Attachment C - Rev Fauna and Flora Assessment

                                                                                     Native Foresters




2.2.4 Justification of survey timing and weather conditions
Field surveys were conducted in early autumn under fine conditions with temperatures ranging
from 16-28 degrees Celsius; relative humidity of 61-67%; and 68mm of rain in the preceding week.
Additional amphibian surveys were conducted in warm dry conditions in spring.

The timing of the survey is considered suitable for detecting the target EVNT listed plant species:
Bosistoa transversa, Cryptocarya foetida, Floydia praealta Macadamia integrifolia, Macadamia
ternifolia, Pararistolochia praevenosa, Phaius australis, Samadera bidwillii, Sophora fraseri and
Triunia robusta.

2.2.5 Survey limitations

Emphasis is placed on surveying listed threatened ecological communities, populations and/or
species that are considered likely to occur within the survey area. With respect to opportunistic
observations, the possibility exists that certain species may not have been detected during field
investigations due to:

   •    seasonal inactivity during field survey;
   •    species present within microhabitats not surveyed;
   •    species that occur at very low abundance or in very small populations;
   •    cryptic species able to avoid detection;
   •    transient wide-ranging species not present during survey period;
   •    absence of reproductive material for flora identification; or
   •    drought induced leaf fall or senescence.

The lack of observational data on some species should therefore not be taken as necessarily
indicating that a species is absent from the site. The repetition of the survey in different seasons
and years is recommended to minimise the effect of this limitation on the survey results.

The field assessment for fauna employed passive techniques only (i.e. no live trapping) and the
habitat assessment was limited to contracted timeframes.

The initial fauna survey was conducted in early autumn following a rain period which is considered
suitable for amphibian detection.

Most bird species, including Special Least Concern species that are known to breed in eastern
Australia, would be in post-breeding activities at the time the survey was conducted (April),
although given increasing climatic variability and associated changes to breeding seasons and
breeding success, the potential presence of nests cannot be reliably discounted.

The precautionary principle was applied in estimating the likelihood of Commonwealth and State
listed species based on habitats identified within the subject site.




 Vipassana Centre Building Program - Pomona – Fauna and Flora Assessment                  14