Significant Residual Impact criteria
Assessment
locations (breeding,
Whilst one LIKT and one ancillary habitat tree for the region were identified within the project area the project area is not considered to represent habitat that is essential to meet life cycle requirements due to the absence of any evidence of use by koalas. As such, the project is considered unlikely to cause disruption to ecologically significant locations (breeding, feeding, nesting, migration or resting sites) of a species.
feeding, nesting,
migration or resting sites) of a species.
7.10.1.3 Ghost bat (Macroderma gigas) The ghost bat ( Macroderma gigas) is listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act and endangered under the NC Act. Ghost bats inhabit a diverse range of environments, from the arid desert to tropical savanna woodlands and rainforests. During the day, they roost in caves, rock crevices, and abandoned mines, favouring deep caves or disused mines that provide stable microclimatic conditions (TSSC, 2016a). Seasonal movement between caves is common, driven by changing climatic conditions. Breeding sites are generally located in caves with multiple entrances, which are preferred for their microhabitat stability and security. This carnivorous bat forages for small mammals (such as other bats), birds, reptiles, frogs, and large insects using a surface foraging strategy where it perches in vegetation to ambush or gleans the ground while in flight (TSSC 2016a). Both male and female bats have been recorded foraging up to 12 km from their diurnal roost, with round trips of up to 30 km being recorded (Bat Call WA, 2023). The closest historical records of the species are located approximately 17 km north of the project area, dating back to 1994 (DETSI, 2025). A permanent colony exists at Mt Etna, around 70 km north of the project area, which serves as a key regional maternity roost (Bat Call WA, 2023). Bat detectors from field surveys did not detect any bat calls of this species (Appendix M). Given the proximity and ecological importance of the Mt Etna maternity colony, it is unlikely that the tunnel within the project area functions as a maternity roost. While ghost bats may use the tunnel sporadically for diurnal roosting outside the breeding season, such use would be occasional and opportunistic. Consequently, the tunnel does not qualify as critical habitat for the species. Due to their broad hunting methods, all vegetation within REs 11.10.1, 11.10.2, 11.10.3 and 11.10.4 within the project area has been considered suitable foraging habitat for the species. The tunnel entrance was considered potentially suitable diurnal roosting habitat for the species, however due to its proximity the Mt Etna site likely fulfils the regions breeding requirements, making it unlikely that the tunnel within the project area functions as a maternity roost. As Ghost bats cannot be readily determined using bat detectors, a subsequent field survey was conducted on the 26 February 2026 to determine the presence of ghost bats within the tunnel connecting UMG with Dam 8. The survey was conducted in accordance with the Ghost bat, Macroderma gigas. Targeted species survey guidelines. Queensland Herbarium, Department of Environment and Science, Brisbane (2011) and was conducted by Mr Peter Mellor (MEIANZ). Acknowledging that the tunnel is a 400m linear infrastructure with a roof height of approximately 2m that receives no light, the methodology to conduct the survey included: ∕ Traversing the tunnel length with three spotlights and a camera that was constantly recording observations; ∕ Making short whistles through pursed lips; and ∕ Observing the presence of roosts at the tunnel entrance.
Project number: 25B061
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