Individuals ranged in height from 0.3-5.5 m tall, with multiple individuals noted with fruit. Health varied across the population. Some individuals presented healthy foliage and new growth, while others presented signs of chlorosis (yellowing) and/or insect herbivory. Multiple dead trunks believed to be C. megacarpa were noted amongst live individuals. Dead trunks were noted at a higher frequency that juvenile individuals. This may suggest that the population is currently in decline. In addition to the above population, approximately 34.17 ha of suitable habit was mapped for the species within the project area. Suitable habitat for the species, within the project area, has been described as both remnant, HVR and non-remnant vegetation on steep slopes and hill crests with shallow, well drained, sandy loam soils derived from sandstone or basalt volcanic rocks. Remnant/HVR suitable habitat is defined as woodland to open forests dominated by of Corymbia citriodora, Corymbia trachyphloia, Syncarpia glomulifera and/or Acacia spp.. Non-remnant suitable habitat is defined as young Acacia spp . regrowth with mixed native and exotic grassy ground cover. Representative photos of C. megacarpa specimens observed in the project area are presented in Plate 4-3. 4.5.1.2 Koala – likely to occur The koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus ) is listed as endangered under the EPBC Act and NC Act. Koala habitat is generally defined as coastal and inland areas supporting Eucalyptus forests and woodlands (DAWE, 2022b). Koala habitat includes places that contain resources necessary for foraging, survival, growth, reproduction and movement. This includes forests or woodlands, road-side and rail vegetation and paddock trees, safe intervening ground matrix for travelling between trees, and patches to forage, shelter and reproduce, and access to vegetated corridors or paddock trees to facilitate movement between patches (DAWE, 2022b). The species has a specialist diet, feeding on the leaves of select species of Eucalyptus, Lophostemon, Corymbia , Angophora and occasionally Melaleuca and Leptospermum (Martin and Handasyde, 1999; Moore and Foley, 2000). Consequently, koalas are reliant on access to stands of forest and woodland that support key food-tree species. Koalas move distances of up to 10 km in urban south-east Queensland (DAWE 2022b) and 16 km in rural south-east Queensland (DAWE, 2022b). For the rest of the year, koalas move relatively little within home ranges that vary between 8 ha and 135 ha (DAWE, 2022b). In semi-arid areas on the western fringe of the species’ distribution, habitat selectivity is high, and occupancy is generally restricted to riparian/drainage line habitats (DAWE, 2022b). The nearest historical records of koalas are from Taunton National Park, located approximately 117 km west of the project area, with the most recent record dated 2011 (KoalaTracker, 2023). Although no koalas or signs of their presence were observed during field surveys, the species is considered likely to occur at low densities within the project area and the surrounding landscape. Locally important koala food trees (LIKT) for the Brigalow Belt Bioregion, such as scattered Eucalyptus crebra , were identified within RE 11.12.6 (Youngentob et al., 2021). Additionally, Corymbia citriodora , listed as an ancillary habitat tree for the region, was also present in this RE (Youngentob et al., 2021). Within the survey area, koalas are likely to utilise RE 11.12.6, which are characterised by eucalypt open woodland, as suitable foraging habitat. The species may also use RE 11.10.4 and RE 11.10.2 for dispersal, as well as
cleared areas in the western part of the project area that connect patches of suitable habitat. Suitable koala habitat within the survey area is shown below in Plate 4-10 and Figure 4.7.
GHD | Heritage Minerals Pty Ltd | 12626510 | Heritage Minerals Mount Morgan 44 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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