RFI - Ecological Assessment Report

EMP – CONSTRUCTION PHASE                                                                                     4-6

       Strategy:        To identify and protect vegetation that is to be retained and manage clearing of
                        other areas in an environmentally sensitive manner.
              the area. No clearing will occur in the immediate vicinity of the koala.
        25. The Fauna Management Plan identifies procedures to be employed for the protection of fauna
            during the clearing program. In the event that a Koala is identified in any tree marked for
            removal, habitat or otherwise, that tree is not to be removed until the Koala has dispersed from
            the tree. The tree should be left overnight to enable the Koala to move away. The tree is only to
            be removed following its inspection by the Wildlife Ecologist to ensure that the Koala has
            dispersed and that the removal of the tree poses no direct threat to the health or survival of the
            Koala.
        26. Immediately prior to felling of the identified habitat trees, the Wildlife Ecologist will be present
            to inspect the trees and organize to relocate remaining fauna to a suitable location (e.g.
            conservation/retained vegetation areas) determined in consultation with QPWS and/or other
            relevant authorities. Any person involved in capture/relocation should be accredited by the
            QPWS.
        27. If any denning animals are observed within hollow limbs, but cannot be readily removed, it is
            recommended that, where appropriate, the hollow end of the limb be blocked with porous
            material and a chainsaw be used to remove the limb. The limb should be relocated to a suitable
            place, determined in consultation with QPWS, where necessary, followed by appropriate fauna
            release measures.
        28. Prior to tree removal, the Wildlife Ecologist should attempt to “flush out” any denning animals
            not observed during the initial hollow inspection.
        29. A second inspection following the felling of each tree will recover fauna that are disturbed by the
            clearing process or are remaining within the felled timber. Recovered fauna will be relocated to a
            suitable location determined in consultation with QPWS. All injured animals should be
            immediately removed and taken to an appropriately qualified wildlife veterinary surgeon (eg.
            Noosa Veterinary Surgery, Tewantin).
        30. Where possible, the felling of the habitat trees should be conducted in a manner that maximizes
            the chances of survival for any fauna remaining within the tree hollows. This may involve
            pushing rather than cutting and cushioning the tree fall with other felled timber and foliage. It is
            recommended that, where feasible, habitat trees not be drop felled, and a more appropriate and
            sensitive means of clearance for these trees be utilised eg. Excavator.
        31. Hollow limbs and logs identified prior to clearing by the Wildlife Ecologist as worthy of
            protection are to be salvaged following tree removal.
        32. Nest boxes erection considerations are described in the Fauna Management Plan.
        33. Following completion of the stage works, capture and release records will be supplied to the
            SEO for dissemination to QPWS, where required.
        34. No dogs or cats or other pets shall be permitted on site during construction/clearing program.
        35. All mulch produced on site by mulching cleared vegetation and trees shall specifically exclude
            propagative material from weed species. Cleared vegetation which contains weeds, is to be
            disposed of at a Council approved facility.


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