Negotiated Decision Notice OPW26 0033 (As Published)

                      Under scrubbing
               24.    Once each area has been trapped, and the extent of the trapped area clearly identified the
                      groundcover and midstorey will be cleared utilising a slasher with a mulching head
                      attachment or similar. Any hollow-bearing trees and/or other significant habitat features
                      identified during the initial site inspection will be retained. All under scrubbing works will be
                      completed with a suitably qualified fauna spotter/catcher (*) in attendance.
                      (*) Refer to Advisory Note
                      Clearing non-habitat trees
               25.    After under scrubbing of each area is complete, non-habitat trees (i.e. trees other than those
                      identified as habitat trees) may be cleared and stockpiled for mulching. Suitable felled timber
                      may be retained or removed from the site for beneficial reuse, with remaining felled
                      vegetation stockpiled for mulching. Clearing of non-habitat trees will only occur where their
                      removal will not impact on identified habitat trees (e.g. canopies do not interconnect with
                      habitat trees).
                      Hollow inspection and removal
               26.    After under scrubbing and clearing on non-habitat trees, an elevated work platform or cherry-
                      picker will be used in conjunction with a chainsaw operator and suitably qualified fauna
                      spotter/catcher to inspect and remove hollows a necessary prior to habitat tree felling. This
                      method involves the fauna spotter/catcher (*) inspecting each of the potential habitat features
                      (usually hollows, dreys and arboreal termite nests) to determine the presence of arboreal
                      fauna. This process is detailed following the step by step basis below:
                      a.      The fauna spotter/catcher (qualified person*), with the Arborist will inspect each visible
                              hollow or potential habitat resource identified in each tree using the cherry-picker. This
                              is usually carried out by simply looking into hollows with the assistance of a small torch,
                              however, burrow and bore-scopes can also be useful for deep hollows.
                      b.      If fauna is located within a hollow, a piece of towel or rag will be firmly placed in the
                              entrance to prevent the wildlife form escaping as in most cases arboreal fauna become
                              aware of the presence of the fauna spotter/catcher and may attempt to flee the
                              nesting/denning hollow due to a perceived threat. If an occupied hollow is
                              encountered, the fauna spotter/catcher should quietly approach (i.e. avoid contacting
                              other branches) in the cherry-picker bucket and physically capture the fauna by placing
                              the entire hollow in a catch bag or only the fauna if it emerges.
                      c.      Once the hollow entrance has been secured the arborist or fauna spotter/catcher will
                              cut the entire hollow limb off below the cavity where the branch remains solid. In
                              circumstances where a hollow continues into the main stem of the tree, a small window
                              will be carefully cut into the hollow, allowing the fauna spotter/catcher to plug the hollow
                              above and below the window, then the hollow limb removed and lowered to the ground
                              in sections.
                      d.      When the fauna has been safely secured within its hollow, the entire limb can then be
                              placed in the cherry-picker bucket or lowered to the ground using ropes depending on
                              the size of the limb.
                      e.      This limb will then be placed in a cool, quiet location until translocation to the recipient
                              habitat site, when at dusk the follow entrance is re-opened to allow the fauna to emerge
                              of its own accord.
                              (*) Refer to Advisory Note




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Document Set ID: 25209919
Version: 4, Version Date: 02/10/2026