RFI - Attachment 4B - Flora and Fauna Assessment Rev 5

                                                                                  Native Foresters



 xi.       Landscape context: The size of a patch, its connectivity and distance to a core area of
           vegetation (i.e. greater than 50 hectares) can affect both its regenerative capacity and
           long-term viability. Species–area relationships suggest that large areas support more
           species and populations than smaller ones thus retaining greater genetic variability and
           providing refuge for species susceptible to disturbances.

A statement to justify the suitability and qualifications of the person undertaking the animal
breeding place survey is provided in Appendix D.

For each listed species that was identified in Essential Habitat Mapping or Wildlife Online, a
likelihood of occurrence rating was assigned based on the following:
     • Known - species positively recorded by this survey or other survey by qualified
        ecologists during past 30 years;
     • Likely - based on the presence of suitable habitat and recent database records from
        study area or proximity;
     • Possible - suitable habitat present for the species, but no recent database records from
        the study area or proximity; and
     • Unlikely - based on a lack of suitable habitat and lack of proximate records.


2.2.4 Justification of survey timing and weather conditions
Field surveys were conducted in summer under the following conditions:

       •   12/12/2019 - fine, dry conditions with temperatures ranging from 23 to 30 degrees Celsius;
           relative humidity of 65 to 70% and 10 mm of rain in the preceding two weeks.
       •   06/02/2020 – warm, wet conditions following a series of storms with temperatures ranging
           from 21 to 26.4 degrees Celsius, relative humidity of 94 to 100% with 112 mm of rain in
           the preceding 24 hours.
       •   11/02/2020 – warm, wet conditions with temperatures ranging from 21.8 to 30.6 degrees
           Celsius; relative humidity of 93 to100% and 124.2 mm of rain in the preceding five days.
       •   12/01/2021 - warm, wet conditions with temperature reaching 28 degrees Celsius and 93
           mm of rain in the preceding five days.
       •   27/06/2023 – mild, cool and dry conditions with no rain in the preceding weeks.
       •   30/11/2023 – warm humid conditions with a number of minor rainfall events in the
           preceeding days.

The timing of the flora survey is considered suitable for detecting the target EVNT-listed plant
species, which is not deciduous: Acacia attenuata.

The timing of the fauna surveys are considered suitable for detecting the target Vulnerable-listed
Wallum frogs (Wallum froglet, Wallum rocketfrog and Wallum sedgefrog) and the Endangered
Swamp crayfish, with widespread ephemeral ponding and localised flooding in the first two weeks
of February and local populations of Wallum froglet heard chorusing on both survey nights further
along the Noosa Eumundi Road. Ephemeral ponding was also present during the January 2021
survey.




Central Drive Sippy Downs – Fauna & Flora Assessment                                        12