1. The document outlines various statutory instruments that protect environmental values at Sydney Olympic Park, including threatened species, migratory birds, and their habitats. 2. Key threats to waterbirds and migratory shorebirds include inadequate habitat, mangrove encroachment, and disturbance from public access. Management strategies involve habitat restoration and limiting access during migration periods. 3. Woodland birds at the park face threats such as habitat loss and modification, and aggressive interactions with other bird species. Conservation efforts include removing weeds, planting diverse habitat, and increasing habitat connectivity.

1. .
Stephen Ambrose
Ambrose Ecological Services Pty Ltd

2. Statutory Instruments Protecting the
Environmental Values of SOP
1. Commonwealth Environment Protection & Biodiversity
Conservation Act, 1999 (EPBC Act):
- wetlands protected by international treaty (Ramsar Convention);- wetlands protected by international treaty (Ramsar Convention);
- nationally-listed threatened species, populations & ecological
communities;
- nationally-listed migratory & marine species.
- processes threatening the national status of threatened biota.
2. NSW National Parks & Wildlife Act, 1974
Protection of the State’s natural and cultural heritage, including NSW
native species and their habitats.

3. 3. NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995 (TSC Act)
- NSW-listed threatened species, populations and ecological
communities and their habitats.communities and their habitats.
- processes threatening the NSW status of threatened biota.
4. Environmental Planning & Assessment Act, 1979 (EP & A Act).
Facilitates major project and infrastructure delivery & economic
development in NSW, while strengthening environmental
safeguards and community participation.

4. 5. Sydney Olympic Park Authority Act, 2001 (SOPA Act)
Requires SOPA to implement the principles if ecological sustainable
development (ESD). Establishes the protection of the Park’s natural
heritage as a key function of SOPA.
Key Document: SOP Biodiversity Management Plan (introduced 2010, last
revised 2014)
6. Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No. 24 – Homebush Bay
(SREP 24).
Regulation of land-use at Homebush Bay.
7. State Environmental Planning Policy No. 14 – Coastal Wetlands
(SEPP 14)
Recognition of environmentally significant coastal wetlands. Applies to
Homebush Bay Wetlands.

5. Species Status Current
Record
Occ.
Record
Hist.
Record
Notes
Little Tern E (TSC) X
Black-tailed Godwit V (TSC) X Newington NR &
Waterbird Refuge
(last seen late 1990s)(last seen late 1990s)
Broad-billed Sandpiper V (TSC) X
Curlew Sandpiper V (TSC) X
Great Knot V (TSC) X
Australasian Bittern E
(EPBC & TSC)
X X Narawang Wetland &
Brickpit
(periodic visitor)
Freckled Duck V (SC),
M (EPBC)
X X Waterbird Refuge
(occasional visitor)

6. Threatened Waterbirds Currently Recorded at SOP
Curlew Sandpiper Australasian Bittern Freckled Duck

7. Threatened Terrestrial Birds Recorded in SOP
(4 spp.)
Species Status Current
Record
Occ.
Record
Hist.
Record
Notes
Eastern Grass Owl V (TSC) X Last recorded in 1982 in
wetland near Bennelongwetland near Bennelong
Rd.
Swift Parrot E
(EPBC & TSC)
X Last recorded in 1991 in
Bicentennial Park.
Black-chinned Honeyeater V (TSC) X Last recorded in 1940s.
White-fronted Chat V, EP (TSC) X Known population
consists of 3 male birds
(2014) – salt marsh flats.

8. Threatened Terrestrial Birds Recorded in SOP
Eastern Grass Owl Swift Parrot
Black-chinned Honeyeater White-fronted Chat

9. Migratory Shorebirds Recorded in SOP Since 2006
31 species recorded historically in Homebush Bay, 12 in SOP since 2000.
Species Status Max No.
2000-2006
Max No.
Since 2007
Bar-tailed Godwit C, J, R 70 240
Common Greenshank C, J, R 6 1
Common Sandpiper C, J, R 5 1
Curlew Sandpiper C, J, R, E 37 8Curlew Sandpiper C, J, R, E 37 8
Marsh Sandpiper C, J, R 3 1
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper C, J, R 280 100
Red-necked Stint C, J, R 8 3
Pacific Golden Plover C, J, R 1 15
Ruddy Turnstone C, J, R - 1
Ruff C, J, R 1 -
Pectoral Sandpiper J 1 -
Eastern Curlew C, J, R 1 1

10. Migratory Shorebirds
Bar-tailed Godwit Red-necked Stint Common Greenshank
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Pacific Golden Plover Eastern Curlew

11. East Asian – Australasian Migratory Shorebird Flyway

12. Black-winged Stilt
Resident shorebird in SOP wetlands. Breeding (Wilson Park
Remediation Ponds, Waterbird Refuge, Badu Mangroves) regionally-
significant.
Latham’s SnipeLatham’s Snipe
Listed Migratory Species under EPBC Act.
Reliably inhabits Narawang Wetland, but also found in other wetlands
in SOP. 60-100 individuals recorded prior to 1990s, but has declined
since due to habitat loss & disturbances. Current population c. 12 - 17
individuals & stable.
Chestnut Teal
Homebush Bay Wetlands (esp. Waterbird Refuge & Mason Park
Wetland) provide habitat for one of the largest concentrations of
Chestnut Teal in NSW (> 300 birds).

13. Regionally-significant Species
Chestnut Teal Latham’s SnipeChestnut Teal Latham’s Snipe
Black-winged Stilt Red-rumped Parrot

14. Red-rumped Parrot:
SOP is the most easterly breeding distribution of species.
Population in decline, ranging from 50 individuals (2004) to 18
individuals (2008). 35 individuals in 2013.
Raptors:
SOP has a rich & diverse raptor community: 14 species (9 resident
species, 5 occasional visitor species, 5 species nest in SOP).

15. Raptor Species in SOP
Species Resident Breed Occ. Visitor Park Areas
Australian Hobby X Open woodland.
Australian Kestrel X X Woodland, grassland, open sedge
areas.
Barn Owl X ? Open woodland.
Black Falcon X X Hunts in woodland. Roosts in trees
near wetlands.
Southern Boobook X ? Woodland & open grassland.
Brown Goshawk X X Treed areas. Nests in woodland
Newington NR.Newington NR.
Black-shouldered Kite X X Open grassland (esp. Woo-la-ra, the
Brickpit, Newington Armory.
Collared Sparrowhawk X X Treed areas. Nests in woodland in
Newington Nature Reserve.
Pacific Baza X One record, migratory.
Peregrine Falcon X Most park areas.
Spotted Harrier X Open woodland & Brickpit.
Swamp harrier X Saltmarsh and grassland areas.
Wedge-tailed Eagle X Open woodland & grasslands
White-bellied Sea-eagle X X Nests in Newington NR.

16. Raptors Breeding in SOP
White-bellied Sea-eagle
Brown GoshawkCollared Sparrowhawk

17. Raptors Breeding in SOP
Black-shouldered Kite
Australian Kestrel
Black-shouldered Kite

18. Local Threats to Waterbirds & Migratory Shorebirds
1. Inadequate habitat quantity or quality; habitat fragmentation.
2. Inappropriate hydrological regimes, September – March.
3. Mangrove encroachment into mudflats & saltmarsh habitats.
4. Saltmarsh encroachment into mudflat areas.4. Saltmarsh encroachment into mudflat areas.
5. Reduction of sight lines due to mangroves & casuarinas close to
food & roosting areas.

19. Local Threats to Waterbirds & Migratory Shorebirds
6. Trampling of habitats & disturbance to birds due to:
(a) contractor access & work requirements; and
(b) public off-path & nocturnal access to Waterbird
Refuge & Newington NR.Refuge & Newington NR.
7. Increased demand for public access, noise & lighting.
8. Predation by foxes and cats.
9. Reduction of food abundance as a result of loss of water
quality.

20. Management of Threats to Shorebirds & Waterbirds
1. Tidal flushing of Newington NR wetlands (since 1997) and
Waterbird Refuge (since 2007).
2. Removal of mangrove seedlings from mudflat and saltmarsh
habitats.habitats.
3. Management of the spread of casuarinas where encroachment
threatens shorebird habitat & mature trees reduce sight lines.
4. Public access to wetland perimeters restricted during the summer
migration period.

21. Woodland Bird Report Card for SOP
59 woodland bird species recorded at SOP, 31 (52.5%) considered
woodland dependent.
19 woodland dependent species, declining in abundance in Sydney
region, 6 of these species at risk of decline in SOP:
 Double-barred Finch
 Red-browed Finch Red-browed Finch
 Spotted Pardalote
 Superb Fairy-wren
 White-browed Scrubwren
 Yellow-rumped Thornbill

22. 1. Low population viability of some species due to small size, low
genetic variability, geographical isolation & small area of
available habitat.
2. Ongoing habitat modification, fragmentation or removal.
3. Low extent of high-quality woodland bird habitat in landscaped
parkland areas; low habitat connectivity.parkland areas; low habitat connectivity.
4. Competition with aggressive bird species, e.g. Noisy Miners,
Rainbow Lorikeets, Grey Butcherbirds, Aust Magpies, Pied
Currawongs.
5. Disturbance to birds, damage to habitat, by uncontrolled or
unauthorised public access & off-lead dogs.
6. Pressures for increased public access, noise & lighting.
7. Predation by foxes, cats, ravens, gulls & other birds.

23. Some Local Hooligans
Noisy Miner Grey Butcherbird Pied Currawong
Rainbow Lorikeet
Australian White Ibis Australian Magpie

24. 1. Conservation of remnant forest.
2. Staged removal of woody weeds (e.g. lantana) & shrub planting
in selected areas since 2006.
= structurally complex habitat with developed shrub layer for= structurally complex habitat with developed shrub layer for
woodland birds.
3. Planting shrub and tree species in landscape areas that provide
structural diverse woodland habitats.
4. Increased connectivity between woodland bird hotspots, e.g.
Brickpit, Newington NR and Narawang Wetland.
5. Provision of nest boxes for hollow-dependent bird species (e.g.
Red-rumped Parrot).