Ghost bats inhabit a diverse range of environments, from the arid desert to tropical savanna woodlands
and rainforests. During the day, they roost in caves, rock crevices, and abandoned mines, favouring
deep caves or disused mines that provide stable microclimatic conditions (TSSC, 2016a). Seasonal
movement between caves is common, driven by changing climatic conditions. Breeding sites are
generally located in caves with multiple entrances, which are preferred for their microhabitat stability
and security.
This carnivorous bat forages for small mammals (such as other bats), birds, reptiles, frogs, and large
insects using a surface foraging strategy where it perches in vegetation to ambush or gleans the ground
while in flight (TSSC 2016a). Both male and female bats have been recorded foraging up to 12 km from
their diurnal roost, with round trips of up to 30 km being recorded (Bat Call WA, 2023).
The closest historical records of the species are located approximately 17 km north of the project area,
dating back to 1994 (DETSI, 2025). A permanent colony exists at Mt Etna, around 70 km north of the
project area, which serves as a key regional maternity roost (Bat Call WA, 2023). Bat detectors from
field surveys did not detect any bat calls of this species (Appendix M)
Due to their broad hunting methods, all vegetation within REs 11.10.1, 11.10.2, 11.10.3 and 11.10.4
within the project area has been considered suitable foraging habitat for the species. The tunnel
entrance was considered potentially suitable diurnal roosting habitat for the species, however due to its
proximity the Mt Etna site likely fulfils the regions breeding requirements, making it unlikely that the
tunnel within the project area functions as a maternity roost. In total, 19.95 ha of potential habitat for the
ghost bat is present within the project area. Habitat within the project area has been described as a
mixture of remnant and non-remnant vegetation. During investigation of the Project area’s history, the
majority of the potentially suitable habitat that was identified within the project area was found to occur
within a historically highly disturbed 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. Several
invasive flora species, including lantana, are present within the species’ potential habitat. These pose
a threat to the species by degrading potential foraging habitat, as they can change the local floristic
characteristics of vegetation, impacting resource availability. Due to the degraded nature of the project
area, this habitat is likely less preferable than intact habitat in the surrounding region.
Therefore, the Project is not anticipated to result in a significant impact on the ghost bat.
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Wulguru Technical Services Pty Ltd – Supporting Information to Amend an Environmental Authority
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