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. In addition to the above population, approximately 34.17 ha of suitable habit was mapped for the species within the project area. Suitable habitat for the species, within the project area, has been described as both remnant, HVR and non- remnant vegetation on steep slopes and hill crests with shallow, well drained, sandy loam soils derived from sandstone or basalt volcanic rocks. Remnant/HVR suitable habitat is defined as woodland to open forests dominated by of Blakella citriodora, Corymbia trachyphloia, Syncarpia glomulifera and/or Acacia spp . Non-remnant suitable habitat is defined as young Acacia spp. regrowth with mixed native and exotic grassy ground cover. The aforementioned population and its mapped suitable habitat is depicted Figure 3-3. Representative photos of C. megacarpa , within the project area, are presented in Plate 3-2. This species is further discussed in Section 3.5.1.1.
3.3.4 Essential habitat
Essential habitat is defined by the VM Act as areas of habitat for conservation significant species prescribed under the NC Act. Essential habitat exists where vegetation is likely to contain either:
– Three or more essential habitat factors for a species, or – A conservation significant species at any stage of its life cycle.
Essential habitat is mapped in the project area in two polygons in alignment with Category B vegetation mapping. Three flora species and no fauna species are listed for potential essential habitat, as outlined in Table 3-7.
Table 3-7
Conservation significant species with essential habitat in the project area
EPBC Status
NCA Status
Position in landscape Alluvial flats dry watercourse gentle to steep hill slope, hill crest, coastal flat
Species
Vegetation community
Altitude
Soils
Cycas megacarpa
Woodland to open forest of Eucalyptus spp. and/or Corymbia spp. often near dry rainforest margins; tree species frequently present include Blakella (syn. Corymbia ) citriodora and Eucalyptus crebra ; other species often present include E. tereticornis, E. drepanophylla, E. melanophloia, C. erythrophloia and E. portuensis Open forest of Eucalyptus acmenoides , or E. decorticans , E. cloeziana , or E. decorticans , Blakella (syn. Corymbia ) citriodora , or Angophora leiocarpa , E. acmenoides , Allocasuarina littoralis ; very tall open woodland of E. suffulgens , E. cloeziana , B. citriodora ; woodland of Angophora leiocarpa , E. acmenoides , E. exserta , or E. corynodes , C. trachyphloia , E. cloeziana , or C. trachyphloia , Syncarpia glomulifera , Acacia neriifolia ; tall open woodland to open woodland of E. suffulgens , C. trachyphloia , Callitris endlicheri with tall shrubs and dense low shrub layer Closed heathland with occasional mallee Eucalyptus on coastal parabolic dunes; woodland to tall woodland of Melaleuca sp., Eucalyptus tereticornis with some rainforest understorey; or Eucalyptus cloeziana, E. suffulgens, Callitris endlicheri, or Blakella (syn. Corymbia ) citriodora, Eucalyptus cloeziana, or Eucalyptus cloeziana, E. decorticans, or
Well drained, shallow, often stony, sandy loam to clay loam derived from sandstones, fine grained sediments and acid and basic volcanic rocks Brown sand to sandy loam or red to brown gravelly loam
E
E
0-700m
Grevillea hockingsii
300- 600 m
Ridge crest, hill slope
NL
V
Samadera bidwillii
Yellow brown sandy loam or grey, brown gravelly loam or clay or red alluvials or sand
Hill slope, creek bank, river terrace, rocky headland, rocky outcrop on hill slope, parabolic dune
V
V
0-700 m
GHD | Heritage Minerals Pty Ltd | 12626510 | Heritage Minerals Mount Morgan
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