Threatened Species in Warringah

Since the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, 125 plant and animal species have become extinct in Australia. We have lost 75% of our rainforests (NPWS, 1997) and 7% of known mammal species, making Australia the world's worst continent for mammal extinction rates.

Warringah has over 70 recorded endangered and vulnerable threatened species and ecological communities. This includes plants and animals that live permanently in Warringah and migratory species that utilize habitats seasonally.

Warringah's Threatened Species

For a comprehensive list of Warringah's Threatened Species click on the link. For a fact sheet on individual threatened species, click on the pictures below.

Threatened Animals

Glossy Black Cockatoo	Powerful Owl	Swift Parrot
Regent Honeyeater	Eastern Bentwing Bat	Grey-headed Flying Fox
Pygmy Possum	Spotted Quoll	Southern Brown Bandicoot
Koala	Heath Monitor
Green & Golden Bell Frog	Red-crowned Toadlet

Threatened Plants

Acacia terminalis subspecies terminalis	Epacris purpurascens var purpurascens	Eucalyptus camfieldii
Grevillea caleyi	Angus Onion Orchid	Mint Bush
Persoonia hirsuta	Pimelea curviflora var curviflora	Black-eyed Susan

Threatened Ecological Communities

Duffys Forest

Sydney Swamp Sclerophyll Forest

Sydney Freshwater Wetlands

There is mounting pressure on the country’s remaining native flora and fauna, due to the impacts of urban expansion and, in rural areas, land clearing. Warringah residents can help protect the habitat of native fauna and flora by joining Warringah's Friends of the Bush or removing exotic weed species from gardens and planting native species endemic to their area. For more threatened species profiles click on the link.

Legal Protection for Threatened Species

Flora and fauna species most at risk in NSW are protected under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995). Some have been identified as species of national importance and are listed under the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999).

Protection for species listed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act means it is illegal to impact on (harm, pick, kill) listed species without permission from the Director General of NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. Where a new development occurs in or adjacent to bushland, actions must be taken reduce the impact of the development on threatened species and any potential habitat.

The potential impact of a development is assessed using a "seven part test" of significance carried out by qualified environmental specialists. The test assesses the likely impact upon threatened species distribution, ability to move from one area to another, and whether the species will suffer a reduction in genetic resilience.

Under the Threatened Species Conservation Act, species are listed as either "endangered" or "vulnerable". Ecological communities, a population of a species in a specific area, and the key threatening processes are also listed under the Act.

• A Schedule 1, Part 1 endangered species is defined as one likely to become extinct in nature if threats continue, or its numbers are reduced to a critical level, or its habitat is reduced so that it is in immediate danger of extinction; or it might already be extinct but not presumed extinct.
• A Schedule 1, Part 3 endangered ecological community is one likely to become extinct in NSW unless threats cease to operate.
• A Schedule 2, vulnerable species is one likely to become endangered unless threats cease to operate.
  (NPWS, 1997)

Warringah Council's Bushland and Biodiversity team manages the plant and animal species considered at risk in Warringah. For more information contact 9942 2915.

Further Links

Warringah residents are encouraged to help Council conserve our native plant and animal species. The following links will help residents to actively participate in conserving the environment.

• Being a Bush Friendly Neighbour (PDF, 481KB)
• Protect Your Cat, Protect Your Wildlife (PDF, 263KB)
• Wiping Out Weeds from Bushland to Beach (PDF, 905KB)
• Key Council Contacts
• Noxious and Environmental Weeds in Warringah
• How You Can Help
• Feral Animals
• Duffys Forest Ecological Community program for local schools
• National Parks Education Programs
• Native Plants and Animals
• Native Plants for Your Suburb (PDF, 518KB)
• Creating Native Gardens from Bushland to Beach (PDF, 628KB)

References

• Harden, G.J. (editor) (1991). Flora of New South Wales, NSW University Press, Sydney, Australia.
• National Parks & Wildlife Service (1997). Threatened Species Profiles from NPWS website. NPWS, Sydney, Australia.
• Robinson, L. (1994). Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney. Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst, NSW, Australia.
• Smith, P. & Smith, J. (2000) Survey of the Duffys Forest Vegetation Community. Report to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Warringah Council. P & J Smith Ecological Consultants, Blaxland, NSW, Australia.