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[1] " Advice to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) on Amendments to the list of Threatened Species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)6 June 2005  1. Scientific name, common name (where appropriate), major taxon group  Bertya tasmanica subsp. tasmanica (Tasmanian Bertya)  The genus Bertya is endemic to Australia, and its sole Tasmanian representative was previously considered to be Bertya rosmarinifolia. A 2002 revision of the genus Bertya in Australia has resulted in the attribution of all Bertya material in Tasmania to the endemic Bertya tasmanica subsp. tasmanica.  2. Description  The Tasmanian Bertya is a woody shrub that grows to between 2 and 3 metres high. It produces small golden, bell shaped flowers from spring through to summer. The Tasmanian Bertya occurs predominantly in the understorey of wet sclerophyll forest along rivers and streams in the north and east of Tasmania.  3. National context  The Tasmanian Bertya is endemic to Tasmania. The Tasmanian Bertya is known to survive at 6 sites in north east Tasmania:  Apsley River (1150 - 1250 mature plants); \tSwanwick (200 - 250 mature plants); \tMacquarie River (20 - 30 mature plants); \tBrookstead (5 mature plants); \tSt Pauls River (Lochaber) (1 mature plant); and \tSouth Esk River (Hanleth) (1 mature plant) The Tasmanian Bertya is currently listed as vulnerable under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.  EPBC Act criteria.  TSSC judges the species to be eligible for listing as endangered under the EPBC Act. The justification against the criteria is as follows:  Criterion 1 - Decline in numbers  Since the 1840's the Tasmanian Bertya has been recorded at ten sites in north eastern Tasmania. Despite a high level of botanical and survey activity in areas of potential habitat in eastern Tasmania over the past 25 years (Kirkpatrick et al. 1980, Askey-Doran 1993, North et al. 1998 and Zacharek 1999) only six populations are now known to exist. Although the number of populations has declined from ten to six populations, there is no quantitative data available on the number of individuals from the four extinct populations, and therefore there is insufficient information to adequately quantify the decline in numbers during this period. There is insufficient information available against this criterion.  Criterion 2 - Geographic distribution  The Tasmanian Bertya has a restricted and fragmented geographic distribution. The Tasmanian Bertya's area of occupancy is less than one hectare and the extent of occurrence is approximately 188 km2. The species is known to survive at six sites in north eastern Tasmania. However, the possibility of two of the extant populations still existing is considered to be extremely low as these two sites (St Pauls River (Lochaber) and South Esk River (Hanleth)) were known to support one mature plant and were last seen in the early to mid 1990s.  All extant populations continue to be threatened by land clearance and habitat fragmentation, residential development, competition from weeds, inappropriate fire regimes and agricultural activities.  The Tasmanian Bertya's geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the species and is restricted. Therefore, the species is eligible for listing as endangered under this criterion.  Criterion 3 - Population size and decline in numbers or distribution  The estimated total number of mature individuals is low, totalling 1500. The Tasmanian Bertya is located at six sites, however the possibility of two of the extant populations still existing is considered to be extremely low as these two sites (St Pauls River (Lochaber) and South Esk River (Hanleth)) were known to support one mature plant and were last seen in the early to mid 1990s.  There has been a historical decline in the number of populations since the 1840s and evidence suggests that the number of populations are likely to continue to decline as all extant populations are threatened by land clearance and habitat fragmentation, residential development, competition from weeds, inappropriate fire regimes and agricultural activities.  Therefore, the species is eligible for listing as endangered under this criterion.  Criterion 4 - Population size  The estimated total number of mature individuals is 1500 plants. The Tasmanian Bertya has an area of occupancy of less than one hectare and occurs at six sites. These six extant populations are prone to a number of threats, which include land clearance and habitat fragmentation, residential development, competition from weeds, inappropriate fire regimes and agricultural activities.  Therefore the species is eligible for listing as vulnerable under this criterion.  Criterion 5 - Probability of extinction in the wild  There is no quantitative data available against this criterion.  5. Conclusion  The Tasmanian Bertya is endemic to Tasmania, and is known to survive at six sites in north eastern Tasmania. However, the possibility of two of the extant populations still existing is considered to be extremely low as these two sites were known to support one mature plant and were last seen in the early to mid 1990s. Ongoing threats to this species include land clearance and habitat fragmentation, residential development, competition from weeds, inappropriate fire regimes and agricultural activities.  The Tasmanian Bertya has a population of 1500 mature individuals and an area of occupancy of less than 1 hectare. This species is eligible for listing as endangered under criterion 2 and 3 and is eligible for listing as vulnerable under criterion 4.  6. Recommendation  TSSC recommends that the list referred to in section 178 of the EPBC Act be amended by including in the list in the endangered category:  Bertya tasmanica subsp. tasmanica (Tasmanian Bertya)  Publications used to assess the nomination  Askey-Doran, M. J. (1993). Riparian Vegetation in the Midlands and Eastern Tasmania. Department of Environment and Land Management, Parks and Wildlife Service, Hobart, Tasmania.  Kirkpatrick, J.B., Brown, M.J., and Moscal, A. (1980). Threatened Plants of the Tasmanian Central Eastern Coast. Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Hobart.  North, A, Johnson, K, Ziegler, K., Duncan, F., Hopkins, KK., Ziegeler , D., and Watts, S. (1998). Flora of Recommended Areas for Protection and Forest Reserves in Tasmania. Forest Practices Board, Forestry Tasmania, and Parks and Wildlife Service, Tasmania.  Threatened Species Unit Dept of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (2004). Information sheet Bertya tasmanica sbsp. Tasmanica.  Zacharek, A. (1999). Community Recovery Plan: Eucalyptus ovata-Callitris oblonga forest 1999- 2002. Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Hobart.  Conservation advice  The Tasmanian Bertya is a woody shrub that grows between 2 and 3 metres high. It produces small golden, bell shaped flowers from spring through to summer.  The Tasmanian Bertya is endemic to Tasmania and occurs in north eastern Tasmania. The species distribution is restricted and occurs at six sites with a population of approximately 1500 mature individuals.  The priority recovery and threat abatement actions required for this species are:  protect existing populations from weed invasion through appropriate weed management strategies, including prioritising weeds of greatest threat (e.g. gorse) and methods for control; \tinvestigate and develop a suitable fire management regime; \tundertake regular monitoring and further research to collate data on recruitment and to understand threats; \trestrict any activities that may have a direct impact on the species (e.g. clearing, spraying with chemicals, invasion of weeds, inappropriate grazing); and \tdevelop or maintain covenanting efforts with private landowners. This list does not encompass all actions that may be of benefit to this species, but highlights those that are considered to be of the highest priority at the time of listing.  Priority for the development of recovery plan: Tasmania is currently developing a regional multi-species recovery plan for threatened species of the greater Freycinet region."