4.13. Quassia ( Samadera bidwillii ) Quassia is listed as Vulnerable under the NC Act and EPBC Act. There is one recent (2017) record 2 km to the North of the Project area and modelled potential habitat within the Project area. Quassia is endemic to Queensland and is known from several localities near Mackay and north of Gympie. The species commonly occurs in lowland rainforest or on rainforest margins (Hewson, 1985) but can also be found in open forest and woodland (QDNR, 2000b). Quassia is commonly found in areas adjacent to both temporary and permanent watercourses. Ground-truthed RE 11.10.1 (9.41 ha) is a potential habitat for the species. The REs within the Project area are highly disturbed due to the historical clearing of the area. Surrounding regions have suitable habitat for the species where the habitat is less disturbed relative to the habitat within the Project area, where essential habitat for the species is mapped as well. 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 lack of records of the species within the Project area and the disturbed nature of the potential habitat RE 11.10.1 within the Project area, the Project is not anticipated to result in a significant impact on Samadera bidwillii.
Table 23. SRI Assessment for Quassia ( Samadera bidwillii) Significant Residual Impact criteria Assessment
Unlikely
There are no confirmed records of the species within the Project area. There is one recent record of the species 2 km north of the Project area. While there is potential habitat for the species within the Project area, the area is highly disturbed and it is unlikely that there is a population within the Project area that could be impacted. Therefore, the Project will not lead to a long-term decrease in the size of a local population of the species There are no confirmed records of the species within the Project area. There is one recent record of the species 2 km north of the Project area. While there is potential habitat for the species within the Project area, the area is highly disturbed and it is unlikely that there is a population within the Project area that could be impacted. Therefore, the Project will not reduce the extent of occurrence of the species There are no confirmed records of the species within the Project area. There is one recent record of the species 2 km north of the Project area. While there is potential habitat for the species within the Project area, the area is highly disturbed and it is unlikely that there is a population within the Project area that could be fragmented as a result of the Project.
Lead to a long- term decrease in the size of a local population of the species;
Unlikely
Reduce the extent of occurrence of the species;
Unlikely
Fragment an existing population;
Wulguru Technical Services Pty Ltd – Heritage Minerals Upper Mundic Gully TSF – Fauna Survey Assessment Report 68
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