3.2.3.4. Protected Wildlife Habitat Approximately 32.33 ha of the Project area is mapped as essential habitat for one or more critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable taxa. The MSES report identified essential habitat within a 2 km buffer from a central point within the Project area (Appendix C). The Significant residual impact guidelines (DES, 2014) defines essential habitat as a category B area shown on the regulated vegetation management map under the Vegetation Management Act 1999: a) that has at least 3 essential habitat factors for the protected wildlife that must include any essential habitat factors that are stated as mandatory for the protected wildlife in the essential habitat database; or b) in which the protected wildlife, at any stage of its life cycle, is located. The essential habitat mapping aligns with known records of Cycas megacarpa , Grevillia hockingsii and Samadera bidwillii. The desktop assessment identified the following NC Act listed species as having potential to occur with 10 km of the Project area:
27 flora species listed as EVNT;
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32 fauna species listed as EVNT; and
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• 7 fauna species listed as special least concern.
3.2.3.4.1. Protected Plant Trigger Mapping The Department of Environment and Science defines “high-risk areas” on the Protected Plants Flora Survey Trigger Map as areas with validated records of EVNT flora and/or habitat highly likely to have one or more ENVT flora species (DES, 2023). High risk area is mapped within a 2 km buffer from a central point within the Project area (Appendix E). Mapping of high-risk areas is limited to areas mapped as remnant vegetation, regrowth vegetation, wetlands, and Category A area under the VM Act.
3.2.3.4.2. Essential Habitat The Regulated Vegetation mapping identified 32.33 ha of essential habitat in the Project area.
20 Wulguru Technical Services Pty Ltd – Heritage Minerals Upper Mundic Gully TSF – Fauna Survey Assessment Report 3.2.3.6. Protected Marine Areas and Habitat There are no protected marine areas and habitat within a 2 km radius of the proposed TSF 3.2.3.7. Legally Secured Offset Areas There are no Legally Secured Offset Areas within a 2 km radius of the Project area. 3.2.3.5. Protected Areas Under the NC Act, “protected areas” include national parks, conservation parks, resource reserves, and private land declared as a nature refuge or special wildlife reserve. There are no protected areas within 10 km of the proposed TSF.
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