Attachment C - Rev Fauna and Flora Assessment

                                                                                      Native Foresters



             It is noted that this area is actually formed by lawn and track areas and is not
             considered to form Essential Habitat.
        •    Loss of approximately 5800 m2 of vegetation including native vegetation, exotic
             species and areas of maintained grass.
        •    Removal of stumps, logs, woody debris and leaf litter from the forest floor due to fire
             management practices which will cause loss and/or disturbance of habitat, including
             breeding habitat, for reptiles, amphibians and mammals.
        •    Potential disturbance of the root structure and/or Tree Protection Zone of various
             native trees located adjacent to the proposed clearing areas, via
             excavation/reprofiling/vegetation removal works.
        •    Potential for dispersal and introduction of weeds by machinery.
        •    Potential release of sediments/ nutrients into Cooroora Creek from earthworks.
        •    Compaction of soil and destruction of depressions/burrows used by native fauna.
        •    Disturbance of habitat through stockpiling of cleared vegetation, soil and construction
             materials.

1.6     Avoidance of environmental impact

Consultation between the Project Manager, the Site Architect, the Bushfire Management
Consultant and Native Foresters acting in the role as site ecologist has resulted in a number of
modifications to the original plans for the site (refer Appendix A). The objectives of these
modifications and revisions is to effectively reduce the extent of clearing for the project. Figure 3
shows the revised works footprint and the location of trees recommended for retention within the
clearing footprint. These revisions have resulted in the following changes to the proposed works.

   •    A relocation of the proposed accommodation buildings in the Northern Construction Zone
        to ensure no construction and minimal clearing of mature native vegetation in the Northern
        Fire Management zone which is located within an area of mapped remnant vegetation and
        essential habitat.
   •    A relocation of the proposed accommodation buildings in the Southern Construction Zone
        to avoid impacts on identified habitat trees located in that area.
   •    A review and revision of the building materials utilised in the Eastern Construction Zone
        (new meditation Pagoda) in consultation with the Bushfire Management Consultant to
        negate the requirement for an additional bushfire setback and resulting vegetation
        clearing.
   •    The provision of an area onsite to undertake Offset planting works in order to replace any
        Koala Trees lost through clearing works associated with the project has been made. Koala
        trees will be replanted at the rate of 4 new Koala food trees for each Koala food tree
        cleared. This planting is to be maintained by the Centre until canopy closure is achieved.
        Figure 3 shows the location of the nominated Offset Area onsite. Appendix B shows the
        species to be planted in the Offset Area.
   •    A reduction in the extent of vegetation clearing required onsite including a reduction in
        impacts to mapped regulated vegetation and Essential habitat.
   •    It is noted that the provision of an Offset Planting is not mandated by the provisions of the
        Offset Act (2014) but is a voluntary undertaking made by the Vipassana Centre.




 Vipassana Centre Building Program - Pomona – Fauna and Flora Assessment                    8