Ecology of Anvil Hill

The area of the proposed mine site has undergone extensive fauna and flora studies over a period of years by various government departments and community groups. The area, known as "The Wybong Uplands", is the last large valley floor remnant woodland in the Central Hunter Valley and consists of 2064 hectares (Peake forthcoming). It is home to at least 178 animal species, including 4 threatened bat species, the squirrel glider, the koala, 14 threatened bird species and many more protected under international covenant. It is also home to at least 420 species of native flora, many of which are threatened and 3 endemic to the area, including one newly discovered species of orchid found only in the Anvil Hill area. The complete list of endangered flora and fauna is available below.

The area of the proposed mine site has been recommended as a high priority- urgent action for conservation due to its biodiversity significance (Peake forthcoming). The proposed Anvil Hill mine will destroy 1200 hectares of this remnant woodland. This is over half of the last large valley floor remnant woodland in the Central Hunter Valley, home to myriad endangered plants and animals. It will also directly impact on a large biodiversity corridor, isolating plants and animals to small islands of the woodland, further endangering their survival.

Centennial Coal continue to perpetuate the story that they are not mining the remnant woodlands but adjacent to it. They claim that the area of the proposed mine site is covered in some re-growth, some remnant forest and has been used for agricultural-cropping practices, attempting to give an impression of cleared land. However the community has conducted surveys across the area and resourced aerial photos of the area dated from 1974 that show the exact same vegetation footprint as today. Under the current Native Vegetation Legislation the entire area is classified as remnant vegetation. Abel Ecology consultants draft report on the community project funded by Envirofund supports the definition of remnant woodlands and supports the recommendation for conservation of the area.

Threatened and/or endangered Flora

Pomaderris queenslandica (Endangered TSC Act)
Pomaderris reperta (Endangered TSC, nominated Endangered EPBC)
Commersonia rosea (Endangered TSC, nominated Endangered EPBC)
Lasiopetalum longistamineum (Vulnerable TSC and EPBC)
Weeping Myall Woodland / Acacia pendula (Endangered TSC and EPBC)
Diuris tricolor (Vulnerable TSC and EPBC)
Goodenia macbarronii (Vulnerable TSC and EPBC)
Bothriochloa biloba (Vulnerable EPBC)
Hunter Lowland Redgum Forest Endangered Ecological Community
White Box Yellow Box Blakely's Red Gum Woodland represented as Slaty Box under the precautionary principles, also known as White Box Grassy Woodland
Cymbidium canaliculatum - Endangered Population in Hunter Catchment
One brand new species of orchid (a rustyhood) nominated endangered EPBC Act and TSC Act

Threatened and/or endangered Fauna

Mammals

Birds Scheduled TSC Act

Migratory birds protected under international conventions Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act