Attachment G - Fauna and Flora Assessment report

                                                                                     Native Foresters



2.0 METHODOLOGY
2.1      Desktop review

A desktop review was undertaken to assist in determining the site’s ecological attributes. The
review consisted of searches of local, state and Commonwealth government planning instruments
and databases, as well as relevant academic literature. Sources of information included:

        Regulated Vegetation Management Map (DNRME, 2018)
        Protected Plants Flora Survey Trigger Map (DES, 2019)
        WildNET Database (DSITIA, 2019)
        EPBC Protected Matters Search Tool (DoE, 2018)
        South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy (DES, 2020)
        Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2017 (Qld Government, 2020)

2.2      Field assessment
2.2.1 Flora survey

An experienced botanist undertook a systematic botanical analysis on the 9th April 2019 in order
to assess the vegetation communities occurring within and around the survey area. The survey
was consistent with the Flora Survey Guideline – Protected Plants (NCA 1992). The extent of the
flora survey is indicated in Figure 2.

Significant large native trees with diameter at breast height (dbh) in excess of 500 mm were
identified to inform the breeding places assessment (section 2.2.3).

Certification by the suitably qualified person who led and coordinated the flora survey is provided
in Appendix C.

Three timed meander surveys were conducted in the vegetation communities present around the
survey area in order to determine the presence of EVNT (Endangered, Vulnerable, Near
threatened) flora species within the site’s 100 metre buffer zone as shown in Figure 2. The
following methodology was used to conduct the timed meander survey:

     The location of the start point of the surveys was determined by the botanist in order to
      maximise the possibility of locating EVNT species (if such species are present).
     The surveys were conducted in a random manner for a period of 30 minutes with the identities
      of any EVNT plant species recorded and specimens of any unknown species collected.
     A record of the time was taken every two to five minutes. If the survey was interrupted then
      this time was not recorded in the survey results.
     The search was continued until no new EVNT species were recorded for 30 minutes or when
      the entire area of habitat type had been surveyed.
     Where multiple habitat types or vegetation communities were present within a clearing impact
      area, a timed meander assessment was undertaken within each of these areas.
     Where certain preferred habitat types or vegetation communities may be extensively
      represented within a site, multiple meanders per habitat type were undertaken across the
      clearing impact area to increase the probability of detecting an EVNT species.



 Vipassana Centre Building Program - Pomona – Fauna and Flora Assessment                  10