Appendix H - Biodiversity Code

                                                                             Native Foresters



3.3      Fauna assessment
The vegetation and physical habitat features within the survey area support a diverse
assemblage of native fauna including, but not limited to, two mammal species, twenty bird
species, five species of reptiles, one amphibian species and one conservation significant
invertebrate.

The Vulnerable-listed Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) was not observed during the survey
period, however primary and secondary Koala food trees (e.g. Eucalyptus robusta) are present
and the species is known to occur within the surrounding one kilometre area (Koala tracker
2017, WildNET 2017). It is considered possible that dispersing Koalas may pass through the
area on occasion, but the dense, near impenetrable understorey and wet heathland at the
Carramar site does not constitute core habitat for the species.

Ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) were observed on the southern edge of the
survey area in the mature Eucalypt canopy and it is likely that they exploit abundant nearby
weed and fruit trees for food resources.

Grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) have been observed during previous surveys
of the area feeding on Pink bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia) and Paperbark tea tree
(Melaleuca quinquenervia). This species is listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act.

Numerous birds were observed foraging in the survey area, particularly in the north-eastern
section where the earth was drier and the vegetation included a diversity of environmental
weeds and some native rainforest elements. Small insectivorous species such as Brown
thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla) and White-browed scrubwren (Sericornis frontalis) foraged in the
thick undergrowth, while Rufous whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris) and Golden whistler
(Pachycephala pectoralis) occupied the mid-strata. In the swampier areas, the canopy was
dominated by large, aggressive, nectarivorous species such as Rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus
haematodus), Noisy friarbird (Philemon corniculatus) and Noisy miner (Manorina
melanocephala).

Garden skinks (Lampropholis delicata) were abundant in the thick undergrowth and under piles
of dumped palm fronds and garden waste. Bar sided skink (Concinnia tenuis) was observed
among the coarse woody debris and leaf litter near the carpark area. An additional three native
reptile species and one introduced species were recorded during the survey.

Eastern sedge frog (Litoria fallax) has been detected calling from the Melaleucas within the
Carramar site during previous surveys. Additional species have potential to occur locally
including the Vulnerable listed Wallum froglet (Crinia tinnula), Wallum rocketfrog (Litoria
freycineti) and Tusked frog (Adelotus brevis), however due to below-average temperatures
during the survey period, amphibians are likely to be under-represented in this survey. There
are two records of Wallum froglets and Wallum rocketfrog within one kilometre of the survey
area (WildNET, 2017).

Depending on the nature of works proposed, further surveys during optimal conditions may be
required to ascertain the presence of EVNT listed amphibians. Under Section 332 of the Nature
Conservation (Wildlife Management) Regulation 2006: A person must not, without a reasonable
excuse, tamper with an animal breeding place that is being used by a protected animal to
incubate or rear the animal’s offspring. Further information on listed amphibians and their
habitat is provided in Sections 4.3 to 4.5.



Carramar Extension – Fauna and Flora Assessment                                                 19