MCU16.0099.01, RAL19.0036 & OPW 19.0282.01 - Response to Information Request (final) 10.03.2020 · MCU16/0099.01

2             Desktop assessment

2.1        Desktop assessment methodology

In accordance with the Flora Survey Guidelines (DES 2019), prior to the commencement of the Protected
Plant Flora Survey a desktop assessment was conducted. The desktop assessment was conducted to
identify potential habitat available for NC Act EVNT flora species which may occur ‘in the wild’ (as defined
under the provisions of the NC Act), within the clearing impact area.
The following desktop resources were reviewed and assessed:
   Protected Plants Flora Survey Trigger Map (DES 2020) (refer Figure 2)
   Wildlife Online Database (DES 2020a) (refer Appendix A)
   Regulated Vegetation Management Map version 3.06 (Department of Natural Resources, Mines and
    Energy [DNRME] 2020)
   Census of the Queensland Flora 2019 (Jessup 2019)


2.2        Desktop assessment results
The following sections provide a summary of the aforementioned desktop assessment results.


2.2.1      Protected plant flora survey trigger map
Part of the proposed development access track is located within a ‘high risk area’ on the DES Protected
Plants Flora Survey Trigger Map (refer Figure 2). Consequently, a Protected Plant Flora Survey is required,
under the provisions of the NC Act, to identify EVNT flora species which may be present within the clearing
impact area.


2.2.2      Regulated vegetation management mapping
The proposed development area is mapped by DNRME as non-remnant vegetation (ie vegetation which is
not regulated under the Vegetation Management Act 1999 [Qld] [VM Act]).
Regulated vegetation, containing the heterogeneous ‘of concern’ Regional Ecosystems (RE) polygon RE
12.3.4/12.3.14 (60/40), is mapped to the west of the clearing impact area (refer Figure 4).
The Regional Ecosystem Description Database (REDD) (Queensland Herbarium 2020) describes
RE 12.3.4/12.3.16 as the following:
   RE 12.3.4: Open forest to woodland of Melaleuca quinquenervia and Eucalyptus robusta. Occurs fringing
    drainage lines and on floodplains in coastal areas
   RE 12.3.14: Banksia aemula low woodland on alluvial plains usually near coast. Associated canopy
    species include Eucalyptus latisinensis, Corymbia intermedia, E. robusta and Lophostemon confertus.
    Occurs on Quaternary alluvial plains along coastal lowlands.

2.2.3      Essential habitat
The regulated vegetation management mapping identified that essential habitat is located within the area of
remnant vegetation located to the west of the clearing impact area for the three (3) species detailed
below(refer Figure 4). Essential habitat for flora species was not identified within the clearing impact area or
surrounding environments.
   Wallum froglet (Crinia tinnula) (code: 686). Species habitat requirements include the following:
    − Vegetation communities containing required habitat values is a mandatory essential habitat factor for
      this species. Habitat components for the species include permanent to ephemeral acidic (pH 4.3 - 5.2)
      soft freshwater in Melaleuca (eg M. quinquenervia) swamps, sedgeland, wet and dry heathland (eg
      Banksia robur, Xanthorrhoea) and wallum (Banksia aemula shrubland/woodland) areas in coastal
      lowlands on sand or sandstone, occasionally in adjacent open forest/woodland (eg Eucalyptus

                             Project number 247473 File Protected Plant Survey Report - Lot 47 on RP136461 Cooroibah_final.docx, Select date Revision 0   5