Significant Species Management Plan 2 Furina Dunmalli (Dunmall’S Snake)

Significant Species Management Plan 2 Furina dunmalli (Dunmall’s Snake)

Furina dunmalli (Photo: H. Ehmann) Furina dunmalli Occurrence Records Map (Atlas of Living Australia, 2015)

EPBC Act Conservation Status Vulnerable NC Act Conservation Status Vulnerable Known Distribution The Dunmall’s Snake occurs mostly within Queensland with its range extending south just past the NSW border. Records are very limited but are predominately from within the Brigalow Belt South bioregion (ALA 2015, DoE 2015). There are some records from within the Brigalow Belt North bioregion, with the northernmost records near Clermont and Rockhampton (ALA 2015). The southernmost record is from the Bebo State Forest in NSW. Expert mapping indicates the species distribution extents from the QLD coast in the east to Tambo in the west, from Moranbah in the North to Ashford in the south (ALA 2015, DoE 2015).The species distribution and available records in relation to Anya are shown in Figure 1. Occurrence within Anya Block QGC has not recorded the Dunmall’s Snake within its existing Gas Fields in the Surat Basin to date. There are currently no available records from within the Anya Block, the closest being 46km north-west near the town Crossroads (ALA 2015). A wildlife online search indicates that the species has not been recorded within Braemar State Forest (DEHP 2015). Suitable habitat may occur within the Anya project area, particularly in areas of regional ecosystem (RE) 11.5.1 or 11.5.4 (refer to preferred habitat and microhabitat below). These REs have been validated by RPS and they cover approximately 766ha, or around 63% of the Anya project area. Potential habitat for the species within the Anya project area has been mapped using RE associations and is shown in Figure 2. Description and Relevant Characteristics The Dunmall’s Snake is a venomous snake that is a uniform blackish grey-brown colour with whitish or yellowish spots on the scales of the upper lip (Ehmann 1992, Cogger 2000). It reaches a total length of about 70cm and can be very similar in appearance to other elapids. It has 21 mid-body scales which separates it from all other similar species except for the Curl Snake. It is further distinguished from the Curl Snake by spots on the upper lip scales (DoE 2011). The Dunmall’s Snake is very difficult to find, being either rare and/or extremely secretive (Wilson 2005). Biology and Reproduction This species is primarily nocturnal, feeding on small skinks and geckoes. It is thought to be terrestrial and lays eggs rather than live young (DoE 2015). The breeding season and clutch size of this species are unknown (TSN 2008). Preferred Habitat and Microhabitat This species is very rarely encountered so habitat descriptions are based on few records (DoE 2015). It does appear to be more frequently recorded in open forest and woodland, particularly areas dominated by Brigalow, cypress pine and bulloak. In particular, Brigalow Acacia harpophylla forest and woodland growing on deep-cracking black clay and clay loam soils provide important habitat for this species (Cogger et al 1993). However, it has also been recorded in forests and woodlands of Spotted Gum, Ironbark, Cypress Pine or bulloak on sandstone derived soils (DoE 2015). Records indicate that it occurs in areas between 200 and 500 meters in altitude (Richardson 2008). It appears to be a cryptozoic species (hides under debris) so shelter sites such as fallen timber, ground debris and leaf litter are an important micro-habitat feature (Richardson 2008, DoE 2015). REs likely to provide potential habitat include; 11.3.1, 11.3.17, 11.3.25, 11.4.3, 11.4.3a, 11.5.1, 11.5.4, 11.5.5, 11.7.1, 11.9.4, 11.9.5, 11.9.6, 11.9.10 and 11.10.9. Of these REs 11.5.1 and 11.5.4 occur within the Anya project area (RPS 2014). General Threats The Dunmall's snake is primarily threatened by habitat loss, which has been particularly severe within its range (Cogger et al 1993). General threats to the species include (Cogger et al 1993, DoE 2015): • Clearing of habitat for agriculture, development or pasture improvement; • Overgrazing of habitat by domestic stock; • Loss of fallen timber and ground litter through clearing, removal or fires; • Invasion of habitat by introduced weeds; and • Reduced prey availability or increased predation through invasion of habitat by introduced predators (e.g. cats and foxes). Potential Project Threats The Anya project may pose threats to the Dunmall’s Snake if it or its habitat is present. Habitat clearing is considered to be the highest and most direct threat as it leads to loss of habitat. Threats to the species will differ across the various stages of the project. The Project specific threats for this species include: Development • Clearing resulting in the loss of habitat;

• Reduced shelter availability from removal of microhabitat features;

• Clearing activities causing injury or mortality;

• Vehicle traffic resulting in injury or mortality; • Increased access to habitat by feral predators; • Decreased prey abundance due to possible increased predation by feral species and loss or degradation of habitat; • Increased likelihood of trampling by livestock due to increased access to habitat; • Increased likelihood of cane toads and mortality from attempted predation; • Creation of barriers to movement; • Trenches and other excavations acting as traps resulting in injury or mortality; • Provision of shelter resources (open pipes and under stored equipment/building materials) resulting in subsequent injury or mortality; and • Increased likelihood of weed invasion leading to degradation of habitat. Operation • Vehicle traffic resulting in injury or mortality; • Increased likelihood of weed invasion from disturbed areas leading to degradation of habitat; and • Increased predation due to increased presence access to habitat by feral species. Decommissioning • Vehicle traffic resulting in mortality; • Altered fire regimes; and • Increased likelihood of weed invasion from disturbed areas leading to degradation of habitat. Management Strategies As the Dunmall’s Snake has not been identified as occurring within the Anya project area, the primary management strategy is to focus on the identification, avoidance and protection of individuals, populations, habitat and breeding areas. Planning and placement of infrastructure During the planning phase proposed infrastructure locations will be placed following QGCs Constraints Planning and Field Development Protocol (The Protocol). The primary aim of the protocol is to avoid placing infrastructure within areas of significant environmental value, including MNES, by ranking constraints as Low, Moderate, High, Very High or No Go according to infrastructure type. In accordance with the Protocol, MNES, including the Dunmall’s Snake, are designated as either ‘very high’ or ‘no go’ constraints in the mapping, depending on infrastructure type (e.g. static or linear). Buffers are applied to these areas for linear and static infrastructure and these buffers are assigned the same constraint ranking as the MNES. Where the constraint is ‘no go’, QGC will not conduct activities in the area containing MNES unless:

• ground truthing and field ecological surveys demonstrate that siting infrastructure in that location will cause minimal adverse impact on MNES or ESAs, including habitat for listed species and/or MNES/habitat is recoverable; • it would be within disturbance limits; and • other constraints preclude any alternative location; or • QGC obtains the relevant permits and/or approvals for the activity to commence e.g. EA Amendments or Clearing Permits.

Where the constraint is ‘very high’ QGC will seek alternative locations for proposed infrastructure in that location. Very high is generally assigned to environmental constraints when planning for linear infrastructure as it is not always possible to avoid these constraints.

From a mapping and desktop assessment perspective, Dunmall’s Snake habitat may be widespread throughout the area as assessment stops at the RE level. Further validations will aim to further refine these areas to a more accurate representation of habitat on a finer scale. This will allow infrastructure to be proposed within areas that are less likely to provide suitable habitat or that offer lower quality habitat. Alternative locations may be recommended by QGC’s environment advisers based on desktop analysis of environmental and other constraints, or the DoE approved ecologist conducting pre-clearance surveys in the field. The approval process for determining the final location of infrastructure is described in Section 3.0 of the Protocol. This requires all proposed infrastructure locations to be approved by various disciplines within QGC. Pegging Party Surveys All proposed infrastructure locations will be surveyed by a multi-functional group to determine the best location for each piece of infrastructure that takes into account all validated constraints (referred to as a pegging party). An ecological survey by a DoE approved ecologist forms part of the pegging party. The Dunmall’s Snake is unlikely to be identified in the field during pegging parties due to its cryptic nature. However, during these surveys ecologists will assess the area in terms of habitat suitability and quality for the species by identifying and recording key habitat and microhabitat features. This will indicate if a targeted fauna survey should be undertaken for the species. Within areas of potential habitat the following attributes will be recorded: • Soil type • Regional Ecosystem • The presence of fallen woody material o large fallen trees o numerous logs and branches o scattered logs and branches o bulldozed windrows (stick-raked) Initial locations of infrastructure determined during the pegging party will avoid habitat and micro-habitat as far as possible.

Targeted surveys If the ecological survey determines that there is potential for Dunmall’s Snake habitat to occur within proposed disturbance areas, targeted surveys will be undertaken in order to confirm the presence/absence of the species. These surveys will be undertaken prior to final internal approval of proposed infrastructure locations. Where appropriate and practicable, and in accordance with the Draft EPBC referral guidelines for the nationally listed Brigalow Belt reptiles (2011) and the EPBC Survey guidelines for Australia’s threatened reptiles (DoE 2011), the targeted surveys will be undertaken during summer. The potential survey methods for the species (in accordance with the relevant guidelines) are summarised below. These survey methodologies will be implemented where appropriate and practicable: • Diurnal searches under sheltering sites (rocks, logs or other large objects on the ground) will be employed. Surveys will be undertaken over a minimum of 3 days and over a minimum of 1.5 person hours per hectare for habitats of average complexity; • Spotlighting, targeting water-inundated gilgais, wetlands and riparian habitats between dusk and the early morning hours. Spotlighting will be undertaken over a minimum of 3 nights and over a minimum of 1.5 person hours per hectare for habitats of average complexity; • Transects (number and size of areas sampled) should be strategically designed/positioned in large habitat patches (>10ha) to adequately sample representative microhabitats in each habitat type; • Pitfall and funnel trap arrays will be set out in suitable micro-habitat over four days, as per Table 3 of the Draft EPBC referral guidelines for the nationally listed Brigalow Belt reptiles (2011). Realignment of infrastructure Where the species or its habitat has been confirmed, the proposed infrastructure locations will be reconsidered. Where possible infrastructure will be pegged in areas with no or low habitat quality and proposed impacts reduced as far as possible. Should the species or its habitat be identified, and impacts confirmed, the mitigation strategies outlined in the following section will be implemented. Mitigation Measures Where the species or its habitat is known or has potential to occur and impacts are unavoidable, mitigation measures will be implemented to minimise the project impacts on the species. For the Dunmall’s Snake this includes: Clearing • Pre-clearance surveys to be undertaken by suitably qualified, experienced and licenced fauna spotter catcher(s) (FSC) prior to any clearing activities being undertaken. FSCs shall subject areas of potential habitat to disturbance prior to clearing to encourage the natural relocation of resident reptiles; • Prior to clearing, limits of clearing delineating actual Dunmall’s Snake habitat identified during pre-clearance surveys will be clearly marked out with appropriate flagging material and/or barricade webbing as determined by the site Environment Representative. • If the species is found prior to or during clearing activities, it will be relocated from the clearing area to a suitable location by a licenced FSC. Appropriate permits for fauna relocation must be held by the FSC. Any injured fauna will be transported to a veterinarian or recognised wildlife carer immediately for treatment; • Where possible, clearing areas should be reduced to avoid specific high risk micro-habitat areas identified by FSCs; • Clearing will be carried out in a sequential manner and in a way that directs escaping wildlife away from clearing and into adjacent native vegetation or natural areas; • Habitat features including suitable cleared trees, logs or other shelter sites will be stockpiled separately (not mulched) and used for rehabilitation post construction; and • Clearing and FSC activities will be undertaken as per QGCs Fauna Management Procedures.

Soil • Prior to works commencing a soil assessment will be undertaken to determine appropriate soil management requirements; • The depth of topsoil strip will be assessed and confirmed on site with a QGC FEO to ensure protection of topsoil for rehabilitation purposes; and • Prior to works a site specific drainage, erosion and sediment control plan will be developed by the contractor. The plan must be approved by a QGC Field Environment Officer and QPWS.

Habitat Loss and Connectivity • Infrastructure will be located to maximise the use of areas of pre-existing disturbance; • Infrastructure locations will aim to avoid or reduce fragmentation of habitat; • The total disturbance proposed for the Anya project will not exceed 5% of the total Anya Project Area and disturbances will be spread throughout the area due to well spacing requirements. This means each site disturbance will be small compared to the surrounding vegetated area and disturbance in each area will ne minimal; • Rehabilitation, including filling of trenches, will be undertaken as soon as possible after construction and will include reinstatement of debris and shelter sites to allow for Dunmall’s Snake movement across, and utilisation of, the sites; and • The Anya project area is wholly within a State Forest and fauna will be able to move into surrounding undisturbed areas. Entrapment • In areas where the species has been identified or its habitat is present, a FSC must inspect and remove any fauna from gathering line trenches twice daily (early morning and late afternoon) every day while the trenches are open, and have access to the site in all weather. In all other areas FSC shall inspect trenches at least once daily; • For each site, the contractor will prepare a Site Based Environmental Management Plan and submit to a QGC FEO for approval prior to works commencing. The plan will detail additional measures in relation to trenches and preventing fauna entrapment, including providing exit ramps for fauna and shelter such as hessian sacks soaked in water; • Gas well-head cellars, well site troughs and similar will be covered to prevent reptiles from falling in and becoming trapped; and • Prior to backfilling of the trench site personnel will check the open trench for trapped fauna, and where required a FSC will be called to move any fauna to a safe location away from the trench. Breeding Place • Should a Dunmall’s Snake breeding place (i.e. eggs) be identified it will be avoided wherever possible. Breeding places may be avoided through placement of infrastructure, particularly if identified prior to internal approval of infrastructure locations, or if on the edge of proposed disturbance areas. They may also be avoided through timing of works, by delaying clearing until the breeding cycle has competed and the young have left the areas; or • If it is determined that disturbance or tampering to the breeding site is unavoidable a FSC will determine the appropriate response, in line with their permit, which may include the removal of eggs and placement with a wildlife carer or facility. Vehicles • After clearing, vehicle activities will be restricted to roads, access tracks and hardened surfaces (once these are constructed) to reduce potential impacts to the species. These documents specify requirements for weed hygiene, including ensuring all vehicles and machinery are certified weed free before commencing work on site and regular weed wash-downs to minimise introduction and spread of weeds. Weeds • Weeds will be identified and recorded by an ecologist during pegging parties; • For each site the contractor will develop a weed strategy and submit to an FEO for approval; and • Throughout all site activities crews will implement the QGC Weed and Pest Management Plan and procedure for weed hygiene for Vehicle and Machinery. Fire • QGC has no fire regime, fire management in the area may be undertaken by the Land manager, in this case Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) as per their usual management strategies; • Staff and contractors will be made aware of fire risk levels and will use increased caution during high fire risk period; • All combustible liquids onsite must be stored appropriately and in line with the relevant Australian standard where available. Storage of combustible liquids will be minimised during times of high fire risk; • On site fire management practices shall be in accordance with Contractor HSSE requirements, relevant construction permits and method statements and appropriate dedicated firefighting equipment will be available at high risk construction sites to manage any fires that may start up and to avoid wildfires breaking out; • Cleared work areas around QGC infrastructure and activities will act as fire breaks that prevent or reduce the potential of any fire started from QGC works from spreading; and • Cleared vegetation will be removed from or limited in fire break areas with preference for storing these materials toward the edges of cleared areas. For example, fire breaks of 15m will be maintained around well heads and vegetation placement for storage or progressive rehab will not occur within these areas (progressive rehabilitation will occur in other parts of the 1ha well pad area). Injuries • All FSCs must be appropriately prepared for fauna injuries. They must have a rescue and first aid kit and response plan, including nearby wildlife carer contacts, to ensure all injured fauna are given appropriate care; • Any injured fauna shall be transported to a veterinarian or recognised wildlife carer immediately for treatment. QGCs Fauna Emergency Response and Care Centre (FERCC) is available to all staff and contractors for the treatment and care of injured fauna. Stock • Any grazing in the State Forest will be the activity of a Lessee and would be managed as per an agreement with QPWS; and • Habitat features including suitable cleared trees, logs or other shelter sites used for progressive and/or final rehabilitation will provide shelter sites for protection against trampling by stock. Prey and Predation • Habitat features including suitable cleared trees, logs or other shelter sites used for progressive and/or final rehabilitation will provide shelter sites for protection against predators; and • Progressive and final rehab, including reinstatement of shelter sites and mulched vegetation, will also support recovery of prey species. Awareness • Signage will be erected to increase the general awareness amongst work crews of the species presence and its habitat in the area; • Nearby habitat areas that are to be avoided will be signed and flagged as No Go areas to ensure they are not disturbed; and • The presence of the species and habitat areas will be discussed by crews during tool box talks.

Reporting and compliance • All recorded sightings and relocation of the significant reptiles will be recorded, and will also be reported to the relevant administering authority where required; and • Should non-compliance with the mitigation measures or management strategies outlined in this SSMP occur on site, an investigation shall be undertaken by all responsible parties followed by corrective action procedures if required. Work in the area will cease at the time of the non- compliance if the incident is deemed significant by the site Environment Representative.

Rehabilitation and Recovery Rehabilitation will be undertaken to support recovery of the species. This will include: • Post construction rehabilitation will include distribution of mulched vegetation across cleared areas and stick raking or placement of non-mulched vegetation to assist with habitat recovery and to provide shelter and protection from predators. This is also a QPWS requirement. Natural revegetation of areas will then be allow to occur; • Fauna habitat to be created as part of rehabilitation of cleared areas, where Dunmall’s Snake has been identified. This is to include replacement of habitat logs, rocks and other natural features; • Rehabilitation will be progressively undertaken during construction following backfilling and completion of infrastructure establishment; • As per QPWS requirements, rehabilitation will initially include seeding with a cover crop of annual millet grass to stabilise the area and prevent erosion while natural regeneration takes place and fertiliser application as per their specified rates; and • A Management Plan for Rehabilitation will be implemented to ensure all requirements are met.

Residual Impacts Once the above mitigation and rehabilitation measures have been undertaken there is considered to be no or low residual impact to the species as it is not reliant on mature tree cover or remnant vegetation. Soil characteristics and shelter sites are important habitat characteristics for the species and these can be recovered relatively quickly after construction and decommissioning. Soil and shelter sites will be reinstated as part of progressive and final rehabilitation and disturbed areas will be seeded as per QPWS requirements. Therefore, within a few months of progressive or final rehabilitation grasses will have regenerated and all important habitat characteristics for the species will have been reinstated. Performance Measures Performance measure for this species includes: • A pegging party survey will be undertaken to identify the presence/absence of the species, its habitat and micro-habitat features. If these are confirmed and the area cannot be avoided, a second pre-clearance survey will be undertaken in accordance with DoE Survey guidelines for Australia’s threatened Reptile species; • Gathering line trenches will be inspected twice daily to detect entrapped reptiles; and

• All progressive rehabilitation will occur within three months of construction. Monitoring Monitoring requirements for this species includes: • Monitoring is not currently required as the species has not been identified as being present within the Anya project area; • If the species is located DoE will be notified; • An appropriate monitoring program may be required if impact to the species or its habitat is identified and quantified. If required, this will be established with the relevant authority; • In areas where the species has potential to be present, FSCs must monitor gathering line trenches twice daily (early morning and late afternoon) every day while the trenches are open and have access to the site in all weather. In all other areas FSCs shall monitor trenches at least once daily; • Monitoring of vegetation structure and species composition, including abundance, and fauna habitat features of areas being rehabilitated back to remnant native vegetation will be undertaken to assess success of rehabilitation; and • Monitoring of rehabilitation areas will be undertaken as per requirements in the relevant Environmental Authority. References Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) 2015, Furina dunmalli Worrell, 1955, viewed 13 January 2015, http://bie.ala.org.au/species/Furina+dunmalli. Cogger, H 2000, Reptiles and amphibians of Australia, Reed New Holland, Sydney. Cogger, H, Cameron, E, Sadlier, R & Eggler, P 1993, The Action plan for Australian Reptiles, Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Sydney, viewed 07 July 2015, http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/36533765-8b65-4e44-820b- f60dadaf6967/files/action-plan-reptiles.pdf Department of the Environment and Heritage Protection (DEHP) 2013, Wildlife Online Extract, Viewed December 2013, http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/wildlife-online/index.html. Department of the Environment (DoE) 2015, Furina dunmalli in Species Profile and Threats Database, viewed 5 January 2015, http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat. Department of Environment (DoE) 2011, Survey guidelines for Australia’s threatened reptiles, viewed 7 July 2015, http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/eba674a5-b220-4ef1-9f3a- b9ff3f08a959/files/survey-guidelines-reptiles.pdf. Ehmann, H 1992, Encyclopaedia of Australian animals: Reptiles, Angus and Robertson, Sydney. McFarland, D, Venz, M, and Reis, T 1999, Priority species summaries. An attachment to the report: Terrestrial vertebrate fauna of the Brigalow Belt South Bioregion: Assessment and analysis for conservation planning, Queensland Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane. Richardson, R. 2008, Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan, Queensland Murray Darling Committee, Brisbane, viewed 16 June 2015, http://www.qmdc.org.au/publications/download/52/fact- sheets-case-studies/reptile-recovery/draft-reptile-recovery-plan.pdf.. RPS Australia East (RPS) 2014, Ecological Assessment: Braemar State Forest ATP 1188. Threatened Species Network (TSN) 2008, Brigalow Belt bioregion: a biodiversity jewel. WWF-Australia. Viewed 21 July 2015 http://awsassets.wwf.org.au/downloads/sp049_brigalow_belt_bioregion _1jun08.pdf. Wilson, S 2005, A field guide to reptiles of Queensland, Reed New Holland, Sydney.

Figure 1 Dunmall’s Snake Distribution

X X X X

X X X MORANBAH X X .! DYSART X MIDDLEMOUNT .!X CLERMONT X TIERI XCAPELLXA X.!ROCKHAMPTON EMERALD X BLACKWATER X X DUARINGA .! X!GLADSTONE

SPRINGSURE WOORABINDA X BARALABA X X

X THANGOOL X MOURA

X THEODORE

.! .! X TAROOM .! X INJUNE

X WANDOAN

MITCHELL X ROMA X DULACCA MILES X .!X CHINCHILLA X JANDOWAE .! X .! .! SURAT X X DALBY .! X TARA ± BRISBANE CECIL PLAI.!NS X X TOOWOOMBA X Anya MILLMERRAN X ST GEORGE X

RubyJo Isabella

X Figure 2 Dunmall’s Snake Potential Habitat

Dunmall's Snake Habitat

Watercourse

Surveyed Property Boundary

QGC PL

QGC Field

QGC ATP Dunmall's Snake Potential Habitat

PL 273 Anya David

11.5.1

11.5.1/11.5.4 11.5.1/11.5.4

11.5.1

ATP 1188 DATE: 14/07/2015 CREATED BY: Rollmanc 11.5.1/11.5.4 11.5.1 MAP NO: M_41266_01 ±

0 300 600 900

Meters 11.5.1 Map Projection: GDA 94 SCALE: 1:20,000 (A3) 11.5.1 DATA SOURCE: DCDB, Railways - DERM | Roads, Towns - GA 11.5.1 Infrastructure - QGC

NOTE: Whilst care has been taken to prepare this map, QGC (and associated data custodians) make no guarantees about its accuracy, reliability or completeness and cannot accept responsibility of any kind for any expenses, losses, damages and/or costs(including indirect or consequential damage) which are incurred by any party as a result of this product. "Based on or contains data provided by the State of Queensland (Department of Environment and Resource Management) 2015. In consideration of the State permitting use of this data you acknowledge and agree that the State gives no warranty in relation to the data (including accuracy, reliability, completeness, currency or suitability) and accepts no liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for any loss, damage or costs (including consequential damage) relating to any use of the data. Data must not be used for direct marketing or be used in breach of the privacy laws." RubyJo Isabella PL 275