Tenement E69/2453 Flora and Fauna Desktop Study
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Wingellina Nickel Project Flora and Fauna Desktop Study of Tenement E69/2453 May 2008 Outback Ecology Services 1/71 Troy Terrace Jolimont WA 6014 Ph: +61 (08) 9388 8799 Fax: +61 (08) 9388 8633 [email protected] Flora and fauna desktop study of tenement E69/2453 Distribution: Company Copies Contact Name Metals X Limited 2 Paul Cmrlec Document Control for Job Number: WMN-VS-0408 Author Status Reviewer Date of Issue David Steane, Mary-Anne Clunies-Ross Trinity File Final Report 13 th June 2008 Belinda Newman, Brett Neasham, David Jasper DISCLAIMER, CONFIDENTIALITY AND COPYRIGHT STATEMENT © Outback Ecology. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any material form or communicated by any means without the permission of the copyright owner. This document is confidential. Neither the whole nor any part of this document may be disclosed to any third party without the prior written approval of Outback Ecology and Metals X Limited. Outback Ecology undertook the work, and prepared this document, in accordance with specific instructions from Metals X Limited to whom this document is addressed, within the time and budgetary requirements of Metals X Limited. The conclusions and recommendations stated in this document are based on those instructions and requirements, and they could change if such instructions and requirements change or are in fact inaccurate or incomplete. Outback Ecology has prepared this document using data and information supplied to Outback Ecology by Metals X Limited and other individuals and organisations, most of whom are referred to in this document. Where possible, throughout the document the source of data used has been identified. Unless stated otherwise, Outback Ecology has not verified such data and information. Outback Ecology does not represent such data and information as true or accurate, and disclaims all liability with respect to the use of such data and information. All parties relying on this document, do so entirely at their own risk in the knowledge that the document was prepared using information that Outback Ecology has not verified. This document is intended to be read in its entirety, and sections or parts of the document should therefore not be read and relied on out of context. The conclusions and recommendations contained in this document reflect the professional opinion of Outback Ecology, using the data and information supplied. Outback Ecology has used reasonable care and professional judgment in its interpretation and analysis of the data. The conclusions and recommendations must be considered within the agreed scope of work, and the methodology used to carry out the work, both of which are stated in this document. This document was intended for the sole use of Metals X Limited and only for the use for which it was prepared, which is stated in this document. Any representation in the document is made only to Metals X Limited. Outback Ecology disclaims all liability with respect to the use of this document by any third party, and with respect to the use of and reliance upon this document by any party, including Metals X Limited for a purpose other than the purpose for which it was prepared. K:\CLIENTS\WINGELLINA\MWN-VS-0408 TF\Report\E69_2453\WMN-VS-0408 Draft Report_E69_2453 Final.doc Executive Summary Metals X Limited (Metals X) proposes to undertake a groundwater exploration program on tenement E69/2453, located approximately 75 km north0east of the Wingellina community and Wingellina Nickel Project, in the Central Ranges region of Western Australia. Metals X have submitted a Clearing Permit Application (CPA) for the area of proposed disturbance, which will involve clearing of up to 5.0 ha within this tenement. The boundary of the proposed CPA area, hereafter referred to as the Project Area, lies in a north-south orientated band which overlies an existing access road, and is approximately 17.7km in length and 3.6km in width. Metals X commissioned Outback Ecology in April 2008 to conduct a desktop review of information relating to flora and fauna within tenement E69/2453, with the aim of providing information to Metals X to facilitate addressing the “Ten Principles for Clearing Native Vegetation”, as listed under Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . The specific objectives of this study were to: • Review relevant biological databases and publicly-available literature to compile background information applicable to the Project Area; • Prepare a list of flora and fauna expected to occur in the Project Area; • Identify flora and fauna of conservation significance that may be present; and • Identify significant habitats that may be present. Results from this desktop study indicate there is a relative paucity of knowledge on the flora and fauna species in the region. Surveys undertaken in the area to date have been limited to sporadic surveys associated with mining development or broad-scale vegetation mapping. No site assessment was undertaken when preparing this desktop study. The results presented are solely based on a desktop study and review of available aerial imagery. Subsequently the evaluations provided on the likelihood of flora, vegetation, habitat and terrestrial fauna occurring within the Project Area are estimations based on available literature. Flora species identified from a regional search of federal and state databases revealed that there were a total of ten species of Priority flora (four Priority One taxa, five Priority Three taxa and one Priority Four taxa) recorded in the region. There were no Declared Rare Flora or Threatened Ecological Communities recorded for the region. Fauna species of conservation significance identified from a regional search of the Department of Environment and Conservation’s (DEC) Threatened and Priority Fauna Database include: the Black- footed Rock-wallaby (Petrogale lateralis ssp), the Peregrine Falcon (Falco perregrinus ) and the Bush Stonecurlew ( Burhinus grallarius ). Other fauna species of conservation significance that may occur in the region include; Mulgara, Greater Bilby, Southern and Northern Marsupial Moles, Malleefowl, Princess Parrot, Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo, Australian Bustard, Bush Stone-curlew, Grey Falcon, Rainbow Bee-eater, Slender-billed Thornbill, Great Desert Skink and the Woma. Wingellina Nickel Project Flora and Fauna Desktop Study of Tenement E69/2453 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY ................................................................................................. 1 2.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT............................................................................................................ 4 2.1 CLIMATE ....................................................................................................................................... 4 2.2 IBRA REGION ............................................................................................................................... 5 3.0 METHODS...................................................................................................................................... 5 3.1 FLORA , VEGETATION AND ECOLOGY ................................................................................................ 5 3.2 TERRESTRIAL FAUNA AND HABITAT ................................................................................................. 6 3.3 REVIEW OF EXISTING BIOLOGICAL SURVEY WORK ............................................................................ 6 3.4 SURVEY LIMITATIONS ..................................................................................................................... 7 4.0 RESULTS - FLORA AND VEGETATION ....................................................................................... 7 4.1 DECLARED RARE AND PRIORITY FLORA ........................................................................................... 7 4.2 VEGETATION ................................................................................................................................. 9 4.3 THREATENED ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES ..................................................................................... 10 4.4 CONSERVATION AND HERITAGE AREAS IN THE REGION ................................................................... 10 5.0 RESULTS - TERRESTRIAL FAUNA............................................................................................ 11 5.1 BROAD FAUNA HABITAT ............................................................................................................... 11 5.2 CURRENT IMPACTS AND HABITAT CONDITION ................................................................................. 11 5.3 SENSITIVE FAUNA HABITATS ......................................................................................................... 12 5.4 VERTEBRATE FAUNA POTENTIALLY OCCURRING OVER THE PROJECT AREA ..................................... 13 5.4.1 Mammals............................................................................................................................ 13 5.4.2 Birds ................................................................................................................................... 14 5.4.3 Reptiles .............................................................................................................................