Ecological Assessment · RAL26/0015

4.0 Fauna Assessment
4.1 Methodology
Given existing site conditions/history, the following methodology was implemented to determine
fauna values of the subject property generally in accordance with Council’s ‘SC6.4, PSP3 –
Ecological Assessment Guidelines’:

       Review of relevant legislation/policies (and associated triggers) in accordance with
        SECTION 1.2 of this document;
       Field survey of available habitat components, with specific focus also given to known
        habitat for threatened vertebrate fauna species;
       Basic diurnal fauna/crepuscular survey, including opportunistic binocular sighting, call
        recognition, trace analysis (scats/guano, tracks, scratches, diggings, chewings/orts,
        bones, carrion, roosts – Triggs, 2006) and debris-exposure;
       Assessment of the likelihood of species scheduled as critically endangered,
        endangered, vulnerable, conservation-dependant, rare or near-threatened under
        provisions of either the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and/or Environment Protection
        and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 based on available habitat components and
        subregional records (precautionary principle adopted).

4.2 Results
4.2.1 Habitat Components

A broad survey of available habitat components was undertaken across the development site
during March 2026, from which the following values were identified:

       Permanent/Ephemeral Water – provide both a refuge and forage base primarily for
        waterfowl and amphibians. Woody riparian vegetation provides insect-producing
        habitat/forage base for insectivorous birds and flying mammals. Vegetated waterways
        also function as fauna dispersal conduits. The site comprises three constructed dams
        with narrow distributions of disturbed fringing littoral and scattered emergent vegetation
        which are subject to ongoing edge-effects throughout.
       Hollow-bearing Trees – provide refuge primarily for arboreal mammals and birds;
        usually within post-mature canopy trees. A small number of hollows/stags are scattered
        across the site.
       Flowering Trees – provide a forage base primarily for nectivorous birds and arboreal/
        flying mammals; usually associated with sclerophyllous/heathland vegetation. Native
        tree/shrub species scattered across the site provide a source of common seasonal
        nectar.
       Termite Mounds – provide refuge for a variety of either terrestrial or arboreal species;
        usually within sclerophyllous environs. A minor quantity of termite mounds were noted
        on the site.
       Fruiting Trees – provide a forage base for frugivorous birds and arboreal/flying
        mammals; usually associated with rainforest/riparian environs. Native tree/shrub
        species scattered across the site provide a source of common seasonal fruit.
       Stick Nests – refuge/nesting habitat generally associated with avifauna; usually within
        canopy trees. A small quantity of minor stick nests were noted on the site.
       Rocky Substrate/Debris – provide thermal environs for reptiles; usually associated
        with exposed bedrock, bush rock/river rock deposits and fallen timber/litter. Fallen
        vegetative debris was noted predominantly adjacent to the central northern boundary.


                                                                     Basic Ecological Site Assessment
                                             Page 12                434 Lake Cooroibah Rd, Cooroibah
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