Pre Clearance Fauna Management Report

Pre Clearance Fauna Management Report

Smith Street Motorway

Olsen Avenue Intersection, Southport

Seymour Whyte June 2014

Pre Clearance Fauna Management Report | Smith Street Motorway – Seymour Whyte | June 2014

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Document Status

Version Purpose Author Reviewed By Approved By Date

Rev 0 Draft Philippa Lindley Jenny Lunney Erin Davies 04/06//2014

Rev 1 Final Nicole Nesvadba

Wayne Cavanagh Erin Davies 06/05/2014

Document Control

Copy No. Date Type/Via Issued to Name Purpose

1 06/06/2014 Hard copy/- Naturecall info Chantal File Copy

2 06/06/2014 Electronic/Email Seymour Whyte Jessica Berryman Client Copy

Project Number: FQ716

Our Document Reference: FQ716-BFQ-REP-0000-SeymourWhyteSmithStParklandPreClr-rev0.1

This document has been prepared to the requirements of the client identified on the cover page and no

representation is made to any third party. It may be cited for the purposes of scientific research or other

fair use, but it may not be reproduced or distributed to any third party by any physical or electronic means

without the express permission of the client for whom it was prepared or Biodiversity Australia Pty Ltd.


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Contents

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1. Background 1

1.2. Site Location and Description 1

1.3. Legislation and Permits 2

2.0 Methodology 4

2.1. Pre Clearance Survey 4

3.0 Results 5

3.1. Vegetation on Site 5

3.2. Habitat Features 5

3.2.1. Arboreal Hollows ......................................................................................................................... 6

3.2.2. Avian Nests .................................................................................................................................. 7

3.2.3. Loose Bark ................................................................................................................................... 8

3.2.4. Arboreal Termitarium .................................................................................................................. 8

Table 4: Observed and potential fauna located within the proposed development site. ................11

4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations 13

4.1. Vegetation Clearing 13

4.2. Fauna Spotter 13

5.0 References 14

List of Tables

Table 1: Hollows and stag trees identified and their associated GPS locations within the surveyed areas. 6

Table 2: Avian nests identified and their associated GPS locations within the surveyed areas. 7

Table 3: Identified termitarium and its GPS location. 8

Table 4: Observed and potential fauna located within the proposed development site. 11

List of Figures

Figure 1: Scanned copy of obtained site map and location, identifying sites 1-12. 3

Figure 2: Identifying habitat features within the site extent. 10


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1.0 Introduction

1.1. Background

Biodiversity Australia Pty Ltd Trading as Naturecall Environmental (hereafter referred to as ‘Naturecall’)

was commissioned by Seymour Whyte (‘the client’) to produce a Pre Clearing Fauna Management

Report as part of the development of the Smith Street Motorway, Southport (‘the site’).

1.2. Site Location and Description

The Seymour Whyte project site is located at the intersection of Olsen Avenue and the Smith Street

Motorway and stretches along the road side of Smith St in both directions. Clearing works on this site

are to allow for an upgrade of the entry and exit ramps onto the motorway. Due to the layout of the site

and the nature of the works to be carried out, the site has been split into 12 sections (refer to page 3,

Figure 1). This report identifies the fauna habitat features and weed presence for only 8 of the 12

sections (i.e. sites 1-6, 8 and 11). For the purpose of this report, the site will be treated as a whole entity,

with specific details included about the individual areas where necessary. Areas to be cleared on site

consist predominantly of roadside strips approximately 5m wide either side of the road, and the survey

area covered a stretch of road 1.7km long. Vegetation to be cleared ranges from areas of dense trees

and undergrowth, to open strips of grass. The site is boarded by a mixture of undeveloped bush land

and developed suburban areas (Photo Plate 1).

Photo Plate 1: Vegetation type on site and surrounding areas


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1.3. Legislation and Permits

Naturecall holds a current EPA Rehabilitation Permit (Permit No. WIRP12411213), allowing for the

handling and relocation of native fauna. Relevant legislation applicable to land clearing and vegetation

removal is governed by Local, State and Federal authorities. This includes:

• Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act) and associated regulations;

• Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act);

• Environmental Protection Act 1994;

• Animal Care and Protection Act 2011; and

• Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2006

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Figure 1: Scanned copy of obtained site map and location, identifying sites 1-12.


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2.0 Methodology

2.1. Pre Clearance Survey

The pre clearing fauna habitat survey was carried out by a Naturecall Fauna Officer and Naturecall

Vegetation Officer on Friday 23rd May, 2014. This survey was conducted in order to determine the likely

presence of native fauna and the associated habitat value of the clearing site, as well as the weed

species present on site and possible eradication/management strategies for these species. The survey

involved walking the site, identifying key features likely to provide habitat for native wildlife and flora

species present. Any habitat features located were marked with blue flagging tape for easy identification

and all evidence of animals and animals seen on site were documented.

Key habitat features include:

• hollow branches;

• bird nests;

• arboreal termite nests;

• dreys;

• scratch-marks;

• general habitat (thick vegetation, rock outcrops);

• digs and scats; and

• call(s) or actual sightings.

While it is acknowledged that above assessment does not provide the level of site specific detail which

can be achieved by full survey, an accurate assessment of habitat value and likely presence of

significant species can be made by experienced observers.

Please note that it is possible that not all habitat features were identified in the fauna survey. In some

cases ground dwelling or cryptic fauna are extremely hard to locate and as tree clearing takes place,

these species may be observed.


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3.0 Results

3.1. Vegetation on Site

There was a wide variety of vegetation types found on site, including both native and exotic species.

Trees present on site included species of Melaleuca, Casurina, Eucalyptus and Acacia, and there are

several areas of the site was covered in a dense understory made up of Lantana, fern species and a

mixture of grasses (Photo Plate 2). Several Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoea spp.) were also present

throughout the site, and open, previously cleared areas are predominantly covered by exotic grasses

such as Buffel species.

Photo Plate 2: Dense understory identified within the site extent.

3.2. Habitat Features

Due to the variability of the site, a wide variety of habitat features were noted during the survey (refer to

Figure 2, page 10). One of the most prominent habitat features noted on site was the dense undergrowth

amongst the more mature trees. Dense ground cover of fallen leaf litter, high grasses and Lantana are

present throughout sections of the site. Some woody debris was also noted within the site extent (sites

1 and 2). This ground cover provides suitable habitat for ground dwelling fauna particularly reptiles and

amphibians, with a recent snake sighting supporting this notion. These species are often cryptic and

can be difficult to manage during clearing works. The most effective means of controlling fauna


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movement through the site is the implementation of directional clearing. A single clearing front is

established with the clearing operator moving slowly and consistently through the site in a directional

manner ensuring that no isolated pockets of vegetation area formed. This encourages fauna to move

ahead of the clearing front away from works and into suitable habitat adjacent to the site. It is also

recommended that naturally felled trees, anthropogenic clearing and construction debris stockpiles are

inspected by a fauna spotter immediately prior to their removal or modification, as fauna can be injured

if they are crushed between the various items within the stockpiles as they are moved.

3.2.1. Arboreal Hollows

Numerous arboreal hollows and hollow stags were identified within all sites. Table 1 identifies the site

and specific location of these important habitat features.

Table 1: Hollows and stag trees identified and their associated GPS locations within the surveyed areas.

Location Habitat

Feature Number Identified

GPS Location

Latitude Longitude

Sites 1 and 2

Hollow 6

-27.9625 153.3905

-27.9623 153.3909

-27.9621 153.3918

-27.9644 153.3877

-27.9654 153.3864

-27.9654 153.386

Hollow stag 3

-27.9619 153.393

-27.9619 153.3931

-27.9619 153.3936

Site 3 Hollow 2

-27.9626 153.3892

-27.9629 153.3887

Hollow stag 1 -27.9647 153.3862

Site 4

Hollow 3

-27.9649 153.3851

-27.9649 153.3852

-27.9648 153.3852

Hollow stag 2 -27.965 153.3848

-27.9648 153.3852

Site 5 Hollow 2 -27.9652 153.3799

-27.9651 153.3803


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Location Habitat

Feature Number Identified

GPS Location

Latitude Longitude

Hollow stag 1 -27.9652 153.3806

Site 6 Hollow

2 -27.9651 153.3772

-27.9652 153.3768

Site 8 Hollow 1 -27.9646 153.3794

Site 11

Hollow 2

-27.9639 153.3769

-27.9642 153.3769

Hollow stag 1 -27.9639 153.3769

Arboreal hollows are shelter and breeding habitat for a range of species particularly arboreal mammals,

parrots, owls, arboreal snakes, skinks, geckoes and amphibians. A selection of trees had scratch marks

on their trunks, indicating that there has been substantial fauna activity in the area, most likely being

species of monitors and/or nocturnal mammals such as possums and gliders. Examples of species that

are likely to be found in this area are Eastern Brown Snakes (Pseudonaja textilis), Carpet Pythons

(Morellia spilota), Common bearded dragons (Pogona barbata), Blue-tongued lizards (Tiliqua

scincoides), Green Tree Frogs (Litoria carulea), Green Strip Frogs (Clycorana albogutatta), Brush-tailed

Possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), Ring-tailed Possums (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) and Green Tree

Snakes (Dendrelaphis punctulata). The fauna spotter will direct the machine operator to tap each hollow

bearing tree with the excavator bucket before each tree is felled to encourage mature nesting birds to

disperse away from the tree. Where possible trees supporting arboreal hollows will be felled in a manner

where the least amount of disturbance is sustained by the hollow as possible. Once felled each tree will

be thoroughly inspected by the fauna spotter for the presence of any fauna. Nocturnal fauna will be

captured and held in clean calico catch bags in a cool quite location away from clearing works until after

dark when they will be released by the fauna spotter into a nearby area which supports suitable habitat.

Juvenile birds removed from nest hollows will be transported to a wildlife carer to be raised.

3.2.2. Avian Nests

Avian stick nests, most likely constructed by Torresian Crows (Corvus orru) and Honey-eaters, were

identified in several sites (Table 2).

Table 2: Avian nests identified and their associated GPS locations within the surveyed areas.

Location Number Identified

GPS Location

Latitude Longitude

Site 1 and 2 3 -27.9619 153.393

-27.9619 153.3931


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GPS Location

Latitude Longitude

-27.9619 153.3936

Site 3 2 -27.9647 153.3862

Site 4 3 -27.965 153.3848

-27.9648 153.3852

Site 5 2 -27.9652 153.3806

Site 11 1 -27.9639 153.3769

No activity was observed around the nests during the time of the survey, however, due to the height and

location of the nests it could not be determined whether they are active or not. The fauna spotter will

direct the clearing operator to fell these trees as gently as possible to cause minimal disturbance to the

nests. Once each tree is felled, as soon as it is safe to do so, the fauna spotter will inspect the nest. Any

chicks will be captured and transported to a Wildlife Carer to be raised.

3.2.3. Loose Bark

A selection of trees within site 5 were identified as having loose bark which forms the preferred shelter

habitat for members of the Gekkonidae and Scincidae families. The fauna spotter will move through the

site prior to clearing removing all lose bark within reach. Once each tree is felled the remainder of the

bark will be removed and any fauna captured will be relocated into areas supporting similar habitat

features.

3.2.4. Arboreal Termitarium

One arboreal termitarium was identified and flagged within a Scribbly Gum (Eucalyptus haemastoma)

located in site 6 (Table 3). Arboreal termite mounds are used as nesting sites for Forest

(Todiramphus macleayii) and Sacred (T. sanctus) Kingfishers, Laughing Kookaburras

(Dacelo novaeguineae), or shelter sites for gliders (Petaurus spp.). Active termitaria support obvious

excavated tunnel entrances, which open into a larger chamber inside the mound. Trees supporting

active mounds will be felled in a manner where the termite mounds will not directly impact the ground

or another object sustaining damage. Once felled the fauna spotter will carefully break open the mound

to inspect the nesting/shelter chamber for any fauna.

Table 3: Identified termitarium and its GPS location.


GPS Location

Latitude Longitude

Site 6 1 -27.9651 153.3774


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3.2.5. Koala Presence

As the site was seen to support a variety of established Eucalypt species including a number of Koala

(Phascolarctos cinereus) fodder (i.e. food) species, there is potential for Koala presence. Koalas are

listed as Vulnerable under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the Environment Protection and

Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Although no observations or signs of Koalas were made during the

pre-clearance assessment, all cautionary measures will be undertaken before clearing takes places. If

a Koala is encountered on site it will be managed in accordance with the Nature Conservation (Koala)

Conservation Plan 2006 and Management Program 2006-2016.


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Table 4 below details all fauna species observed during the pre clearance survey conducted on site,

with the addition of fauna with the potential to be present during clearing works.

Table 4: Observed and potential fauna located within the proposed development site.

Common Name Scientific Name Conservation Status

Mammalian

Black Rat* Rattus rattus Potential

Common Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula Potential

House Mouse* Mus musculus Potential

Koala Phascolarctos cinereus Potential

Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps Potential

Squirrel Glider Petaurus norfolcensis Potential

Avian

Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus Observed

Double-barred Finch Taeniopygia bichenovii Observed

Noisy friarbird Philemon corniculatus Observed

Blue-faced honeyeater Entomyzon cyanotis Observed

Noisy miner Manorina melanocephala Observed

Rainbow lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus Observed

Willie wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys Observed

Scaly-breasted lorikeet Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus Observed

Torresian crow Corvus orru Observed

Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca Observed

Black-face Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae Potential

Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae Potential

Galah Eolophus roseicapilla Potential

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita Potential

Australian Magpie Cracticus tibicen Potential

Grey Fantail Rhipidura albiscapa Potential

Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica Potential

Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis Potential

Pied Currawong Strepera graculina Potential

Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris Potential


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Common Name Scientific Name Conservation Status

Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides Potential

White-throated Honeyeater Melithreptus albogularis Potential

White-throated Treecreeper Cormobates leucophaea metastasis

Potential

Reptilian

Blue-tongued lizard Teliqua scincoides Observed

Rainbow Skink Carlia pectoralis Observed

Common tree snake Dendrelaphis punctulata Potential

Eastern brown snake Pseudonaja textilis Potential

Carpet python Morelia spilota mcdowelli Potential

Common bearded dragon Pogona barbatat Potential

Eastern striped skink Ctenotus robustus Potential

Dtella Gehyra dubia Potential

Amphibian

Green tree frog Litoria caerulea Potential

Green-striped Frog Cyclorana alboguttata Potential

Striped marshfrog Limnodynastes peronii Potential

Cane toad* Rhinella marina* Potential

*Denotes exotic species


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4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations

4.1. Vegetation Clearing

All potential habitat features were flagged where possible and will be thoroughly inspected by a Fauna

Spotter immediately after felling. The most effective way to manage clearing of habitat trees is to clear

them one at a time with a fauna spotter present to do pre and post checks of each tree that is felled. It

is important that the Fauna Spotter present is vigilant of exclusion zones around machinery and in

particular falling trees. Any branches and debris on the ground should also be checked pre and post

clearing by the spotter.

An effective way of minimizing fauna interactions and incidents is to use directional clearing. Directional

clearing involves starting a clearing front and continuously working from that front in a specific direction,

which allows any mobile fauna in the clearing zone to move away from the clearing front without

encountering other barriers or hazards. Directional clearing on this site would be most effective if the

clearing front is started on the inner margins of vegetation and moves towards the outer boundaries,

allowing fauna to move easily into surrounding bush land.

4.2. Fauna Spotter

As per the conditions requested by Seymour Whyte, a qualified fauna spotter with a minimum of five

years of relevant experience will be present for all vegetation clearing on site. The fauna spotter will

discuss with the clearing operator and foreman any concerns outlined in this report. Once clearing

begins, the fauna spotter will closely monitor the clearing of each tree, thoroughly checking both before

(where possible) and after felling for any wildlife. Of main concern during tree felling is the presence of

arboreal fauna that may be utilising the shelter of hollows, loose bark or foliage in the larger trees.

All major habitat features have been noted within this report, however features on site may alter in the

time elapsed prior to clearing. The fauna spotter will also continually survey the site during vegetation

removal for any additional habitat features identified. Any injured wildlife will be transported by the fauna

spotter to an appropriate vet or wildlife carer dependant on the injury or age of the animal. The fauna

spotter will discuss any issues highlighted in this report with the Site Foreman and will be responsible

for all fauna handling and management as outlined in the Fauna Handling Report produced by Naturecall

for use on this project.

Any fauna captured during the clearing will be secured in a clean calico catch bag and hung in a dark

quiet location away from the disturbance area. The animals will be released into suitable habitat at an

appropriate time (i.e. after dark for nocturnal species). All uninjured wildlife will be released into nearby

bush land deemed suitable by the onsite fauna spotter.


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5.0 References

Cogger, H. G. (2000). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia (6th ed.). Sydney, Australia: Reed New Holland Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Leiper, G., Glazebrook, J., Cox, D. & Rathie, K. (2008) Mangroves to Mountains (revised ed.). Queensland, Australia: Logan River Branch – Society for Growing Australian Plans (Queensland Region) Inc.

Queensland Museum. (2007). Wildlife of Greater Brisbane: A Queensland Museum Wild Guide (2nd ed.). South Brisbane, Australia: Queensland Museum.

Van Dyck. S. and Straham. R. (2008). The Mammals of Australia (Third Edition). Sydney, Australia: New Holland Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd

Documents

Pre Clearance Fauna Management Report