Significant Residual Impact criteria
Assessment
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. As such, the project is considered unlikely to fragment an existing population. was confirmed within the project area during field investigations. A population of approximately 46 individuals were confirmed within the project area. All 46 confirmed individuals of C. megacarpa will be cleared by the proposed works. Due to the degraded nature of the project area, natural decline of the population is expected. C. megacarpa However, through the implementation of the proposed Cycas megacarpa Management Plan, which will strive towards a net-positive outcome, the size of the population will be maintained or increased by translocating and/or propagating and planting cycads. Impacted cycads will be translocated/planted into an existing population off site, and therefore no populations will be isolated. 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. As such, the project is considered unlikely to result in genetically distinct populations forming as a result of habitat isolation. The cycad recovery plan (Queensland Herbarium, 2007) does not identify any invasive species as a key threat to C. megacarpa . That said, the proposed Cycas megacarpa Management Plan will provide recommendations for identification and management of weeds and pests that may threaten the population. Additionally, cycads will be translocated away from the heavily weed infested project area into an existing population in more intact habitat. 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. The cycad recovery plan (Queensland Herbarium, 2007) does not identify any introduced diseases as a key threat to C. megacarpa . As such, the Project is not considered likely to introduce disease that may cause the species to decline. The Project will lead to the loss a population of 46 individuals of C. megacarpa, located in the project area. The cycad recovery plan (Queensland Herbarium, 2007) defines the overall objectives of recovery actions as: • To prevent further loss of individuals, populations, pollinator species and habitat critical for the species survival. • To recover existing populations to normal reproductive capacity to ensure viability in the long-term, prevent extinction, maintain genetic viability, and improve conservation status. As discussed above, the habitat confirmed within the project area does not meet the definition of habitat critical to the survival of the species, as outlined in the cycad recovery plan (Queensland Herbarium, 2007). Through the implementation of the proposed Cycas megacarpa Management Plan, the size of the population will be maintained or increased by translocating and/or propagating and planting cycads. As such, the project is considered unlikely to interfere with the recovery of the species.
Result
in
Unlikely
genetically distinct populations
forming as a result of habitat isolation;
Result
in
Unlikely
invasive species that are harmful to an endangered species becoming established in the endangered species’ habitat; that may cause the species to decline; Introduce disease Interfere with the recovery of the species; and
Unlikely
Unlikely
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Wulguru Technical Services Pty Ltd – Supporting Information to Amend an Environmental Authority
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