Significant Residual Impact criteria Fragment an existing population;
Assessment
Ecological surveys did not identify any potential breeding or denning habitat within the project area. Whilst there is the potential for the project area to be used by ghost bats for foraging and/or dispersal, it is unlikely a population will occur within the project area that could be impacted. The project is situated on the interface between a large area of remnant vegetation and a large area of non-remnant cleared land associated with the Mount Morgan Mine. As such, the project is not expected to isolate or fragment any patches of habitat. A such, the project is considered unlikely to fragment an existing population into two or more populations. Ecological surveys did not identify any potential breeding or denning habitat within the project area. Whilst there is the potential for the project area to be used by ghost bats for foraging and/or dispersal, it is unlikely a population will occur within the project area that could be impacted. The project is situated on the interface between a large area of remnant vegetation and a large area of non-remnant cleared land associated with the Mount Morgan Mine. As such, the project is not expected to isolate or fragment any patches of habitat. A such, the project is considered unlikely to result in genetically distinct populations forming as a result of habitat isolation. Predation by feral animals is not a listed threat to the ghost bat, however the Commonwealth conservation advice (TSSC, 2016a) states that poisoning by cane toad has been recorded in Queensland. The cane toad has been confirmed present within the project area. Feral animal control measures will be implemented throughout the duration of the Project as detailed in the EMP. There is also potential for the spread of invasive weeds during the construction and operation phase, which pose a threat to the species by degrading potential foraging habitat, as they can change the local floristic characteristics of vegetation, impacting resource availability. This potential will be addressed within the EMP. Accordingly, the project is considered unlikely to result in invasive species that are harmful to an endangered species becoming established in the endangered species’ habitat. A possible herpes-type virus has been impacting the Mt Etna population of ghost bats (approximal 70 km north of the project area) (TSSC, 2016a), however, no further publications have confirmed it as a significant disease which may cause the species to decline. Zoonoses are a potential future risk, such as a fungal disease called White Nosed Syndrome (Bat Call WA, 2023). Additionally, the species is susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi due the soil fungus’s ability to infect eucalypt species, which may be utilised by the species while waiting to ambush prey. Weed and pest species that may act as disease vectors will be managed as per the EMP. As such, the Project is not considered likely to introduce disease that may cause the species to decline.
Unlikely
Result in genetically distinct populations forming as a result of habitat isolation;
Unlikely
Result in invasive species that are harmful to a vulnerable species becoming established in the vulnerable
Unlikely
species’ habitat;
Introduce disease that may cause the species to decline;
Unlikely
Project number: 25B061
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