Approved Plans OPW20/145.06

          2. Methodology
               2.1. Fauna Habitat Survey

               Prior to commencing a survey a desktop review of the intended site needs to be conducted including as
               a minimum vegetation mapping (The State of Queensland (Department of Natural Resources and Mines)
               2014) to establish the sites RE’s and the significant species associated with those RE’s. Queensland
               Government Wildlife Online Database also needs to be consulted to establish which significant species
               have been previously sighted within the intended location of the fauna survey. All previous surveys and
               management plan related to the site need to be reviewed.
               The results of the desktop review will allow the survey to be designed to target the significant species
               most likely to be encountered within the proposed survey location. Conducting an ecological survey
               prior to commencing the survey will also improve our knowledge of the site. By establishing the overall
               habitat value, range of habitat features, floral structural complexity, available water sources and
               available food sources. The survey design and techniques can be further adjusted to target specific areas
               within the site with the highest habitat value for native wildlife species.
               Consideration should also be given to the upcoming weather conditions, weather events such as severe
               winds, heavy rain events and extreme temperatures can increase the probability of recording certain
               species.
               Purpose of the survey is to record the sites overall habitat value, significant habitat features, vegetation
               connectivity within the site and surrounding lots, fauna signs and opportunistic fauna sightings and the
               site’s suitability for the significant flora species likely to occur in the area.
               For this survey, significant fauna habitat features are described as tree hollows (branch and crown),
               native wildlife nests (stick nests), burrows (feeding burrows), fallen/felled timber, thick groundcover,
               fissured bark, rocky outcrops, aquatic habitat.
               This survey is to include a targeted amphibian search which will incorporate frog call recording, playing
               frog calls, an active search in suitable habitat and dip netting. At each site a thorough aural / visual
               survey was conducted. This involved two observers walking through the site in either one long linear
               transect or several shorter transects, totalling approximately 1 km over a 2-hour period. Observers
               would systematically search for individuals by detecting eye-shine as well as listening for calling adult
               males.
               Call playback using pre-recorded calls for each frog species was undertaken at regular intervals at each
               site. Calls were played for several minutes, followed by a period of listening for responses, and
               spotlighting adjacent vegetation for frog activity.




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Document Set ID: 21753628
                  21426255
Version: 1, Version Date: 12/01/2022
                          24/03/2021