SARA_Information response

Results of the ecological assessment indicate that the proposed change to approval will result in a
net positive impact in terms of koala habitat retention and no significant loss of functional habitat
connectivity within the landscape.

6. Action:
   Provide a report prepared by a suitably qualified ecologist that:
   • identifies areas of existing mapped koala habitat on site and investigates mechanisms to
      protect these areas through a legal security mechanism such as an environmental covenant.
   • provides a map or shape file of the location of the covenant area. Demonstrates alternative
      development options that have been considered to retain more mapped koala habitat (e.g.
      all covenant locations that were considered), taking into consideration the results of koala
      habitat value assessments.
   • provides details of improvements to the identified covenant areas by removing weeds and
      planting koala food trees endemic to the site (based on the sites regional ecosystem).

Response:
Notwithstanding the proposed change is consistent with the development approval, an assessment
of Koala habitat values, including a Koala survey has been undertaken and detailed in the attached
Ecological Assessment Report.

As detailed in this report a targeted Koala survey was conducted over the entire site by OWAD
Environment on 20 April 2023 with a team of ecologists and a purpose-bred detection dog certified
by the Australian Canine Detection Certification Council for Koala and Quoll scat determination. In
addition any evidence of Koala usage (scat, sighting and Koala scratches) was also recorded during
a detailed tree survey and botanical survey, with over 100 hours spent on site between May 2022
and April 2023 by 4 qualified ecologists. This report and survey confirms that the site does not
currently form part of the home range of any individual Koala, nor has it been recently used by
Koalas. Additionally, no direct evidence of koala use (scat, sightings Koala scratches) was observed
on site during botanical survey and tree survey.

The report further confirms that the change provides an improved development outcome, as it:
• results in a net positive impact to potential fauna habitat on site
• does not result on any significant habitat loss
• does not result in barriers to fauna movement within the site or wider area.

Given that the change is consistent with the development approval an environmental covenant is not
relevant.

7. Action:
   It is advised that the applicant consider mitigation measures such as:
   • retaining koala habitat area in locations that will allow koalas to use and move through the
        site
   • retaining koala habitat area which have been identified through an ecological survey as
        being of higher use for koalas (e.g., retaining components of koala habitat areas with more
        records or other signs of koala use (i.e., scats or tree scratching) or areas that contain
        koala habitat trees preferred by koalas (e.g., blue gum))’
   • retaining particular koala habitat trees that koalas are using which have been identified
        through an ecological survey and ensuring that koalas can move safely between the koala
        habitat tree and other koala habitat areas