MCU14/0106 & OPW15/0001 Compiled Information Request Response

                                                                                 MCU14/0106



       (e)    Provide additional information on the proposed management of fuels within
              Covenant area J as well as area identified in the Shire Business Centre (Map
              SBC) as E2, E6, E7 and Covenant area L.
ECOLOGY
Issue –Koala Habitat Trees
Preliminary review of the subject site indicates the Koala Habitat Tree Density assessment
based on the plotless distance technique (The “Point-centred Quarter” technique) has
potentially underestimated the actual average density and therefore the offset requirement.
Given the subject site is less than 50ha, a tree plot showing the location and number of
Koala habitat trees within the disturbance footprint would be a more appropriate and
accurate measure of the offset requirement.

Information Required
57     An amended Density Assessment of Koala Habitat Trees addressing the following:
       (a)    Conduct a Koala Habitat Tree survey using area transect counts within the
              disturbance footprint to provide an accurate estimate of Koala habitat trees
              requiring offsetting. A minimum 10 of (20mx20m) area transects be
              conducted to provide a suitable estimate.
       (b)    Provide a figure showing the location of the Koala Habitat Tree area
              transects and associated data.

Issue – Frog Survey
The ecological assessment identifies the presence of 1 conservation significant frog species
(Wallum Froglet) and the potential for the occurrence of additional species. There has only
been one 2 hour dedicated frog search following heavy rain undertaken in April 2013. The
conservation significant frogs predicted to occur are summer breeders and the timing of the
dedicated search would be unlikely to record this species.

Information Required
58     Conduct a targeted frog survey in suitable season and during or immediately
       following a rainfall event.
       (a)     Given the wallum sedge frog is known in the immediate area and predicted
               as having potential to occur targeted assessment of this species is required.
               Additional information on the presence and habitat of significant frog species
               is required. The ‘Survey Guidelines for Australia’s Threatened Frogs’
               (Commonwealth of Australia 2010) recommends that surveys are scheduled
               to correspond to breeding seasons and respond to weather conditions
               conducive to target species’ breeding activities. Given the known/predicted
               presence of State and Federally listed species it is important that
               methodologies as stated in these guidelines are undertaken. Guidance on
               suitable         methodology          can         be          found         at
               http://www.qld.gov.au/environment/assets/documents/plants-
               animals/biodiversity/wallum-sedgefrog.pdf.

Issue – Listed Flora
Lobelia membranacea is listed as Near Threatened under the NC(W)R and it is also listed
as being recorded on the subject site. This species should be included and discussed in
the desktop and field results of the report. In addition, there are records of Allocasuarina
emuina (Endangered under the EPBC Act and NC(W)R), Eucalyptus conglomerata
(Endangered under the EPBC Act and NC(W)R), Pararistolochia praevenosa and Glycine




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