Attachment 4 - Terrestrial Ecology Report_RACV_2022 June

(e.g. possums, large rats) and reptiles (e.g. monitors). Once trap is set test that spring door/gate is operational. Traps are checked at least
twice per day.

Cameras

Cameras set in suitable locations (e.g. areas that are sheltered, near habitat features and where fauna may forage). Bait cage/container
pegged to ground holding mixture of baits, including chicken and oats in line with camera. Important to set camera in accordance with
instructions and site conditions. Camera does not need to be checked and can be in place for the length of battery life, but important to
ensure bait has not been removed. Also important to clear area near bait to minimise leaf, shadow and grass movement (i.e. too much
shadow and vegetation movement will result in excessive photographs). Photographs are downloaded following completion of survey.

Active Searches & Spotlighting

Active searches include physical (i.e. walking, turning over logs), vocal (i.e. hearing/listening for sounds and calls) and visual (i.e. looking)
searching in appropriate habitats (e.g. trees, hollows, under logs, in leaf litter, under rocks etc.). Searches can be done during the day and at
night, dependent on the target species and suitable habitats. For bird surveys, generally early mornings and late afternoons are most suitable.
Certain foraging habitats (e.g. intertidal areas) need to be surveyed when suitable. Binoculars and telescopes are used for species that are
some distance. Spotlighting (nocturnal surveys) is used to look for fauna that are active at night. Listening for movement amongst leaf litter
and trees and looking for the eye shine can assist in location of animals. Do not shine the spotlight directly into the animal’s eyes and the
use of red filters on bright torches is advised.

SURVEY EFFORT FOR SUBJECT LAND (2019)
Survey effort applied in accordance with scope of works agreed with Noosa Council, in accordance with recognised State and Commonwealth
guidelines and based on subject land size and context.

Weather for the survey period was generally fine with warm conditions, cool periods and precipitation prior to and during the survey. Refer
attached rainfall data for systematic survey period. For the current survey, the following was undertaken:

•   Habitat, target flora, bird and reptile surveys (site) – December 2018, April 2019 and May 2019
•   Systematic fauna survey (site) – 26 April to 30 April 2019.
•   Supplementary (targeted) fauna and habitat surveys (reserves/conservation areas in locality) – May 2019.

Site assessment methodology consisted of an initial site inspection and assessment of habitats (December 2018), followed by a systematic
survey, designed for the target species. Two systematic sites (refer Figure) were established to cover the subject land and Council land. At
systematic sites the following equipment was deployed: medium-sized cage traps, large and small Elliott traps, arboreal Elliott traps, drift
fence and buckets and funnel (folding) traps, hair traps, bat detector and a camera stations. Active searches (diurnal and nocturnal), call-
playback and spotlighting were completed over the five day period, with additional survey over two days/nights in May 2019.

Summary of (2019) fauna survey effort

                        Trap/Survey Tool                         Effort
                        Elliotts (terrestrial)                   140 trap nights
                        Elliotts (arboreal)                      20 trap nights
                        Elliotts (target water mouse)            20 trap nights
                        Cages                                    16 trap nights
                        Hair Funnels                             260 trap nights
                        Pitfalls                                 32 trap nights
                        Funnel/Folding                           80 trap nights
                        Anabat                                   6 trap nights
                        Active Searches (Diurnal)                10 days (approx. 30 person hours)
                        Active Searches (Nocturnal)              6 nights (approx. 15 person hours)
                        Call Playback                            4 nights (various locations)#
                        Camera Station                           4 cameras for 13 days/nights
                        Koala Searches                           10 days (approx. 4 person hours – targeted for scats)
* Note: initial fauna and habitat surveys in December 2018