UPDATED DA - Attachment 8 - Flora and Fauna Assessment

                                                                                                 Native Foresters



3.3      Field assessment method - Fauna

3.3.1 Fauna survey method

Diurnal and crepuscular fauna assessments were conducted on the 10th July and 19th
December 2024 to identify the presence of conservation-significant invertebrates, birds,
reptiles, amphibians and mammals.

The fauna surveys were undertaken in accordance with the Nature Conservation Act 1992
and Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020 using the methods described below.

Active search
This technique involved investigation of habitat features and searching for fauna under logs,
rocks, leaf litter and decorticating bark for cryptic fauna, particularly reptiles.
To detect arboreal fauna in the mid-storey and canopy layers including microbats, birds and
habitat features such as nests and dreys, Avalon 10x40 HD binoculars were used.

Passive search
Incidental faunal observations, where species were detected aurally or were witnessed
while moving around site, were recorded. In addition, signs of an animal's presence, such
as scats and tracks, were interpreted. This procedure was generally opportunistic and used
whenever specimens were located.

Aural survey and/or call playback
Recorded calls of target threatened frog species were played to determine their presence
and adjacent areas of known habitat were surveyed to check for calling activity of
surrounding populations.


3.3.2 Breeding places assessment method

A breeding places assessment was undertaken in accordance with the Nature Conservation
(Animals) Regulation 2020. A statement to justify the suitability and qualifications of the
person undertaking the animal breeding place survey is provided in Appendix E.

For the purposes of this report, the definition of “breeding places” follows that provided in
the Species Management Program Requirements for tampering with a protected animal
breeding place in Queensland (DES, 2020b), the Nature Conservation Act 1992, and Nature
Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020. For species such as Koala and native frogs, that
do not use a habitual breeding place, the term ‘breeding habitat’ is used in lieu of ‘breeding
place’.

Habitat features that were considered significant for assessing the presence of breeding
places and/or habitation value for native fauna include, but are not limited to:
   i.  Presence of hollow-bearing trees: These may be used by birds, reptiles or arboreal
       mammals to incubate or rear offspring;
  ii.  Presence of bowers, nests, dreys: These structures are commonly used by birds or
       mammals to incubate or rear offspring;




Noosa Landfill & Resource Recovery Centre Expansion – Site A, Rev 2 – Fauna & Flora Assessment        14