Significant Residual Impact criteria
Assessment
Given the above, the Project is considered unlikely to cause disruption to ecologically significant locations (breeding, feeding, nesting, migration or resting sites) of a species.
6.9.1.8. Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)
The short-beaked echidna ( Tachyglossus aculeatus ) is not listed under the EPBC Act and is special
least concern under the NC Act.
The short-beaked echidna is widely distributed throughout Australia, occurring in a broad range of
habitats, wherever there is suitable availability of ant or termite prey (Augee, 1998). The species has
specialist nursery burrows and shelters in hollow logs but otherwise does not have any fixed nest or
shelter sites (Augee, 1998). Given the species broad habitat tolerances, the short-beaked echidna can
occur in almost all landscapes including deserts, closed forest, woodland, rainforest, heath, cleared
agricultural, grazing land and suburbia.
The short-beaked echidna was confirmed present on a remote camera which was deployed around
Upper Mundic Gully dam, within the south-eastern extent of the project area. Due to the species’ ability
to utilise a range of terrestrial habitats, suitable habitat for the short-beaked echidna is common within
the project area. Higher-quality habitat (i.e. ecologically significant locations) is considered to occur
within remnant (Category B) woodland within the project area. The remainder of the project area is
mapped as general habitat where it aligns with non-remnant (Category X) vegetation.
The Project is unlikely to result in a significant impact on the species.
Table 51. SRI assessment - short-beaked echidna ( Tachyglossus aculeatus )
Significant Residual Impact criteria Lead to a long- term decrease in the size of a local population of the species;
Assessment
Unlikely
Creation of the Project will result in the clearance of 43.42 ha of potential habitat for the short-beaked echidna. Habitat for the species is widespread and abundant within the region, owing to the species broad tolerance to a range of terrestrial habitat types. Additionally, to mitigate potential impacts to individuals, pre-clearance surveys will be conducted, with all activities supervised by qualified fauna spotter-catchers. As such, the removal of habitat within the project area is unlikely to lead to a long-term decrease in the local population. Creation of the Project will result in the clearance of 43.42 ha of potential habitat for the short-beaked echidna. Habitat for the species is widespread and abundant within the region, owing to the species broad tolerance to a range of terrestrial habitat types. As such, the Project is considered unlikely to reduce the area of occupancy of a population. Creation of the Project will result in the clearance of 43.42 ha of potential habitat for the short-beaked echidna. Habitat for the species is widespread and abundant within the region, owing to the species broad tolerance to a range of terrestrial habitat types. 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
Reduce
the
Unlikely
extent of occurrence of the species;
Fragment an existing population;
Unlikely
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Wulguru Technical Services Pty Ltd – Supporting Information to Amend an Environmental Authority
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