Bega Wattle - profile

Scientific name: Acacia georgensis 
 Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable
National conservation status: Vulnerable

Description

The Bega Wattle is an erect or spreading tree, 3 - 12 m high with deeply fissured bark. The wattle ‘leaves’ (phyllodes) are stiff and curved, 7 - 17 cm long and 15 - 30 mm wide, with three prominent veins. Flower-heads are in long spikes, golden-yellow, and appear singly or in pairs. The pods are more or less straight and flat, 2 - 7 cm long and 3 - 4 mm wide. Flowers appear between August and October. It is reported to emit an ‘offensive odour’ during rain.

Location and habitat

Distribution
 Only occurs in the far South East of NSW with known sites at Kianinny Bay in Bournda National Park, on Dr George Mountain, Wadbilliga National Park and in Bemboka and Coolangubra Sections (one location on cliffs above the Towamba River) of the South East Forests National Park.

• Typically occurs on well-drained, shallow soils at sites with considerable exposed rock.
• "The sites where it is found represent a range of different environments with correspondingly varied vegetation; in general, other tree species are uncommon but can include Veined Olive (Notelaea venosa), Hickory Wattle (Acacia implexa), Forest Red-gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), Woolybutt (E. longifolia), Bega Mallee (E. spectatrix) and Gully Gum (E. smithii). "
• Individuals are evidentially very long-lived, highly drought-tolerant, fire-sensitive trees.
• Reproduction is exclusively from seed and the plants are not capable of suckering.

Regional information
This species is found in the following catchment management authority regions. Click on a region name to see more details about the distribution, vegetation types and habitat preference of the species in that region.

• Southern Rivers

Threats

• Loss due to clearing in conjunction with power and telephone line maintenance is considered to be a threat at the Dr George Mountain site.
• African Lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) is present at both Towamba River and Dr George Mountain sites and maybe a threat to recruitment of this species in the event of fire.
• Frequent burning may threaten the survival of this species.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Department of Environment and Conservation has identified 10 priority actions to help recover the Bega Wattle in New South Wales.

What needs to be done to recover this species?

• Future fire management planning needs to take account of the species’ requirements.
• Appropriate fire management guidelines and fire protection requirements will be incorporated into the Bega Valley Bush Fire Risk Management Plan and the South East Forests National Park Fire Management Plan.
• The impact from powerline maintenance should be minimised or eliminated in consultation with Telstra and Country Energy.
• A program of weed eradication and monitoring will be undertaken at the Dr George Mountain site and a survey and management plan is required for the control of African Lovegrass in the Towamba River valley.

References

• Barker, R.M., Haegi, L. and Barker, W.R. (1999) 42. Hakea. Flora of Australia 17B: 44.
• NPWS (2003). Draft Recovery Plan for Threatened Flora of Rocky Outcrops in South Eastern New South Wales. NPWS, Sydney.
• NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Recovery plan for threatened flora of rocky outcrops in south-east NSW - Draft Recovery Plan. NSW NPWS, Sydney.
• Tame T. (1992) Acacias of South East Australia. Kangaroo Press Pty Ltd, Kenthurst.