LeftCoastAngler: I am sure some of the Bromeliads would have been destroyed during the construction of the water plant. If they are protected then the construction would not have been permitted, as I understand. But 'progress' initiated by the government is usually 'blind'
As Andrew said your federal land ( we call it Crown land) is legally protected and strictly speaking not even a small stone can be removed from the crown land without a 'permit'. It is, however, rarely enforced to the letter.
I am sure your local authorities will allow you to take some of them home in the light of a new plant construction.
Good luck.