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PR18082_Fmp · OPW18/0155
Attached to the e-mail Operational Works Application OPW18/0155 - DA Form 1, Fauna Management Plan, Cover Letter, Architectural Plans, Document Register (Email 1 of 4).msg.
Green Tape Solutions
Quality, Integrity, Experience
Fauna Management Plan
1 Serenity Close Noosa Heads
Prepared for Settlers Cove
Prepared by:
Green Tape Solutions
Report Number: PR18082_FMP_Settlers Cove
Green Tape Solutions | ACN 162 130 627 | ABN 20 162 130 627
PO BOX 282, Morayfield, QLD, 4506 | www.greentapesolutions.com.au
Telephone: 07 5428 6372 | Email: [email protected]
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Fauna Management Plan
1 Serenity Close Noosa Heads
DISCLAIMER
Apart from fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism, or review as permitted under the Copyright
Act, no part of this report, its attachments or appendices may be reproduced by any process without the written consent of
Green Tape Solutions.
Green Tape Solutions has prepared this report for the sole purposes of Settlers Cove
(“Client”) for the specific purpose of only for which it is supplied (“Purpose”). This report is strictly limited to the purpose
and the facts and matters stated in it and does not apply directly or indirectly and will not be used for any other application,
purpose, use or matter. The reproduction, adaptation, use or communication of the information contained within this report
may not be used without the written permission of Green Tape Solutions.
In preparing this report we have assumed that all information and documents provided to us by the Client, or as a result of
a specific request or enquiry, were complete, accurate and up-to-date. Where we have obtained information from a
government register or database, we have assumed that the information is accurate. Where an assumption has been
made, we have not made any independent investigations with respect to the matters the subject of that assumption. We
are not aware of any reason why any of the assumptions are incorrect.
In this note, a reference to loss and damage includes past and prospective economic loss, loss of profits, damage to
property, injury to any person (including death) costs and expenses incurred in taking measures to prevent, mitigate or
rectify any harm, loss of opportunity, legal costs, compensation, interest and any other direct, indirect, consequential or
financial or other loss.
Document Records - Quality
TITLE Fauna Management Plan for 1 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads
FILED AS PR18082_FMP_Settlers Cove
Revision Date Prepared by Reviewed by (name/ Approved by
(name/title) title) (name/title)
Jasmine Vink, Kelly Matthews, Director /
Version A 04/06/18 Client
Ecologist Principal Ecologist
Kelly Matthews,
Kelly Matthews, Director /
Version B 11/06/18 Director / Principal Client
Principal Ecologist
Ecologist
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Fauna Management Plan
1 Serenity Close Noosa Heads
TABLE OF CONTENT
1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background ................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Site Description ............................................................................................................................. 1
1.3 Scope of Work ............................................................................................................................... 1
2.0 Development Impacts and Mitigations Measures ................................................................ 2
2.1 Potential Impacts .......................................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Mitigation Measures ..................................................................................................................... 2
2.2.1 Design of the Development layout .......................................................................................... 3
2.2.2 Prior to and During Clearing .................................................................................................... 3
2.2.3 Improvement and Enhancement of Habitat ............................................................................ 4
3.0 Fauna Management Procedures ........................................................................................... 5
3.1 Clearing Work Procedure .............................................................................................................. 5
3.1.1 Pre-clearing Investigation........................................................................................................ 5
3.1.2 Actions During Clearing Activity .............................................................................................. 5
3.1.3 Specific Methodology For Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) ...................................................... 5
3.1.4 Communications On Site During Clearance ............................................................................. 6
3.2 Non-conformance and Corrective Actions ..................................................................................... 6
3.3 Fauna Spotter Qualification .......................................................................................................... 6
3.4 Responsible Persons...................................................................................................................... 6
4.0 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 8
TABLES
Table 1: Roles and Responsibilities.............................................................................................................. 6
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Fauna Management Plan
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1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background
This Fauna Management Plan (FMP) has been prepared by Green Tape Solutions for Settler’s Cove for
construction of Stage 4 development at Serenity Close, Noosa Heads (hereafter referred as the Site).
This FMP is consistent with the previously approved FMP prepared by C&B Group (2005) for the whole
site.
This FMP summarises the impacts associated within the proposed development and provides a detailed
assessment of the measures required to mitigate any residual impacts of the site.
1.2 Site Description
The property is located at 1 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads. The site is located in Noosa Heads (Parish
of Weyba). Land within the immediate surrounds of site is dominated by residential land use,
characterised by unit blocks and wet heath with pockets of native bushland. Approximately 50% of the
site (stage 4) is cleared; however, the remainder of the site contains some vegetation forming a north-
south corridor.
1.3 Scope of Work
The primary objectives for FMP across the site is to protect and manage all fauna prior to and during
clearing and construction. The FMP also addresses condition 28 of the Noosa Council’s condition
package for the project as outlined below:
“Vegetation must only be removed or disturbed in accordance with a Fauna Management Plan
(or part thereof) prepared by a qualified person* and endorsed through an Operational Works
approval. The Fauna Management Plan must include a plan showing all trees in developable
site in relation to the approved development.”
The specific scope of works for this FMP includes:
• Identification of potential impacts on fauna species and their habitat;
• Provision of management measures to mitigate the potential impacts;
• Identification of suitable fauna movement control devices and management responses; and,
• Details of monitoring and reporting associated with the management actions.
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Fauna Management Plan
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2.0 Development Impacts and Mitigations Measures
The development subject to this report is Stage 4 of the residential – high density unit development.
Approval for stage 4 was granted on the 22 May 2018 by Noosa Council.
The development will consist of the creation of Multiple Housing Type 4 Conventional – 37 units.
2.1 Potential Impacts
A qualified ecologist from Green Tape Solutions undertook a site visit on the 29th June 2018. The site
has been cleared in the past and only contains regrowth vegetation and weeds species. Previous
surveys undertaken by C&B (2005) confirmed that presence of three (3) threatened species within the
surrounding of the site including:
• Koala (Phascolarctus cinereus), listed as Vulnerable in the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC
Act) and Vulnerable under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
(EPBC Act). Only one Eucalytpus was present on site. This tree did not present any evidence
of Koala (e.g. scats or scratches).
• Glossy Black Coockatoo (Calyptorhyncus lathami) listed as Vulnerable in the NC Act. Previous
surveys recorded this species foraging in Pinaroo Park and within the southern portion of the
overall development site. Glossy Black Coockatoos were recorded foraging predominantly in the
morning and in the afternoon across the overall site. Glossy Black-Cockatoo have a very
restricted diet, feeding only on the seeds in cones of she-oaks (Casuarina and Allocasuarina)
and only on selected individual trees. Feeding trees can easily be recognised through the
presence of orts (chewed cones) on the ground under she-oaks. There were no sightings of orts
on site and only one small juvenile Allocasuarina littoralis was present on site.
• Wallum Froglet (Crinia tinnula) listed as Vulnerable in the NC Act. This species breeds
predominantly in winter and the areas of less disturbed wet heath and sedgeland, surrounding
the site are likely to provide optimal breeding habitat.
The potential impacts on wildlife for the vegetation clearing of Stage 4 is very minimal. It includes:
• Death or injury to resident fauna during vegetation clearing;
• Increase of edge effect within the retained vegetation;
• Disrupt animal behaviour through the increase of light, noise or dust;
• Decrease quality of water resources; and
• Increased risk of death or injury as a result of additional vehicle strike and an increase in pest
animals (e.g. dogs and cats) that may prey on wildlife.
2.2 Mitigation Measures
The development layout addresses the ecological values of the site by following strict adherence to the
mitigation hierarchy (avoid, mitigate and offset). This approach has enabled the development project to
work towards a “no net loss” of biodiversity.
The mitigation hierarchy is defined as:
• Avoidance: measures taken to avoid creating impacts from the outset, include careful spatial
placement of unit blocks, in order to completely avoid impacts on high ecological significant.
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• Minimisation: measures taken to reduce the duration, intensity and / or extent of impacts
(including direct, indirect and cumulative impacts, as appropriate) that cannot be completely
avoided, as far as is practically feasible.
• Offset: no offsets are proposed for Stage 4 as no residual significant impacts are proposed. All
impacts will be either avoided or mitigated.
The following recommendations have been outlined to ensure that the impact of the proposed
development on fauna are minimised as far as possible and that threatened species and their habitat is
protected in the long term.
2.2.1 Design of the Development layout
• Provision of appropriate buffers to Weyba Creek within the site and retention of vegetation along
the creek as illustrate in the landscape architect drawings prepared by Place Design Group
(2018).
• All vegetation to be removed and retained are illustrated in the landscape architect drawings
prepared by Place Design Group for Stage 4.
• Contractors must be supplied with a construction protocol regarding clearing restrictions through
a work site induction program.
• Plantings throughout the site (landscaping and restoration activities) will include the use of plant
species that provide habitat for a range of local common species. Refer to the landscape
architect drawings prepared by Place Design Group (2018).
• Restoration and retention of area along the creek have been identified for koala, glossy black
cockatoo and wallum froglet. The enhancement and restoration of these areas is addressed in
the approved Ecological Restoration Plan.
• Koala friendly fencing will be installed as per derailed in the landscape architect drawing (Detail
5 on Sheet 2017008-914 of the landscape architect plans).
• Lighting design to minimise indirect impact on wildlife behaviour. This includes:
o Careful placement and direction of lighting: all luminaries mounted as low in elevation
as possible and use of screen to direct the light toward the path rather than in the
forested/treed areas;
o Direct light spill of long wavelength (red) and high light intensity to be reduced as much
as reasonably safely practicable;
o Lighting along roadway and parking area to horizontal cut-off asymmetric distribution
type luminaires or alternative shielded sodium lighting; and,
o Assessment of the light-reduction design aspects adjacent to hollow-bearing trees,
subject to safety in design and safe operational practices.
2.2.2 Prior to and During Clearing
• Procedures for reusing the vegetation clearing material or re-location of structural elements such
as hollow bearing logs to areas of vegetation to be retained. Note that no hollow-bearing tree
were sighted on site.
• All trees to be retained shall be clearly defined on all drawings and clearly marked on site to
prevent any damage occurring to these trees.
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• All earthworks shall be undertaken so as not to damage the root system of any trees to be
retained and in this regard temporary fencing shall be provided around the trees during
construction to help protect them.
• Implementation of clearing procedures to minimise any disturbance on feeding and roosting
wildlife. Clearing procedures include:
o Pre-clearing inspection should be undertaken by a qualified and licensed fauna spotter
at least within 48 hours prior to the commencement of the clearing. These surveys will
target fauna species known or potentially occurring in the locality and will attempt to
identify critical habitat sites for these species. If critical habitat sites are located,
appropriate mitigation measures (including capture and release in retained adjacent
suitable habitats) will be undertaken according to the type of habitat feature (e.g. nest
and den sites) and species concerned; and,
o During the construction phase, all works will be supervised by the fauna spotter to
recover any native fauna that are potentially displaced. A clearing protocol will be
adopted for the removal of trees containing suitable habitat hollows and other fauna
habitat features (refer to Section 4.0); and,
• The implementation of the landscape architect drawings/plans (perpared by Place Design
Group). The development footprint boundary will be surveyed and pegged by a Registered
Surveyor prior to the conduct of clearing operations. Appropriate temporary fencing will be
installed along the proposed earthworks. The fencing will function as a clearly marked ‘exclusion’
boundary for the machinery operators during clearing operations to ensure that no clearing
occurs outside the individual extraction area.
• Strict working hours during operational work - the proposed development and associated
clearing will not operate at night time when nocturnal species are likely to move around the
landscape. It is not unreasonable to consider that there will be opportunity for safe faunal
movement during these times.
• No domestic animals will be allowed onto the construction site.
2.2.3 Improvement and Enhancement of Habitat
• The rehabilitation (assisted natural revegetation and weed control) of Precinct 1 in accordance
with the approved Rehabilitation Management Plan to enhance the ecological value of retained
vegetation within the site.
• Restrictions of access to important habitat areas to limit the introduction of soil pathogens m
toxins and other materials.
• Limited use of herbicide, pesticides and fertilisers in rehabilitation/restoration works.
• No standing water to remain on site to minimise habitat for cane toads.
• Implementation and maintenance of stormwater device.
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3.0 Fauna Management Procedures
3.1 Clearing Work Procedure
3.1.1 Pre-clearing Investigation
A standard set of observational and active searching techniques will be employed during clearance to
ascertain and identify existing fauna values for the site. These include:
• An assessment of terrestrial microhabitats such as ground hollows, rocks, burrows, leaf litter
and fallen branches;
• An observation and assessment of occupancy of arboreal microhabitats such as tree hollows,
fissures and bark exfoliations;
• Direct observation of active or exposed fauna species; and,
• Identification of scats, tracks and scratching to determine the presence of fauna species on site.
All microhabitats will be identified and inspected prior to and during vegetation clearance.
3.1.2 Actions During Clearing Activity
The fauna spotter will perform all necessary survey and other duties required to detect and, where
necessary, relocate fauna off-site. The fauna spotter is to be on-call for the duration of construction
works, including during non-clearing works.
3.1.3 Specific Methodology For Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)
The South East Queensland Koala Conservation State Planning Regulatory Provision (SPRP) is an
overarching state planning instrument that regulates new development at the development assessment
stage. The SPRP targets the areas where Koalas are known to be under the most significant risks. The
SPRP provides specific requirements for all development activities to minimise its impact on Koalas.
Under the SPRP and the Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2006 and Management
Program 2006-2016 (EPA, 2006) (Koala Plan) particular requirements must be met to clear vegetation
involving the removal of Koala food trees. Policy 6 of the Koala Plan is summarised below:
• Clearing of Koala habitat trees is to be undertaken in the presence of a Koala spotter.
• Each tree identified by the Koala spotter as being a risk to Koalas if felled, should not be felled,
damaged or interfered with until the Koala has moved from the felling site of its own volition.
Only when Koalas have vacated a tree can clearance operations occur, including clearing of the
host tree and surrounding vegetation.
• Trees identified as having potential fauna values (such as hollows, fissures and exfoliating bark)
are to be clearly marked for supervision during felling and inspected once felled.
• Clearing of native vegetation is to be undertaken as sequential clearing.
• Efforts must be made to determine potentially occupant species by way of investigations for
indicative signs (scats, scratchings and tracks). Where no signs are found or occupant species
undeterminable, machinery operators are instructed to fell trees in a manner directed at
minimising the potential risk of injury to fauna.
• Limbs are to be inspected and the direction of felling determined with regards to safety of both
machinery and operators. Considerations to potentially occupant fauna are to be assessed and
felling procedures formulated. Felling procedures can include the following techniques:
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o Machinery blades can be utilised to shake the tree in an attempt to disturb fauna out of
hollows or fissures to determine the presence of species.
o If a Koala is present, the tree is to be left standing overnight to allow the Koala time to
leave via its own volition.
Note that no koalas or evidence of koalas were sighted during the field investigations.
To ensure that the above are met, the following techniques will be employed at the clearance site to
ascertain presence/absence status:
• Use of binoculars to inspect the crown, forks and trunk of trees;
• ‘Drip zone’ searches at the base of known food trees for the presence of scats to a radius equal
to that of the crown of individual trees; and,
• Inspection of trunks for scratchings indicative of use by Koalas.
3.1.4 Communications On Site During Clearance
The fauna spotter will be equipped with a hand held radio to make communications with machinery
operators where relevant. Communications by radio and positive hand signals will be utilised to indicate
intentions to machinery operators.
3.2 Non-conformance and Corrective Actions
The fauna spotter must undertake immediate actions to address the movement, which may include but
is not limited to:
1. Capture and release of the fauna;
2. Ceasing or modifying the clearing operations; and
3. Installation of temporary barriers.
3.3 Fauna Spotter Qualification
The fauna spotter must have the necessary qualifications and experience. As minimum the fauna spotter
will hold a Department of Environmental and Sciences (DES) Wildlife Spotter Catcher Rehabilitation
Permit. The fauna spotter must also have undertaken training on the identification, location and reporting
of conservation-significant and injured fauna species.
3.4 Responsible Persons
Table 1 outlines the roles and responsibilities for the actions to be undertaken within the site.
Table 1: Roles and Responsibilities
POSITIONS RESPONSABILITIES ACTIVITIES
Site Supervisor/ Overseeing • Project manage the civil contractor including clearing
Superintendent construction works work;
• Ensure processes are in place to include the necessary
provisions of the FMP into works/projects;
• Ensure workers are trained in the procedures of the
FMP;
• Ensure that the appropriate arrangements and
agreements are in place for the management of flora
and fauna. This includes liaison with the Noosa Council
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where required, including for access for vegetation
clearing.
• Respond to any complaints received regarding flora and
fauna issues.
• Undertake and record corrective actions; and
• Report to regulatory authorities when necessary.
Civil Contractor Overseeing • Implement the requirements of the FMP throughout the
construction work construction phase;
• Advise the superintendent whenever works are
programmed around vegetation to ensure the fauna
spotter can be present.
Environmental Overseeing • Ensure the civil engineer and contractors are
Consultant environmental implementing the requirements of the FMP throughout
requirement during the construction phase;
construction works • Ensure all the vegetation protection measures are
implemented and maintained during all development
phases; and,
• Implement the controls and measures detailed above
and ensure the appropriate resources are managed;
• Engage an appropriately licenced fauna spotter to
implement the required fauna management/actions; and,
• Respond to incidents and advise Project Manager of
action undertaken.
Fauna Spotter / Overseeing clearing • Undertake the required pre-clearing survey;
catcher activities • Supervise all clearing activities and relocate wildlife
where required;
• Ensure the work is undertaken in accordance with the
relevant legislative requirement around the protection of
native wildlife on site; and
• Provide clearing reports to Noosa Council.
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4.0 Conclusion
This FMP focuses on the works carried out within the site prior to, during and following vegetation
clearing. This FMP has been prepared to ensure all works associated with construction activities are
undertaken in such a way as to minimise any potential risks to fauna values in order to achieve effective
site-based environmental management.
This FMP has been prepared in accordance with the relevant legislation and approvals, applicable to
the project. Through this implementation FMP, the operator demonstrate that all reasonable and
practicable measures have been taken to comply with relevant conditions of approval and the general
environmental duty.
Mitigation measures outlined in this report can be summarised as:
• Protection and retention of ecological value area through the use of temporary fences; and,
• Minimise direct impact of vegetation clearing on fauna species with the presence of a qualified
fauna spotter on site at all time during vegetation clearing.
The proposed development has been designed to satisfy the environmental requirements of the Noosa
Council. By implementing a number of key recommended actions designed to minimise impacts during
the construction and operational phases, it is considered that the proposed development will not have
significantly adverse impacts upon fauna values within the local area.
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