Mount Morgan Mine Upper Mundic Gully TSF EA Amendment

Significant Residual Impact criteria occurrence of the species;

Assessment

dispersal, it is unlikely a population will occur within the project area that could be impacted. As such, the Project is considered unlikely to reduce the extent of occurrence 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 dispersal, it is unlikely a population will occur within the project area that could be impacted, and any population that might occur would not be considered an important population under the approved definition. 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 yellow-bellied gliders for foraging and/or dispersal, it is unlikely a population will occur within the project area that could be impacted, and any population that might occur would not be considered an important population under the approved definition. 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. Feral cats and European foxes are identified threats to this species. 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. There are no identified diseases that threaten this species. 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. While potential foraging habitat will be removed, similar quality habitat remains widely available throughout the region. 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

Fragment an existing population;

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; Interfere substantially with the recovery of

Unlikely

Unlikely

Project number: 25B061

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