Identification of high probability groundwater dependent ecosystems on the coastal plains of NSW and their ecological value
APPENDIX 7:
Types of communities, including those that are
groundwater dependent, within the Hunter-Central Rivers
CMA area
149 | NSW Office of Water, June 2012
Identification of high probability groundwater dependent ecosystems on the coastal plains of NSW and their ecological value
GDE Type
GDE Name
Scientific Name
GDE
probability
Landscape Location
EEC
Terrestrial
Bangalow Palm/ Coachwood/
Sassafras gully warm
temperate rainforest of the
Central Coast
Archontophoenix
cunninghamiana/ Ceratopetalum
apetalum/ Doryphora sassafras
gully warm temperate rainforest
of the Central Coast
High
Occurs in sheltered gullies on the
sandstone ranges of the Central Coast
at elevations below 250m
No
Terrestrial
Black Booyong/ Giant
Stinging Tree/ Rosewood/
Moreton Bay Fig lowland
subtropical rainforest of the
lower North Coast
Heritiera actinophylla/
Dendrocnide excelsa/
Dysoxylum fraserianum/ Ficus
macrophylla lowland subtropical
rainforest of the Lower North
Coast
High
Lowland areas of the lower North
Coast
Yes
Terrestrial
Blackbutt/ Rough-barked
Apple/ Turpentine/ ferny tall
open forest of the Central
Coast
Eucalyptus pilularis/ Angophora
floribunda/ Syncarpia
glomuliferashrub/ fern tall open
forest of the Central Coast
High
Mainly on sandstone substrates on the
hinterland of the Central Coast at
elevations below 250m
No
Terrestrial
Blackbutt/turpentine/Sydney
Blue Gum mesic tall open
forest on the ranges of the
Central Coast
Eucalyptus pilularis/Syncarpia
glomulifera/Eucalyptus saligna
tall open forest on ranges of the
Central Coast
High
Sandstone ranges on the Central Coast
at elevations below 450m
No
Wetland
Brisbane Water Estuary
Na
High
Melaleuca quinquenervia/
Eucalyptus robusta/ Casuarina
glauca/ Gahnia clarkei swamp
High
Wetland/Terrestrial Broad-leaved Paperbark/
Swamp Mahogany/ Swamp
Oak/ Saw Sedge swamp
150 | NSW Office of Water, June 2012
Unknown
Swamp open forest; ground stratum is
dominated by wet loving grasses and
graminoid species; common on
Swamp
Sclerophyll
Forest on coastal
Identification of high probability groundwater dependent ecosystems on the coastal plains of NSW and their ecological value
forest of the Central Coast
and Lower North Coast
forest of the Central Coast and
Lower North Coast
coastal floodplains and poorly drained
lowlands from the Broadwater to
Failford; occurs mainly on
unconsolidated sediments at
elevations below 50m
floodplains of the
NSW North
Coast, Sydney
Basin and South
East Corner
Bioregions
Terrestrial
Cabbage Gum/ +-Roughbarked Apple grassy
woodland on alluvial
floodplains of the lower
Hunter
Eucalyptus amplifolia/ +Angophora floribunda grassy
woodland on alluvial floodplains
of the lower Hunter
High
Floodplains of the Lower Hunter
Valley
River Flat
Eucalypt Forest
on Coastal
Floodplains of
the NSW North
Coast, Sydney
Basin and South
East Corner
bioregions
Terrestrial
Coast Tea Tree/ Coast
Banksia/ Ficinia nodosa low
open shrubland on coastal
foredunes
Leptospermum laevigatum/
Banksia integrifolia/ Ficinia
nodosa low open shrubland on
coastal foredunes
High
Confined to littoral, low sandstone
hills and dunes along the cost from
Terrigal to Seal Rocks; locally
impeded drainage; elevations below
50m
No
Terrestrial
Coast Tea Tree/ Old Man
Banksia coastal shrubland on
foredunes of the Central and
lower North Coast
Leptospermum laevigatum/
Banksia serrata coastal
shrubland on foredunes of the
Central and lower North Coast
High
Coastal sands from Budgewoi to
Green Point in Booti Booti National
Park; elevation is minimal – the
maximum recorded being 25m
No
Wetland
Coastal Wetland
Na
High
Coastal Plains
Unknown
Wetland
Crowdy Bay National Park
Na
High
151 | NSW Office of Water, June 2012
Unknown
Identification of high probability groundwater dependent ecosystems on the coastal plains of NSW and their ecological value
Terrestrial
Dwarf Apple/ Scribbly Gum
heathy low woodland on
sandstone ranges of the
Central Coast
Angophora hispida/ Eucalyptus
haemastoma heathy low
woodland on sandstone ranges of
the Central Coast
High
Terrestrial
Dwarf Casuarina/ Pricklyleaved Paperbark/ Heathleaved Banksia Coastal Heath
of the Central Coast and
lower North Coast
Allocasuarina distyla/ Melaleuca
Nodosa/ Banksia spinulosa
Coastal Heath of the Central
Coast and lower North Coast
High
Terrestrial
Dwarf Casuarina/ Wallum
Banksia heath on coastal
headlands of Central Coast
Allocasuarina distyla/ Banksia
aemulaheath on coastal
headlands of Central Coast
Unlikely
Low shrub layer; restricted to coastal
headlands from Maitland Bay to
Forresters Beach; occurs on sandstone
substrates at elevations up to 120m
No
Terrestrial
Fern-leaf Banksia/
Needlebush/ Leptocarpus
tenax/ Lepyrodia scariosa
wet heath on sandstone
ranges of the Central Coast
Banksia oblongifolia/ Hakea
teretifolia/ Leptocarpus tenax/
Lepyrodia scariosa wet heath on
sandstone ranges of the Central
Coast
High
Tall wet shrublands; occurs from
Mooney Mooney Creek north to the
Kulnura area; occurs on Hawkesbury
Sandstone ridges and plateaux on
areas of impeded drainage at
elevations up to about 300m
No
Wetland /
Terrestrial
Flax-leaved Paperbark/ Tall
Sedge shrubland of the
Sydney Basin
Melaleuca linariifolia/ Carex
appressa shrubland of the
Sydney Basin
High
Tall sedge shrubland; ground cover is
characterised by sedges and related
species with some grasses favouring
wet conditions; poorly drained sites
and on some waterways on the lower
Central Coast and hinterlands;
elevations range from 5-200m
No
152 | NSW Office of Water, June 2012
Seasonally wet woodlands; occurs on
the dissected sandstone hill of the
Central Coast hinterlands at
elevations below 400m
No
No
Identification of high probability groundwater dependent ecosystems on the coastal plains of NSW and their ecological value
Terrestrial
Flooded Gum/ Brush Box/
Tallowwood mesic tall open
forest on ranges of the lower
North Coast
Eucalyptus grandis/
Lophostemon confertus/
Eucalyptus microcorys mesic tall
open forest on ranges of the
Lower North Coast
High
Wetland
Freshwater Treeless
Wetlands
Freshwater Treeless Wetlands
High
Terrestrial
Giant Stinging Tree/
Sandpaper Fig dry
subtropical rainforest at Mt
Yengo
Dendrocnide excelsa/ Ficus
coronata Fig dry subtropical
rainforest at Mt Yengo
High?
Terrestrial
Grassland
Grassland
Unlikely
Terrestrial
Grey Ironbark/ Broad-leaved
Mahogany/ Forest Red Gum
shrubby open forest on
Coastal Lowlands of the
Central Coast
Eucalyptus paniculata/
Eucalyptus umbra/ Eucalyptus
tereticornis shrubby open forest
on Coastal Lowlands of the
Central Coast
High
Coastal lowlands of the Central Coast
mainly on sandstones
No
Estuarine & Near
Shore Marine
Ecosystem
Grey Mangrove low closed
forest
Avicennia marina low closed
forest
High
Occurs on tidal saline mud along the
length of the coast
No
Terrestrial
Grey Myrtle sheltered gully
dry rainforest in gullies of the
Sydney Basin
Backhousia myrtifolia sheltered
gully dry rainforest on sandstone
ranges of the Sydney Basin
High
Sandstone gullies on the Central
Coast hinterland and western Blue
mountains at mid to low elevations
No
153 | NSW Office of Water, June 2012
Tall open forest; ranges of the lower
North Coast at elevations below 700m
No
Yes
Restricted to sheltered areas around
the Mount Yengo area on basalt
No
No
Identification of high probability groundwater dependent ecosystems on the coastal plains of NSW and their ecological value
Heath-leaved Banksia/ Olive
Tea-tree/ Wallum Boronia
wet heath on coastal sands of
lower North Coast
Banksia ericifolia/
Leptospermum liversidgei/
Boronia falcifolia wet heath on
coastal sands of lower North
Coast
High
Wetland
Hexham Swamp
Na
High
No
Wetland
Hunter River south channel
Na
High
No
Terrestrial
Jackwood/ Lilly Pilly/
Sassafras riparian warm
temperate rainforest of the
Central Coast
Cryptocarya glaucescens/
Acmena smithii/ Doryphora
sassafras riparian warm
temperate rainforest of the
Central Coast
High
Sheltered riparian sites of the Central
coast, mainly on sandstones at
elevations below 50m
No
Terrestrial
Kangaroo Grass/ Coastal
Rosemary grassland on
coastal headlands
Themeda australis/ Westringia
fruticosa grassland on coastal
headlands
Unlikely
Coastal headlands
Yes
Wetland
Kooragang Nature Reserve
Na
High
Unknown
Estuarine & Near
Shore Marine
Ecosystem
Kooragang, 287
Na
High
Unknown
Terrestrial
Lilly Pilly/ Coachwood gully
warm temperate rainforest on
sandstone ranges of the
Sydney Basin
Acmena smithii/ Ceratopetalum
apetalum gully warm temperate
rainforest on sandstone ranges of
the Sydney Basin
High
154 | NSW Office of Water, June 2012
Wet health, tall wet shrubland; occurs
on coastal dune and barrier sands
from Cape Hawke to Diamond Head;
sands are mostly Quaternary
unconsolidated deposits at elevations
below 20m
No
Terrestrial
Sheltered sites on sandstone ranges of
the Sydney Basin up to elevations of
900m
No
Identification of high probability groundwater dependent ecosystems on the coastal plains of NSW and their ecological value
Terrestrial
Lilly Pilly/ Sandpaper Fig/
Prickly-leaved Tea Tree
warm temperate rainforest of
the Central Coast and lower
Hunter Valley
Acmena smithii/ Ficus coronata/
Melaleuca styphelioides warm
temperate rainforest of the
Central Coast and lower Hunter
Valley
High
Sheltered sites on sandstone coastal
ranges of the Central Coast up to
altitudes of 350m
No
Terrestrial
Lily Pilly/ Grey Myrtle/ Rasp
Fern warm temperate
rainforest on ranges of the
Central and lower North
Coast
Acmena smithii/ Backhoudia
myrtifolia/ Doodia aspera warm
temperate rainforest on ranges of
the Central and Lower North
Coast
High
Occurs on the foothills of the lower
north Coast and Central Coast at
elevations between 100m and 750m
No
Wetland /
Terrestrial
Melaleuca biconvexa/
Swamp Mahogany/ Cabbage
Palm swamp forest of the
Central Coast
Melaleuca biconvexa/
Eucalyptus robusta/ Livistona
australis swamp forest of the
Central Coast
High
Swamp forest; Ground stratum is
sedge dominated; found on poorly
drained sites in the Central Coast
hinterlands from Copacabana to
Tuggerah; substrate is most
commonly unconsolidated sands;
some occur on sandstone substrates;
elevation is under 30m
Yes
Terrestrial
Messmate grassy tall open
forest of Barrington Tops and
Northern Tablelands
escarpment
Eucalyptus obliqua grassy tall
open forest on Barrington and
Northern Tablelands escarpment
High?
Open forest to tall open forest; occurs
predominately on mid and upper
slopes on the Barrington Tops and
Northern Tablelands at elevation over
1000m
No
Wetland
Myall Lakes
Not Native Vegetation
High
Unknown
Terrestrial
na
Grassland
Unlikely
No
155 | NSW Office of Water, June 2012
Identification of high probability groundwater dependent ecosystems on the coastal plains of NSW and their ecological value
Terrestrial
Narrow-leaved Apple/
Parramatta Red Gum/
Persoonia oblongata heathy
woodland of the Howes
Valley area
Angophora bakeri/ Eucalyptus
parramattensis/ Persoonia
oblongata heathy woodland of
the Howes Valley area
High
Occurs in the Putty to Howes Valley
area; restricted to undulating (not
dissected) sedimentary plateau
surfaces; occurs at elevations between
100-200m
No
Terrestrial
Old Man Banksia/ Roughbarked Apple/ Bangalay
shrubby open forest on
coastal sands of the Central
Coast
Banksia serrata/ Angophora
floribunda/ Eucalyptus
botryoides shrubby open forest
on coastal sands of the Central
Coast
High
Low lying Quaternary sands on the
western edges of Woy Woy and
Umina townships. Grows at sea level
with no elevations over 10m
Yes
Terrestrial
Olive Tea-tree/ Crimson
Bottlebrush/ Xanthorrhoea
fulva wet heath on coastal
sands of lower North Coast
Leptospermum liversidgei/
Callistemon citrinus/
Xanthorrhoea fulva wet heath on
coastal sands of lower North
Coast
High
Ground stratum is typically wetland;
distributed from just south of Nelson
Bay to the Tuncurray area; substrates
are costal and sub coastal Quaternary
sands at elevations up to 10m
No
Wetland /
Terrestrial
Paperbarks/ Woollybutt
swamp forest on coastal
lowlands of the Central Coast
Melaleuca linariifolia/
Melaleuca sieberi/ Melaleuca
ericifolia/ Melaleuca nodosa/
Eucalyptus longifolia swamp
forest on coastal lowlands of the
Central Coast
High
Swamp open forest; ground stratum is
domninated by sedges; found on low
lying land to the west of both
Boyalson and Warnervale; substrate is
sandstone or unconsolidated
sediments and elevations are typically
less than 20m
Swamp
sclerophyll forest
on coastal
floodplains of the
NSW North
Coast, Sydney
Basin and South
East corner
Bioregions
Wetland /
Terrestrial
Parramatta red gum/ Fernleaved banksia/ Melaleuca
sieberi swamp woodland of
Eucalyptus parramattensis/
Banksia oblongifolia/ Melaleuca
sieberi swamp woodland of the
High
Swamp woodlands, ground cover is
made up of water loving graminoids;
confined to the Tomaree sandsbeds
No
156 | NSW Office of Water, June 2012
Identification of high probability groundwater dependent ecosystems on the coastal plains of NSW and their ecological value
the Tomaree Peninsula
Tomaree Peninsula
Terrestrial
Pink Bloodwood/ Thinleaved Stringybark/ Grey
Ironbark shrub/ grass open
forest on ranges of the lower
North Coast
Corymbia intermedia/
Eucalyptus eugenioides/
Eucalyptus siderophloia shrub/
grass mid open forest on ranges
of the Lower North Coast
High
Estuarine & Near
Shore Marine
Ecosystem
Port Stephens - Great Lakes
Marine Park
Na
High
Unknown
Wetland
Port Stephens Estuary
Na
High
Unknown
Wetland /
Terrestrial
Prickly-leaved Paperbark
paperbark forest on coastal
lowlands of the Central Coast
and Lower North Coast
Melaleuca nodosa paperbark
forest on coastal lowlands of the
Central Coast and Lower North
Coast
High
Seasonally wet; poorly drained areas
on the undulating coastal lowlands
from Wamberal northe to Yarratt
State Forest; typically occurs on
unconsolidated sediments or on fine
grained sedimentary geologies at
elevations up to 100m
No
Terrestrial
Red Bloodwood/ Smoothbarked Apple heathy
woodland on coastal sands of
the Central and lower North
Coast
Corymbia gummifera/
Angophora costata heathy
woodland on coastal sands of the
Central and lower North Coast
High
Extends along the coast and near
hinterlands from Woy Woy to
Tuncurry and as far inland as
Paterson; elevation generally below
50m
No
Wetland /
Terrestrial
River Oak/ Sandpaper Fig
riparian forest of the Upper
Casuarina cunninghamiana/
Ficus coronata riparian forest of
High
Riparian open forest; occurs along
stream banks in sheltered headwaters
No
157 | NSW Office of Water, June 2012
with elevations usually below 10m
Tall forest; ranges of the lower North
Coast at lower elevations
No
Identification of high probability groundwater dependent ecosystems on the coastal plains of NSW and their ecological value
Hunter and Liverpool Ranges
the Upper Hunter and Liverpool
Ranges
Wetland /
Terrestrial
River Oak/ White Cedar
Grassy Riparian Forest of the
Dungog Area and Liverpool
Ranges
Casuarina cunninghamiana/
Melia azedarach Grassy
Riparian Forest of the Dungog
Area and Liverpool Ranges
High
Riparian open forest; occurs along
major stream lines in the Upper
Hunter Valley from Allynbrook to
Maitland with minor occurrences in
the Murrundi area; bedrock geology is
varied overlain by alluvial sediments;
elevation is usually under 100m
except near Murrurundi where
elevations of 450 to 500m
No
Terrestrial
Rough-barked Apple/ Forest
Oak/ Grey Gum grassy
woodland on sandstone
ranges of the Sydney Basin
Angophora floribunda/
Allocasuarina torulosa/
Eucalyptus punctata grassy mid
open forest on sandstone ranges
of the Sydney Basin
High
Sandstone ranges
No
Estuarine & Near
Shore Marine
Ecosystem
Saltmarsh/ Estuarine
Complex
Saltmarsh/ Estuarine Complex
High
Occurs on semi tidal saline muds,
usually on the landward side of
mangrove stands along the length of
the coast
Coastal
Saltmarsh in the
NSW North
Coast, Sydney
Basin and South
East Corner
Bioregions
Terrestrial
Sandpaper Fig/ Whalebone
Tree warm temperate
Ficus coronata/ Streblus
brunonianus warm temperate
High
Occurs on the ranges and foothills of
the lower North Coast and Central
No
158 | NSW Office of Water, June 2012
of upper Hunter Valley streams;
mostly in the Liverpool ranges on
volcanic and sandstone geologies at
elevations of 250-900m
Identification of high probability groundwater dependent ecosystems on the coastal plains of NSW and their ecological value
rainforest
rainforest
Terrestrial
Scribbly Gum/ Red
Bloodwood/ Angophora
inopina heathy woodland on
lowlands of the Central Coast
Eucalyptus haemastoma/
Corymbia gummifera/
Angophora inopina heathy
woodland on lowlands of the
Central Coast
High
Coastal lowlands from northern
Tuggerah Lake to the northern end of
Lake Macquarie. The substrate is
sandstone with moist sandy soils;
elevation is usually under 100m
Terrestrial
Scribbly gum/ Wallum
banksia/ Prickly-leaved
Paperbark heathy coastal
woodland on coastal
lowlands
Eucalyptus signata/ Banksia
aemula/ Melaleuca nodosa
heathy coastal woodland on
coastal lowlands
High
Eucalypt dominated heathy woodland; No
characterised by wet-loving
sclerophyllous species; groundcover
shrubby with sedges and rushes;
confined to Tomago Sand Beds in
Williamstown to Salt Ash area;
dominant substrate is sands; general
elevation is less than 100m
Wetland
SEPP 14
Na
High
Unknown
Terrestrial
SEPP 26 125 lit
Na
High
Littoral
Rainforest in the
NSW North
Coast, Sydney
Basin and South
East Corner
Bioregion
Terrestrial
Shatterwood dry rainforest on
ranges of the lower North
Coast
Backhousia sciadophora dry
rainforest on ranges of the
Lower North Coast
High
159 | NSW Office of Water, June 2012
Coast at elevations below 700m
Ranges and foothills of the northern
escarpment, lower North Coast at mid
elevations
No
No
Identification of high probability groundwater dependent ecosystems on the coastal plains of NSW and their ecological value
Terrestrial
Small-fruited Grey Gum/
Turpentine/ Tallowwood
moist open forest on foothills
of the lower North Coast
Eucalyptus propinqua/
Syncarpia glomulifera/
Eucalyptus microcorys moist
mid open forest on foothills of
the lower North Coast
High
Coastal ranges of the lower north
Coast at lower elevations and on
lower fertility substrates
No
Terrestrial
Smooth-barked Apple open
forest on coastal lowlands of
the Central Coast
Angophora costata open forest
on coastal lowlands of the
Central Coast
High
Coastal lowlands of the Central Coast
No
Terrestrial
Smooth-barked Apple/
Blackbutt heathy open forest
of the Tomaree Peninsula
Angophora costata/ Eucalyptus
pilularis heathy open forest of
the Tomaree Peninsula
High
Restricted to Quaternary sand
lowlands in the Nelson Bay, fingal
Bay area (mostly within Tomaree
NP); elevation is below 50m
No
Terrestrial
Smooth-barked Apple/
Blackbutt/ Old Man Banksia
woodland on coastal sands of
the Central and Lower North
Coast
Angophora costata/ Eucalyptus
pilularis/ Banksia serrata
woodland on coastal sands of the
Central and Lower North Coast
High
Extends along the cost from Gosford
to Black Head; confined to
Quaternary dune sands at elevations
up to 100m
No
Terrestrial
Smooth-barked Apple/
Broad-leaved Mahogany/
Red Bloodwood heathy low
open forest on hills of the
Tomaree Peninsula
Angophora costata/ Eucalyptus
umbra/ Corymbia gummifera
heathy low open forest on hills at
Nelson Bay
High
Low hills on the coastal lowlands of
the lower North Coast in the Nelson
Bay area, mainly on sands
No
Terrestrial
Smooth-barked Apple/
Cabbage Palm/ Broad-leaved
Mahogany woodland on
Angophora costata/ Livistona
australis/ Eucalyptus umbra
woodland on Wallarah
High
160 | NSW Office of Water, June 2012
No
Identification of high probability groundwater dependent ecosystems on the coastal plains of NSW and their ecological value
Wallarah Peninsular
Peninsular
Terrestrial
Smooth-barked Apple/ Red
Bloodwood/ Brown
Stringybark/ Hairpin Banksia
heathy open forest of coastal
lowlands
Angophora costata/ Corymbia
gummifera/ Eucalyptus
capitellata/ Banksia spinulosa
heathy open forest of coastal
lowlands
High
Coastal lowlands and low ranges of
the lower North Coast and Central
Coast, mainly on sandy substrates
No
Terrestrial
Smooth-barked Apple/ Red
Bloodwood/ Scribbly Gum
grass/ shrub woodland on
lowlands of the Central Coast
Angophora costata/ Corymbia
gummifera/ Eucalyptus
haemastoma grass/ shrub
woodland on lowlands of the
Central Coast
High
Found in the area bounded by Norah
Head and Catherine Hill Bay in the
east and extend to the Pacific
Highway in the west; substrates are
sandstone and elevations are typically
below 100m
No
Terrestrial
Smooth-barked Apple/ Red
Mahogany/ Swamp
Mahogany/ Melaleuca sieberi
heathy swamp woodland of
coastal lowlands
Angophora costata/ Eucalyptus
resinifera/ Eucalyptus robusta/
Melaleuca sieberi heathy swamp
woodland of coastal lowlands
High
Damp woodlands, community is
characteristic of low, poorly drained
sands from Tumbi Umbi to just north
of Crowdy Head, elevation is below
50m
Swamp
sclerophyll forest
on coastal
floodplains of the
NSW North
Coast, Sydney
Basin and South
East Corner
bioregions
Terrestrial
Smooth-barked Apple/
Swamp Mahogany/ Red
Mahogany/ Cabbage Palm
open forest on lowlands of
the Central Coast
Angophora costata/ Eucalyptus
robusta/ Eucalyptus resinifera/
Livistona australis open forest
on lowlands of the Central Coast
High
Coastal lowlands on the Central Coast
in the Lake Macquaries/Tuggerah
Lakes area, mainly on sandy
substrates
No
161 | NSW Office of Water, June 2012
Identification of high probability groundwater dependent ecosystems on the coastal plains of NSW and their ecological value
Terrestrial
Smooth-barked Apple/
Turpentine/ Blackbutt open
forest on ranges of the
Central Coast
Angophora costata/ Syncarpia
glomulifera/ Eucalyptus pilularis
open forest on ranges of the
Central Coast
High
Ranges of the Central coast hinterland
at lower elevations
No
Terrestrial
Smooth-barked Apple/
Turpentine/ Sydney
Peppermint heathy woodland
on sandstone ranges of the
Central Coast
Angophora costata/ Syncarpia
glomulifera/ Eucalyptus piperita
heathy woodland on sandstone
ranges of the Central Coast
High
Sandstone ranges of the Central Coast
hinterland from WIsemans Ferry to
Pearl Beach and north to about
Wyong Creek; including Dharug NP;
elevation is from50 to 300m
No
Terrestrial
Smooth-barked Apple/ White
Stringybark/ Red Mahogany/
Melaleuca sieberi shrubby
open forest on lowlands of
the lower North Coast
Angophora costata/ Eucalyptus
globoidea/ Eucalyptus
resinifera/ Melaleuca sieberi
shrubby open forest on lowlands
of the lower North Coast
High
Low coastal hills of the lower North
Coast and Central coast, mainly on
sandy substrates
No
Terrestrial
Spotted Gum/ Broad-leaved
Mahogany/ Grey Gum grass/
shrub open forest on Coastal
Lowlands of the Central
Coast
Corymbia maculata/ Eucalyptus
umbra/ Eucalyptus punctata
grass/ shrub open forest on
Coastal Lowlands of the Central
Coast
High
Coastal lowlands of the Central Coast
mainly on sandstones
No
Terrestrial
Spotted Gum/ Broad-leaved
Mahogany/ Red Ironbark
shrubby open forest
Corymbia maculata/ Eucalyptus
umbra/ Eucalyptus fibrosa
shrubby open forest
High
Low ranges of the lower Hunter
Valley and Central coast at lower
elevations
No
Terrestrial
Spotted Gum/ Narrow-leaved
Ironbark / Red Ironbark
shrub/ grass open forest of
Corymbia maculata/ Eucalyptus
crebra/ Eucalyptus fibrosa
shrub/ grass open forest of the
High
Central and Lower Hunter Valley
No
162 | NSW Office of Water, June 2012
Identification of high probability groundwater dependent ecosystems on the coastal plains of NSW and their ecological value
the central and lower Hunter
central and lower Hunter
Terrestrial
Spotted Gum/ Red Ironbark/
Narrow-leaved Ironbark/
Grey Box shrub/grass open
forest of the lower Hunter
Corymbia maculata/ Eucalyptus
fibrosa/ Eucalyptus crebra/
Eucalyptus moluccana
shrub/grass open forest of the
lower Hunter
High
Restricted to lower Hunter Valley
No
Wetland /
Terrestrial
Swamp Mahogany/ Broadleaved Paperbark/ Saw
Sedge/ Yellow Masrh Flower
swamp forest of coastal
lowlands
Eucalyptus robusta/ Melaleuca
quinquenervia/ Gahnia clarkei/
Villarsia exalata swamp forest
of coastal lowlands
High
Swamp open forest; ground stratum is
dominated by either aquatic species or
grasses and graminoids; found along
the southern shores of Lake
Macquarie on unconsolidated
sediments and at elevations of less
than 20m
Swamp
sclerophyll forest
on coastal
floodplains of the
NSW North
Coast, Sydney
Basin and South
East Corner
bioregions
Wetland /
Terrestrial
Swamp Mahogany/
Paperbarks/ Harsh Ground
Fern swamp forest of the
Central Coast
Eucalyptus robusta/ Melaleuca
linariifolia/ Melaleuca
styphelioides/ Hypolepis
muelleri swamp forest of the
Central Coast
High
Swamp open forest, ground stratum is
characterised by ferns and sedges;
distributed on poorly drained sites on
barrier sands of the lower North Coast
and Central Coast at elevations below
100m
Swamp
sclerophyll forest
on coastal
floodplains of the
NSW North
Coast, Sydney
Basin and South
East Corner
bioregions
Wetland /
Terrestrial
Swamp Oak swamp forest on
coastal lowlands of the
Central Coast and Lower
Casuarina glauca swamp forest
on coastal lowlands of the
Central Coast and Lower North
High
Swamp open forest, ground stratum
dominated by sedges or grasses
depending on local inundation
Swamp Oak
Floodplain Forest
of the NSW
163 | NSW Office of Water, June 2012
Identification of high probability groundwater dependent ecosystems on the coastal plains of NSW and their ecological value
North Coast
Coast
Wetland /
Terrestrial
Swamp Oak/ Prickly
Paperbark/ Tall Sedge swamp
forest on coastal lowlands of
the Central Coast and Lower
North Coast
Casuarina glauca/ Meleleuca
styphelioides/ Carex appressa
swamp forest on coastal
lowlands of the Central Coast
and Lower North Coast
Wetland /
Terrestrial
Swamp Oak/ Sea Rush/
Baumea juncea swamp forest
on coastal lowlands of the
Central Coast and Lower
North Coast
Wetland /
Terrestrial
Swamp paperbark/ Baumea
juncea swamp shrubland on
coastal lowlands of the
Central Coast and Lower
North Coast
164 | NSW Office of Water, June 2012
conditions; found on the margins of
brackish water bodies from Tuggerah
to Nabiac; main substrate is alluvial
sand and elevations are under 15m
North Coast,
Sydney Basin
and South East
Corner
Bioregions
High
Swamp open forest; ground stratum
dominated by ferns, sedges or grasses
depending on local inundation
periods; found in poorly drained sites
from East Gosford north to Tuncurry;
substrates are unconsolidated
sediments and elevations below 20m
Swamp Oak
Floodplain Forest
of the NSW
North Coast,
Sudney Basin
and South East
Corner
Bioregions
Casuarina glauca/ Juncus
kraussii/ Baumea juncea swamp
forest on coastal lowlands of the
Central Coast and Lower North
Coast
High
Ground stratum is typically
dominated by sedges and rushes with
grasses dominating in slightly raised
areas; found on the margins of
brackish water bodies on floodplains
from the Failford; substrates tend to
be unconsolidated sediments at
elevations less than 20m
Swamp Oak
Floodplain Forest
of the NSW
North Coast,
Sudney Basin
and South East
Corner
Bioregions
Melaleuca ericifolia/ Baumea
juncea swamp shrubland on
coastal lowlands of the Central
Coast and Lower North Coast
High
Ground stratum is dominated by
sedges and related species; found in
Lacustrine and coastal sites from
Empire Bay to Black Head; occur on
poorly drained areas with
unconsolidated sediment substrates at
elevations below 10m
No
Identification of high probability groundwater dependent ecosystems on the coastal plains of NSW and their ecological value
Terrestrial
Tallowwood/ Brush Box/
Sydney Blue Gum moist
shrubby tall open forest on
foothills of the lower North
Coast
Eucalyptus microcorys/
Lophostemon confertus/
Eucalyptus saligna moist
shrubby tall open forest on
foothills of the Lower North
Coast
High
Tall open forest; ranges and foothills
of the lower North Coast at elevations
below 600m
No
Terrestrial
Tallowwood/ Small-fruited
Grey Gum/ Kangaroo Grass
grassy tall open forest on
foothills of the lower North
Coast
Eucalyptus microcorys/
Eucalyptus propinqua/ Themeda
australis grassy mid open forest
on foothills of the Lower North
Coast
High
Tall forest, coastal ranges and
foothills of the lower North Coast at
mid to lower elevations
No
Terrestrial
Tallowwood/ Smooth-barked
Apple/ Blackbutt grass tall
open forest of the Central and
lower North Coast
Eucalyptus microcorys/
Angophora costata/ Eucalyptus
pilularis shrub/ grass tall open
forest of the Central and lower
North Coast
High
Coastal ranges on the lower North
Coast at lower elevations on low
fertility substrates
No
Terrestrial
Tallowwood/ Spotted Gum/
Grey Gum grassy tall open
forest of the lower North
Coast
Eucalyptus microcorys/
Corymbia maculata/Eucalyptus
punctata grassy mid open forest
of the Lower North Coast
High
Coastal ranges on the lower North
Coast at lower elevations on low
fertility substrates
No
Terrestrial
Tuckeroo/ Lilly Pilly/ Coast
Banksia littoral rainforest
Cupaniopsis anacardioides/
Acmena smithii/ Banksia
integrifolia littoral rainforest
High
Near coastal areas on coastal lowlands Littoral
of the lower North Coast and Central
Rainforest in the
Coast, mainly on sands
NSW North
Coast, Sydney
Basin and South
East Corner
165 | NSW Office of Water, June 2012
Identification of high probability groundwater dependent ecosystems on the coastal plains of NSW and their ecological value
Bioregion
Terrestrial
Tuckeroo/ Yellow
Tulipwood/ Red fruited Olive
Plum Littoral Rainforest of
the lower North Coast
Cupaniopsis anacardioides/
Drypetes deplanchei/
Elaeodendron australe Littoral
Rainforest of the Lower North
Coast
High
Wetland
Tuggerah Lake
Na
High
Terrestrial
Turpentine/ Rough-barked
Apple/ Forest Oak moist
shrubby tall open forest of
the Central Coast
Syncarpia glomulifera/
Angophora floribunda/
Allocasuarina torulosa moist
shrubby tall open forest of the
Central Coast
High
Wetland
Wallis Lake and adjacent
estuarine islands
Na
High
Terrestrial
Wallum Banksia / Monotoca
scoparia heath on coastal
sands of the Central Coast
and lower North Coast
Banksia aemula / Monotoca
scoparia heath on coastal sands
of the Central Coast and lower
North Coast
Unlikely
Tall dense shrubland; confined to
coastal headlands from Maitland Bay
to Forresters Beach; occurs on
sandstone geologies at elevations
below 100m
No
Terrestrial
Wallum Bottlebrush/
Leptocarpus tenax/ Baloskion
pallens wallum sedge heath
Callistemon pachyphyllus/
Leptocarpus tenax/ Baloskion
pallens wallum sedge heath of
High
Swampy tall shrubland, ground
stratum is characterised by sedges
with we loving grasses in slightly
better drained localities; community
No
166 | NSW Office of Water, June 2012
Near coastal areas on coastal lowlands
of the lower North Coast, mainly on
sands
Littoral
Rainforest in the
NSW North
Coast, Sydney
Basin and South
East Corner
Bioregion
Unknown
Moist open forest; ranges of the
Sydney Basin mainly on sandstones
and conglomerates; elevations below
650m
No
Unknown
Identification of high probability groundwater dependent ecosystems on the coastal plains of NSW and their ecological value
of the lower North Coast
the lower North Coast
may have small areas of open water
areas; low lying poorly drained
coastal and sub coastal sites from Salt
Ash to Crowdy Bay NPl substrates
are mainly sands and elevation is
under 15m
Terrestrial
Weeping Lilly Pilly/ Water
Gum riparian warm
temperate rainforest of the
lower North Coast
Waterhousea floribunda/
Tristaniopsis laurina riparian
warm temperate rainforest of the
Lower North Coast
High
Riparian areas of the lower North
Coast
No
Terrestrial
Whalebone Tree/ Red
Kamala dry subtropical
rainforest of the lower Hunter
River
Streblus brunonianus/ Mallotus
philippensis dry subtropical
rainforest of the Lower Hunter
and Lower North Coast
High
Sheltered sites on ranges of the
Hunter Valley and lower North Coast
escarpment at mid to low elevations
Lower Hunter
Valley Dry
Rainforest in the
Sydney Basin
and NSW North
Coast Bioregions
Terrestrial
White Mahogany/ Turpentine
moist shrubby tall open forest
Eucalyptus acmenoides/
Syncarpia glomulifera moist
shrubby tall open forest
High
Shrubby open forest; ranges of the
lower North Coast and Central Coast
at elevations below 650m
No
Note: Information on communities, relationship to EEC and landscape location is from the following source:
Roff, A., Sivertsen, D., Somerville, M and Denholm, B. 2011 Hunter Native Vegetation Mapping. Geodatabase Source Book. Office of Environment and Heritage,
Department of Premier and Cabinet, Sydney, Australia
167 | NSW Office of Water, June 2012