Attachment 6a - Ecological Assessment Part 1 · MCU18/0015

                           Ecological Assessment – Attunga Heights



4.2.2.10 Ultrasonic Bat Detection
In 2018, an Anabat II sonar detector (Titley Electronics, Ballina) was used to record the
ultrasonic calls of microbats from the subject site. The Anabat unit was placed at four (4)
locations over four (4) nights (one night per location) between the hours of dusk (1800h)
and dawn (0600h) (FIGURE 9). The data from these recordings were analysed by an expert
in echolocation call identification.


4.2.2.11 Infrared Motion Detector Cameras
In 2018, four (4) infrared motion detector cameras were positioned throughout the site for
a period of four (4) nights for a total of sixteen (16) trap nights. The infrared motion
detector cameras were installed in trees located at a height of approximately 2 m above
the ground and positioned to monitor bait stations baited with a sardine, tuna oil and flour
mixture to draw animals into the range of the camera. Camera locations are shown in
FIGURE 9.


4.2.2.12 Koala Surveys
The Spot Assessment Technique (SAT) (Phillips and Callaghan 2011) was used to determine
habitat usage by Koalas. The methodology for this assessment involves determining
appropriate sampling intervals (FIGURE 9) and completing SAT analysis at all “A” sampling
sites. SAT analysis is then completed at each “B” site adjacent to any “A” site in which
Koala activity was recorded.


The SAT analysis was completed by one (1) JWA ecologist on the 18th April 2018. An aerial
was overlayed with a grid identifying potential “A” and “B” sampling sites. The grid was
not able to be extended offsite due to access restrictions.

The SAT involves a radial assessment of Koala “activity” within the immediate area
surrounding a tree of any species that is known to have been utilised by the species or
otherwise considered to be of some importance for Koala conservation and/or management
purposes. In the field the technique is applied as follows:
   1. Locate and uniquely mark with flagging tape a tree (the centre tree) that meets
      one or more of the following selection criteria:
           a. a tree of any species beneath which one or more Koala faecal pellets have
              been observed and/or;
           b. a tree in which a Koala has been observed and/or;
           c. any other tree known or considered to be potentially important for Koalas,
              or of interest for other assessment purposes.
   2. Identify and uniquely mark the twenty-nine (29) nearest trees (DBH>100mm) to the
      centre tree; and
   3. Undertake a search for Koala faecal pellets beneath each of the thirty (30) marked
      trees based on a cursory inspection of the undisturbed ground surface within a
      distance of 100 cm around the base of each tree, followed (if no faecal pellets are



Job No: Q12038/RW3                       JWA Pty Ltd                                     27