Dillwynia tenuifolia (a shrub) population, Kemps Creek - endangered population listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the population of Dillwynia tenuifolia Sieber ex D.C. at Kemps Creek as an ENDANGERED POPULATION on Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Act. Listing of Endangered Populations is provided for by Section 11 of the Act.

NSW Scientific Committee - final determination

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. The population proposed for listing is the population of Dillwynia tenuifolia Sieber ex D.C. which occurs in the area bounded by Western Road, Elizabeth Drive, Devonshire Road and Cross Street, Kemps Creek within Liverpool City Local Government Area.

2. Dillwynia tenuifolia, a member of the Fabaceae, is an erect shrub between 0.6 and 1.0 metre high.  Dillwynia tenuifolia is listed as vulnerable on Schedule 2 of the Act, and thus the population is eligible for listing as an Endangered Population.

3. Dillwynia tenuifolia occurs mainly on the Cumberland Plain, but with a few outlying populations.

4. The area occupied by the Kemps Creek population is within a disjunct occurrence of Castlereagh Ironbark Forest and Castlereagh Woodland, and within the site is widespread through both communities.

5. The site of the population is a small and disjunct remnant of what was formerly a much more extensive area of Castlereagh Woodlands on the central Cumberland Plain, which would have previously provided habitat for Dillwynia tenuifolia. The area surviving represents about 7.5% of the original area of Castlereagh Woodlands between Kemps Creek and South Creeks.

6. The population is threatened by proposed development which would involve clearing of vegetation, and by rubbish dumping and weed invasion.

7. The population is near the southern limit of the distribution of Dillwynia tenuifolia, and is of significance because of its size, the high density of individuals in parts of the site and the generally good condition of the remnants in which it occurs.

8. In the light of 1, 5, 6, and 7 above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the habitat of the population has been so drastically reduced that it is in immediate danger of extinction and is of significant conservation value, and meets the criteria for listing as an endangered population, and thus has made a final determination to list the population as endangered.

Dr Chris Dickman
Chairperson
Scientific Committee

Gazetted: 28/11/97