the species has been recorded in a range of habitats and REs not with previously mentioned species
included (DCCEEW, 2025).
C. megacarpa was confirmed present within the project area during ecological surveys. A population
survey was conducted which involved transversing all areas within which C. megacarpa was confirmed.
In total 95 individuals of C. megacarpa were confirmed during field surveys, of which 46 occur within
the project area. Individuals ranged in height from 0.3-5.5 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. Dead trunks were noted at a higher
frequency that juvenile individuals, this may suggest that the population is currently in decline. This is
probable considering historical practices that have degraded and contaminated the habitat within which
the population occurs. Approximately 32.33 ha of potentially suitable habitat was mapped for the
species within the project 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. This may explain the observed potential decline of
the population within the project area, as there is circumstantial evidence to suggest that
seedlings/juveniles may disappear from populations during drought, and that drought may affect the
coning cycles of some species, (Queensland Herbarium, 2007).
Additionally, the identification of several dense patches of WONS around and within the population may
further contribute to decline, both through competition and through increased fire risk and intensity
through larger fuel loads. Whilst most cycads are fire-dependant for successful reproduction, the
seedlings and seed of C. megacarpa, both on the plant and locally dispersed, are highly susceptible to
being killed by fire. More intense fires can destroy the seed bank of a population and may even destroy
mature plants. Cumulative seedling loss because of fires that are too frequent or too hot will ultimately
result in a decline of the number of individuals within a population (Keith 1996).
Habitat within the project area has been described as a mixture of remnant and non-remnant vegetation.
Considering the historical disturbance and degraded nature of the project area, the habitat was
determined by Grant Paterson (SQP) during his site visit to not meet the definition of ‘in the wild’ as
defined in the Operational policy - Wildlife (Plants) - When a protected plant in Queensland is taken to
be ‘in the wild’ (DESI, 2023). The policy states that the plant should be found in a relatively natural
ecological situation (e.g. in bushland) to be considered ‘in the wild’.
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Wulguru Technical Services Pty Ltd – Supporting Information to Amend an Environmental Authority
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