forests with a grassy understorey and rocky substrates to clay/loam soils (DCCEEW, 2025), with some observations of the species growing along rainforest margins. Typical habitat for the species is dominated by Corymbia citriodora , Corymbia erythrophloia , Eucalyptus melanophloia and Lophestemon confertus . However, the species has been recorded in a range of habitats and REs not with previously mentioned species included (DCCEEW, 2025). C. megacarpa was confirmed present within the project area during ecological surveys. A population survey was conducted which involved transversing all areas within which C. megacarpa was confirmed. In total 95 individuals of C. megacarpa were confirmed during field surveys, of which 46 occur within the project area. Individuals ranged in height from 0.3-5.5 m tall, with multiple individuals noted with fruit. Health varied across the population. Some individuals presented healthy foliage and new growth, while others presented signs of chlorosis (yellowing) and/or insect herbivory. Multiple dead trunks believed to be C. megacarpa were noted amongst live individuals. Dead trunks were noted at a higher frequency that juvenile individuals, this may suggest that the population is currently in decline. This is probable considering historical practices that have degraded and contaminated the habitat within which the population occurs. Approximately 32.33 ha of potentially suitable habitat was mapped for the species within the project area. Dumping of mine waste by previous site operators has resulted in land contamination across most of the Mount Morgan Mine. Contaminated runoff and seepage from existing mine infrastructure are actively contributing to land contamination. Prior to mining activities occurring at the Mount Morgan Mine, the headwater of the Mundic Gully flowed north to south before flowing in an easterly direction towards the Dee River. What should be the headwater of the Upper Mundic Creek is now an ephemeral waterbody at the lowest topographical point of the Upper Mundic Gully that drains through a stormwater diversion tunnel into Dam 8 located to the northeast, and as such less water is likely available within the project area compared to prior to disturbance. This may explain the observed potential decline of the population within the project area, as there is circumstantial evidence to suggest that seedlings/juveniles may disappear from populations during drought, and that drought may affect the coning cycles of some species, (Queensland Herbarium, 2007). Additionally, the identification of several dense patches of WONS around and within the population may further contribute to decline, both through competition and through increased fire risk and intensity through larger fuel loads. Whilst most cycads are fire-dependant for successful reproduction, the seedlings and seed of C. megacarpa, both on the plant and locally dispersed, are highly susceptible to being killed by fire. More intense fires can destroy the seed bank of a population and may even destroy mature plants. Cumulative seedling loss because of fires that are too frequent or too hot will ultimately result in a decline of the number of individuals within a population (Keith 1996). Habitat within the project area has been described as a mixture of remnant and non-remnant vegetation. Considering the historical disturbance and degraded nature of the project area, the habitat was determined by Grant Paterson (SQP) during his site visit to not meet the definition of ‘in the wild’ as defined in the Operational policy - Wildlife (Plants) - When a protected plant in Queensland is taken to be ‘in the wild’ (DESI, 2023). The policy states that the plant should be found in a relatively natural ecological situation (e.g. in bushland) to be considered ‘in the wild’. Considering the historical disturbance and degraded nature of the project area, the modified hydrology, and the presence of dense patches of weeds, there is a risk that the population of Cycas megacarpa within the project area will decline without intervention. The project proposes the implementation of a Cycas megacarpa Management Plan which will detail methods to translocate individuals impacted by the project out of the degraded habitat and into an existing population off-site, as well as propagate and plant additional individuals. The management plan will have a net-positive goal, to not only mitigate the impact of the project but also avoid and potentially reverse the natural decline of the population. The Cycas megacarpa Management Plan is provided in Appendix J.
Project number: 25B061
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