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

                            Ecological Assessment – Attunga Heights



   •   listed threatened species (Schedule 1 and 2 of the Commonwealth Endangered
       Species Protection Act 1992);
   •   listed ecological communities; and
   •   listed migratory species (JAMBA and CAMBA).

An action includes a project, development, undertaking or an activity or series of activities.
An action does not require approval if it is a lawful continuation of a use of land, sea or
seabed that was occurring before the commencement of the Act. An enlargement,
expansion or intensification of a use is not a continuation of a use.

The EPBC Act (1999) does not require Commonwealth approval for the rezoning of land. It
does, however, suggest that when rezoning land, planning authorities should consider
whether to allow actions that could significantly affect NES matters or the environment of
Commonwealth land.

A Commonwealth Assessment will be required for proposed activities on the subject site if
they affect a MNES. The Commonwealth Department of the Environment has prepared EPBC
Act Policy Statements, including the EPBC Act – Principal Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1
(2009) which provides a self-assessment process to assist in determining whether an action
should be referred to the Commonwealth for a decision on whether assessment and
approval is required under the Act. The proposed development has been considered against
the Principal Significant Impact Guidelines for each of the MNES identified on the subject
site. This assessment is provided in the following sections.


7.2.2 Declared World Heritage Areas on or Near the Site
There are no declared World Heritage areas on, or within 10km, of the subject site.


7.2.3 Declared Ramsar Wetlands on or Near the Site
7.2.3.1 Significant Impact Criteria
An action is likely to have a significant impact on the ecological character of a declared
Ramsar wetland if there is a real chance or possibility that it will result in:
   •   areas of the wetland being destroyed or substantially modified;
   •   a substantial and measurable change in the hydrological regime of the wetland, for
       example, a substantial change to the volume, timing, duration and frequency of
       ground and surface water flows to and within the wetland;
   •   the habitat or lifecycle of native species, including invertebrate fauna and fish
       species, dependent upon the wetland being seriously affected;
   •   a substantial and measurable change in the water quality of the wetland, for
       example, a substantial change in the level of salinity, pollutants, or nutrients in the
       wetland, or water temperature which may adversely impact on biodiversity,
       ecological integrity, social amenity or human health; or



Job No: Q12038/RW3                        JWA Pty Ltd                                      45