headwater of the Upper Mundic Creek is now an ephemeral waterbody at the lowest topographical point of the Upper Mundic Gully that drains through a stormwater diversion tunnel into Dam 8 located to the northeast, and as such less water is likely available within the project area compared to prior to disturbance. Additionally, the identification of several dense patches of WONS around and within the population may further contribute to decline, both through competition and through increased fire risk and intensity through larger fuel loads. Habitat within the project area has been described as a mixture of remnant and non-remnant vegetation. Considering the historical disturbance and degraded nature of the project area, the habitat was determined by Grant Paterson (SQP) during his site visit to not meet the definition of ‘in the wild’ as defined in the Operational policy - Wildlife (Plants) - When a protected plant in Queensland is taken to be ‘in the wild’ (DESI, 2023). The policy states that the plant should be found in a relatively natural ecological situation (e.g. in bushland) to be considered ‘in the wild’. Considering the historical disturbance and degraded nature of the project area, the modified hydrology, and the presence of dense patches of weeds, it is likely that the population of Grevillea hockingsii within the project area will decline without intervention. The project proposes the implementation of a Grevillea hockingsii Management Plan which will detail methods to harvest material from individuals to be impacted by the project out of the degraded habitat and propagate before planting into an existing population off-site. The management plan will have a net-positive goal, to not only mitigate the impact of the project but also avoid and potentially reverse the probable natural decline of the population. Through the successful implementation of this plan, the project is considered unlikely to significantly impact the species .
Table 18. SRI assessment - Grevillea hockingsii Significant Residual Impact criteria Assessment
Unlikely
A population of 67 individuals was field verified within the project area. Through the implementation of the proposed Grevillea hockingsii management plan, which will strive towards a net-positive outcome, the long-term impact to the overall population size will be mitigated, and the population will potentially be increased. As such, the project is considered unlikely to lead to a long-term decrease in the size of a population of the species. A population of 67 individuals was field verified within the project area. Through the implementation of the proposed Grevillea hockingsii management plan, which will strive towards a net-positive outcome, the long-term impact to the overall population size will be mitigated, and the extent of occurrence will potentially be increased. As such, the Project is considered unlikely to reduce the area of occupancy of a population. Across the Mount Morgan area, G. hockingsii is likely to have been historically cleared and the larger population fragmented with the establishment of the town of Mount Morgan and the Mount Morgan Mine. All 67 individuals within the project area will require clearing as part of the proposed works. As such, the Project will not fragment the population within the project area but is considered likely to increase fragmentation impacts experienced by the larger Mount Morgan population of G. hockingsii . However, through the implementation of the proposed Grevillea hockingsii management plan, it is probable that harvested and propagated
Lead to a long-term decrease in the size of a local population of the species;
Unlikely
Reduce the extent of occurrence of the species;
Unlikely
Fragment an existing population;
Wulguru Technical Services Pty Ltd – Heritage Minerals Upper Mundic Gully TSF – Fauna Survey Assessment Report 59
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