Reference Document - RAL26/0015 - Basic Ecological Site Assessmen (As Published)t

                     4.0 Fauna Assessment
                     4.1 Methodology
                     Given existing site conditions/history, the following methodology was implemented to determine
                     fauna values of the subject property generally in accordance with Council’s ‘SC6.4, PSP3 –
                     Ecological Assessment Guidelines’:

                              Review of relevant legislation/policies (and associated triggers) in accordance with
                               SECTION 1.2 of this document;
                              Field survey of available habitat components, with specific focus also given to known
                               habitat for threatened vertebrate fauna species;
                              Basic diurnal fauna/crepuscular survey, including opportunistic binocular sighting, call
                               recognition, trace analysis (scats/guano, tracks, scratches, diggings, chewings/orts,
                               bones, carrion, roosts – Triggs, 2006) and debris-exposure;
                              Assessment of the likelihood of species scheduled as critically endangered,
                               endangered, vulnerable, conservation-dependant, rare or near-threatened under
                               provisions of either the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and/or Environment Protection
                               and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 based on available habitat components and
                               subregional records (precautionary principle adopted).

                     4.2 Results
                     4.2.1 Habitat Components

                     A broad survey of available habitat components was undertaken across the development site
                     during March 2026, from which the following values were identified:

                              Permanent/Ephemeral Water – provide both a refuge and forage base primarily for
                               waterfowl and amphibians. Woody riparian vegetation provides insect-producing
                               habitat/forage base for insectivorous birds and flying mammals. Vegetated waterways
                               also function as fauna dispersal conduits. The site comprises three constructed dams
                               with narrow distributions of disturbed fringing littoral and scattered emergent vegetation
                               which are subject to ongoing edge-effects throughout.
                              Hollow-bearing Trees – provide refuge primarily for arboreal mammals and birds;
                               usually within post-mature canopy trees. A small number of hollows/stags are scattered
                               across the site.
                              Flowering Trees – provide a forage base primarily for nectivorous birds and arboreal/
                               flying mammals; usually associated with sclerophyllous/heathland vegetation. Native
                               tree/shrub species scattered across the site provide a source of common seasonal
                               nectar.
                              Termite Mounds – provide refuge for a variety of either terrestrial or arboreal species;
                               usually within sclerophyllous environs. A minor quantity of termite mounds were noted
                               on the site.
                              Fruiting Trees – provide a forage base for frugivorous birds and arboreal/flying
                               mammals; usually associated with rainforest/riparian environs. Native tree/shrub
                               species scattered across the site provide a source of common seasonal fruit.
                              Stick Nests – refuge/nesting habitat generally associated with avifauna; usually within
                               canopy trees. A small quantity of minor stick nests were noted on the site.
                              Rocky Substrate/Debris – provide thermal environs for reptiles; usually associated
                               with exposed bedrock, bush rock/river rock deposits and fallen timber/litter. Fallen
                               vegetative debris was noted predominantly adjacent to the central northern boundary.


                                                                                            Basic Ecological Site Assessment
                                                                    Page 12                434 Lake Cooroibah Rd, Cooroibah
                                                                                                    Franz Enterprises Pty Ltd

Document Set ID: 24816700
Version: 1, Version Date: 25/05/2026