Ecological Assessment Report

                                                                               Ecological Assessment Report



    •   Verifying the floristic structure and composition of vegetation communities present;

    •   Describing the fauna habitat present and recording any incidental fauna sightings;

    •   Searching for potentially occurring significant species (and associated habitat) as listed under
         the EPBC Act and/or Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act);

    •   Identifying weed species and documenting vegetation disturbance;

    •   Assessment of the ecological values on site with respect to the mapped environmental values
         on the site.

2.2.1 Flora Species Survey

General baseline botanical surveys were undertaken to describe the vegetation communities, dominant
flora species and their extent. Fauna habitat values and opportunistic sightings of fauna were also
recorded. The survey was undertaken in accordance with quaternary survey methods described in
Neldner et al. (Version 5.1) (2020) by compiling a species inventory and assigning relative dominance
of each flora species within the dominant structural layer.

Threatened species searches were undertaken using the random meander technique described by
Cropper (1993), which involved traversing areas of suitable habitat in a non-standardised manner.
Where identified, samples from each threatened flora species were sent to the Queensland Herbarium
to confirm identification.

2.2.2 Fauna Species and Habitat Survey

No fauna trapping was undertaken for the site. Fauna and habitat values were assessed at the same
time as conducting the vegetation survey. The following characteristics were observed to determine
fauna likely to be present on-site based on the type and quality of habitat present:

    •   Confirmation of habitat units and habitat structure including an analysis of habitat quality;

    •   Presence of Koala food and habitat trees;

    •   Targeted searches for Koalas and evidence of Koala presence (scats and scratches);

    •   Presence of hollow-bearing trees, their form and size;

    •   Presence of scratches on tree trunks and scats of wildlife;

    •   Presence of hollow logs/debris and areas of dense leaf litter cover;

    •   Level of disturbance (e.g. weed, litter); and,

    •   Habitat connectivity within the network.



2.2.3 Survey Limitations

The ability to detect plants and accurately identify them to species level can vary greatly with season,
prevailing climatic conditions and the presence of reproductive material (e.g. flowers, fruit and seed
capsules). The survey undertaken as part of this assessment only represents a ‘snapshot’ in time and
therefore may not provide a true indication of plant presence at the site. For example, some cryptic flora
species may only be detected during flowering periods that were not present during the current survey.
Hence, this survey should not be regarded as conclusive evidence that certain protected plants do not



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