Protocol for Prevention of Phytophthora cinnamomi Infection of Native Plants during Construction

Transcription

1 AECOM Teralba Sustainable Resource Centre H Appendix H Protocol for Prevention of Phytophthora cinnamomi Infection of Native Plants during Construction 13 January 2012

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3 Protocol for the prevention of Phytophthora cinnamomi infection of native plants during construction of the LMCC Sustainable Resource Centre, Teralba. November 2011 Introduction Phytophthora cinnamomi, commonly known as root rot pathogen, is a microscopic organism that lives in soils and plant roots. Infection of plants by P. cinnamomi begins by invasion of the roots, and in some cases the stem and storage tissues. Any process that involves the movement of infested soil or plant root material will contribute to the spread of disease through the movement of spores. Passive dispersal of the pathogen occurs via surface and sub-surface water runoff down slopes and drainage lines. Long distance spread of the disease is facilitated by human activities such as bushwalking, horse riding, bike riding, 4WD, mining and forestry operations, earthmoving and construction. Infection of native plants by P. cinnamomi has been listed as a key threatening process on Schedule 3 of the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and under the Australian Government s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act Therefore, measures to prevent its spread must be undertaken in circumstances where the risk of dispersal exists. Five strategies for preventing the spread of P. cinnamomi have been recommended by various NSW government agencies. These strategies combined with an assessment risk spread and vegetation susceptibility serves to guide this protocol for the prevention of P. cinnamomi during the construction of the LMCC Sustainable Resource Centre, Teralba. Five Strategies To reduce the infection of native plants by P. cinnamomi the following strategies have been identified. 1. Understand Phytophthora Dieback 2. Assess the risk of disease 3. Adjust work practices to reflect risk 4. Inform all staff & visitors 5. Treat any discovered infections in consultation with Council s Sustainability Dept 1

4 Risk Assessment The following assessment of risk has been adapted from the guidelines for managing P. cinnamomi dieback for local government prepared by the Dieback Working Group (2000). Activity Activities that have a medium to high risk of introducing or spreading P. cinnamomi include: Road and track construction, Drainage construction, Earthworks The resultant risk of the proposed construction works at LMCC SRC is therefore HIGH if material is sourced from known or likely areas of P. cinnamomi infestation. Vegetation High Priority Sites are located in or adjacent to forests, bushland and remnant vegetation with little or no disturbance, or is in or adjacent to forest/bushland reserves. The location of the SRC is directly adjacent to remnant vegetation containing a number of threatened species and an endangered ecological community. Furthermore, the SRC is upstream of a SDEPP14 wetland. Which provide habitat for a range of protected flora and fauna. Due to the location of the proposed SRC to adjacent vegetation the risk of infecting remnant vegetation is HIGH if P. cinnamomi is introduced to the site. Site observations indicate there are no signs of P. cinnamomi dieback in surrounding native vegetation or on the site. Presence of P. cinnamomi in local area A search of available records indicates there is a LOW risk of the presence of P. cinnamomi in the Lake Macquarie area. However, if material is to be sourced from areas of remnant vegetation it must be assumed the soil could contain P. cinnamomi and should be assessed accordingly. Lake Macquarie is not mapped as a P. cinnamomi area however, this does not negate the possibility of P. cinnamomi being present in areas not tested. Anecdotally, possible locations of active P. cinnamomi infection have been reported at Coal Point and Charlestown Golf Course. For materials coming from these areas an assessment of the location will be required with input from Council s Sustainability Staff. Risk of fill material containing P. cinnamomi The primary source of fill material to enter the site is to come from road rehabilitation works which underlie the road pavement. Considering the buried location of this material there would be a low risk of this fill material containing P. cinnamomi. For other materials entering the site an assessment 2

5 of the source location should be made looking for the conditions that may support P. cinnamomi to assess the likelihood of it being transported to the SRC. In summary although the vegetation surrounding the SRC is vulnerable to P. cinnamomi dieback, the absence of infections in the local area and the source location of fill material results in the risk of infection by P. cinnamomi is LOW and will remain LOW provided the following procedures are adopted. Protocol Actions All works are to stay within the construction zone and avoid moving into bushland areas. If moving into bushland areas on foot, ensure footwear is to be free of mud and soil and cleaned with appropriate disinfection agent (70% Methylated spirits in spray bottle for personal use). Store any fill materials at the work site so as to ensure that any runoff drains to constructed collection points., Vehicles, machinery and equipment should to be free of mud and soil where practical. Where practical trucks should be cleaned at the end of each shift. Note Works deport truck wash facilities could would suit this purpose. Other Recommendations 1. Installation of a permanent wash down facility to allow vehicles to drive through disinfected water when construction program or construction of water management devices is complete 2. Installation of boot brush mounted within a recessed concrete pad to contain material removed from boots. Recessed area should be cleaned out and material disposed of in general waste. 3. Installation of rumble bars to assist in dislodging of soil material before leaving / entering the site. 4. Provision of disinfecting materials and tools in site office including I. Spray bottle of methylated spirits to treat tools and footwear. II. One rectangular bucket, One scrubbing brush, III. Supply of bleach to be used in wash down bay if P.cinnamomi is suspected IV. Have available on site educational materials on P.cinnamomi for dissemination to staff and contractors 3

6 5. All waste disinfectant water should be disposed of in the sewer/stormwater system. Do not dump waste from disinfecting procedures in the bush or on turf. 6. Instructions to all site workers and contractors to not leave the site with soil on boots or clothing into adjacent remnant bushland. Before entering such areas, boots are disinfected with methylated sprits. 4