Table 17. SRI assessment - Northern Quoll ( Dasyurus hallucatus ) Significant Impact criteria Assessment
Unlikely
There is no evidence that the Project area supports an important population of the species. Dens observed within the Project area were not sufficient in number to act as NQ breeding spaces. There is only one record from 2000 from WO within 10 km of the Project area and there are no documented populations of NQ close to the Project area. As such, the Project is unlikely to lead to a long-term decrease in the size of an important population of a species. There is no evidence that the Project area supports an important population of the species. Dens observed within the Project area were not sufficient in number to act as NQ breeding spaces. There is only one record from 2000 from WO within 10 km of the Project area. Though there is 19.95 ha of potential foraging habitat, no breeding places will be affected. As such, the Project is unlikely to reduce the area of occupancy of an important population. There is no evidence that the Project area supports an important population of the species. Dens observed within the Project area were not sufficient in number to act as NQ breeding spaces. There is only one record from 2000 from WO within 10 km of the Project area and there are no documented populations of NQ close to the Project area. As such, the Project is unlikely to fragment an existing important population into two or more populations There is no evidence that the Project area supports an important population of the species. Dens observed within the Project area were not sufficient in number to act as NQ breeding spaces. Potential foraging habitat is around 19.95 ha of the Project area and though this will be cleared, suitable habitat is present throughout the region. As such, the Project is unlikely to adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of a species Northern quolls have a short lifespan, with most females surviving only one or two breeding seasons (DAWE, 2022c). This brief life history increases their vulnerability to disturbance and raises the risk of localised extinction. Breeding habitat for the northern quoll includes rocky area or structurally diverse woodland or forest. As discussed, due to the lack of diverse structural complexity within the project area, or obvious breeding sites, no breeding habitat is predicted to occur. To mitigate potential impacts, pre-clearance surveys will be conducted to identify northern quoll breeding sites, with all clearing supervised by qualified fauna spotter-catchers. As such, the Project is unlikely to disrupt the breeding cycle of an important population There is no evidence that the Project area supports an important population of the species. Dens observed within the Project area were not sufficient in number to act as NQ breeding habitat. As such, the Project is unlikely to modify, destroy, remove, or isolate or decrease the availability or quality of habitat to the extent that the species is likely to decline
Lead to a long- term decrease in the size of an important population of a species Reduce the area of occupancy of an important population
Unlikely
Unlikely
Fragment an existing important population into
two or more populations
Unlikely
Adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of a species
Unlikely
Disrupt the breeding cycle of an important population
Unlikely
Modify, destroy, remove, or isolate or decrease the availability or quality of habitat to the extent that the species is likely to decline Result in invasive species that are harmful to an endangered or
Unlikely
Several invasive species are known to occur within the Project area and surrounds, including several invasive plants, feral cats, dogs, pigs, foxes, and cane toads. Cane toads and feral cats are two of the biggest threats to the NQ (Hill & Ward, 2010). Cane toads are already well established within the project area, and currently, there are limited options for controlling their populations in
Wulguru Technical Services Pty Ltd – Heritage Minerals Upper Mundic Gully TSF – Fauna Survey Assessment Report 57
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