Appendix M - Ecology Report

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3.2       Flora
The site currently is used for rural residential purposes and indicated extensive paddocks which were
agisting horses at the date of inspection. The paddocks contained scattered native canopy trees and
were fenced. A high level tributary of Six Mile Creek traverses through the southern and central portion
so the site. The eastern portion of the waterway indicated a tall Open Forest community which was
considered remnant vegetation.

The site is gently sloped, falling from the northern and southern boundaries with three dams located
within the northern and southern areas of the site. The site could broadly be categorised into nine
vegetation communities which are indicated in Figure 5 – Vegetation Communities in the Figures
section of this report.

Vegetation Community 1 – Slashed and grazed paddocks and landscaped areas with scattered
native canopy

Located at the northern extent of the site were the three existing residences, ancillary sheds, septic
tanks, animal enclosures, fruit orchards and landscaping. Native canopy trees were scattered within
this community and were characterized by Pink Bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia), Forest Red Gum
(Eucalyptus tereticornis), Brush Box (Lophostemon confertus), Swamp Box (Lophostemon
suaveolens) with a sub-canopy of Broad-leaved Paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia) and Black She-
oak (Allocasuarina littoralis). The shrub layer was characterised by common landscaping species
including Weeping Bottlebrush (Melaleuca viminalis), Wild May (Leptospermum polygalifolium) with
spot Lantana (Lantana camara) also present. The understory was slashed and areas were grazed by
horses at the date of inspection. Located at the western extent of this community was a dam with
eroding banks. The water in the dam indicated high turbidity and the dam banks were sparsely
vegetated with regrowth Acacia species and native and exotic grass species. A secondary small dam
was located to the east of the residence on the eastern lot of the site. This dam indicated regenerating
native and exotic species on the dam banks. Refer to Plates 1 – 4 below.




 Plate 1: View north towards western residence indicating slash   Plate 2: View of central residence with horses grazing in the
 lawn and scattered native canopy.                                paddock to the rear.




 REF:S50335ER001_rev a                                    10 & 22 Rose Gum Road and 521 Elm Street, Black Mountain
                                                                                   Detailed Ecological Assessment