SUPERSEDED Approved Document Fauna Management Plan v1 OPW25/0140

Fauna Management Plan
44 Hoy Road, Lake MacDonald




4 CONSTRUCTION AND CLEARING
      IMPACTS
The following section of the report summarises the potential impacts of the clearing and
construction phases of the development on fauna species. These impacts will be
minimised by the management measures detailed in Section 5.



4.1   CLEARING IMPACTS


Clearing impacts on wildlife associated with the development can be characterised as:

  ● Impact of vegetation clearing on habitat features: In addition to the physical loss
      of vegetation associated with vegetation clearing, comes the potential loss of
      habitat features. Clearing of habitat trees has the potential to detrimentally impact
      fauna species. Moreover, displaced wildlife have the potential to increase the
      competition for this limited resource in the surrounding area.
  ● Impact of vegetation clearing on fauna health and mobility: Vegetation clearing
      represents one of the most significant threatening processes to fauna on
      development sites. Given the mobile nature of fauna, there is real and present risk of
      physical trauma to wildlife during all aspects of vegetation clearing activities.
      Physical trauma to fauna can be caused by numerous direct and indirect factors,
      including falling from trees during vegetation clearing activities, vehicle collisions, or
      intentional or unintentional trauma inflicted by contractors. Without adequate
      management measures in place to assure safe passage or removal of fauna from
      affected vegetation, vegetation clearing activities have the potential to cause
      significant impacts on individuals and populations of fauna on development sites.
  ● Entrapment: During clearing, the increased presence of machines and vehicles is
      likely to increase the risk of entrapment, which can result in high stress, injury, or
      death. Thorough procedures for machinery checking are to be followed to limit the
      impact on fauna.
  ● Vehicle strike: During clearing, the increased presence of machines and vehicles is
      likely to increase the risk of collision and result in injured or deceased animals.
  ● Guard dog attacks: The increased presence of guard dogs on the site may result in
      a higher likelihood of fauna injury, death, stress or disorientation.
  ● Involuntary displacement: Clearing can cause high stress to fauna species and lead
      to them leaving their original habitat. This can increase competition with other
      populations for food resources and habitat.
  ● Dust: The dust generated by clearing activities may impact habitat quality and have
      direct effects on fauna, such as breathing issues and lack of visibility for avian fauna.

Sections 5.1 and 5.2 outline the management measures required to avoid, mitigate and/or
minimise the abovementioned impacts.



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