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CONSERVATION VALUES AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

One threatened species and one “of concern” Regional Ecosystem (under the
VM Act 1999) were encountered on the site. The threatened species was the
Grey-headed Flying Fox, one individual of which was encountered feeding on
a flowering Eucalypt adjacent to the pond in the north-western corner of the
site. The “of concern” RE was Ecosystem 2 (RE 12.2.7), which occurs in small
patches along the eastern and southern boundaries and as a narrow fringe
along the central heathland area. No other threatened species or REs were
encountered, However, the timing of the survey in winter was such that some
threatened species which could potentially be present could not be detected.
These include, for example, the Wallum Sedge Frog (Litoria olongburensis), the
Wallum Rocket Frog (Litoria freycineti), and the orchid Prasophyllum wallum. It
is recommended that follow-up surveys be conducted during the warmer
seasons to account for these species.

Apart from the one threatened species observed (ie Grey-headed Flying Fox)
and vegetation listed under the VM Act 1999, the site contains relatively intact
vegetation and habitat across much of the site. On the basis of the
assessments outlined in the previous sections, the site can be subdivided into
areas of high, moderate, and low conservation value. Most of the threatened
flora species (including all of the EPBC listed species) potentially present (but
not encountered) on the site typically occur within or adjacent to heathland
(Ecosystem 3) or drainage lines (Ecosystem 2). These areas also provide
habitat to some of the less mobile listed fauna species potentially present on
the site (eg Wallum Sedge Frog), and are among the least disturbed habitats.
On this basis, these areas can be considered to be of “high” conservation value
for threatened flora and fauna species and should be avoided as much as
possible when planning the development.

There is, however, also potential for threatened species to occur within the
more upland eucalypt forests (Ecosystem 1), including most of the EPBC listed
fauna species which could potentially be present on the site. On this basis, it
is suggested that any development be minimised as much as possible in this
area, particularly in the less disturbed central core of the site. Apart from
providing relatively undisturbed habitat in its own right, this core also
provides a link between the habitats of the Great Sandy National Park to the
south of the site and the heathland of Ecosystem 2. This core has therefore
also been marked as of “high” conservation value.

All other more or less natural areas are rated as “moderate” to distinguish
them from the cleared or substantially cleared areas, which are rated “low”.

On this basis, it is suggested that the most opportune areas for development
are:

e In the north-western corner of the site, within the currently cleared and
surrounding areas, but avoiding the Paperbarked Teatree and heathland
areas to the east thereof; and

 

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA 8030724 ECOLOGICAL REPORT/ FINAL /17 SEPTEMBER 2003

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