Significant Residual Impact criteria populations forming as a result of habitat isolation;
Assessment
area to be used by koalas, it is unlikely a population will occur within the project area that could be impacted due to the degraded nature of the habitat and the presence of other more suitable habitat in the region. 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. Invasive species including wild dogs have been identified within the vicinity of the project area. Feral animal control measures will be implemented throughout the duration of the Project as detailed in the Heritage Minerals EMP. There is also potential for the spread of invasive weeds during the construction and operation phase. This potential will be addressed within the EMP. 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 Project is not anticipated to introduce new diseases that may cause the species to decline. Stress may lead to an increase in the expression of chlamydia in koalas, however the implementation of mitigation measures such as sequential clearing and use of experienced spotter-catchers during clearing and the requirement to allow koalas to self-disperse will reduce disturbance related stress and risk of disease. As such, the Project is not considered likely to introduce disease that may cause the species to decline. The Commonwealth National Recovery Plan for the koala (DAWE, 2022) identifies six recovery action required for the effective management and conservation. Two of these actions are field-based actions and of relevance to the Project. These being: – Strategy 5: Strategic habitat restoration – Strategy 6: Active metapopulation management The Project is unlikely to interfere substantially with either of these recovery actions. The Project will result in minor loss of degraded habitat. As such, the project is considered unlikely to interfere with the recovery of the species. Ecological surveys did not identify any evidence that the habitat within the project area has been used by koalas, and there are limited historical records of the species within the region. Whilst one LIKT and one ancillary habitat tree for the region were identified within the project area the project area is not considered to represent habitat that is essential to meet life cycle requirements due to the absence of any evidence of use by koalas. As such, the project is considered unlikely to cause disruption to ecologically significant locations (breeding, feeding, nesting, migration or resting sites) of a species.
Result in invasive species that
Unlikely
are harmful to an endangered species becoming established in the endangered species’ habitat; Introduce disease that may cause the species to decline;
Unlikely
Interfere with the recovery of the species; and
Unlikely
Cause disruption to ecologically significant locations (breeding,
Unlikely
feeding, nesting, migration or resting sites) of a species.
6.9.1.3. Ghost bat (Macroderma gigas)
The ghost bat ( Macroderma gigas) is listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act and endangered under
the NC Act.
170
Wulguru Technical Services Pty Ltd – Supporting Information to Amend an Environmental Authority
Powered by FlippingBook