Reference Document Ecological Assessment Report - Urban Catalyst 3 18 July 2025

         All of the aforementioned species have previously been recorded within 1km of the property on
         the Atlas of Living Australia. The tusked frog has 73 records, the giant barred frog has 6, the white
         throated needletail has 6, and the koala has 7. Reference to the Wildlife Online database shows
         that the most recent record for any of these species was the koala in 2009, with the next most
         recent of the aforementioned species in 2002. These records are of age and may not be as
         relevant for the site given the length of time since the most recent sighting has occurred.

         Adelotus brevis (tusked frog) inhabits wet eucalypt forest, rainforest, and sometimes dry eucalypt
         forest, where it can be found in close proximity to suitable breeding habitat such as ponds and
         slow-moving sections of streams (Cogger 2000; Meyer et al. 2001; Hines 2012). It has also been
         recorded from dams and garden ponds in urban and peri-urban areas (Hines 2012). The giant
         barred frog is typically found near permanent flowing drainages (from shallow, rocky rainforest
         streams to slow-moving rivers) in lowland open wet-forests (rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest)
         and (to a lesser degree) on cleared land (DPIE 1999; Lewis & Rohweder 2005; Anstis 2017). The
         remnant vegetation within the property is mapped as essential habitat for both the tusked frog
         and the giant barred frog. The proposed development is located on the top of the ridgeline and
         is well separated from the adjacent gullies and watercourses. The risk of the proposed
         development impacting on either frog species is considered to be low.

         Neither frog species was observed or heard calling during the field surveys although it may be
         noted that targeted surveys were not undertaken. The site investigation concluded that the
         property may provide suitable habitat for both the tusked frog and the giant barred frog in
         proximity to the creek, given the presence of eucalypt forest and wet sclerophyll forest associated
         with mapped waterways/drainage paths. Gully systems, waterways and adjacent low lying areas
         in proximity to the watercourse are not anticipated to be directly impacted as a result of the
         proposed works. No suitable habitat for the nominated conservation significant frog species was
         present in proximity to the proposed clearing impact area and therefore habitat will not be
         directly impacted. Given suitable habitat is located downslope of the development site,
         appropriate erosion and sediment control measures are required to be implemented during the
         works to limit indirect impacts and control the release of sediment laden runoff to the
         downstream environment.

         In Australia, Hirundapus caudacutus (white-throated needletail) is mostly aerial, from heights of
         less than 1m up to more than 1000m above the ground (Coventry 1989; Tarburton 1993).
         Although they occur over most types of habitats, they are recorded most often above wooded
         areas, including open forest and rainforest, and may also fly below the canopy between trees or
         in clearings (Higgins 1999). The species roosts in trees amongst dense foliage in the canopy or in
         hollows (Corben et al. 1982; Day 1993; Quested 1982; Tarburton 1993, 2015). Although the
         project area supports suitable habitat for the species, as the white-throated needle tail is a
         migratory bird species which is predominantly aerial and does not breed in Australia, impacts to
         this species are considered highly unlikely.



18 July 2025                         Tim Olah – Ecological Assessment Report                          Page: 18
Ref: 23-068                  Proposed Dwelling House at 555 Louis Bazzo Drive, Pomona