Development Application part 2 OF 2 All of CD, Information in notes - MCU12/0216

CSR West Ridge Quarry
Ecological Assessment Report



The Open Grassland community is highly modified and as a result it lacks native plant diversity and a varied
vegetative stratum (aside from an exotic grass groundcover stratum), such that food and shelter resources
for fauna are limited. Microhabitat features such as leaf litter, rocks and fallen logs were largely absent the
community. The grassland is likely to be utilised for grazing by common native macropods such as Grey
kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) and Red necked wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus). The grassland would
provide a food source for common native birds which feed on seeds and insects such as Crested pigeon
(Ocyphaps lophotes), Willy wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) and Grey butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus). The
area also offers cover and protection for common snakes, lizards and skinks.
The areas of Regenerating Open Forest, although young, provide a variable vegetation stratum (generally 3
layers) which supports a higher native plant diversity, such that it would offer a range of refuge, shelter and
food resources to birds, reptiles, mammals and in limited places, to amphibians. Such fauna species are
likely to predominantly be avian species, with lower proportions of reptilian and amphibian species. This
expectation is confirmed by the Wildlife Online records that show an abundance of avian species recorded
within the Area and surrounding landscape.

4.3.2              Threatened Fauna Species
Neither of the proposed disturbance areas is expected to provide habitat for fauna species of conservation
significance. It is acknowledged that the Wildlife Online records indicate the presence of several fauna
species of conservation significance within the locality. However, should these species be present within the
communities, it is likely that their presence would be restricted to transient movements through the area on
rare occasions, rather than dependency on or inhabitation within the area.
As similarly conducted for flora species, a ‘likelihood of occurrence’ for fauna species that were predicted by
the EPBC Protected Matters search to potentially occur within two areas was undertaken. As presented in
Table 4-2, all fauna species were rated as ‘unlikely’ on the basis that suitable habitat is absent from the two
proposed disturbance areas.

Table 4-2          Likelihood of Occurrence Assessment for Significant Fauna Species Relevant to the
                   Proposed Disturbance Areas
               Species                    Status*      Likelihood of                        Justification
                                                       Occurrence in
                                                         proposed
                                                        disturbance
                                                           areas
  Birds
  Botaurus poiciloptilus               E (EPBC Act)        Unlikely       Suitable habitat (densely vegetated freshwater
  (Australasian Bittern)                                                  wetlands, sometimes tidal) absent from the
                                                                          proposed disturbance areas.
  Cyclopsitta         diophthalma      E (EPBC Act)        Unlikely       Suitable habitat (fig trees) absent from the
  coxeni                               E (NC Act)                         proposed disturbance areas.
  (Coxen’s Fig Parrot)
  Erythrotriorchis radiatus            V (EPBC Act)        Unlikely       Suitable nesting habitat (tall riparian woodland)
  (Red Goshawk)                        E (NC Act)                         absent from the proposed disturbance areas.
  Lathamus discolor                    E (EPBC Act)        Unlikely       Suitable habitat (dry sclerophyll eucalypt forests
  (Swift Parrot)                                                          and woodlands) absent from the proposed
                                                                          disturbance areas.
  Rostratula australis                 V (EPBC Act)        Unlikely       Suitable habitat (well-vegetated wetland) absent
  (Australian Painted Snipe)                                              from the proposed disturbance areas.
  Turnix melanogaster                  V (EPBC Act)        Unlikely       Suitable habitat (vine thickets) absent from the
  (Black-breasted    Button            V (NC Act)                         proposed disturbance areas.
  Quail)
  Amphibians
  Mixophyes iteratus                   E (EPBC Act)        Unlikely       Suitable habitat (rainforest streams) absent from
  (Giant Barred Frog)                  E (NC Act)                         the proposed disturbance areas. May occur in
                                                                          riparian areas associated with Six Mile Creek.
  Litoria brevipalmata                 NT (NC Act)         Unlikely       Suitable habitat (rainforest streams) absent from


CSR Building Products Ltd                                   Version 3                                        4 December 2012
Ecological Assessment Report V3.docx                  Commercial in Confidence                                      Page 12