Ecological Assessment Report

Ecological Assessment Report v2                                                    NCES REF: LEA2016-06
Lot 496 on MCH591 - 30 Pottery Street, Pomona




5.3 Weeds
A number of introduced species were observed within the survey area and are most prevalent in the
disturbed areas adjacent to the existing driveway and on the edges of vegetation communities (refer
Appendix 3). Various environmental weeds and exotic grasses have established populations on the
bushland edges.

The following invasive plant species listed as restricted matters under the Queensland Biosecurity
Act 2014 were observed on site:
        Asparagus aethiopicus (asparagus fern)
        Cinnamomum camphora (camphor laurel)
        Lantana camara (lantana)

5.4 Fauna Records
A search of EHP’s Wildlife Online Database for fauna sightings recorded within 2km of the site was
conducted on 15th July 2016 for the centralised co-ordinates of Latitude: -26.3631 and Longitude:
152.8495 (refer to Appendix 4). The Wildlife Online database hold records of 153 previously
recorded fauna species, including EVNT species, comprised of:
        22 amphibian species,
        106 bird species,
        7 insect species,
        13 mammal species, and
        5 reptile species.
Based on the database results and general site observations, bird assemblages represent the
greatest observable species richness within the area. A fauna survey of the site was not undertaken
as part of this EAR and would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the fauna
composition on the site. Records of specific EVNT species are discussed in section 7.2.4 (NC Act)
& 7.3 (EPBC Act).

5.5 Habitat

The open Eucalypt forest vegetation contained within the survey area and surrounding bushland has
the potential to offer fauna species the following general habitat elements:
        Several large habitat trees bearing arboreal hollows were observed in the southern and
         central parts of site (refer Figure 1);
        Open canopy and mid-canopy nesting sites and perches which may be used by birds and
         arboreal mammals;
        Sun exposed areas below canopy gaps and on forest fringes may be suitable habitat for
         exothermic reptiles such as snakes, skinks, small lizards and larger reptiles such as lace
         monitors;
        Grass and sedge groundcovers (native and exotic) have the potential to provide shelter and
         movement pathways for small terrestrial mammals and non-mammals (e.g. bush rats,
         melomy’s, antechinus, bandicoots) and foraging opportunities for larger marsupials such as
         kangaroos and wallabies;
        Foraging opportunities for nectivorous and herbaceous fauna species including birds, gliders,
         possums and koalas; and
        Areas of light to heavy leaf litter have the potential to host small reptiles and amphibious
         species.




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