine-Jarrahdale   Landcare  Group  are  involved  in  the management  of  the  roadside  remnants  that  contain  Occurrence  5.  Keighery  (1996)  provides  a  detailed account of the conservation values and management recommendations for this area.

Responsibility: 	CALM (Perth, Mundaring and Mornington Districts; WATSCU), vestees and land managers
Cost: 	Costs of liaison included as part of 3.2; cost of plan development $20,000
Completion date : 	2000

SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT ACTIONS; RESERVE 23953 (OCCURRENCE 3); SWAN LOCATIONS 11764 AND 11314, AND RESERVE 6955 (OCCURRENCE 4).

3.18	Develop management plan for Talbot Road bushland

A Management Plan is being developed for Talbot Road bushland (Safstrom and Taman (1999).

Responsibility: 	CALM (Mundaring District); Shire of Swan in liaison with all stakeholders
Cost: 	$20,000 to develop plan; costs of liaison included as part of 3.2
Completion date : 	Year 2

3.19	Amalgamate unallocated Crown land (UCL) with reserve 23953

Negotiate to have Swan Locations 11314 and 11764 (northern and southern UCL areas within the remnant that also contains reserve 23953) amalgamated with reserve 23953.

The entire remnant held within Talbot Road bushland provides a significant buffer for the two threatened ecological communities that occur within the remnant and should be managed for conservation.

Responsibility: 	CALM (Mundaring District, Land Acquisitions Section); Shire of Swan; Department of Land Administration (DOLA)
Cost: 	Costs of liaison included in 3.2
Completion date : 	Year 2

3.20	Negotiate land swaps for the remnant portion of reserve 6955 if necessary

In the event of an unsatisfactory outcome for reserve 6955 from recommendations 3.16 and 3.17 in this IRP, and in Perth’s Bushplan (State of Western Australia 1998), CALM will liaise with relevant agencies to seek to locate land suitable for the use and requirements of the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board. If such a site is found, CALM will pursue amalgamation of ‘Cemeteries’ reserve 6955 with reserve 23953.

The linear remnant within reserve 6955 that links Swan Locations 11314 and 11764 would provide a good buffer for the critically endangered communities in Talbot Road bushland.

Responsibility: 	CALM (Mundaring District, Land Acquisitions Section); DOLA
Cost: 	Costs of liaison included in 3.2
Completion date : 	If and when required

3.21	Negotiate to have the purpose of reserve 23953 altered to ‘Conservation and
Recreation’

Following implementation of Recommendations 3.19 (and 3.20 if achieved), negotiate to have the purpose of amalgamated reserve 23953 altered to ‘Conservation and Recreation’.

Responsibility: 	CALM (Mundaring District; Land Administration Section); Shire of Swan and DOLA
Cost: 	Costs of liaison included in 3.2
Completion date : 	Year 2

3.22	Implement drainage strategy

The unconfined drain through Talbot Road bushland may be spreading and causing intensification of dieback in this and other adjacent plant communities  (J. Carter, V. English personal observation.).  A strategy to confine or divert the drainage waters into the  Blackadder  Creek  so that the hydrology  of adjacent  areas returns to a more natural state, will be implemented  as part of the management  plan being developed by Safstrom and Taman (1999)

The Nyoongar aboriginal people have cultural links to Blackadder Creek that runs through the remnant and should be consulted with regard any changes to drainage in the Talbot Road bushland.

Responsibility: 	CALM (Mundaring District); Shire of Swan; Water and Rivers Commission (WRC) in consultation with relevant Aboriginal groups
Cost: 	Costs of liaison included in 3.2; diversion of drainage $600 in 2000; $24,700 in 2001 (from Safstrom and Taman 1999)
Completion date : 	Year 2

3.23	Design and implement a rabbit control program for Talbot Road bushland

A rabbit control program should be implemented  in the eastern portion of Talbot Road bushland  where recent fires have disturbed the understorey vegetation. Care should be taken not to impact local fauna.

Levels of rabbit control with baiting will depend on the combined effects of the two viruses, Myxomatosis and Calicivirus, the last of which occurs in a patchy manner in the metropolitan area. Although these two viruses provide excellent results in some areas they must still be supported by other control methods. Baiting for rabbits using Pindone is likely to be the most viable option, as use of 1080 may result in poisoning of dogs and cats.  Pindone can only be used where macropods are not present, however. Baiting is generally conducted in summer and repeated each year if rabbits reappear in future years (T. Black3  personal communication).

Responsibility: 	CALM (Mundaring District); Shire of Swan; Agriculture Western Australia
Cost: 	$1,300 pa for baiting of Talbot Road bushland (using Pindone)
Completion date : 	Ongoing

SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT ACTIONS - OCCURRENCE 5

3.24	Negotiate to have unvested remnant on Mundijong Road vested in the Shire of
Serpentine-Jarrahdale as Class A reserve for Conservation and Passive Recreation

The linear remnant on Mundijong Road is very significant as it represents one of only two remaining cross sections of native vegetation that span the alluvial soils of southern Swan Coastal Plain. The eastern end of this remnant contains another critically endangered community (type 3a) and the central portion contains a vulnerable community (type 8) as described by Gibson et al. (1994).

Negotiate to have care, control and management of unmanaged lands (as follows) placed with the Shire of
Serpentine-Jarrahdale as Class A reserve for ‘Conservation and Passive Recreation’;

i) 	Part  Peel  Estate  Lot  101/3,  and  the remnant  portion  of Reserve  23793  (Occurrence  5) and  the Mundijong Road reserve between Webb Road and the western edge of the remnant at Duck Pond Road (Note 1: reserve 23793 is managed by the Shire and local community groups although it is unvested)
(Note  2:  Occurrence  5  of  this  community  occupies  only  a  portion  of  the  described  area,  but  this recommendation is worded to be consistent with recommendations held in Interim Recovery Plans for other

3  Terry Black, Agriculture Western Australia, Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, 6151

threatened ecological communities  that occur along Mundijong Road and Duck Pond Road, Mundijong
(Corymbia calophylla - Kingia australis  woodlands on heavy soils - Gibson et al. (1994) type 3a).

Responsibility: 	CALM, (Land Administration Section; Perth District), DOLA
Cost: 	Costs of liaison included as part of 3.2
Completion date : 	Year 1

SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT ACTIONS - OCCURRENCE 7 - UNALLOCATED LAND

3.25	Acquire unallocated land that contains the community and vest the area in the
NPNCA

CALM  negotiate  with  land  managers  and  the  Department  of  Land  Administration  to  seek  vesting  of unallocated  Crown  land  -  Reserve  23376  (Occurrence  7)  with  the  NPNCA  as  Class  A  reserve  for Conservation of Flora and Fauna.

Responsibility: 	Responsibility: CALM, (Land Administration Section; Mornington District), DOLA
Cost: 	Costs of liaison included as part of 3.2
Completion date : 	Year 2

Table 2: Summary of recovery actions

Recovery Action	Occurrences	Responsibility	Completion date	
Establish Recovery Team	All	CALM (WATSCU)	Year 1	
Liaison with landholders, management bodies and managers	All	CALM (Perth, Mundaring and Mornington
Districts, WATSCU)	Ongoing	
Clarify and monitor boundaries	All	CALM (Perth, Mundaring and Mornington
Districts, WATSCU)	Ongoing	
Disseminate information	All	CALM (Corporate Relations Division, Perth, Mundaring and Mornington Districts, WATSCU)	Ongoing	
Install markers	All	CALM (Perth, Mundaring and Mornington
Districts, WATSCU)	Year 2	
Develop fire management strategy	1, 5, 6 and 7	CALM (Perth, Mundaring and Mornington Districts, WATSCU) in consultation with all stakeholders	Development of Fire Management Plans begun. Remaining plans to be completed Year 2.	
Implement fire management strategy, implement dieback hygiene	All	CALM (Perth, Mundaring and Mornington Districts), Bush Fire Brigades, Fire and Rescue Service	Ongoing	
Implement weed control	All	CALM (Perth, Mundaring, and Mornington
Districts), management bodies	Ongoing	
Fence occurrences	1, 3, 4	Management bodies in consultation with
CALM (Mundaring District)	Year 1	
Transfer care, control and management of occurrences if necessary	Areas yet to
be determined	CALM (Mundaring, Perth and Mornington Districts, Land Acquisitions Section), current management bodies, DOLA	As necessary	
Develop Management Plans	1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7	CALM (Mundaring, Perth and Mornington Districts), management bodies, land managers	Year 2	
Amalgamate VCL (Swan Locations 11314 and 11764), and reserve 6955 if necessary, with reserve 23953	3, 4	CALM (Mundaring District, Land
Acquisitions Section), DOLA	Year 2	
Negotiate land swaps for reserve 6955	3, 4	CALM (Mundaring District, Land
Acquisitions Section), DOLA	As necessary	

Table 2 :  cont.

Recovery Action	Occurrences	Responsibility	Completion date	
Alter purpose of reserve
23953	3	CALM (Mundaring District, Land
Acquisition Section), Shire of Swan, DOLA	Year 2	
Implement drainage strategy	3	CALM (Mundaring District), Shire of Swan, WRC	Year 1	
Control rabbits	3 and 4	CALM (Mundaring District); Shire of Swan, Agriculture Western Australia	Ongoing	
Transfer management of Occurrence 5 to Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale	5	CALM (Perth District, Land Acquisitions Section), Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale, DOLA	Year 1	
Vest UCL in NPNCA	7	CALM (Perth and Mornington Districts, Land Acquisitions Section), DOLA	Year 2	
Monitor flora	All	CALM (Perth, Mundaring, and Mornington
District)	Ongoing	
Monitor weed populations	All	CALM (Perth, Mundaring, and Mornington
Districts)	Ongoing	
Monitor for dieback	All	CALM (Perth, Mundaring, and Mornington
Districts)	Year 1	
Replant / rehabilitate	Costs to be determined	CALM (Perth, Mundaring, and Mornington
Districts )	Ongoing	
Assess hydrological information	5	CALM (Perth District); liaison with WRC, LCDCs and Agriculture Western Australia	Ongoing	
Conduct research (cost to be determined)	All	CALM (CALMScience, Perth, Mundaring, and Mornington Districts, WATSCU)	No date set	
Report on management strategies	All	CALM (Perth, Mundaring, and Mornington
Districts; WATSCU), Recovery Team	Year 3	

Table 3 :  Summary of costs for each recovery action

Recovery Action	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	
Establish Recovery Team				
Liaison with landholders, management bodies and land managers (Costs equally attributed to each responsible
group)	$1,500	$1,500	$1,500	
Clarify and monitor boundaries
(Costs equally attributed to each responsible group)	1,000	1,000	1,000	
Disseminate information (Costs equally attributed to each responsible group)	1,500	500		
Install markers (Costs equally attributed to each responsible group)	1,000			
Develop fire management strategy	1,700 (Mund = 850; P =
850)	1,700 (Morn)		
Implement fire management strategy, implement dieback hygiene
(Costs equally attributed to each responsible group)	2,300	2,300	2,300	
Implement weed control	25,100 (Mund = 23,100 (cost whole remnant); P=
1,000; Morn = 1,000)	22,500 (Mund =
20,500; P=
1,000; Morn =
1,000)	23,300 (Mund=21,3
00, P=1,000, Morn =
1,000)	
Fence Occurrence 1
(Costs attributed to Mundaring District)	To be determined			
Fence Occurrence 3 and 4
(Costs attributed to Mundaring District)	5,800	5,100	5,100	
Transfer care, control and management of selected occurrences (areas yet to be determined)	To be determined			

Table 3 :  Cont

Recovery Action	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	
Develop Management Plans	25,000 (Mund = 20,000; P= 5,000)	15,000 (Mund =
5,000; Morn =
10,000)		
Amalgamate VCL (Swan Locations 11764, 11314), and reserve 6955 if necessary, with reserve 23953
(Costs attributed to Mundaring District)				
Negotiate land swaps for reserve 6955				
Alter purpose of reserve 23953
(Costs attributed to Mundaring District)				
Implement drainage strategy for Talbot Rd Bushland
(Costs attributed to Mundaring District)		600	24,700	
Control rabbits
(Costs attributed to Mundaring District)	1,300	1,300	1,300	
Transfer management of Occurrence 5 to Shire				
Vest VCL in NPNCA
(Costs attributed to Mornington District)				
Monitor Flora	5,000 (Mund = 2,500; P =
1,500; Morn = 1,000)		5,000	
Monitor weed populations
(One third of costs attributed to each District)	2,000		2,000	
Replant / rehabilitate		2,600 (Occurrences
3, 4)	7,500 (Occurrence
s 3, 4)	
Monitor for dieback	8,000 (Mund = 4,000; P =
2,000; Morn = 2,000)			
Assess hydrological information
(Costs attributed to Perth District)	500	500	500	
Conduct research	To be determined			
Report on management strategies			2,000	
Develop Management Plan for Occurrence 1 (Costs attributed to Mundaring District)			5,000	
Total	$81,700	$54,600	$81,200	
Unless specified in column one; codes for costs attributed to CALM Districts in columns two, three and four are as follows:
P = Perth District; Mund = Mundaring District; Morn = Mornington District

Summary of costs over three years

Total 	$217,500

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The National Reserve System Program of Environment Australia funded the project entitled ‘Identifying and conserving threatened ecological communities in the south west botanical province’. The project confirmed the threatened status of this plant community.

The following people provided valuable advice and assistance in the preparation of this Interim Recovery

Plan;	

John Carter	
CALM’s Mundaring District Office	
Friends of Talbot Road Reserve		
Neil Gibson, Greg Keighery and John Blyth	CALM, Wildlife Research Centre Woodvale	
Bronwen Keighery and Natalie Thorning	Department of Environmental Protection	
Grant MacKinnon	Swan Shire Council	
David Mitchell	CALM’s Swan Region	
Lyndon Mutter	CALM’s Perth District	
Scott Wood	Formerly of CALM’s Mornington District	
Kim Williams	CALM’s Central Forest Region	

REFERENCES		

Burbidge, A. and Kuchling, G. (1994).  Western  Swamp Tortoise  Recovery  Plan for the Western  Swamp Tortoise Recovery Team. Wildlife Management Program No 11.  Department of Conservation  and Land Management, Perth.

Churchward, H.M. and  McArthur W.M. (1980).  Landforms and Soils of the Darling System. In:  Atlas of Natural   Resources,   Darling   System,   Western   Australia.   Perth,   Pinjarra   and   Collie   Sheets. Department of Conservation and Environment, Western Australia.

Davidson, W.A. (1995). Hydrogeology and Groundwater Resources of the Perth Region, Western Australia.
Geological Survey of Western Australia. Bulletin 142.

Department of Conservation and Land Management (1997).  Declared Rare and Priority List for Western
Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth.

Department  of Environmental  Protection  (1996).   System  6  update  program  unpublished  site  and  area records and analysis. EPA, Perth, Western Australia.

English, V. and Blyth, J. (1997).  Identifying  and Conserving  Threatened  Ecological  Communities  in the South West Botanical Province. Project N702, Final Report to Environment Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management. Perth, Western Australia.

Gibson,  N.,  Keighery,  B.,  Keighery,  G.,  Burbidge,  A  and  Lyons,  M.  (1994).  A  floristic  survey  of  the Southern Swan Coastal Plain . Unpublished report for the Australian Heritage Commission prepared by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the Conservation Council of Western Australia (Inc.).

Gill, A.M., Groves, R.H. and Noble, I.R. (eds) (1981). Fire and the Australian Biota . Australian Academy of
Science. Canberra, ACT.

Helyar,  K.  (1994).  Dieback  Interpreters  Procedural  Manual.  Department  of  Conservation  and  Land
Management. Perth.

Hopkins, A.J.M., Brown, J.M. and Goodsell, J.T. (1987). A Monitoring System for Use in the Management of Natural Areas in Western Australia. Pp 337-339 in Nature Conservation: the Role of Remnants of

Native Vegetation ed. by D.A. Saunders, G.W. Arnold, A.A. Burbidge, and A.J.M. Hopkins. Surrey
Beatty and Sons Pty Limited. Chipping Norton, NSW.

Keighery, B. (1996).  Flora Information for Roadside Bush Protection Plans in the Shire of Serpentine - Jarrahdale . Report prepared for the Roadside Care Volunteers. Perth, Western Australia.

Keighery, B.J., Keighery, G.J., and Gibson, N. (1997).  Floristics of Reserves and Bushland areas of the
Perth Region (System 6) Parts XI - XV. Wildflower Society of Western Australia (Inc.), Nedlands.

Keighery, B. and Trudgen, M. (1992). Remnant Vegetation on the Alluvial Soils of the Eastern Side of the Swan Coastal Plain. Unpublished  report for Department  of Conservation  and Land Management, Australian Heritage Commission and Heritage Council of WA.

Keighery, G.J. and Keighery, B.J. (1993).  Floristics of Reserves and Bushland Areas of the Perth Region
(System 6). Parts V - IX. Wildflower Society of Western Australia (Inc.), Nedlands.

Panetta, F.D and Hopkins, A.J.M (1991). Weeds in Corridors: Invasion and Management.  Pp 341-351 in Nature Conservation 2 the Role of Corridors ed by D.A. Saunders, and R.J Hobbs. Surrey Beatty & Sons Pty Limited, Chipping Norton, NSW.

Safstrom, R. and Taman, L. (1999). Talbot Road Bushland draft management plan. Prepared for the Friends of Talbot Road Reserve, Shire of Swan and Department of Conservation and Land Management. Perth, Western Australia.

State of Western Australia 1998a. Perth’s Bushplan. Western Australian Planning Commission, Perth.

APPENDIX 1 

Vascular Plants recorded from at least 50% of plots in occurrences (From Gibson et al. 1994) 

	Taxon	
	Acacia pulchella	
*	Briza maxima	
	Burchardia umbellata	
	Caesia micrantha	
	Cyathochaeta avenacea	
	Cyathochaeta clandestina	
	Daviesia preissii	
	Drosera menziesii subsp. penicillaris	
	Dryandra nivea	
	Corymbia calophylla	
	Gompholobium marginatum	
	Hypocalymma angustifolium	
*	Hypochaeris glabra	
	Lepidosperma sp. (BJK & NG 232)	
	Loxocarya flexuosa	
	Mesomelaena tetragona	
	Neurachne alopecuroidea	
	Opercularia vaginata	
*	Romulea rosea	
	Sowerbaea laxiflora	
	Stipa pycnostachya	
	Tetraria octandra	
	Thysanotus manglesianus/patersonii complex	
	Xanthorrhoea preissii	
*	Introduced

GLOSSARY

Fluviatile - found in or near rivers

STATUS OF FLORA TAXA (FROM CALM, 1997)

Declared Rare Flora	‘taxa which have been adequately searched for and are deemed to be in the wild
either rare, in danger of extinction, or otherwise in need of special protection and have been gazetted as such.’	

Priority 1	
‘taxa which are known from one or a few populations which are under threat.’	

Priority 2	
‘taxa which are known from one or a few populations, at least some of which are not believed to be under immediate threat.’	

Priority 3	
‘taxa which are known from several populations, at least some of which are not believed to be under immediate threat.’