Original EA Amendment

Protected plants trigger areas are mapped within the project area, Trigger mapping covers the northern and western borders and reflects the extent of remnant vegetation within the project area. The desktop results of the protected plants trigger area within the project area can be found in Appendix A. 3.1.4 Conservation significant flora species Conservation significant flora species are defined as those species listed under the provisions of the EPBC Act and/or the NC Act. The PMST and WildNet identified 12 species as having potential to occur within the study area (Table 3.2). These species are predicted to occur within the study area based on bioclimatic modelling, knowledge of species’ distributions and habitat preferences. A previous vegetation survey for the Mount Morgan mine found both Cycas megacarpa and Grevillea hockingsii ( Kasel et al., 2001 ) .

Table 3.2

Desktop results for conservation significant flora species

Species

Status

Closest historical records (within 5 km) Source

EPBC Act NC Act

NL

NT

1.48 km north east of project area

WO

Bertya pedicellata Cadellia pentastylis Ooline Cossinia australiana Cossinia Cupaniopsis shirleyana Wedge-leaf tuckeroo

V

V

None

PMST

E

E

None

PMST

V

V

None

PMST

E E V

E E

Yes

PMST/WO/Report

Cycas megacarpa Cycas ophiolitica

None None

PMST PMST

LC

Dichanthium setosum Bluegrass Eucalyptus raveretiana Black ironbox Grevillea hockingsii Leichhardtia brevifolia

V

LC

None

PMST

NL

V V V V

~0.18 km north west of project area

WO/Report

V

None None

PMST PMST

Polianthion minutiflorum V

V

1.56 km north east of project area

PMST/WO

Samadera bidwillii Quassia

Notes: E = endangered, V = Vulnerable, NT = Near threatened, NL = Not listed, LC = Least concern, WO = Wildlife Online

3.1.5 Essential habitat Essential habitat is defined by the VM Act as areas of habitat for conservation significant species prescribed under the NC Act. Essential habitat exists where vegetation is likely to contain either: – Three or more essential habitat factors for a species, or – A conservation significant species at any stage of its life cycle. Essential habitat is mapped in the project area in two polygons following the Category B mapping with three flora species and no fauna species shown in Table 3.3.

GHD | Heritage Minerals Pty Ltd | 12626510 | Heritage Minerals Mount Morgan 11 This document is in form. The contents, including any opinions, conclusions or recommendations contained in, or which may be implied from, this document must not be relied upon. GHD reserves the right, at any time, without notice, to modify or retract any part or all of the document. To the maximum extent permitted by law, GHD disclaims any responsibility or liability arising from or in connection with this document.

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