Reference document FLORA_AND_FAUNA_ASSESSMENT_RosesRoad_Federal-25_03_07-FF OPW25-0072

                                                                                   Native Foresters




4.4          Assessment of breeding places

The impact area and surrounds have been assessed as having Moderate habitat values for
a range of native fauna, although due to the small size of the impact area the number of
habitat features was limited.

A number of animal breeding places were identified, and it is likely that several more
occurred but were obscured by vegetation. Some of these breeding places and habitat
features are described below.

       i.      Hollow-bearing trees: No hollow bearing trees were identified within the impact
               area. Three moderate sized trees (>300mm dbh) were identified adjacent to the
               impact area. The Structural Root Zone (SRZ) of these trees may be impacted
               from works. Refer Figures 2 and 3 and Appendix M (Tree identification number
               3, 4 & 5). One stag may require removal due to proximity to the proposed
               driveway.
      ii.      Presence of bowers, nests, dreys: No birds’ nests, dreys or bowers were located
               within the proposed works impact area.
      iii.     Presence of caves, mounds, burrows, ground hollows and/or coarse woody
               debris: A variety of small ground hollows, mounds and potential burrows within
               the alluvium substate as well as a low density of coarse woody debris were
               located within and surrounding the works impact area, which presented several
               habitat opportunities for small animals. One large stag fallen within the creek bed
               may require relocation to suitable adjacent vegetation (Figure 5d).
      iv.      Presence of permanent water, ephemeral ponding, depressions and/or,
               seasonally inundated areas: The watercourse (Skyring Creek) forms a suitable
               fish and amphibian breeding habitat and the ephemeral wetlands adjacent to the
               creek forms suitable amphibian breeding habitat (Figure 5c). The wetlands and
               watercourse are capable of supporting breeding, oviposition, and dispersal of
               amphibians after breeding during suitably wet periods. It is likely that when
               ephemeral ponding is present during breeding season (i.e., after significant rain
               events), frogs will disperse from core breeding habitat areas around the existing
               waterway, to potentially suitable areas throughout surrounding vegetation.

Under Section 332 of the Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020: A person must
not, without a reasonable excuse, tamper with an animal breeding place that is being used
by a protected animal to incubate or rear the animal’s offspring (QLD Government, 2023).

Landscape context

Connectivity of vegetation surrounding the proposed works impact area is moderately good,
with remnant vegetation within the impact area connected to riparian vegetation lining
Skyring Creek and forming potential breeding habitat within riparian, rainforest and forest
ecosystems, and increasing movement and dispersal opportunities for a range of fauna.




36 Roses Road, Federal – Fauna & Flora Assessment                                       26