Att4 - Ecological Assessment Report

Ecological Assessment Report v1                                                              NCES REF: J001061
Lot 7 on RP216403, Lot 394 on M371117, and Lot 650 on M37380 – 48-59 Kabi Road, Cootharaba




4.4       Fauna

4.4.1      Fauna Habitat Values
The observed habitat within the site includes open Eucalypt forest, rainforest, large dams and open
grassy areas, all of which exhibit potential to provide suitable habitat for numerous fauna species.
A specific fauna survey of the site was not undertaken as part of the scope of works and would be
required to confirm the specific fauna species utilising the site’s habitat. Nonetheless, inferences
about the composition of the local fauna assemblage can be drawn from local knowledge, site
conditions and database search results.
Vegetated areas of the site contain a variety of fauna habitat types and exhibit direct connectivity
with offsite vegetation areas. These areas have the potential to offer fauna species the following
habitat opportunities:
      •    Open canopy and mid-canopy nesting sites and perches which may be used by birds and
           arboreal mammals;
      •    Fallen logs and dead trees with exfoliating bark;
      •    A mix of vegetation communities which provides a wide range of foraging and breeding
           opportunities;
      •    Flower pollen from the mix of canopy and mid-strata species may provide a food source for
           nectivorous species including possums, gliders, flying foxes and birds;
      •    Scattered Koala food trees that may provide a food, breeding and resting resource for koalas;
      •    Sun exposed areas below canopy gaps and on forest fringes may be suitable habitat for
           exothermic reptiles such as snakes, skinks, small lizards and possibly larger reptiles such as
           lace monitors;
      •    Areas of light to heavy leaf litter have the potential to host small reptiles, amphibious species
           and may provide breeding opportunities for brush turkeys;
      •    Grass and sedge groundcovers (native and exotic) have the potential to provide shelter and
           movement pathways for small terrestrial mammals as well as foraging and resting areas for
           larger macropods;
      •    Ephemeral waterways with potential to host crustacean, small freshwater fish and amphibian
           species during periods of flow; and
      •    Large dams suitable to host crustacean, small freshwater fish and amphibian species as well
           as offering a permanent water resource for fauna.
Adelotus brevis (tusked frog) which listed as ‘vulnerable’ under the NC Act, was heard calling from
the onsite waterway and dam in the northeastern site extent (refer cyan X’s on VC01 & VC02). The
large dam in the northeast site extent and surrounding low lying swampy areas also represent low
potential to host both Crinia tinnula (wallum froglet) and Litoria freycineti (wallum rocketfrog), which
are listed as ‘vulnerable’ under the NC Act.
No other conservation significant fauna species were incidentally observed during the site
investigation. Should such species be present it is anticipated they would inhabit the intact bushland
areas about the site peripheries rather than the cleared open space areas in the central and northern
site extents.
A stick nest was observed within a large (35m) remnant Eucalyptus tereticornis (Queensland
bluegum) located in the eastern site extent (refer green circle VC01).
The following fauna species were observed during the site inspection; Cracticus torquatus (Grey
Butcherbird), Gymnorhina tibicen (Australian magpie), Vanellus miles (Masked lapwing), Manorina
melanocephala (Noisy minor), Macropus giganteus (grey kangaroo), Threskiornis spinicollis (straw-
necked ibis), Burhinus grallarius (bush stone-curlew), Cacatua galerita (sulphur-crested cockatoo),



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