Response to Info Request - Attachment 6a - Ecological Assessment Part 1 MCU18-0015 & RAL18-0015 · MCU18/0015

                           Ecological Assessment – Attunga Heights



site through to the site’s south-eastern corner. Movements of fauna on and off the site are
therefore restricted in most directions, excepting this corridor.

The long and narrow shape of the site has meant that it has been prone to a range of
detrimental edge effects. This has resulted in a high level of degradation including the
presence of a high proportion of weeds in both vegetation communities recorded on the
site. These edge effects are likely to have considerably reduced the corridor value of the
site, particularly to species that are more vulnerable in edge habitats due to an increase
in predation.

In addition to being separated from continuous habitat regionally, there was also a
considerable degree of fragmentation evident on the site itself. Areas of exposed sand
dominated by Ground asparagus* (Asparagus aethiopicus) regularly intersected areas of
Callitris forest where a more protective understorey and layer of leaf litter is present.
These gaps between canopy elements present effective barriers to some species,
particularly those with low mobility.

The proposed development layout provides for the conservation of areas of both vegetation
communities present on the subject site. An area of dedicated open space will be retained
along the unnamed creek line, providing a wildlife corridor at a minimum width of 40m,
and covering 7,710 m2 in total. A minimum 10 m wide riparian vegetation buffer, measured
from the top of the bank on each side of the creek, is also proposed as part of the
development. Furthermore, the removal of weeds and planting of additional locally native
plant species where feasible, will ensure that the value of this site as a wildlife corridor
will not be compromised as a result of the proposed development.

The following sections discuss likely impacts on movement/dispersal of each of the fauna
groups.


5.3.2 Amphibians
The site does provide a tenuous link between patches of habitat for amphibians associated
with the creek line habitat. A small linkage occurs to suitable habitat north and south along
the creek line. This habitat is, however, degraded with weeds and heavily infested with
the introduced Cane toad (Rhinella marina). This is likely to significantly reduce the sites
suitability for amphibians. Rehabilitation work that will accompany the proposed
development is likely to improve opportunities for amphibians to utilise the site.


5.3.3 Reptiles
The site does provide a tenuous link between patches of habitat for reptile species
including Short-limbed snake-skink (Ophioscincus truncatus). It is likely that suitable
habitat will be lost as a result of the proposed development, however rehabilitation work
proposed for the site is likely to improve remaining habitat and corridor suitability for
reptile species including Ophioscincus truncatus.




Job No: Q12038/RW3                       JWA Pty Ltd                                      37