Threatened species & ecological communities

The Recovery Plan for the Blue Mountains Water Skink (Eulamprus leuraensis)

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, June 2001
ISBN 0 7313 6283 7

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Appendix 3. Description of sites with preliminary site assessment data

Site 1 Newnes Plateau, Wolgan River
Location

Map Sheet 8931-3-N Cullen Bullen
AMGE 236000
AMGN 6308000

Altitude

1000

Previous records

Kingston et al. 1979 (trapped)

Tenure

State Forest

Description

shrub swamp

Possible threats

Mining subsidence

Site 2 Newnes Plateau, Carne Creek
Location

Map Sheet 8931-3-N Cullen Bullen
AMGE 241000
AMGN 6305000

Altitude

1060

Previous records

Kingston et al. 1979 (trapped)

Tenure

State Forest

Description

Very dry, steep sloping
Forest encroaching into swamp
Low shrubland

Possible threats

Drying out
Risk of high intensity burn if dry
Encroachment of forest if remains dry
Mining subsidence

Site 3 Newnes Plateau, Carne Creek (NP5)
Location

Map Sheet 8931-3-S Lithgow
AMGE 240200
AMGN 6302200

Altitude

1080

Previous records

1996 M. LeBreton (trapped), relative abundance 0.25

Tenure

State Forest

Description

Low shrubland

Possible threats

Mining subsidence

Site 4 Newnes Plateau, Carne Creek (NP6)
Location

Map Sheet 8931-3-S Lithgow
AMGE 241100
AMGN 6302600

Altitude

1070

Previous records

1994 M. LeBreton (observed)
1996 M. LeBreton (trapped), relative abundance 0.08

Tenure

State Forest

Description

Low shrubland

Possible threats

Mining subsidence

Site 5 Newnes Plateau, Carne Creek (NP4)
Location

Map Sheet 8931-3-S Lithgow
AMGE 242000
AMGN 6302900

Altitude

1050

Previous records

1996 M. LeBreton (trapped), relative abundance 0.24

Tenure

State Forest

Description

Pine plantation in catchment
Low shrubland

Possible threats

Encroachment of pine
Altered hydrology
Runoff from roads
Mining subsidence

Site 6 Newnes Plateau (NP1)
Location

Map Sheet 8931-3-S Lithgow
AMGE 242900
AMGN 6302600

Altitude

1060

Previous records

1996 M. LeBreton (trapped), relative abundance 0.07

Tenure

State Forest

Description

Built up road intersects swamp
Bordered right to edge of swamp in eastern, northern and western sides by pine plantation
Pines sprouting in swamp
Low shrubland

Possible threats

Altered hydrology- road cuts off a headwater tributary, pine plantation
Encroachment of pine
Mining subsidence

Site 7 Newnes Plateau, Bungleboori Creek
Location

Map Sheet 8931-3-S Lithgow
AMGE 241000
AMGN 6300000

Altitude

1100

Previous records

Kingston et al. 1979 (trapped)

Tenure

State Forest

Description

Bordered by pine plantation on western side
Small pines sprouting in swamp
Adjacent to maze of roads
Steep sided into swamp

Possible threats

Encroachment of pine
Altered hydrology
Low-medium shrubland
Coal mining subsidence

Site 8 Bennett Gully, Blackheath (BH2)
Location

Map Sheet 8930-1-N Mount Wilson
AMGE 252100
AMGN 6278600

Altitude

910

Previous records

1996 M. LeBreton (trapped), relative abundance 0.17

Tenure

National Park

Description

Wet
Steep sided
Low vegetation

Site 9 near Hat Hill, Blackheath (BH3)
Location

Map Sheet 8930-1-N Mount Wilson
AMGE 252300
AMGN 6278000

Altitude

960

Previous records

1996 M. LeBreton (trapped), relative abundance 0.57

Tenure

National Park

Description

Very wet with north easterly and south westerly aspect
Adjacent to road
Low vegetation

Possible threats

Erosion from road drains
Altered hydrology from road

Site 10 near Hat Hill, Blackheath (BH4)
Location

Map Sheet 8930-1-N Mount Wilson
AMGE 252200
AMGN 6277500

Altitude

950

Previous records

1996 M. LeBreton (trapped), relative abundance 0.5

Tenure

National Park/private

Description

Large
Low grassy vegetation
Localised sedimentation on edges
Good condition

Possible threats

Residential development in adjacent or nearby areas

Site 11 near Govetts Leap Brook, Blackheath (BH7)
Location

Map Sheet 8930-1-S Katoomba
AMGE 250400
AMGN 6275100

Altitude

980

Previous records

1996 M. LeBreton (trapped), relative abundance 0.28

Tenure

National Park/private

Description

High shrubs and sedges
Underscrubbed in private property with exotic gardens abutting and in swamp at western (upper) end
Intersected by powerline
Houses and road to edge of swamp, one residence actually in western end of swamp
Blackberry in swamp
Sediment erosion into swamp
Weeds are a serious problem

Possible threats

Weed invasion
Pollution
Stormwater runoff
Further clearing to build houses
Sedimentation
Residential development in habitat and adjacent areas
Predation by cats
Disturbances associated with maintenance of service corridors/easements

Site 12 near Govetts Leap Brook, Blackheath (BH5)
Location

Map Sheet 8930-1-S Katoomba
AMGE 250600
AMGN 6274500

Altitude

970

Previous records

1994 M. LeBreton (trapped)
1996 M. LeBreton (trapped), relative abundance 0.75

Tenure

National Park

Description

Fairly small swamp extending parallel and intersected by powerline corridor
High shrubs and sedges
Sediment impacts associated with easement
Burnt in 1994 (backburn). Localised sedimentation on edges
Some rubbish dumping along powerline corridor

Possible threats

Pollution from septic tanks
Residential development in adjacent or nearby areas
Disturbances associated with maintenance of service corridors/easements
Access related disturbances, signs of frequent use

Site 13 Hayward Gully, Blackheath (BH6)
Location

Map Sheet 8930-1-S Katoomba
AMGE 251300
AMGN 6273800

Altitude

950

Previous records

1996 M. LeBreton (trapped), relative abundance 0.25

Tenure

National Park/private (small part)

Description

Intersected by powerline and degraded road at south west end
High shrubs and sedges

Possible threats

Residential development in adjacent or nearby areas
Disturbances associated with maintenance of service corridors/easements

Site 14 Blackheath Special Area
Location

Map Sheet 8930-1-S Katoomba
AMGE 249200
AMGN 6272600

Altitude

980

Previous records

1994 M. LeBreton (trapped- 13 individuals)

Tenure

Sydney Catchment Authority Special Area

Description

Button Grass (Gymnoschoenus sphaerocephalus) is the dominant plant and has formed a dense cover in the swamp. Lepidosperma limicola and Leptospermum juniperinum, Baeckea linifolia and Grevillea acanthifolia occur as well and usually grow from amongst the Button Grass. The margin of the swamp grades to open forest with Eucalyptus piperata and E. sieberi the dominant species. Exotic pine trees (Pinus radiata) have been planted extensively nearby and in some places these plantations abut the swamp. Pine trees have colonised parts of the open forest and the occasional individual is growing in the swamp.
Surrounded by forest, some large shrubs in amongst sedges (invading swamp)
Very high tussocks
Intersected by powerline corridor

Possible threats

Access
Runoff from roads
Disturbances associated with maintenance of service corridors/easements
Residential development in adjacent or nearby areas

Other comments

Invasion of heath

Site 15 Urella Brook, Mt Hay Range (MH7)
Location

Map Sheet 8930-1-S Katoomba
AMGE 258000
AMGN 6273200

Altitude

800

Previous records

1995 M. LeBreton
1996 M. LeBreton (trapped), relative abundance 0.25

Tenure

National Park

Description

Large swamp
Surrounded by Melaleuca forest
High sedges, wet

Site 16 Wirralie Brook, Mt Hay Range (MH6)
Location

Map Sheet 8930-1-S Katoomba
AMGE 258600
AMGN 6274200

Altitude

760

Previous records

1995 M. LeBreton
1996 M. LeBreton (trapped), relative abundance 0.27

Tenure

National Park

Description

Very large swamp
Intersected by forest in many areas
Heath also in parts of swamp
High sedges in part of swamp
Surrounded by Melaleuca forest

Site 17 near Henson Glen, Mt Hay Range (MH4)
Location

Map Sheet 8930-1-S Katoomba
AMGE 253900
AMGN 6271200

Altitude

910

Previous records

1995 M. LeBreton
1996 M. LeBreton (trapped), relative abundance 0.21

Tenure

National Park

Description

Good condition, not overgrown with weeds or heath
Quite wet, surrounded by forest. Low sedges and shrubs

Site 18 Katoomba Special Area
Location

Map Sheet 8930-1-S Katoomba
AMGE 249250
AMGN 6269050

Altitude

980

Previous records

1994 M. LeBreton (trapped- 3 individuals)

Tenure

Sydney Catchment Authority Special Area

Description

Intersected by powerline, cleared under powerline- but overgrown
Overgrown with high impenetrable heath

Possible threats

Access and disturbances associated with maintenance of service corridors/easements

Other comments

Invasion by heath

Site 19 Swamps bordering Leura Falls Creek, Leura Park
Location

Map Sheet 8930-1-S Katoomba
AMGE 252000
AMGN 6266000

Altitude

920

Previous records

1991/1992/1994 M. LeBreton (Observed/trapped 1-5/17 individuals)

Tenure

Crown Recreation Reserve managed by Blue Mountains City Council/edges private

Description

Long unburnt
Permanent creek running north drains S. Katoomba industrial area.
Not very much heathy vegetation along creek edges
Subject to heavy runoff after rain, rather than slow seepage
Patches of sedge vegetation in places along creek edges
Overgrown with exotics/weeds especially along creekline and behind houses (incl. Blackberry, Broome, Privet, Honeysuckle, deciduous trees, Ivy, Montbretia, Cherry Laurel)
Degraded
Major earthworks and alterations to drainage e.g. dirt fill has been dumped in swamp
Intersected by main road
Surrounded by houses
Encroached on all sides by urbanisation
Criss-crossed by unofficial tracks used by local residents
Intersected by underground sewerage pipeline- sewer main, old pipes, joints failing, full of tree roots

Possible threats

Residential development in adjacent or nearby areas
Access related disturbances, informal walking track formation
Stormwater runoff from residential and industrial lands into catchment upslope.
Erosion and sedimentation
Rubbish dumping
Pollution- rubbish dumping, urban run-off, leaking sewer pipes
Weed invasion, especially along watercourse and around former sewerage line
Changed hydrology
Predation by cats
Disturbances associated with maintenance of service corridors/easements
Prescribed burning and perimeter slashing for bushfire risk management

Site 20 Wentworth Falls Lake
Location

Map Sheet 8930-1-S Katoomba
AMGE 255600
AMGN 6267000

Altitude

980

Previous records

1985 Shea and Peterson (observed)
1989 M. LeBreton (observed)

Tenure

Crown Recreation Reserve managed by Blue Mountains City Council/edges private

Description

Long unburnt, except part of swamp near Bass Road burned in early 90s (hazard reduction burn)
Adjacent to picnic area and formal walking tracks, as well as unofficial tracks used by local residents/fishermen
Overgrown with high impenetrable heath
Powerline corridor at western edge of lake has been slashed at tree zone
Intersected by above ground sewerage pipeline
Some infestation of weeds (incl. Willow, Broome, Honeysuckle, Blackberry, Erica, Buttercups, Montbretia) especially along drainage line from Waratah Rd urban area and at stormwater discharge points (esp. Banksia Rd, Sinclair Cres.).

Possible threats

Residential development in adjacent or nearby areas
Erosion and sedimentation
Weed invasion, especially along drainage lines off surrounding developed area.
Disturbances associated with maintenance of service corridors/easements
Stormwater runoff
Rubbish dumping
Pollution
Access related disturbances
Predation by cats
Arson fires
Informal track formation, breaking down of lake banks

Other comments

Invasion by high heath

Site 21 Lawson
Location

Map Sheet 8930-1-S Katoomba
AMGE 263000
AMGN 6268000

Altitude

660

Previous records

1994 M. Vaarwerk (observed)

Tenure

National Park

Description

Large swamp
Quite large sedgy grasses- less shrubby

Possible threats

Residential development in adjacent or nearby areas
Access related disturbances

Site 22 Kings Tableland, near Wentworth Falls (KT1)
Location

Map Sheet 8930-11-N Jamison
AMGE 257400
AMGN 6260900

Altitude

780

Previous records

1996 M. LeBreton (trapped), relative abundance 0.42

Tenure

National Park/private

Description

Some infestation by blackberry and pampas grass along edge of road.
Invaded in part by high impenetrable heath
High sedges and shrubs

Possible threats

Residential development in adjacent or nearby areas
Weed invasion

Other comments

Invasion by heath

Site 23 Williams Ridge, south of Lawson (WF6)
Location

Map Sheet 8930-11-N Jamison
AMGE 259400
AMGN 6260800

Altitude

710

Previous records

1996 M. LeBreton (trapped), relative abundance 0.64

Tenure

National Park

Description

Quite patchy heathy vegetation, interspersed with Button Grass

Site 24 Williams Ridge, south of Lawson (WF7)
Location

Map Sheet 8930-11-N Jamison
AMGE 260900
AMGN 6260800

Altitude

680

Previous records

1996 M. LeBreton (trapped), relative abundance 0.6

Tenure

National Park

Description

Swamp interspersed with high heath
High shrubs and sedges in places
Surrounded by forest

Other comments

Invasion by heath

Site 25 Williams Ridge, south of Lawson (WF5)
Location

Map Sheet 8930-11-N Jamison
AMGE 261900
AMGN 6260600

Altitude

630

Previous records

1996 M. LeBreton (trapped), relative abundance 0.88

Tenure

National Park

Description

Surrounded by forest
Heath overtaking swamp in parts

Possible threats

Invasion by heath

Site 26 Williams Ridge, south of Hazelbrook, above Ingar Picnic Ground (WF1)
Location

Map Sheet 8930 Jamison
AMGE 264600
AMGN 6259900

Altitude

560

Previous records

1996 M. LeBreton (trapped), relative abundance 0.05

Tenure

National Park

Description

High heath interspersed with, and surrounded by open forest

Possible threats

Invasion by heath

Site 27 Franks Creek, Wentworth Falls
Location

Map Sheet 8930-1-S Katoomba
AMGE 256700
AMGN 6268050

Previous records

2 adult and 2 juvenile skinks observed 2/2/00 (Ashworth)

Tenure

National Park/private/ Crown Recreation Reserve managed by Blue Mountains City Council

Zoning

EP/National park
Reserve number 42185

Description

Large swamp intersected by powerline

Possible threats

Residential development around swamp
Pollution
Weed invasion
Stormwater runoff and sedimentation
Predation by cats
Disturbances associated with maintenance of service corridors/easements
Altered hydrology in stream (spring water bottling)

Site 28 Jamison Creek, Wentworth Falls
Location

Map Sheet 8930-1-S Katoomba
AMGE 256600
AMGN 6266400

Altitude

850

Previous records

2001, Turton and Johnson, 1 skink observed

Tenure

Crown Land

Description

Observed sunning on bridge over swamp vegetation
Surrounded by forest and urban development

Possible threats

Residential development around swamp
Pollution
Weed invasion
Stormwater runoff and sedimentation
Predation by cats

Site 29 Carne Creek Tributary, Newnes Plateau
Location

Map Sheet 8931-3-S Lithgow
AMGE 239150
AMGN 6302750

Altitude

1080

Previous records

2001, Tuckey, 1 skink observed

Tenure

State Forest

Description

Swamp interspersed with high heath, surrounded by forest
High shrubs and sedges in places

Possible threats

Mining subsidence

Site 30 Bedford Creek Tributary, Blue Mountains National Park
Location

Map Sheet 8930-11-N Jamison
AMGE 260900
AMGN 6260800

Altitude

680

Previous records

Feb 2001, Tuckey, 1 skink observed, Sept 2001 Tuckey, 1 skink observed

Tenure

National Park

Description

Swamp interspersed with high heath
High shrubs and sedges in places
Surrounded by forest
Burnt September 2001

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