RFI - Ecological Assessment Report

18

 

4.4 MONITORING
4.4.1 Introduction

Ongoing maintenance and monitoring forms an integral part of the overall Environmental
Management Plan. Monitoring issues specifically relating to the Fauna Management Plan are
discussed below. During construction, monitoring will be completed on a monthly basis by
the wildlife ecologist/contractor and/or project manager, as as specified in the
Environmental Management Plan.

4.4.2 Nestboxes

Nestboxes will be monitored for the presence of fauna every twelve months for the first four
years, where necessary by the wildlife ecologist, in conjunction with the ecological
restoration plan. Thereafter, nestbox condition will be monitored and maintained annually
by the Bodies Corporate under the requirements of the respective Community Management
Statements. Feral animals will be evicted from nestboxes when encountered and their nests
emptied. A local contractor (in conjunction with the wildlife ecologist) will be employed to
undertake these tasks, where necessary.

4.4.3, Wallum Froglet Habitat and Water Quality

The local population of wallum froglets is considered dependent on the condition of the
habitat areas within the RF Thompson Environmental Park and, in particular, the low
nutrient status and low pH of soils and water within low-lying areas. These conditions are
currently influenced by upstream (off-site) activities. Water quality management will be
addressed in the Environmental Management Plan. Nevertheless, water quality monitoring
within and adjacent to the RF Thompson Environmental Park will be required as part of this
monitoring program.

Upstream water quality requires management (byCouncil) to ensure improvement of the
site’s water quality. A monitoring program (as part of the stormwater management
strategies) is recommended to identify changes in habitat conditions within the RF
Thompson Environmental Park.

4.4.4 Maintenance and Monitoring of Ecologically Restored and Landscaped Areas

Ongoing (quarterly) monitoring to ensure areas proposed as fauna habitat are maintained
(and become established) will be completed by the wildlife ecologist for the maintenance
and monitoring period (in conjunction with the Ecological Restoration Plan monitoring). The
maintenance of planted areas is addressed in the Ecological Restoration Plan.

Weeds will be monitored and controlled across the site, including the development areas
(referred to as building envelopes in Figure 5) . Fuel load will be monitored and maintained
manually to retain it below 10 tonnes/ha (in accordance with the Fire Management Plan).

 

FAUNA MANAGEMENT PLANSETTLER’S COVE DEVELOPMENT PTY LTD
MAY 2005
R79130 (70934)

C&B GROUP