Pioneer Dairy Wetlands Eastern Long-necked Turtle Green and Golden Bell Frog DRAFT Master plan June 2011 1
Contents WHS contribution 3 Location for Enclosure and Rehabilitation area 4 Eastern Long-necked Turtle 5 Green and Golden Bell Frog 11 Conclusions 14 2
Wyong High School s Contribution Wyong High Primary Industries wish to continue various projects that will lead to the eventual opening of the Pioneer Dairy for Discovery Day tours. The Pioneer Dairy Wetlands are world class. In the coming months necessary projects will have been completed in order to run the tours. Children will be able to: - Dip for water bugs - Watch and identify birds from the bird watching platform - Look at an Eastern Long-necked Turtle - Plant aquatic and terrestrial plants - Throw spears at targets - Look at totem poles - Look at the seed from a Bunya Pine - Watch and get involved in the milking of a cow The Pioneer Dairy Wetlands provide habitat for many significant plants and animals including the Eastern Long-necked Turtle and the endangered Green and Golden Bell Frog. Wyong High Primary Industries wish to enhance the natural values of the Pioneer Dairy. The Eastern Long-necked Turtle is a fascinating reptile. An enclosure needs to be built in order to showcase it. Reasons for building an enclosure for the turtle: Education Something interesting for visitors Maintain biodiversity Enhance natural values of the turtle and the Wetlands The Green and Golden Bell Frog is a significant species that is endangered. A rehabilitation program will boost population numbers, while promoting the values of the frog to the general community. Within the community awareness of the dairy as a historic and environmental site will grow. This will develop the Pioneer Dairy site into a major environment hub of biodiversity, while preserving elements of the once biggest dairy in the region. 3
Where will the Enclosure and Rehabilitation areas be? The Eastern Long-necked Turtle enclosure and Green and Golden Bell Frog rehabilitation area will be side by side in a small swamp directly opposite the foot bridge on the south side. The turtle enclosure will take up the water logged area of the swamp, while the frog rehabilitation area will be on the lower side of the swamp (partially water logged with dense aquatic vegetation). Why there? The swamp is a relatively good size to support the turtle and frogs. The swamp is situated midway along the Eastern Long-necked Turtle walking track. The turtles in the enclosure are the highlight must see of the walk and so give the track its name. The swamp is in a tranquil area that consists of other interesting features of the Pioneer Dairy. 4
Turtle Enclosure After considering many factors as discussed on page three a natural enclosure was decided. Reasons for a natural enclosure; Blends into the surroundings Better habitat and lifestyle for the turtle Vegetation: The swamp consists of mostly native aquatic species. A small population of Parrots Feather Myriophllum aquaticum inhabit the swamp; this weed will be removed before the construction of the enclosure. No native species will be removed. Materials for the construction of the enclosure: Many materials could be used for the construction of an enclosure around the swamp. The enclosure needs to be near 50cm high, keeping turtles in and children out. Sandstone blocks would be the most appropriate material for the enclosure. The blocks would be stood up vertically and dug into the ground (35cm) so around 50cm of the sandstone is above the ground. Sandstone would look the most natural of all possible enclosures and would age beautifully over time, requiring limited maintenance. The swamp and its vegetation 5
Fig 1.1 Fig 1.1, in detail: 35cm of the sandstone is underground. This prevents turtles from digging their way out and holds the blocks tightly. 50cm of the sandstone is above the ground. This height would hold small children in, and not be so high that they wouldn t be able to see in. Yes, many children would be capable of climbing over. But they would be told not to and be under constant supervision by adults. Children would not feel the need to climb over to see a turtle. A secure platform would provide good views into the enclosure. The top of the sandstone is left with a rough look. Sharp points of any part of the sandstone would be smoothed for obvious safety reasons. Sandstone blocks would be held together with a brick layers mud (mortar). A mixture consisting of sand, cement, lime, bycol and water. The mortar is water tolerant. All other possible building materials that could be used for the enclosure have complications: Wood would have a natural look. But would weather overtime and splinter not good for children. Small built pool fencing would keep children out but possibly let turtles out. Pool fencing, overtime would require maintenance and would not look natural in the area. Cost may also be a problem with this fencing. Besser blocks would keep children out and turtles enclosed. The overall price for using besser blocks could add up. Besser blocks would dirty easily in the environment and wouldn t look very natural in the area. 6
Viewing platform In order to see the turtles clearly a viewing platform is necessary. The platform is depicted in the sketches below. Pictured: the swamp and an ideal location for a viewing platform. The platform faces south-west, sun behind you Platform doesn t block any views The platform is proposed on the highest ground 7
Fig 2.2 in detail: Fill needs to be gravel (found on site). This would provide a sturdy bottom and hold good during wet weather. Soil would wash out. The slope is wheel chair accessible. 8:1. Crazy Sandstone will be used to make a path up the platform. It will be obtained from the off cuts of sandstone blocks used around the enclosure. Side sandstone blocks herd people to the viewing platform in the safest area. The blocks would be smoothed and cemented into the ground. Vegetation enhances the look of the area while providing habitat for frogs. It creates a fence between the platform and the water. The garden also provides grounds to place the sign regarding the turtle s food web. Hardwood corner posts would look natural and provide support for the metal rails. 8
Metal rails act as a fence, keeping people from falling in while allowing a good view into the enclosure. No splinters. The swamp will be deepened in some places, for the turtles liking. The fill from doing this will be pilled in the centre of the enclosure, creating an island. The turtle itself! Wyong High School will provide the Eastern Long-necked Turtle. The turtle will be bought to the Pioneer Dairy before a tour and be shown by hand at first in front of the enclosure. This gives children the opportunity to get up close with the reptile. The turtle will then be placed into the enclosure, to demonstrate its nature in the water. The turtle will be left in the water for the rest of the tour, and be removed at the end. An application for a reptile keeper s licence will need to be logged to National Parks and Wildlife Service. A basic reptile class licence will cost $143 for five years. Other issues; Water level, at times may drop too low for a turtle to habitat comfortably. This can be solved by simply pumping more water in. Water clarity, the water is unlikely to get very foggy as the water in the swamp is moving underground. However at times if the water is to foggy the turtle would not be housed in there. Maybe only shown by hand. A ph test would be conducted weekly to ensure the water is healthy for turtles. Gate access needs to be provided into the swamp for a range of reasons including: - Rubbish removal - Weed Removal - To conduct ph test - To get the turtle - For the unlikely emergency if a child were to fall in. A small pool gate would be fitted along the sandstone wall. It would be level with the sandstone blocks and have mesh over it to prevent the turtle from escaping. Concrete will also be under the gate to prevent the turtle from digging out. 9
Full enclosure sketch NOT TO SCALE 1 0
Green and Golden Bell Frog Recovery Plan Legal Status The Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea is listed as Vulnerable nationally under the Commonwealth s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and as Endangered on Schedule 1, under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. The Green and Golden Bell Frog at the Pioneer Dairy The Green and Golden Bell Frog was last recorded officially at the Pioneer Dairy early 2000 s. Today, the location and populations of the frog is unknown. A major survey will be conducted regarding all frog species found on site and their abundance. Egg Collecting Frog eggs from around the Pioneer Dairy will be collected in buckets and bought to old cement troughs running off the bails. Pictured: Frog eggs are usually found on the edges of swamps. Water troughs Water troughs, running off the bails, are important to the history of the Pioneer Dairy. Primary Industries wants to preserve the troughs and make use of them. The troughs would be brought back to their original state and used for tadpole hatchings and to grow aquatic vegetation. The troughs are relatively good in size to support thousands of tadpoles. There are two rows of troughs - one row would be divided into sections to support tadpoles, while the other trough would support propagation of aquatic vegetation. Some of the aquatic vegetation being grown would be transported to the tadpole troughs. The troughs are a good height that would allow children to place their hands in so they could easily remove plants from the troughs. Children would plant the plants in swamps around the dairy as a 1 1
part of their Discovery Day Tour. They would learn of the importance of the plants, and so be able to contribute to the survival of frogs and the turtles by providing habitat. Large Scale Hatchings One row of troughs will be sectioned into different water pools. Each egg lot will home a single section. A date above each section will indicate when the eggs were collected. As the tadpoles start to mature they will be identified. The tadpoles will be allowed to mature until they are almost frogs, with legs and a short tail. They will then be collected in buckets and distributed over the swamps at the dairy by children as a part of their Discovery Day Tour. Children releasing Green and Golden Bell Frogs will learn of their vulnerability and characteristics, while contributing to their survival. Excellent site for release of tadpoles? The swamp running off the bridge would provide good grounds for tadpole release. The swamp is easily accessible and is at the centre of other water-logged areas. This allows the frogs to move along as they mature from tadpoles to find suitable habitat. The swamp is made up of mostly dense aquatic vegetation in moist to semi-logged areas of water. Plant species are native with small populations of Parrots Feather Myriophllum aquaticum occurring. Before the rehabilitation program is established, all weeds from the swamp will be removed. What needs to be done before the troughs are used? An application for an Amphibian keeper s licence will need to be lodged with the National Parks and Wildlife Service. A basic Amphibian class licence will cost $143 for five years. Some minor rendering of the troughs cement to hold water. The troughs need to be thoroughly cleaned before any tadpoles are introduced, in order to move debris and any chemicals. Aquatic vegetation needs to be propagated, then distributed over the tadpole troughs. The vegetation would provide habitat and a source of food for the tadpoles. Build a net to go over the troughs. The net would only be used when there are no tours. The cement around the troughs is uneven and is a tripping hazard. The area needs to be re-cemented before Discovery Day Tours. 1 2
Plan of Management Water quality tests need to be conducted regularly to ensure water is safe for frogs. After all tadpoles from a single section have gone, the section would need fresh water. The water would be sourced from the dairy swamp and moved by buckets. Water from the swamp would suit the tadpoles because small organisms in the water provide a natural source of food. Fig 3.1 water troughs 1 3
Conclusions The works regarding the Eastern Long-necked Turtle and the Green and Golden Bell Frog are only the first animal related projects that are planned. Once they are established Primary Industries will look into other projects. The exciting projects need to get under way soon to finish on schedule! Your feedback is welcome. Primary Industries are working at the Pioneer Dairy; Monday: 2:00-5:00pm Thursday: 2:30-4:30pm Written by Jed Field Year 11 Primary Industries student Bibliography # Page 1 Green and Golden Bell Frog picture; www.frogs.org.au # Page 1 Eastern Long-necked Turtle picture; www.onemoregeneration.org # Page 9 under the sub heading legal status the entire paragraph amended from: Department of Environment and Conservation NSW ( 2005) Draft Recovery Plan for the Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea). DEC NSW, Hurstville, NSW. 1 4