7.10.1.5 Yellow-bellied glider (south-eastern) (Petaurus australis australis) Yellow-bellied glider (south-eastern) ( Petaurus australis australis ) is listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act and NC Act. The subspecies occurs in tall mature eucalypt forest, generally in areas with high rainfall and nutrient rich soils. The subspecies can occur in varying forest types from mixed coastal forests to dry escarpment forests, moist coastal gullies and creek flats to tall montane forests. The species is reliant on access to smooth-barked eucalypts, as the species utilises smooth-barked eucalypts, feeding on exudates from incised bark, and insects that occur in shedding bark (Eyre and Smith 1997). The subspecies dens in family groups, often in the hollows of large trees. Home ranges vary in size from 20 to 85 ha (DAWE, 2022a). While the subspecies, or evidence of its use of the project area, was not recorded during field surveys, there is a historical record approximately 14 km east of the project area from 1994 (DETSI, 2025). Potentially suitable foraging habitat for the yellow-bellied glider exists within RE 11.10.1, due to the presence of Corymbia citriodora . In total, 9.41 ha of potential habitat for the yellow-bellied glider is present within the project area. The threshold for suitable denning habitat—defined as a minimum density of 0.05 to 0.1 hollow-bearing trees per hectare (DAWE, 2022a)—was not met within the project area. Consequently, suitable denning habitat for the yellow-bellied glider is not expected to occur within the site. Habitat within the project area has been described as a mixture of remnant and non-remnant vegetation. During investigation of the Project area’s history, the majority of the potentially suitable habitat that was identified within the project area was found to occur within a historically highly disturbed 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. Due to the degraded nature of the project area, this habitat is likely less preferable than intact habitat in the surrounding region. Therefore, the Project is not anticipated to result in a significant impact on the yellow-bellied glider (south-eastern). Table 57. SRI assessment - yellow-bellied glider ( Petaurus australis australis )
Significant Residual Impact criteria
Assessment
Lead to a long-term
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 yellow-bellied gliders for foraging and/or dispersal, it is unlikely a population will occur within the project area that could be impacted. Additionally, to mitigate potential impacts to individuals, pre-clearance surveys will be conducted, with all activities supervised by qualified fauna spotter-catchers. As such, the project is considered unlikely to lead to a long-term decrease in the size of a local of the species. 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 yellow-bellied gliders for foraging and/or
Unlikely
decrease in the size of a local population of the species;
Reduce the extent of
Unlikely
Project number: 25B061
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