5.5.2
Planting • Planting locations at the recipient site are to be marked out by an experienced ecologist from GAP Tree Change Pty Ltd. Spacings will mimic densities recorded at the impact site and locations will be carefully selected to: o avoid impacts to existing C. megacarpa individuals. o avoid impacts to supporting habitat (as far as practicable), particularly from translocation machinery. o avoid overly steep sites that are prone to erosion following disturbance. o allow ongoing access for maintenance and monitoring activities. • Holes at the recipient site will be dug with an excavator, to match the size of the growing container. • Plants shall be lowered gently and positioned vertically in the new holes, once the container has been removed. Care will be taken to maintain the north-south orientation from the plant's original locality (where possible). This will be achieved by aligning to the west the white marker paint that was applied to the western side of the trunk in the initial digging. The hole backfilled using the topsoil removed during the digging of the hole. • The foliage will be sprayed with an insecticide (either Confidor® at a rate of application of 10 mL per 9 L of water or Crown® at a rate of application of 5 mL per 9 L of water) after transplant. • Each plant shall be watered thoroughly with at least 20 L of water. • Any damage occurring during planting operations shall be photographed and recorded in the translocation database. • The aluminium identification tag will be kept on the plant. • The locations of all translocated plants shall be recorded via hand-held GPS together with their health at planting for future monitoring and tracking purposes. • Surface conditions/levels/drainage patterns shall be re-instated as far as possible, noting that minor earthworks may be required to stabilise planting holes on steeper slopes and prevent erosion. • Watering will be carried out on an as needs basis, with a minimum of weekly for the first 6 months post planting unless 20mm of rain has been received in the preceding week. After the first 6 months, watering will be carried out on, an as required basis when no rain has been recorded or applied every 2 weeks.
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Mundic Gully TSF Translocation Project - Cycas megacarpa
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