Attachment 6 - Ecological Assessment

                           Ecological Assessment – Attunga Heights



      substantially modify (including by fragmenting, altering fire regimes, altering
       nutrient cycles; or
      altering hydrological cycles), destroy or isolate an area of important habitat for a
       migratory species; or
      result in an invasive species that is harmful to the migratory species becoming
       established in an area of important habitat for the migratory species; or
      seriously disrupt the lifecycle (breeding, feeding, migration or resting behaviour)
       of an ecologically significant proportion of the population of a migratory species.

An area of ‘important habitat’ for a migratory species is:

      habitat used by a migratory species occasionally or periodically within a region
       that supports an ecologically significant proportion of the population of the
       species; and/or
      habitat that is of critical importance to the species at particular life-cycle stages;
       and/or
      habitat utilized by a migratory species which is at the limit of the species range;
       and/or
      habitat within an area where the species is declining.

Listed migratory species cover a broad range of species with different life cycles and
population sizes. Therefore, the definition of what an ‘ecologically significant proportion’
of the population is varies with the species (each circumstance needs to be evaluated).
Some factors that should be considered include the species’ population status, genetic
distinctiveness and species specific behavioural patterns (for example, site fidelity and
dispersal rates).

The term ‘population’ in relation to migratory species, means the entire population or
any geographically separate part of the population of any species or lower taxon of wild
animals, a significant proportion of whose members cyclically and predictably cross one
(1) or more national jurisdictional boundaries including Australia.


6.2.6.2 Site Assessment
Whilst a number of migratory species are considered likely or possible occurrences on the
subject site, it is not considered that any important habitat occurs on the subject site.


6.2.7 Requirement for Commonwealth Referral
The subject site does not contain Declared World Heritage Areas or Ecological
communities listed under the Act. Based on the assessment provided above, residential
development on the subject site is unlikely to result in a significant impact on any matter
of NES. Referral to the Commonwealth Department of Environment is unlikely to be
required.




Job No: Q12038/Rw1                       JWA Pty Ltd                                      37