OPW25/0012 - Fauna Management Plan

Fauna Management Plan
3-7 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads



       Fauna Management

72. 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 and must address the following:

Site inspection

   a) Prior to any site disturbance, a site inspection will be completed by a suitably
      qualified ecologist to identify any hollow-bearing (sic) trees and/or other significant
      habitat features (i.e. den sites, nests, hollowed termitarium etc.) These will be
      clearly marked in the field with high visibility paint as well as shown on appropriately
      scaled plans.

Pre-clearing fauna trapping

   b) Subsequent to the site inspection, and prior to commencement of site clearing
      works, a pre-clearing trapping program will be completed targeting native ground-
      dwelling and arboreal mammals. The trapping program will be designed to
      progressively move through the site, from the south towards the north, ahead of the
      subsequent under scrubbing operations. Each area will be trapped for a minimum of
      four (4) nights, and any animals captured will be relocated to suitable habitat area/s
      in consultation with SCRC and the Department of Environment and Heritage
      Protection (DEHP). Arboreal mammals captured will be re-located within suitably
      designed nest-boxes to be installed at the agreed release site.
   c) Once the area has been trapped, and the extent of the trapped area clearly
      identified the groundcover and midstory can be cleared utilizing slashing or similar.
      Any hollow-bearing trees and/or other significant habitat features identified during
      the initial site inspection will be retained. All under scrubbing works will be
      completed with a suitably qualified fauna spotter/catcher in attendance.

Clearing non-habitat trees

   d) After under scrubbing of each area is complete, non-habitat trees (i.e. trees other
      than those identified as habitat trees) will be cleared and stockpiled for
      mulching. Clearing of non-habitat trees will only occur where their removal will not
      impact on identified habitat trees (e.g. canopies do not interconnect with habitat
      trees).

Hollow inspection and removal

   e) After under scrubbing and clearing on non-habitat trees, an elevated work platform
      or cherry-picker will be used in conjunction with a chainsaw operator and suitably
      qualified fauna spotter/catcher to inspect and remove hollows as necessary prior to
      habitat tree felling.
   f) When the fauna has been safely secured within its hollow (or compensatory
      habitat/nest box), the entire limb can then be placed in the cherry-picker bucket or
      lowered to the ground using ropes depending on the size of the limb.




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