Appendix F - Ecological Assessment Report

Ecological Assessment Report v1                                                                 NCES REF: J001050
Lot 3 on RP131369 – 96 Black Mountain Range Road, Black Mountain




4.4       Fauna

4.4.1      Fauna Habitat Values
The observed habitat within the site includes mixed regrowth areas, waterways 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 offer fauna species the following habitat opportunities:
      •    A vegetation community which provides a wide range of foraging and breeding opportunities
           (VC1);
      •    Open canopy and mid-canopy nesting sites and perches which may be used by birds and
           arboreal mammals;
      •    Closed forest areas may provide foraging and resting habitat for predatory owls;
      •    Fallen logs and dead trees with exfoliating bark may be used by reptiles and small
           marsupials;
      •    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;
      •    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; and
      •    Ephemeral and permanent waterway with potential to offer suitable habitat to host freshwater
           crustacean, small fish and amphibian species as well as offering a permanent water resource
           for fauna and a foraging corridor for microbats.
No conservation significant fauna species were incidentally observed or heard during the site
investigation.
The site does not support estuarine areas hence is only likely to support freshwater aquatic
species within its waterbodies.

4.4.2      Habitat for Previously Recorded Conservation Significant Fauna
Table 1 identifies the conservation significant fauna species which have been previously recorded
within a 2km radius of the site on Wildlife Online for which the site offers suitable habitat.
Table 1 – Habitat value for previously recorded conservation significant fauna species

 Previously Recorded               Preferred Habitat                      Habitat Value within the Site
 Fauna Species

 Adelotus brevis (tusked           Inhabits wet eucalypt forest,          Potential habitat within permanent
 frog) – listed as ‘vulnerable’    rainforest, and sometimes dry          onsite waterways.
 under the NC Act                  eucalypt forest, where it can be
                                                                          It is noted that no calls were
                                   found in close proximity to suitable
                                                                          observed during the site inspection.
                                   breeding habitat such as ponds and
                                   slow-moving sections of streams).
                                   Also recorded from dams and



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