5668Ecological Impact Report

Ecological Impact Report v1                                                              NCES REF: J001116
Lot 3 on RP179954 & Lot 2 on RP175675 – 40 & 56 Donnellys Road, Ridgewood QLD


No conservation significant plant species listed under the schedules of the Queensland Nature
Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act), or the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 were observed within the identified vegetation communities, noting some
areas were inaccessible due to dense lantana thickets. However, given the highly disturbed condition
of the vegetation, no conservation significant plant species are expected to be present.

4.2 Fauna
The observed habitat within the site includes open hardwood plantation and exotic vegetation areas,
both of which exhibit potential to provide suitable habitat for numerous fauna species. The lack of
native vegetation in most strata infers a significantly reduced faunal carrying capacity would exist.
A specific fauna survey of the site was not undertaken as part of the scope of works and would be
required to confirm the specific fauna species utilising the site’s habitat. Nonetheless, inferences
about the composition of the local fauna assemblage can be drawn from local knowledge, site
conditions and database search results.
The vegetated areas about the site have the potential to offer fauna species the following habitat
opportunities:
    •    Open canopy and mid-canopy (where present) nesting sites and perches which may be used
         by birds and arboreal mammals;
    •    Fallen logs and dead trees with exfoliating bark;
    •    Koala food trees that may provide a food, breeding and resting resource for koalas;
    •    Sun exposed areas below canopy gaps and on forest fringes may be suitable habitat for
         exothermic reptiles such as snakes, skinks, small lizards and possibly larger reptiles such as
         lace monitors;
    •    Open grassy areas may support grazing and resting by macropods; and
    •    Areas of light to heavy leaf litter have the potential to host small reptiles, amphibious species
         and may provide breeding opportunities for brush turkeys.
No conservation significant fauna species were incidentally observed during the site investigation.
No arboreal hollows or nests were observed within proximity of the proposed boundary alignment
footprint.
The site represents potential habitat for the following species identified on the Wildlife Online
database.
Fauna
    •   Phascolarctos cinereus (koala) – listed as ‘endangered’ under the NC Act and EPBC Act.




                                                           12
©2022