SUPERSEDED Compiled Plans OPW20/0145.02

2. Methodology
  2.1. Fauna Habitat Survey

  Prior to commencing a survey a desktop review of the intended site needs to be conducted including as
  a minimum vegetation mapping (The State of Queensland (Department of Natural Resources and Mines)
  2014) to establish the sites RE’s and the significant species associated with those RE’s. Queensland
  Government Wildlife Online Database also needs to be consulted to establish which significant species
  have been previously sighted within the intended location of the fauna survey. All previous surveys and
  management plan related to the site need to be reviewed.
  The results of the desktop review will allow the survey to be designed to target the significant species
  most likely to be encountered within the proposed survey location. Conducting an ecological survey
  prior to commencing the survey will also improve our knowledge of the site. By establishing the overall
  habitat value, range of habitat features, floral structural complexity, available water sources and
  available food sources. The survey design and techniques can be further adjusted to target specific areas
  within the site with the highest habitat value for native wildlife species.
  Consideration should also be given to the upcoming weather conditions, weather events such as severe
  winds, heavy rain events and extreme temperatures can increase the probability of recording certain
  species.
  Purpose of the survey is to record the sites overall habitat value, significant habitat features, vegetation
  connectivity within the site and surrounding lots, fauna signs and opportunistic fauna sightings and the
  site’s suitability for the significant flora species likely to occur in the area.
  For this survey, significant fauna habitat features are described as tree hollows (branch and crown),
  native wildlife nests (stick nests), burrows (feeding burrows), fallen/felled timber, thick groundcover,
  fissured bark, rocky outcrops, aquatic habitat.
  This survey is to include a targeted amphibian search which will incorporate frog call recording, playing
  frog calls, an active search in suitable habitat and dip netting. At each site a thorough aural / visual
  survey was conducted. This involved two observers walking through the site in either one long linear
  transect or several shorter transects, totalling approximately 1 km over a 2-hour period. Observers
  would systematically search for individuals by detecting eye-shine as well as listening for calling adult
  males.
  Call playback using pre-recorded calls for each frog species was undertaken at regular intervals at each
  site. Calls were played for several minutes, followed by a period of listening for responses, and
  spotlighting adjacent vegetation for frog activity.




                                                                                                    4|P a g e