SARA RFI - Ecological Assessment Report

Koala survey report – Serenity Close, Noosa Heads
Prepared for Litoria Consulting


2.0       SURVEY METHODS

2.1       SURVEY DESIGN

When feasible, performing a comprehensive survey of any site is always preferred (rather than
sampling) in order to maximise the chances of finding evidence of a species when it is present,
thereby reducing the risk of ‘false negative’.

In this case, given the very small size of the site (2.4ha), a full search of the site was easily
achievable.

2.2       FIELD ASSESSMENT

2.2.1     Survey team, certifications and permits

The field assessment was conducted by OWAD, including:

      •   Olivia Woosnam – Principal ecologist, EIANZ Certified Environmental Practitioner
          including CEnvP certification as Professional Field Detection Dog Handler;
      •   Alex Dudkowski – Field ecologist, EIANZ Certified Environmental Practitioner including
          CEnvP certification as Professional Field Detection Dog Handler;
      •   Wrangham Mistral Bowscale (aka ‘Missy’) – Purpose-bred professional field detection
          canine trained & certified by a CCPDT expert trainer for the detection of Koala, three
          species of Quoll and two species of Rhizanthella.

This field survey was conducted under OWAD's Queensland Government Department of
Agriculture and Fisheries Animal Ethics Committee approval number CA2021/01/1446 for
‘Targeted species surveys using professional detection dogs’ and Scientific Use Registration
number SUR000554.

2.2.2     Detection dog searches

The detection dog was led out of the work vehicle on leash. Once ready to begin searching, the
dog was taken off the leash and when prompted by the handler, scanned the volatile molecules
in the environment in search of any potential target molecules while applying its trained search
pattern to physically move through the landscape.

The dog worked independently and searched non-discriminatorily following its trained search
pattern. It was purposely not directed to any specific trees or tree species. The handler only gave
the dog the general direction of the search. The dog was redirected, recalled or stopped at a
distance using an Acme dog whistle, as required to keep the dog within the target land and/or for
safety reasons (e.g. to prevent the dog from running onto the road). The handler kept the dog in
immediate sight at all times.

In order to minimise the risk of data loss in case of handheld GPS unit malfunction, all survey data
was recorded with two handheld GPS units (models Garmin Alpha100 and Garmin eTrex 22X).
The detection dog’s search tracks were recorded with a Garmin T5 dog tracking collar paired with
the Alpha 100 unit, which records the dog’s position at a rate of one waypoint every 2.5 seconds.
In order to further minimise the risk of data loss in case of equipment malfunction, OWAD carried
one spare T5 collar and one additional handheld GPS unit (model Garmin Astro 320) paired with
both tracking collars. While working, the detection dog wore a red 'detection dog' jacket with
reflective stripe at all times.
OWAD Environment                                                                             Page 3