Approved Fauna Management Plan OPW20-0051 - 2 of 3

Fauna Management Plan v1                                                                   NCES REF: J000662
Lot 101 on SP142407, Lot 140 on MCH978, Lot 3 on RP137375,
Lot 2 on RP852009 and Lot 8 on RP160703 – 27 Wilgee Court, Cooroy


3     FAUNA HABITAT VALUES AND IMPACTS

3.1       Habitat Types
The majority of the vegetation within the site has been subjected to previous disturbance including
broad-scale clearing and subsequently comprises regrowth vegetation with varying levels of weed
intrusion. The intact Open eucalypt forest over shrubby understorey community is anticipated to
provide fauna with high value complex habitat opportunities hence increased likelihood of high
species richness. The limited spatial extent of the open forest unit however acts as a limiting factor
to potential population sizes within the community. In contrast, the disturbed regrowth vegetation unit
habitat is anticipated to exhibit restricted fauna species richness as a result of its inherent early phase
structural and floristic characteristics, which limits the range of available nesting and foraging
opportunities.
The on-site vegetation has the potential to offer fauna species the following habitat opportunities:
      ·    Open canopy and mid-canopy nesting sites and perches which may be used by birds and
           arboreal mammals;
      ·    A mix of vegetation communities which provides a wide range of foraging and breeding
           opportunities;
      ·    Flower pollen from the mix of canopy and mid-strata species may provide a food source for
           nectivorous species;
      ·    Sun exposed areas below canopy gaps and on forest fringes may be suitable habitat for
           exothermic reptiles such as snakes, skinks, small lizards and possibly larger reptiles such as
           lace monitors;
      ·    Areas of light to heavy leaf litter have the potential to host small reptiles, amphibious species
           and may provide breeding opportunities for brush turkeys;
      ·    Ephemeral drainage lines which may provide suitable habitat for amphibian species;
      ·    Grass and sedge groundcovers (native and exotic) have the potential to provide shelter and
           movement pathways for small terrestrial mammals (e.g. bush rats, melomy’s, antechinus,
           bandicoots;
      ·    Open grassland which is likely to provide grazing habitat for macropods; and
      ·    Dams which are anticipated to provide habitat value for hydrophilic birds and amphibious
           fauna species.
The on-site waterway and dams are anticipated to provide suitable habitat for the previously
recorded Adelotus brevis (tusked frog) (refer to Plate 4).




                                Plate 4 – Suitable Adelotus brevis (tusked frog) habitat


A specific fauna survey of the site was not undertaken as part of the Development Approval



© 2020                                                 4