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Lower Hunter spotted gum - ironbark forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion as an endangered ecological community: an overview

March 2005

On 18 February 2005, the NSW Scientific Committe made a final determination to list the 'Lower Hunter Spotted Gum - Ironbark Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion' as an endangered ecological community. The NSW Scientific Committee is the independent body of scientists responsible for listings under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.

Lower Hunter spotted gum - ironbark forest was once widespread in the Lower Hunter region. It is now restricted to a fragmented area approximately 65 km by 35 km, centred around Cessnock-Beresfield in the Central and Lower Hunter Valley.

The overstorey of the Lower Hunter spotted gum - ironbark forest is dominated by spotted gum (Corymbia maculata) and broad-leaved ironbark (Eucalyptus fibrosa). Grey gum (E. punctata) and grey ironbark (E. crebra) are also occasionally found. A number of other eucalypt species occur infrequently in this ecological community, but may be common in particular areas.

You'll find a detailed description of the ecological community and its distribution in the Scientific Committee's final determination.

Why has this ecological community been listed as endangered?

1. It has been highly fragmented through clearing

It is estimated that prior to the colonisation of Australia, Lower Hunter spotted gum - ironbark forest was found in four large patches that covered nearly 50,000 hectares. This represented around 75 per cent of its total distribution.

However, clearing and other disturbances have modified and greatly fragmented the community. Lower Hunter spotted gum - ironbark forest has been split into more than 4800 fragments, of which more than 4500 are less than 10 hectares in area.

The four largest patches of the ecological community have been reduced to about 7000 hectares. This represents about 10 per cent of the community's estimated distribution before the arrival of Europeans in the area.

2. The ecological community is poorly represented in conservation reserves

Around 1600 hectares of Lower Hunter spotted gum - ironbark forest is protected within Werakata National Park. It consists of several fragmented patches of predominantly young regrowth.

This is less than 2.5 per cent of the community's estimated pre-1750 distribution. Over 95 per cent of Lower Hunter spotted gum - ironbark forest has either been cleared, or is now outside conservation reserves.

3. The remaining examples of the ecological community are highly degraded

Much of the remaining Lower Hunter spotted gum - ironbark forest shows signs of disturbance, mainly by:

  • past logging practices (including expansion of unplanned tracks and trails)
  • changes to patterns of fire
  • grazing
  • other human activities, including dumping of rubbish and garden waste (which has happened in Werakata National Park)
  • weed invasion (notably by lantana and wild tobacco).

In many places, the vegetation structure of the forest has been simplified and degraded, and has become less suitable as habitat for animal species. Local bird observers have noted declines in the numbers of birds associated with spotted gum/ironbark forests, including some threatened species.

4. The threats to the ecological community are continuing

The core of the remaining Lower Hunter spotted gum - ironbark forest is in the Cessnock Local Government Area. In this area, it is under pressure for clearing from:

  • existing and proposed rural-residential and residential subdivisions
  • industrial developments and coal mine sites
  • new cropping enterprises (such as vineyards)
  • transport corridors and power and communication lines.

In the Maitland Local Government Area, the Lower Hunter spotted gum - ironbark forest is exposed to high levels of threat from development, tree dieback and grazing. It is also moderately threatened by fragmentation, weeds, and fire.

Around 2800 hectares of the community is currently within state forests. An estimated 1770 hectares of this is excluded from timber harvesting in forest management zone reserves. However, these areas may be subject to development of service easements, transport infrastructure and mineral exploration.

Does the Lower Hunter spotted gum - ironbark forest

have to be in a pristine state to be considered part of the endangered ecological community?

Much of the remaining Lower Hunter spotted gum - ironbark forest is highly fragmented, and most remnants show evidence of disturbance and degradation to varying degrees. The importance of a particular remnant needs to be considered in this context.

In an undisturbed condition, the ecological community typically takes the form of open forest. If a remnant has been disturbed, it may take the form of a woodland or a dense thicket of saplings, depending on the amount of regeneration since the disturbance.

A remnant can be part of the endangered ecological community even if:

  • trees are present as a canopy, though there is a non-native ground-layer
  • characteristic tree species are absent as a result of past clearing or thinning, and only a ground-layer is present, along with other tree species
  • the overstorey is absent as a result of past clearing or thinning, and only a ground-layer is present.

Remnants that only have an intact overstorey or an intact understorey may still have high conservation value because they provide habitat for particular plants and animals.

Even small remnants may be important - including trees scattered across a paddock. Such trees can provide animals with hollows for shelter and nectar and pollen for food. They can also act as 'stepping stones' for animals moving from one area of bushland to another. Individual trees can also be an important seed source for regeneration.

Where a Lower Hunter spotted gum - ironbark forest remnant is in less-than-pristine condition, it is still considered part of the endangered ecological community if the site has at least part of its natural soil and seedbank intact. This means that, under appropriate management, it could be regenerated naturally.

What happens now that Lower Hunter spotted gum - ironbark forest has been listed as an endangered ecological community?

The Scientific Committee's final determination does not put a stop to all development. It also does not mean that not a single spotted gum or ironbark tree can be removed.

Any actions which impact on the endangered ecological community will trigger requirements under the Threatened Species Conservation Act and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. Consent authorities must consider the potential impacts of a proposed action on the endangered ecological community when making decisions about the use of land on which the community is found.

Routine agricultural activities do not require approval under the Threatened Species Conservation Act. This means that a similar agricultural activity can continue at a similar intensity on the same site. Farmers will not have to change the way they currently manage their land because of the listing. However, care must be taken when applying this rule, especially if the action is likely to harm the endangered ecological community.

Actions that have already been granted development consent under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 are also exempt from further approval.

Which government departments issue the approvals for actions that affect the endangered ecological community?

The approval authority will vary according to the scale of the action and local environmental planning requirements. The following government agencies may be involved in granting consent for an action that is likely to affect Lower Hunter spotted gum - ironbark forest:

  • Local councils. In most cases, the relevant local council will be the consent authority for development affected by the listing of the endangered ecological community.
  • Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources.
  • Department of Environment and Conservation. Although an action may not require consent or approval from another government department, its impact may still need to be considered under the Threatened Species Conservation Act. Contact the local Department of Environment and Conservation office for more details.

If you're not sure where to start, the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources is the initial contact for most applications to clear land.

Planning for the recovery of Lower Hunter spotted gum - ironbark forest

The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) will be working closely with interested parties to conserve Lower Hunter spotted gum - ironbark forest. Our goal is to ensure the long-term security of this ecological community, to the point where it can eventually be removed from the endangered list.

Experts and community representatives will work together to coordinate the recovery effort. Preparing a recovery plan for this community is one of our main priorities. The recovery plan will set out actions that aim to restore and improve the conservation values of the degraded patches of bushland. It will focus on public land.

Social and economic benefits of retaining Lower Hunter spotted gum - ironbark forest

Remnant native vegetation, including Lower Hunter spotted gum - ironbark forest, provides habitat for a diverse range of plant and animal species. It also contributes to more productive farming systems. Remant forests can provide:

  • shelter for stock, pasture and crops
  • a seed bank for further tree and native grass regeneration on the property
  • habitat for native animals that eat insect pests
  • assistance in maintaining water quality, by helping to fight rising water-tables and salinity.

The population of the Lower Hunter is rapidly expanding. If this endangered ecological community is better protected, people will have more natural places where they can enjoy bushwalking, bird watching and other recreational activities.

More information


Page last updated: 22 February 2008