RECORD OF DISTRIBUTION
No. of Report File Name Report Date Prepared for: Initials copies Status
ENVIPERT00599AA_Fauna 1 V1 06 December 2008 OZ Minerals Golden Grove ST Assessment_001_st_V1
ENVIPERT00599AA_Fauna 1 V1 06 December 2008 Coffey Environments Pty Ltd ST Assessment_001_st_V1
Coffey Environments ENVIPERT00599AA_OZ Minerals Golden Grove Fauna Assessment_001_st_V1 11 December 2008 CONTENTS
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS III
1 INTRODUCTION 2
1.1 Background 2
1.2 Scope of Works 2
2 METHODOLOGY 3
2.1 Database search and literature review 3
2.2 Reconnaissance and Targeted Species Search 4
2.3 Limitations 4
3 RESULTS 6
3.1 Fauna Habitat in the Project Area 6
3.2 Climate 6
3.3 Fauna Potentially Found in the Project Area 7
3.4 Significant Fauna Species Recorded or Predicted to Occur in the Project Area 7
4 BIODIVERSITY VALUES 13
5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND RISK ASSESSMENT 14
5.1 Adequacy of the Available Data to Assess Potential Impacts of the Proposed Development on Fauna in the Area. 14
5.2 Environmental Impacts 14 5.2.1 Significant Habitat for Fauna Indigenous to Western Australia 14 5.2.2 Threatened Ecological Fauna Communities 14 5.2.3 Loss or Degradation of Fauna Habitat 14 5.2.4 Feral Fauna 15 5.2.5 Altered Fauna Assemblages 15
5.3 Risk Assessment 15
6 MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO MINIMISE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 20
Coffey Environments ENVIPERT00599AA_OZ Minerals Golden Grove Fauna Assessment_001_st_V1 11 December 2008 CONTENTS
6.1 Habitat Fragmentation 20
6.2 Management of Tailings Facility 20
7 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 22
7.1 Summary 22
7.2 Conclusions 22
7.3 Recommendations 23
8 REFERENCES 24
Coffey Environments ENVIPERT00599AA_OZ Minerals Golden Grove Fauna Assessment_001_st_V1 11 December 2008 LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
Figures
Figure 1: Regional Location
Figure 2: Site Layout and Location of Malleefowl Mounds
Appendices
Appendix A: Threatened and Priority Fauna Database Search
Appendix B: List of Fauna Potentially Occurring in the Area
Coffey Environments ENVIPERT00599AA_OZ Minerals Golden Grove Fauna Assessment_001_st_V1 11 December 2008 I EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Coffey Environments was commissioned to undertake a Level 1 terrestrial fauna risk assessment for the proposed expansion of the tailings storage facilities (TSF3) at OZ Minerals Golden Grove mine site. Two ‘project areas’ were assessed, with the combined area being approximately 150ha. One project area is located to the north-west of the existing TSF2, while the other project area is located to the north of TSF1.
A search of the Western Australian Museum on-line database ( FaunaBase ), the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Threatened and Priority Species database and the Commonwealth Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts’ Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 on-line database were use to determine the conservation significant species potentially found in the TSF3 project areas. This data was supported by information from other fauna surveys in the Yalgoo/Murchison/Midwest bioregions and a survey of the TSF3 project areas to examine fauna habitats, grid search the area for active Malleefowl mounds and to look for trees containing hollows that might be suitable nesting sites for Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo.
The proposed development of TSF3 in the project area will result in the loss of some already disturbed vegetation. However, the available habitat type is replicated many times in adjacent areas, and although any loss of any vegetation should be minimised, clearing of the proposed TSF3 project area is unlikely to significantly impact on fauna within the general area and region.
There were no active Malleefowl mounds, nor trees that contained hollows that could be used as potential nesting sites for Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo in the proposed TSF3 project areas. The proposed TSF3 project areas are unlikely to contain Western Spiny-tailed or Gilled Slender Blue-tongue skinks. Any conservation significant avian species that may infrequently use the area will move to adjacent areas once vegetation clearing commences and are unlikely to be significantly impacted on by the proposed development.
Coffey Environments’ assessment is that the proposed development has a low risk of causing any significant loss of a fauna or a fauna assemblage of conservation significance and that clearing of vegetation in the proposed project area for the TSF3 is unlikely to have a significant impact on the terrestrial fauna or an important terrestrial fauna ecosystem.
Coffey Environments’ assessment of clearing small parcels of vegetation within the proposed TSF3 project area will have a low risk of significantly impacting on:
• terrestrial fauna in a regional context;
• species of conservation significance;
• an ecosystem of high functional value; and
• an ecosystem that is important in a regional context.
Clearing of vegetation may result in the loss of individuals and species at a local scale.
Coffey Environments recommends that:
• where possible, the location of the TSF3 should be adjacent to or contain habitat that is of low quality or already disturbed;
• where there is a choice in areas to be cleared, preference should be given to those areas that do not fragment existing fauna habitat types; and
• continue to follow the principles of environmental management contained within the Cyanide Code of Practice to minimise the impact of toxin bearing tailings on wildlife, and in particular on avian fauna.
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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Coffey Environments was commissioned to undertake a Level 1 terrestrial fauna risk assessment for the proposed construction of a third Tailings Storage Facility (TSF3) at OZ Minerals Golden Grove mine site. Two ‘project areas’ were assessed (Figure 2), with the total area being approximately 150ha. One project area is located to the north-west of the existing TSF2, while the other project area is located to the north of TSF. OZ Minerals intends to select one of the two project areas for the location of the TSF3.
The Golden Grove mine is located approximately 370km north-east of Perth and approximately 50km south of Yalgoo (Figure 1), in the Murchison region of Western Australia. The project areas are situated on Mining Leases M59/03, M59/90 and M59/227, which lie over the Muralgarra and Badja Pastoral Leases. Both pastoral leases have recently been destocked, however goats remain prevalent. There is evidence that the project areas have been extensively explored for minerals over many years (exploration tracks and drill holes).
Yilgarn Traders (2008a) reported 12 different vegetation associations within the project area located to the north-west of the existing TSF2. Seventy nine plant species were identified during the summer-autumn period, and the vegetation associations encompassed heath, shrubland and woodland communities. Many of the vegetation associations were linked to the topography and soil type.
1.2 Scope of Works
This Level 1 fauna assessment includes.
• A review of the Western Australian Museum ( FaunaBase ) and Terrestrial Ecosystems fauna databases to identify potential vertebrate fauna in the area;
• A search of the Commonwealth Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts’ on-line database to identify fauna species of conservation significance occurring in the area;
• A review of the DECs Threatened and Priority species database for species of conservation significance likely to be in the area;
• A review of published and unpublished literature that Coffey Environments could access to provide a list of fauna that have potential to occur in the region;
• A search of the project area for Malleefowl mounds and tree hollows that could potentially be used as nesting hollows by Cockatoos;
• Bat echolocation recordings and opportunistic observations;
• Discussion of the potential impacts of the development on fauna and fauna habitat; and
• Management recommendations to minimise potential impacts of the development on the fauna.
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2 METHODOLOGY
2.1 Database search and literature review
A recent search of the Western Australian Museum on-line database ( FaunaBase ) undertaken by ENV (2008), combined with data from Terrestrial Ecosystems’ fauna database were used to develop a list of potential birds, reptiles, mammals and amphibians occurring in the project area.
Coffey Environments also conducted a search of the Department of Environment and Conservation’s (DEC) Threatened and Priority Species database and searched the Commonwealth Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and Arts Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 on-line database (search area -28.26 - -28.91 oN latitude and 116.55 - 117.30 oE longitude) for species of conservation significance that are likely to be found in the area.
The Golden Grove mine site has not had a comprehensive terrestrial fauna survey undertaken since the work by Ninox Wildlife Consulting in 1997. In order to develop an appreciation of the potential terrestrial fauna assemblage in the area, other surveys undertaken within the region have been collated and reviewed. These include:
• Alan Tingay and Assoc (1996) Vertebrate Fauna Koolanooka Mine Site Morawa . Unpublished report for Kingstream resources, NL.
• ATA Environmental (2004) Fauna Assessment Koolanooka South . Unpublished report for Mount Gibson Mining Ltd, Perth.
• ATA Environmental (2004) Fauna Assessment Koolanooka . Unpublished report for Midwest Corporation Ltd, Perth.
• Bamford Consulting Ecologists (2007) Fauna Values of Gindalbie Metals' Karara and Mungada Hematite/Magnetite Projects . Unpublished report for Woodman Environmental Consulting Pty Ltd, Perth
• Coffey Environments (2008) Vertebrate Fauna Survey Yalgoo Iron Ore Project . Unpublished report for Ferrowest Ltd, Perth.
• Coffey Environments (2008) Baseline Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Assessment Results for Mount Gibson . Unpublished report for Extension Hill Pty Ltd Perth.
• How R A and Cooper N K (2002) Vertebrate survey of the Paynes Find Sandplain, Yalgoo Bioregion . Unpublished report NTVBE/2002/BF2 to the WH and M Butler Fund.
• Ninox Wildlife Consulting (1997) Vertebrate Fauna of the Murchison Zinc Project Area. Unpublished report for John Consulting Services, Perth.
Surveys undertaken by Alan Tingay (1996), ATA Environmental at Koolanooka and Koolanooka South and by Bamford (2007) at Gindalbie are to the south-west of the project area, reports by Coffey Environments (2008a; b) and How and Cooper (2002) are for surveys to the south and south- east of the project area.
Taxonomy and nomenclature for fauna species used in this report generally follow the recent list issued by the Western Australian Museum (WAM, 2008). Coffey Environments has reported species names in Appendix A mostly as recorded by the various authors, unless a taxonomic change was obvious (e.g. Lerista muelleri, Cryptoblepharus plagiocephalus ). Coffey Environments’ acknowledges that the taxonomy of Western Australian vertebrates is continually being revised and the taxonomy of some of the species listed in Appendix A might have changed since publication by the authors.
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2.2 Reconnaissance and Targeted Species Search
Golden Grove was visited from 29 September – 1 October 2008 by Dr Scott Thompson and Dean Bradshaw of Coffey Environments and Dr Graham Thompson of Terrestrial Ecosystems. The Level 1 fauna risk assessment examined the potential fauna habitats in the two potential TSF3 project areas, and consisted of a grid search of the project areas for active Malleefowl mounds, as well as a search for trees containing hollows that might be suitable nesting sites for Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo.
An Anabat SD1 recorder was placed in a suitable flyway for two nights during the site assessment. Anabat data were analysed by Dr Kyle Armstrong (Specialised Zoological). Data were downloaded via Sonic Stage software at a rate of 132 bits and converted into Wave format (sampling rate of 44.1 kHz, 16 bit resolution, stereo). Two call parameters were extracted as per the methods of McKenzie and Bullen (2003): Fpeakc: and Q-factor. Other parameters, including duration, minimum frequency and call shape were also examined where necessary to help with identification. Reference material and other information from Fullard et al. , (1991) and McKenzie and Bullen (2003) were used for identification.
All Malleefowl mounds that were located during this assessment were classified using the National Malleefowl monitoring program classification system, which is summarised below.
Profile 1 (crater rim apparent) – this is the typical mound shape but is inactive and without any accumulated vegetation in the crater.
Profile 2 (mound dug out) – this is a recently fully dug out mound with steep sides to the crater, with the base forming a box like structure with the sides normally 20-30cm deep. Some times litter has been raked into windrows in readiness to be placed in the mound
Profile 3 (mound filled with litter) – this mound contains litter in the crater, and is the next construction stage after profile 2. It should be apparent where litter has been raked into the mound.
Profile 4 (active mound with no crater) – this active mound is closed and dome shaped.
Profile 5 (mound with crater and often a peak at the centre) – this is an active mound that is being opened or closed.
Profile 6 (disused or extinct mound) – this mound has not been used for some time and weathering and erosion have ‘flattened’ the original mound (Hopkins, L. (Ed), (2007). National Manual for the Malleefowl Monitoring System, NHT National Malleefowl Monitoring Project).
2.3 Limitations
This terrestrial fauna risk assessment of the project area is based on a site visit, information contained in State and Commonwealth government databases and other fauna surveys in the region.
Because of the degraded fauna habitat in the TSF3 project area due to active mining and pastoral activities and the limited vertebrate fauna survey data for similar habitats in the Yalgoo/Murchison/Midwest region, the fauna lists provided do not provide a comprehensive coverage of the terrestrial fauna assemblages for the main habitat types in the areas surveyed. Conclusions and recommendations about the vertebrate fauna assemblage and diversity for the TSF3 project areas are therefore based on incomplete data for the fauna assemblages in the habitats represented in the project areas. This has been taken into account in the assessment.
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The EPA Guidance for Assessment of Environmental Factors: Terrestrial Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia, No. 56 (EPA, 2004) suggested that fauna surveys may be limited by many variables. Limitations associated with each of these variables are assessed in Table 1.
TABLE 1 FAUNA SURVEY LIMITATIONS AND CONSTRAINTS
Constraint (yes/no); Possible limitations significant, Comment moderate or negligible
Competency and experience of the The consultants who undertook this assessment are familiar with WA No consultant(s) carrying out terrestrial fauna in the region and terrestrial fauna risk assessments. the site survey This report refers only to the fauna aspects of the environmental impact Scope No assessment. Proportion of fauna identified, recorded and/or Not applicable collected Vertebrate fauna information was available from FaunaBase and a few unpublished reports of surveys conducted in the general area. All of these surveys were conducted in the broader region and in a variety of habitat Yes Sources of information types. Many of these surveys employed a low level of trapping effort which moderate significantly impacts on the capacity of these data to represent the fauna assemblages in the areas surveyed. The species identifications contained within these reports have been r Coffey Environments has reported species names as recorded by the various authors, unless a taxonomic change was obvious. Coffey Accuracy of previous Environments’ acknowledges that the taxonomy of Western Australian Yes, negligible survey work vertebrates is continually being revised and the taxonomy of some of the species listed in Appendix A might have changed since publication by the authors Proportion of the task No All tasks completed. achieved Surveys undertaken by consultants have not always been undertaken in Timing/weather/season/ Not applicable the optimal season; therefore the data reported for these surveys can be cycle incomplete. Disturbances which Much of the proposed project area has been degraded by pastoral and affected results of the Yes, negligible mining activities and earlier mineral exploration. This disturbance has been survey factored into the assessment. The intensity of the on-ground assessment was proportional to the Intensity of survey effort No potential scale of impact in a degraded area. Yes Completeness All areas were grid searched. Negligible Resources No Adequate resources were available. Remoteness and/or No Access was not a problem. access problems WA Museum fauna database, Terrestrial Ecosystems fauna database, Availability of contextual Yes DEC Threatened and Priority species lists, other surveys in broader information on the region moderate region.
Negligible – less than 20%; Moderate – 20-60%; significant – greater than 60%
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3 RESULTS
3.1 Fauna Habitat in the Project Area
A Banded Iron Formation (BIF) hill is located to the north-west of TSF2. The proposed TSF3 footprint will not impinge on the BIF hill, or the 150m buffer as defined by Yilgarn Traders (2008b). Some of the fauna on these BIFs are considered short-range endemics (SRE), others have a preference for this habitat type. Some millipedes, land snails, trapdoor and funnel web spiders and scorpions have been noted as SREs on BIFs in the Midwest.
The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC, 2007) reported the Little Woodswallow, Western Yellow Robin, Peregrine Falcon, Shy Heathwren, Gilbert’s Whistler and the Golden Whistler as having a preference for BIFs, and Woolley’s Pseudantechinus, Long-tailed Dunnart, Gilled Slender Blue-tongue, Spinifex Slender Blue-tongue and an unbanded Delma sp. as also preferring these habitat types. The conservation significance of the plant assemblages on the BIFs at Golden Grove is dealt with in a separate report (Yilgarn Traders, 2008b). The project area is located on the plain and will not impact on the BIF.
Although Yilgarn Traders (2008b) reported 12 different vegetation associations within the project area, from a fauna perspective the habitat was mostly open mulga woodland, with the density of vegetation and sparseness of the ground cover and leaf litter varying across the site. Creek lines were generally more vegetated than the adjacent areas.
3.2 Climate
Weather data was taken from Yalgoo, the nearest Bureau of Meteorology weather station. The Yalgoo region has an arid to semi-arid warm Mediterranean climate with an average annual rainfall of 260mm. The majority of rainfall occurs between April and August (Diagram 1). However, large rainfall events associated with remnants of north-west tropical cyclones can occur during the summer months. In 2008, Golden Grove experienced large rainfall events resulting in 379.6mm of rainfall falling prior to the fauna survey in late September/early October. As can be seen from Diagram 1, most of the rain falls during winter, and the peak maximum and minimum daily temperatures are in December to February. Maximum ambient temperatures are in the high 30s and maximum winter temperatures are in the low 20s.
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DIAGRAM 1.
MEAN MONTHLY AVERAGES FOR YALGOO
3.3 Fauna Potentially Found in the Project Area
Appendix A shows the lists of species recorded in fauna surveys undertaken in the general area. No conservation significant bats were recorded with the Anabat recorder during the survey. Fauna that are of conservation significance and might be found in the project area are listed and discussed below.
3.4 Significant Fauna Species Recorded or Predicted to Occur in the Project Area
Conservation significant vertebrate species possibly occurring in the region are shown in Table 2, with an indication of whether they could be found in the TSF3 project areas.
In Western Australia, all native fauna species are protected under the WA Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 . Fauna species that are considered rare, threatened with extinction or have a high conservation value are specially protected under the Act. In addition, some species of fauna are covered under the 1991 ANZECC convention, while certain birds are listed under the Japan and Australian Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA) and the China and Australian Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA).
Classification of rare and endangered fauna under the Wildlife Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice 2006 recognises four schedules of taxa. These are;
Schedule 1 – fauna which are rare or likely to become extinct and are declared to be fauna in need of special protection.
Schedule 2 – fauna which are presumed to be extinct and are declared to be fauna in need of special protection.
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Schedule 3 – birds which are subject to an agreement between the governments of Australia and Japan relating to the protection of migratory birds and birds in danger of extinction which are declared to be fauna in need of special protection; and
Schedule 4 – fauna that are in need of special protection, otherwise than for the reasons mentioned in Schedule 1, 2 or 3.
In addition to the above classification, DEC also classifies fauna under five different Priority codes:
Priority one – Taxa with few, poorly known populations on threatened lands . Taxa which are known from few specimens or sight records from one of a few localities on lands not managed for conservation. The taxon needs urgent survey and evaluation of conservation status before consideration can be given to declaration as threatened species.
Priority two – Taxa with few, poorly known populations on conservation lands, or taxa with several, poorly known populations not on conservation lands. Taxa which are known from few specimens or sight records from one or a few localities on lands not under immediate threat of habitat destruction or degradation. The taxon needs urgent survey and evaluation of conservation status before consideration can be given to declaration as threatened fauna.
Priority three – Taxa with several, poorly known populations, some on conservation lands . Taxa which are known from few specimens or sight records from several localities, some of which are on lands not under immediate threat of habitat destruction or degradation. The taxon needs urgent survey and evaluation of conservation status before consideration can be given to declaration as threatened fauna.
Priority four – Taxa in need of monitoring. Taxa which are considered to have been adequately surveyed or for which sufficient knowledge is available and which are considered not currently threatened or in need of special protection, but could be if present circumstances change. These taxa are usually represented on conservation lands. Taxa which are declining significantly but are not yet threatened.
Priority five – Taxa in need of monitoring. Taxa which are not considered threatened but are subject to a specific conservation program, the cessation of which would result in the species becoming threatened within five years.
Three threatened species of fauna and four migratory species of bird potentially occurring within the project area were identified under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 as having national environmental significance (Table 2). Threatened species listed under the WA Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 and priority species listed by DEC that may potentially occur in the project area are also listed in Table 2 and discussed below.
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TABLE 2.
CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT SPECIES POTENTIALLY FOUND IN THE GOLDEN GROVE PROJECT AREA AND LISTED UNDER THE EPBC ACT (1999) , WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ACT (1950) OR ON THE DEC THREATHENED AND PRIORITY SPECIES LIST .
Species Common Name EPBC State Potential to occur in the project areae List List Egernia stokesii badia Western Spiny-tailed Skink V S1 Unlikely to occur in the project area Leipoa ocellata Malleefowl V S1 Unlikely to occur in the project area Acanthiza i. iredalei Slender-billed Thornbill V Unlikely to occur in the project area Cyclodomorphus branchalis Gilled Slender Blue-tongue S1 Unlikely to occur in the project area Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon S4 May infrequently be seen flying in the area Cactua leadbeateri Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo S4 May infrequently be seen flying in the area Tyto n. novaehollandiae Masked Owl P3 Unlikely to be seen flying in the area Ardeotis australis Australian Bustard P4 May be seen in the area Burhinus grallarius Bush Stone-curlew P4 May infrequently be seen in the area Macropus irma Western Brush Wallaby P4 Unlikely to occur in the project area Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater M Likely to occasionally be seen in the area Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift M May infrequently fly over the area Ardea alba Great Egret M Unlikely to occur in the project area Ardea ibis Cattle Egret M Unlikely to occur in the project area
V= vulnerable under the EPBC Act (1999) , M = migratory under the EPBC Act (1999) , S1 = Schedule 1 species under the Wildlife Conservation Act (1950), S4 = Schedule 4 species under the Wildlife Conservation Act (1950) and P = priority species listed with DEC.
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Western Spiny-tailed Skink ( Egernia stokesii badia ) - Endangered under the EPBC Act (1999) and Schedule 1 under the WA Wildlife Conservation Act ( 1950 )
The Western Spiny-tailed Skink occurs in semi-arid scrubs and woodlands of the northern wheatbelt, sheltering in hollow logs and behind the bark of fallen trees in York Gum woodlands. It is also found in old buildings and under piles of timber, tiles or other building materials. WAM has records of this species occurring in the Midwest and it was caught at Koolanooka.
Suitable habitat for the Western Spiny-skink was not present in the project area, so it is Coffey Environments’ assessment that it is unlikely to be found on the site.
Malleefowl ( Leipoa ocellata ) – Vulnerable under the EPBC Act (1999 ) and Schedule 1 under the WA Wildlife Conservation Act ( 1950 )
Malleefowl are present in the bioregion and active mounds and birds have been recorded in nearby areas, including Gindalbie and Koolanooka (ATA Environmental 2005, Coffey Environments, 2008c, Bamford Consulting Ecologists, 2007). Four old and inactive Malleefowl mounds were located in the project area (Table 3). Each of the mounds are rated as Profile 6 (disused or extinct mound) indicating that they have not been used for some time and weathering and erosion have ‘flattened’ the original mound. Radio-tracking studies (Booth, 1987 and Benshemesh, 1992 cited in Benshemesh, 2000) have shown that over the course of a year Malleefowl may range over one to several square kilometres and that home-ranges overlap considerably. Malleefowl have a preference for relatively dense scrub, which is open at the ground level, but has an abundance of leaf-litter and debris or small stones that it can rake into its nest mounds.
TABLE 3
LOCATION OF INACTIVE MALLEEFOWL MOUNDS FOUND IN THE PROPOSED TSF3 AREA
Mound ID Latitude (S) Longitude (E) Mound 1 -28.7400 116.9230 Mound 2 -28.7269 116.9349 Mound 3 -28.7537 116.9336 Mound 4 -28.7546 116.9341 Based on the grid search for the TSF3 project areas, the condition of the Malleefowl mounds and an inspection of the open and often sparse habitat in the project area, Coffey Environments’ view is that the proposed clearing of the vegetation is unlikely to significantly impact on Malleefowl.
Slender-billed Thornbill ( Acanthiza iredalei iredalei ) - Vulnerable under the EPBC Act (1999)
This species is sparsely distributed across arid and semi-arid southern Western Australia and western South Australia. Although the subspecies has suffered a contraction of range in the east, there is little evidence for a decline in the more extensive area outside agricultural areas. The western subspecies of the Slender-billed Thornbill occupies treeless chenopod shrubland. In central and western Australia, it favours saline flats associated with salt lakes, particularly where there is Halosarcia species. In South Australia and south-eastern Western Australia it occurs on plains dominated by Maireana (Bluebush) and Atriplex (Saltbush) species. It occasionally occurs in Acacia shrublands and mangroves adjacent to more preferred habitat. The Slender-billed Thornbill builds domed nests near the ground in a bush. The main threat to this subspecies is habitat degradation mainly due to sheep grazing.
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Coffey Environments’ assessment is that the Slender-billed Thornbill is considered highly unlikely to be found in the project area due to unsuitable habitat. This species was not recorded during the surveys in the general region.
Gilled Slender Blue-tongue (Cyclodomorphus branchialis) - Schedule 1 under the WA Wildlife Conservation Act ( 1950 )
This medium sized skink is found in semi-arid shrublands on heavy soils. It has a restricted distribution in the south-west Murchison and the proposed project area is within its known distribution. It has been found at Mullewa, Muralgarra, Wondoonday, Karara, Koolanooka and Koolanooka South.
Given the sparseness of ground litter and the openness and disturbed nature of the project area, Coffey Environments’ assessment is that it is unlikely to be found in the project area.
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus ) - Schedule 4 under the WA Wildlife Conservation Act ( 1950 )
This species is uncommon, although widespread throughout much of Australia, excluding the extremely dry areas and has a wide and patchy distribution. It shows a habitat preference for areas near cliffs along coastlines, rivers and ranges and within woodlands along watercourses and around lakes. There are few significant trees in the project area, and no cliff or ‘high’ roost sites. Coffey Environments’ assessment is that this species is possibly an infrequent visitor to the area and the loss of habitat is unlikely to have an impact on this species.
Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo ( Cacatua leadbeateri ) - Schedule 1 under the WA Wildlife Conservation Act ( 1950 )
Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo is a bird of the semi-arid and arid zones of all parts of Australia, except Tasmania. Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo is most often seen high up in the branches of Salmon Gums (Eucalyptus salmonophloia ) and similar large eucalypts, in heavily timbered creek-lines or roadside verges in parts of the Wheatbelt of Western Australia. Large eucalypts which contain hollows are necessary for the Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo to successfully breed. Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo is scarce throughout most of Western Australia and the primary cause for their decline is land clearing for agriculture and subsequent fragmentation of remaining habitat. No large trees that contain hollows suitable for breeding Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos were recorded in the project area. Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo has been recorded around the Mt Gibson Station to the south of Golden Grove by Prof, Harry Recher, and by Coffey Environments around Gindalbie, Koolanooka and Morowa. However, it is Coffey Environments’ assessment that given the lack of suitable breeding habitat within the project area, Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo is unlikely to rely upon the project area for survival.
Masked Owl (southern) ( Tyto novaehollandiae novaehollandiae ) – Priority 3 with DEC
Little information is available on the Masked Owl. It is distributed from Yanchep east to Yealering, south to Gnowangerup and Albany and occasionally seen north to Geraldton. This species inhabits forests and woodlands and nests in tree hollows. It is locally common around Karridale and Manjimup, but is generally uncommon elsewhere. This species was recorded from the Golden Grove Mine in 1964 (DEC, 2008).
Coffey Environments’ assessment is that given the habitat within the project area is very open with few large trees, the Masked Owl is unlikely to occur within the project area.
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Australian Bustard ( Ardeotis australis ) – Priority 4 with DEC
Australian Bustards are tall birds that live on open grassy plains and low shrubby areas in many areas of inland Australia. The Australian Bustard is possibly found at Golden Grove as it has been found in other surveys in the bioregion.
No Australian Bustards were observed during the site assessment, and it is Coffey Environments’ assessment that if this species is present on site, the proposed development is unlikely to be a significant impact, as it will move into adjacent areas if it is disturbed.
Bush Stone-curlew ( Burhinus grallarius ) - Priority 4 with DEC
The Bush Stone-curlew is a large, slim, mainly nocturnal, ground-dwelling bird. It is regarded as uncommon or rare having declined as a result of feral cats and foxes. It can be found in open wooded country or scrubs, and in many other habitats. Department of Environment and Conservation records indicate it was seen at Yalgoo in 1997, so it might infrequently be seen in the general area.
Western Brush Wallaby ( Macropus irma ) - Priority 4 with DEC
The Western Brush Wallaby is generally only found in the south-west corner of Western Australia, but DEC has records of a recent sighting around Yalgoo (Appendix A). It normally has a preference for open forest or woodland, with low grasses and scrubby thickets. It was not reported in any other fauna survey in the region, and the habitat in the project is considered unsuitable for this species, as a consequence, Coffey Environments’ view is that it is highly unlikely to be seen in the project area.
Rainbow Bee-eater ( Merops ornatus ) - Migratory under the EPBC Act (1999)
The Rainbow Bee-eater is found across the better-watered parts of Western Australia. It prefers lightly wooded, preferably sandy soil near water. Rainbow Bee-eaters are scarce to very common across their range depending on suitable habitat conditions. Rainbow Bee-eaters were observed during other surveys in the region (Appendix A). The Rainbow Bee-eater is likely to be seen in the area infrequently.
Coffey Environments’ view is that the Rainbow Bee-eater is unlikely to be significantly impacted on by the proposed development at Golden Grove, as it will move to adjacent areas when the vegetation is cleared.
Fork-tailed Swift ( Apus pacificus ) – Migratory under the EPBC Act (1999 )
The Fork-tailed Swift is a visitor to Western Australia, arriving in the south-west in December and leaving in April. It is attracted to thunderstorms, and breeds in Asia and the northern hemisphere. As this is a migratory species that mostly feeds while flying, it is unlikely that the proposed development will have a significant impact on this species when it is in the area.
Great Egret ( Ardea alba ) – Migratory under the EPBC Act (1999 )
The Great Egret is found in many parts of Western Australia excluding the arid interior. It mostly inhabits shallow freshwater (rivers, pools, lakes, lagoons, swamps) and estuarine areas (mangroves, tidal pools), but is rarely found in dry pastures. This species was listed in the search of the EPBC Act database for the area, but Coffey Environments’ view is that it is unlikely to be seen in the project area due to a lack of suitable habitat.
Cattle Egret ( Ardea ibis ) – Migratory under the EPBC Act (1999 )
The Cattle Egret is found in the better watered parts of Western Australia. It is most often seen foraging in short grassed pastures and wetland, often in the company of cattle. This species was listed in the search of the EPBC Act database for the area, but Coffey Environments’ view is that it is unlikely to be seen in the project area due to a lack of suitable habitat.
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4 BIODIVERSITY VALUES
The proposed project area contains four old and inactive Malleefowl mounds. These appear to have been inactive for sometime. Coffey Environments found no Malleefowl footprints or scratchings in the project area, and the openness of the habitat was generally not the type of habitat in which Malleefowl are found. So although, Malleefowl have been found in numerous other surveys in the area (e.g, Koolanooka, Koolanooka South, Gindalbie and Mt Gibson), Coffey Environments’ assessment is that they are unlikely to be found in the project area.
No large trees were found with potential nesting hollows in the project area, so it is unlikely that the project area provides an important nesting resource for Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo.
There was no indication in the literature or the site visit to suggest the project area has ecological significance or contains a population or important fauna assemblage.
While a fauna trapping program was not undertaken within the area, the project area has been disturbed by pastoral, mining and exploration activity over many years. There are many hectares of similar habitat in adjacent areas, so it is Coffey Environments’ view that the biodiversity value of the project area is not high or of such importance that it could not be cleared.
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5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND RISK ASSESSMENT
5.1 Adequacy of the Available Data to Assess Potential Impacts of the Proposed Development on Fauna in the Area.
The EPA Position Statement No 3 and Guidance Statement No 56 comment on the level of fauna survey required for proposed developments. Although the size the proposed development exceeds the criteria (Table 3, EPA, 2004) for indicating that the scale of impact is high and thus requires a Level 2 fauna assessment, the EPA would not normally require a Level 2 fauna assessment to be undertaken in a highly disturbed area. The targeted species search for active Malleefowl mounds confirms that they are not present in the TSF3 project area. The TSF3 project areas were searched for suitable habitat for the Western Spiny-tailed Skink and for tree hollows suitable as nesting sites for Cockatoos.
Information is available from other surveys in the Yalgoo region to indicate conservation significant species and fauna assemblages potentially in the project area. It is Coffey Environments’ view that adequate information is available for the fauna likely to be on site to make an informed assessment of the potential impact on fauna in the two project areas.
5.2 Environmental Impacts
5.2.1 Significant Habitat for Fauna Indigenous to Western Australia
The clearing of small parcels of vegetation on the project area will inevitably result in the loss of terrestrial species in specific locations. This impact, in most cases, is unavoidable unless a trapping program is instigated to catch and translocate species. Such action does not seem necessary as terrestrial species likely to be present will also be abundant in adjacent areas.
5.2.2 Threatened Ecological Fauna Communities
There are no threatened terrestrial ecological fauna communities present in the two project areas.
5.2.3 Loss or Degradation of Fauna Habitat
Land clearing will result in the loss of fauna habitat at a local scale. However, these habitats are replicated many times in the adjacent areas. Although the loss of any fauna habitat should be minimised wherever possible, this loss of habitat is unlikely to significantly impact on any species of conservation significance. Vegetation clearing also increases the occurrence of ‘edge-effects’ and the associated change in assemblage structure (Bragg et al ., 2005; Harding and Gomez, 2006).
The habitat clearing that is necessary to construct the proposed TSF will result in some fragmentation of fauna habitat; however, this impact is assessed as low because of the abundance of similar habitat in the general area and the shape of the proposed clearing. Clearing a large block area is less likely to fragment a habitat compared with a series of linear developments. Fragmenting fauna habitat can be minimised by locating infrastructure close together or by utilising existing infrastructure corridors (e.g. access roads) and rehabilitating areas once the disturbed area is no longer required for mining activity. This has been done as much of the proposed TSF expansion area abuts an existing disturbed area.
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5.2.4 Feral Fauna
An increase in human activity is often associated with an increase in the abundance of feral species such as the House Mouse ( Mus musculus ), Feral Cat ( Felis catus ) and Fox ( Vulpes vulpes ). This increase may be due to a decline in habitat health, increased road kills and poor waste disposal practices. Effective mine site management practices significantly reduce this impact.
The house mouse, cat and fox have been recorded in fauna surveys for the general area (Thompson, pers comm). Both the cat and fox are known to consume native species of reptiles, birds and small mammals (Bamford, 1995); hence it is important to ensure that populations of the feral predators are controlled. In many situations the loss of native species, particularly mammals, has been attributed to the spread of feral predators, particularly the fox and cat (Kinnear, 1993). Without appropriate management these species can become abundant around areas of human habitation and infrastructure associated with mine sites.
Minimising road kills, removing carcasses, and good rubbish management practices around the mine site and proposed TSF area will assist in reducing these problems.
5.2.5 Altered Fauna Assemblages
Anthropocentric activity has the potential to both decrease and increase the number of species and individuals in an area. For example, water storage areas in semi-arid and arid habitats with limited natural permanent water can result in an increase in avian species richness and abundance. Ponded water present in the proposed TSF will result in changes to the fauna assemblage, however, these changes are not likely to be significant as TSF’s already exist in the adjacent areas.
5.3 Risk Assessment
Fauna surveys to support Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) are part of the environmental risk assessment undertaken to consider what potential impacts a development might have on the biodiversity on a particular area and region. Potential impacts on fauna from the proposed TSF3 development are identified and briefly described above. Tables 4, 5 and 6 provide a summary of the risk assessment associated with this project.
The assessment contained in Table 6 is supported by more detailed discussion in sections above and the management recommendations below.
This assessment indicates that the risk associated with clearing the project area on terrestrial fauna or the fauna assemblage is acceptable.
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TABLE 4
FAUNA IMPACT RISK ASSESSMENT DESCRIPTORS
Any risk assessment is a product of the likelihood of an event or impact occurring and the consequences of that event or impact. Likelihood and consequences are categorised and described below. The assessed risk level (likelihood x consequences) is then calculated as the overall risk for the development. This is followed by an assessment of the acceptability of the risk associated with each of the events or impacts. Disturbances and vegetation clearing have an impact on the fauna at multiple scales – site, local, landscape and regional. Each of these is considered in the risk assessment. This assessment should be considered in the context of the summary in Table 6.
Likelihood Level Description Criteria A Rare The environmental event may occur or one or more conservation significant species may be present in exceptional circumstances. B Unlikely The environmental event could occur or one or more conservation significant species could be present at sometime. C Moderate The environmental event should occur or one or more conservation significant species should be present at sometime. D Likely The environmental event will probably occur or one or more conservation significant species will be present in most circumstances. E Almost certain The environmental event is expected to occur or one or more conservation significant species is expected be present in most circumstances. Consequences Level Description Criteria A Insignificant Insignificant impact on fauna of conservation significance or regional biodiversity, and the loss of individuals will be insignificant in the context of the availability of similar fauna or fauna assemblages in the area. B Minor Impact on fauna localised and no significant impact on species of conservation significance in the project area. Loss of species at the local scale. C Moderate An appreciable loss of fauna in a regional context or limited impact on species of conservation significance in the project area. D Major Significant impact on conservation significant fauna or their habitat in the project area and/or regional biodiversity and/or a significant loss in the biodiversity at the landscape scale. E Catastrophic Loss of species at the regional scale and/or a significant loss of species categorised as ‘vulnerable’ or ‘endangered’ under the EPBC Act 1999 at a regional scale. Acceptability of Risk Level of risk Management Action Required
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Acceptable No action required. Moderate Avoid if possible, routine management with internal audit and review of monitoring results annually High Externally approved management plan to reduce risks, monitor major risks annually with external audit and review of management plan outcomes annually. May a referral to the Commonwealth under the EPBC Act 1999 . Extreme Unacceptable, project should be redesigned or not proceed. Probably requires a referral to the Commonwealth under the EPBC Act 1999 .
TABLE 6
LEVEL OF ACCEPTABLE ENVIRONMENT RISK
Likelihood Rare or very low (A) Unlikely or low (B) Moderate (C) Likely (D) Almost certain (E)
Insignificant (A) Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable
Minor (B) Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable
Acceptable Moderate Moderate High High Moderate (C) Consequences Major (D) Moderate Moderate High High Extreme
Catastrophic (E) Moderate High High Extreme Extreme
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TABLE 7 RISK ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF CLEARING VEGETATION IN THE PROPOSED TSF3 AREA
Risk Issue Aspect or Issue Impact Likelihood Significance Consequence
Fauna survey Inadequate survey data to adequately Unknown loss of fauna, fauna of C A Acceptable data assess the risks conservation significance, and fauna assemblages, and an incomplete fauna assessment. Inadequate regional data Incomplete data on regional fauna C B Acceptable leading a poor appreciation of the impact on biodiversity values. Clearing Impacting on fauna habitat and Loss of terrestrial fauna in the project E A Acceptable vegetation assemblage at the local scale area. Impacting on fauna habitat and Loss of some fauna in specific habitat E A Acceptable assemblage at the landscape scale types. Impacting on fauna habitat and Loss of some fauna from the region. E A Acceptable assemblage at the regional scale Impacting on a threatened terrestrial Loss of an undetected threatened A B Acceptable ecological community ecological fauna community. Habitat fragmentation Restricted fauna movement resulting in C A Acceptable the death of fauna and a loss of biodiversity. Death or loss of A B Acceptable conservation Death or the reduced viability of Impacting on Malleefowl significant Malleefowl. fauna Impacting on the Western Spiny-tailed Death or the reduced viability of the B C Acceptable Skink Western Spiny-tailed Skink
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Risk Issue Aspect or Issue Impact Likelihood Significance Consequence
Impacting on Gilled Slender Blue- Death or the reduced viability of the A C Acceptable tongue Gilled Slender Blue-tongue Impacting on the Major Mitchell’s Death or the reduced viability of Major A B Acceptable Cockatoo Mitchell’s Cockatoo Impacting on other conservation Death or the reduced viability of other A B Acceptable significant species conservation significant species Human impacts Noise, light and vibrations Reduce biodiversity by forcing E A Acceptable individuals to move out of the area Road fauna deaths Road deaths are inevitable, particularly E A Acceptable after it is initially constructed Dust Loss of fauna habitat and a E A Acceptable consequential reduction in the biodiversity Spread of weeds Changed vegetation and a resulting E A Acceptable loss of fauna habitat. Ponded water due to new TSF3 Change in fauna assemblage E A Acceptable
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6 MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO MINIMISE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
The EPA’s objective for terrestrial fauna is to maintain the abundance, species diversity and geographic distribution of terrestrial fauna and protect specially protected (Threatened) fauna consistent with the provisions of the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 . If management procedures proposed below are adopted the potential impact to terrestrial fauna and the effect on the conservation status of specially protected and significant species will be minimised.
6.1 Habitat Fragmentation
Small scale vegetation clearing as proposed by OZ Minerals, is unlikely to fragment habitat to the extent that it will have a significant impact on the fauna in a landscape or regional context, but at a local level it can isolate sections of existing natural communities. Where there is a choice in the vegetation that is to be cleared, then this is a criterion that should be used in determining the area of least impact to be cleared.
Where possible, the proposed TSF should be aligned with existing disturbance and adjacent to existing infrastructure. Current plans indicate that this has been done.
6.2 Management of Tailings Facility
Chemicals are used in the extractive processes of mining copper, zinc and other precious metals and as a result tailings can be potentially hazardous for fauna.
Wildlife deaths have been associated with cyanide bearing tailing storage facilities in gold mining industries (Donato et al , 2006). ACMER brokered an international collaborative approach with industry, regulators and non government conservation organisations to develop a Code of Practice to minimise and manage the risks of cyanide bearing tailings to wildlife (Donato et al ., 2006).
Although OZ Minerals Golden Grove is not a gold mine, Coffey Environments recommends that OZ Minerals integrates some of the principles contained within the Cyanide Code of Practice for Tailings Storage Facilities including:
(i) Operations: Manage process solutions and waste streams to protect human health and the environment
a. Implement management and operating systems designed to protect the environment including contingency planning, inspections and preventative measures;
b. Implement measures to protect birds, other wildlife and livestock from adverse effects of tailings;
c. Implement monitoring programs to evaluate the effects of tailings on wildlife.
(ii) Emergency response: protect communities and the environment through development of emergency response strategies and capabilities
a. Prepare detailed emergency response plans for potential effects of tailings on fauna;
b. Develop procedures for internal and external notification and reporting.
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(iii) Training: Train workers and emergency response personnel to manage tailings in a safe and environmentally protective manner
a. Train workers to understand the hazards associated with tailings material and discharge;
b. Train appropriate personnel to operate according to systems and procedures that protect the environment.
(iv) Dialogue: Engage in public consultation and disclosure
a. Make available operational and environmental information regarding management and operating systems available to stakeholders;
b. Initiate dialogue describing management procedures and responsively address identified concerns.
OZ Minerals should adopt these as appropriate at TSF3 to minimise potential impacts of the facility on fauna.
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7 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
7.1 Summary
The proposed development of TSF3 in either of the two project areas assessed will result in the loss of approximately 60ha of habitat that has been disturbed by mining, exploration and pastoral activities. However, the available habitat type is replicated many times in adjacent areas, and although any loss of vegetation should be minimised, clearing of the proposed TSF3 project area will not significantly impact on the fauna within the area or the region.
No species of conservation significance were identified within the two project areas assessed. Four old and inactive Malleefowl mounds were identified, however, no evidence of Malleefowl footprints or scratchings were sighted during the survey. Additionally, no trees were identified that contained hollows that could be used as potential nesting sites for Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo in either of the TSF3 project areas. Any conservation significant avian species that may infrequently use the area will move to adjacent areas once clearing commences and are unlikely to be significantly impacted on by the proposed development.
Of the migratory species listed for the area under the EPBC Act 1999 , none are likely to be dependant on the proposed TSF3 project area for foraging or nesting habitat. Species of conservation significance that were listed as potentially being present in the area based on database searches or from previous surveys in the broader region (e.g. Western Spiny-tailed Skink, Gilled Slender Blue-tongue Skink, Malleefowl) are unlikely to be in the TSF3 project area due to a lack of suitable habitat.
The faunal assemblage information from WAM, Terrestrial Ecosystems, DEC and EPBC Act databases and fauna surveys in the broader mid west region (Alan Tingay and Associates 1996; ATA Environmental 2004a, b; Bamford Consulting Ecologists 2007; Coffey Environments 2008a, b; How and Cooper 2002; Ninox Wildlife Consulting 1997) did not suggest species other than those addressed above could potentially be in the TSF3 project area. Therefore, the risk is low that the proposed development will cause any significant loss of a fauna ecosystem of conservation significance or to significantly impact on an ecosystem of high conservation significance.
It is Coffey Environments’ view that clearing of vegetation in the two proposed project areas for the TSF3 is unlikely to have a significant impact on the terrestrial fauna or an important terrestrial fauna ecosystem.
7.2 Conclusions
Coffey Environments’ assessment of clearing small parcels of vegetation within the proposed TSF3 will have a low risk of significantly impacting on:
• terrestrial fauna in a regional context;
• species of conservation significance;
• an ecosystem of high functional value; and
• an ecosystem that is important in a regional context.
Clearing of vegetation may result in the loss of individuals and species at a local scale.
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7.3 Recommendations
Coffey Environments recommends that:
• where possible, the location of the TSF3 should be adjacent to or contain habitat that is of low quality of already disturbed;
• where there is a choice in areas to be cleared, preference should be given to those areas that do not fragment existing fauna habitat types; and
• continue to follow the principles of environmental management contained within the Cyanide Code of Practice to minimise the impact of toxin bearing tailings on wildlife, and in particular on avian fauna.
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8 REFERENCES
Alan Tingay and Associates (1996) Vertebrate Fauna Koolanooka Mine Site Morawa . Unpublished report for Kingstream resources, NL.
ATA Environmental (2004a) Fauna Assessment Koolanooka South . Unpublished report for Mount Gibson Mining Ltd, Perth.
ATA Environmental (2004b) Fauna Assessment Koolanooka . Unpublished report for Midwest Corporation Ltd, Perth.
ATA Environmental (2005) Malleefowl Assessment Mount Gibson. Report No 2004/188 V2. Unpublished report for Mount Gibson Mining Limited.
Bamford Consulting Ecologists (2007) Fauna Values of Gindalbie Metals' Karara and Mungada Hematite/Magnetite Projects . Unpublished report for Woodman Environmental Consulting Pty Ltd, Perth
Bamford, M.J. (1995) . Predation by Feral Cats Upon Lizards. Western Australian Naturalists. 20:191- 196.
Benshemesh, J. (1992) The Conservation Ecology of Malleefowl, with Particular Regard to Fire. PhD Thesis. Monash University, Clayton: cited in Benshemesh, J. (2000) National Recovery Plan for Malleefowl, Environment Australia. http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/recovery/malleefowl/
Benshemesh, J. (2000) National Recovery Plan for Malleefowl, Environment Australia. http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/recovery/malleefowl/
Booth, D.T. (1987) Home range and hatching success of Malleefowl, Leipoa ocellata Gould (Megapodiidae), in Murray mallee near Renmark, S.A. Australian Wildlife Research 14: 95-104: cited in Benshemesh, J. (2000) National Recovery Plan for Malleefowl, Environment Australia. http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/recovery/malleefowl/
Bragg, J.G., Taylor, J.E. and Fox, B.J. (2005) Distribution of lizard species across edges delimiting open-forest and sand-mined areas. Austral Ecology , 30: 188-200.
Coffey Environments (2008a) Vertebrate Fauna Survey Yalgoo Iron Ore Project . Unpublished report for Ferrowest Ltd, Perth.
Coffey Environments (2008b) Baseline Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Assessment Results for Mount Gibson . Unpublished report for Extension Hill Pty Ltd Perth.
Coffey Environments (2008c) Malleefowl Survey – Karara Mining Limited. Letter report to Coffey Natural Systems, November 2008.
Cowan, M.A. and How, R.A. (2004 ) Comparisons of ground vertebrate assemblages in arid Western Australia in different seasons and decades. Records of the Western Australian Museum , 22, 91-100
Department of Environment and Conservation (2007) Banded Ironstone Formation Ranges of the Midwest and Goldfields: Interim Status Report, Biodiversity Values and Conservation Requirement. Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth.
Coffey Environments 24 ENVIPERT00599AA_OZ Minerals Golden Grove Fauna Assessment_001_st_V1 11 December 2008 Tailing Storage Facilities - Golden Grove
Donato D., Noller B., Moore M., Possingham H., Ricci P., Bell C. and Owen Nicols (2006) Cyanide Use, Wildlife Protection and the International Cyanide Management Code: An Industry Brokered Partnership Approach. www.minerals.org.au/_datasets/pdf_file/0010/6004/3C-3DonatoDavid.pdf
(EPA) Environmental Protection Authority (2002) Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an Element of Biodiversity Protection: Position Statement No. 3 . Perth: Environment Protection Authority.
(EPA) Environmental Protection Authority (2004) Guidance for the Assessment of Environmental Factors. Terrestrial Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia No. 56 . Perth: Environmental Protection Authority.
ENV (2008) Golden Grove Fauna Assessment. Version 5. Unpublished report for Oxiana Limited.
Fullard, J.H., Koehler, C., Surlykke, A. and McKenzie, N.L. (1991) Echolocation ecology and flight morphology of insectivorous bats (Chiroptera) in south-western Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology 39, 427–438.
Harding, E.K. and Gomez, S. (2006) Positive edge effects for arboreal marsupials: an assessment of potential mechanisms. Wildlife Research, 33: 121-129.
Hopkins, L. (Ed), (2007) National Manual for the Malleefowl Monitoring System , NHT National Malleefowl Monitoring Project.
How R A and Cooper N K (2002) Vertebrate survey of the Paynes Find Sandplain, Yalgoo Bioregion . Unpublished report NTVBE/2002/BF2 to the WH and M Butler Fund.
Kinnear, J. (1993) Masterly marauders; the cat and the fox. Landscope, 8: 20-28.
Markley A.S. and Dillon, (2008) Flora and vegetation of the Banded Iron Formations of the Yilgarn Craton: Yalgoo. Unpublished (draft) report for the Department of Environment and Conservation, 21st August 2008.
McKenzie, N.L. and Bullen, R.D. (2003) Identifying Little Sandy Desert bat species from their Echolocation calls, Australian Mammalogy 25: 73–80.
Ninox Wildlife Consulting (1997) Vertebrate Fauna of the Murchison Zinc Project Area. Unpublished report for John Consulting Services, Perth
Western Australian Museum. (2008) FaunaBase data search (online)
Yilgarn Traders. (2008a) Golden Grove – Flora Survey & Vegetation Mapping for TSF3 footprint. Unpublished report for Oxiana Golden Grove Pty Ltd, June 2008.
Yilgarn Traders. (2008b) Banded Iron Formation Hills – Buffer zone for the proposed TSF3 site. Unpublished report for OZ Minerals Golden Grove Pty Ltd, August 2008.
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Figures
Tailing Storage Facilities - Golden Grove
kilometres Wyndham 0 100 200 300 400 500 Kununurra
Sun 07 Dec 08 SCALE 1 : 1 000 000 @ A4
Derby PRINTED: BROOME Fitzroy Crossing Halls Creek
Port Hedland
INDIAN Dampier
OCEAN KARRATHA Marble Bar Onslow Pannawonica Exmouth Nullagine
Tom Price
Coral Bay Paraburdoo Newman
Carnarvon Western
Denham Australia
Warburton Meekatharra Wiluna
Cue Kalbarri Mt Magnet Leinster Yalgoo Mullewa Golden Grove GERALDTON Laverton Mine Site Leonora Paynes Find
Menzies Dalwallinu
Lancelin Coolgardie KALGOORLIE-BOULDER Kambalda Yanchep Southern Cross Northam PERTH Eucla KWINANA Norseman MANDURAH
BUNBURY BUSSELTON
ESPERANCE SOUTHERN OCEAN ALBANY ENVI/PERT/00599AA/Fauna Assessment/EP2008-148F01.dgn DATUM: MGA zn50 DRAWN: CR 07-12-08 CHECKED: ST 08-12-08 GOLDEN GROVE FAUNA ASSESSMENT FOR A PROPOSED THIRD TAILING STORAGE FACILITY REGIONAL LOCATION FIGURE 1 ENVI/PERT/00599AA/Fauna Assessment/EP2008-148F02.dgn DATUM: MGA zn50 DRAWN: CR 07-12-08 CHECKED: ST 08-12-08 PRINTED: Sun 07 Dec 08
metres
0 100 200 300 400 500 SCALE 1 : 12 500 @ A3
LEGEND Study Area Boundary
Tenement Boundary
Inactive Malleefowl Mound Location
Mound 2
STUDY AREA A
Mound 1
STUDY AREA B PROPOSED THIRD TAILING STORAGE FACILITY GOLDEN GROVE FAUNA ASSESSMENT FOR A
SITE LAYOUT AND LOCATION Mound 3 OF MALLEEFOWL MOUNDS Mound 4 FIGURE 2
Appendix A Threatened and Priority Fauna Database Search
Tailing Storage Facilities - Golden Grove
Threatened and Priority Fauna Database Page 1 of 1 28.25°S 116.5°E / 29 °S 117.5 °E Golden Grove area
* DateCertainty Seen Location Name Method Schedule 1 - Fauna that is rare or is likely to become extinct
Cyclodomorphus branchialis 1 records A ground-dwelling and largely nocturnal skink which shelters in spinifex, leaf litter and under fallen timber. 19651 2 Muralgarra/Thunderlarra Caught or trapped
Egernia stokesii badia Western Spiny-tailed Skink 3 records This species occurs in semi-arid scrubs and woodlands of Shark Bay and the northern wheatbelt, sheltering in hollow logs and behind bark of fallen trees. 19981 1 Yalgoo Caught or trapped 20041 1 Yalgoo Caught or trapped 20071 1 Paynes Find Day sighting Priority Three: Taxa with several, poorly known populations, some on conservation lands
Tyto novaehollandiae novaehollandiae Masked Owl (SW ssp) 1 records This species is an inhabitant of forests and woodlands, nests in tree hollows and has declined in the south-west. Its large talons are adapted for preying on small to medium sized mammals. 19641 1 Golden Grove Mine Priority Four: Taxa in need of monitoring
Macropus irma Western Brush Wallaby 1 records This species occurs in areas of forest and woodland supporting a dense shrub layer. 20061 1 Yalgoo Day sighting
Ardeotis australis Australian Bustard 3 records This species is uncommon and may occur in open or lightly wooded grasslands. 19811 1 Yalgoo Day sighting 19831 6 Yalgoo Day sighting 19831 2 Yalgoo Day sighting
Burhinus grallarius Bush Stonecurlew 1 records A well camouflaged, ground nesting bird which prefers to ‘freeze’ rather than fly when disturbed. It inhabits lightly timbered open woodlands. 19971 YALGOO
* Information relating to any records provided for listed species:- Date: date of recorded observation Certainty (of correct species identification): 1=Very certain; 2=Moderately certain; and 3=Not sure. Seen: Number of individuals observed. Location Name: Name of reserve or nearest locality where observation was made Method: Method or type of observation
Friday, 14 November 2008
Appendix B List of Fauna Potentially Occurring in the Area
Tailing Storage Facilities - Golden Grove
Appendix 2 Golden Grove
Family Species Common Name on Malleefowl Search
Murchison Zinc1997 Ninox Mt Gibson Monitoring Coffey 2008 Yalgoo Ferrowest, Coffey 2008 Koolanooka Tingay, 1996 Koolanooka ATA Environmental, 2003 Koolanooka South,ATA Environmental 2004 Paynes Find, How and Cooper 2002 Gindalbie, Bamford 2007 Blue Hills Bamford 2007 Jasper Hill, Bamford 2007 Karara, Bamford 2007 Mungada, Bamford2007 Terrapod, Bamford 2007 Mt Gibs ATA Environmental 2007 Birds Casuariidae Dromaius novaehollandiae Emu X 2 X X X Megapodiidae Leipoa ocellata Malleefowl X X X X X X X X X X X Phasianidae Coturnix pectoralis Stubble Quail Anatidae Stictonetta naevosa Freckled Duck Cygnus atratus Black Swan Tadorna tadornoides Australian Shelduck X 4 X Chenonetta jubata Australian Wood Duck X Anas superciliosa Pacific Black Duck X 2 Anas gracilis Grey Teal X 31 Malacorhynchus membranaceus Pink-eared Duck X Aythya australis Hardhead X Podicipedidae Tachybaptus novaehollandiae Australasian Grebe X X Poliocephalus poliocephalus Hoary-headed Grebe X 4 Anhingidae Anhinga melanogaster Darter Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Little Black Cormorant Ardeidae Ardea pacifica White-necked Heron X X Ardea novaehollandia White-faced Heron X Threskiornithidae Threskiornis spinicollis Straw-necked Ibis
Family Species Common Name on Malleefowl Search
Mt Gibs ATA Environmental 2007 Murchison Zinc1997 Ninox Mt Gibson Monitoring Coffey 2008 Yalgoo Ferrowest, Coffey 2008 Koolanooka Tingay, 1996 Koolanooka ATA Environmental, 2003 Koolanooka South,ATA Environmental 2004 Paynes Find, How and Cooper 2002 Gindalbie, Bamford 2007 Blue Hills Bamford 2007 Jasper Hill, Bamford 2007 Karara, Bamford 2007 Mungada, Bamford2007 Terrapod, Bamford 2007 Platalea flavipes Yellow-billed Spoonbill X Accipitridae Elanus axillaris Black-shouldered Kite X Lophoictinia isura Square-tailed Kite Haliastur sphenurus Whistling Kite Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-Eagle Circus assimilis Spotted Harrier X Accipiter fasciatus Brown Goshawk X X Accipiter cirrhocephalus Collared Sparrowhawk X Aquila audax Wedge-tailed Eagle X 4 16 X X X Hieraaetus morphnoides Little Eagle Falconidae Falco berigora Brown Falcon X 3 X X Falco longipennis Australian Hobby X Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon Falco cenchroides Nankeen Kestrel X 1 3 X X Rallidae Gallinula ventralis Black-tailed Native-hen Fulica atra Eurasian Coot X X Otididae Ardeotis australis Australian Bustard X Turnicidae Turnix velox Little Button-quail X Turnix varia Painted Button-quail X X Burhinidae Burhinus grallarius Bush Stone-curlew Recurvirostridae Himantopus himantopus Black-winged Stilt X Cladorhynchus leucocephalus Banded Stilt Recurvirostra novaehollandiae Red-necked Avocet X
Family Species Common Name on Malleefowl Search
Mt Gibs ATA Environmental 2007 Murchison Zinc1997 Ninox Mt Gibson Monitoring Coffey 2008 Yalgoo Ferrowest, Coffey 2008 Koolanooka Tingay, 1996 Koolanooka ATA Environmental, 2003 Koolanooka South,ATA Environmental 2004 Paynes Find, How and Cooper 2002 Gindalbie, Bamford 2007 Blue Hills Bamford 2007 Jasper Hill, Bamford 2007 Karara, Bamford 2007 Mungada, Bamford2007 Terrapod, Bamford 2007 Charadriidae Charadrius ruficapillus Red-capped Plover X Charadrius australis Inland Dotterel Elseyornis melanops Black-fronted Dotterel X Erythrogonyus cinctus Red-kneed Dotterel X Thinornis rubricollis Hooded Plover Vanellus tricolor Banded Lapwing X Laridae Sterna nilotica Gull-billed Tern Chlidonias hybridus Whiskered Tern Columbidae Streptopelia senegalensis Laughing Turtle-Dove Phaps chalcoptera Common Bronzewing X 6 8 X X X Phaps histrionica Flock Bronzewing 97 Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon X 11 X X X Geopelia cuneata Diamond Dove X X Geopelia striata Peaceful Dove Psittacidae Calyptorhynchus banksii Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo X X X Calyptorhynchus latirostris Short-billed Black-Cockatoo Eolophus roseicapilla Galah X 122 29 X X X Cacatua pastinator Western Corella Cacatua sanguinea Little Corella X Cacatua leadbeateri Major Mitchell's Cockatoo Nymphicus hollandicus Cockatiel Polytelis anthopeplus Regent Parrot X Barnardius zonarius Australian Ringneck X 53 56 X X X
Family Species Common Name on Malleefowl Search
Mt Gibs ATA Environmental 2007 Murchison Zinc1997 Ninox Mt Gibson Monitoring Coffey 2008 Yalgoo Ferrowest, Coffey 2008 Koolanooka Tingay, 1996 Koolanooka ATA Environmental, 2003 Koolanooka South,ATA Environmental 2004 Paynes Find, How and Cooper 2002 Gindalbie, Bamford 2007 Blue Hills Bamford 2007 Jasper Hill, Bamford 2007 Karara, Bamford 2007 Mungada, Bamford2007 Terrapod, Bamford 2007 Psephotus varius Mulga Parrot X 30 24 X Melopsittacus undulatus Budgerigar X Neosephotus bourkii Bourke's Parrot X Neophema elegans Elegant Parrot Cuculidae Cuculus pallidus Pallid Cuckoo X Chrysococcyx osculans Black-eared Cuckoo X Chrysococcyx basalis Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo X Chrysococcyx lucidus Shining Bronze-Cuckoo Strigidae Ninox connivens Barking Owl Ninox novaeseelandiae Southern Boobook Tytonidae Tyto alba Barn Owl X Podargidae Podargus strigoides Tawny Frogmouth X Caprimulgidae Eurostopodus argus Spotted Nightjar 2 X Aegothelidae Aegotheles cristatus Australian Owlet-nightjar X 1 Apodidae Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift Alcedinidae Dacelo novaeguineae Laughing Kookaburra Todiramphus pyrrhopygia Red-backed Kingfisher X Todiramphus sanctus Sacred Kingfisher Meropidae Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater X 1 X Maluridae Malurus splendens Splendid Fairy-wren X 17 X X Malurus lamberti Variegated Fairy-wren 3 X Malurus pulcherrimus Blue-breasted Fairy-wren X 8 Malurus leucopterus White-winged Fairy-wren X X
Family Species Common Name on Malleefowl Search
Mt Gibs ATA Environmental 2007 Murchison Zinc1997 Ninox Mt Gibson Monitoring Coffey 2008 Yalgoo Ferrowest, Coffey 2008 Koolanooka Tingay, 1996 Koolanooka ATA Environmental, 2003 Koolanooka South,ATA Environmental 2004 Paynes Find, How and Cooper 2002 Gindalbie, Bamford 2007 Blue Hills Bamford 2007 Jasper Hill, Bamford 2007 Karara, Bamford 2007 Mungada, Bamford2007 Terrapod, Bamford 2007 Pardalotidae Pardalotus striatus Striated Pardalote X 10 X X X Sericornis frontalis White-browed Scrubwren Hylacota cauta Shy Heathwren X Pyrrholaemus brunneus Redthroat X 27 X X Smicrornis brevirostris Weebill X 36 X X X Gerygone fusca Western Gerygone X Acanthiza apicalis Inland Thornbill X 45 13 X X X Acanthiza uropygialis Chestnut-rumped Thornbill X 13 56 X X X Acanthiza robustirostris Slaty-backed Thornbill Acanthiza iredalei Slender-billed Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Yellow-rumped Thornbill X 11 X X X Aphelocephala leucopsis Southern Whiteface X 61 17 X X X Meliphagidae Anthochaera carunculata Red Wattlebird X X Acanthagenys rufogularis Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater X 4 2 X X Manorina flavigula Yellow-throated Miner X 29 10 X X X Manorina melanotis Black-eared Miner 18 Lichenostomus virescens Singing Honeyeater X 32 X X Lichenostomus leucotis White-eared Honeyeater X X Lichenostomus ornatus Yellow-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus plumulus Grey-fronted Honeyeater X Melithreptus brevirostris Brown-headed Honeyeater X X Lichmera indistincta Brown Honeyeater X 2 X Certhionyx pectoralis Banded Honeyeater
Family Species Common Name on Malleefowl Search
Mt Gibs ATA Environmental 2007 Murchison Zinc1997 Ninox Mt Gibson Monitoring Coffey 2008 Yalgoo Ferrowest, Coffey 2008 Koolanooka Tingay, 1996 Koolanooka ATA Environmental, 2003 Koolanooka South,ATA Environmental 2004 Paynes Find, How and Cooper 2002 Gindalbie, Bamford 2007 Blue Hills Bamford 2007 Jasper Hill, Bamford 2007 Karara, Bamford 2007 Mungada, Bamford2007 Terrapod, Bamford 2007 Certhionyx variegatus Pied Honeyeater X Epthianura tricolor Crimson Chat C X Epthianura aurifrons Orange Chat X Epthianura albifrons White-fronted Chat X Petroicidae Microeca leucophaea Jacky Winter X Petroica goodenovii Red-capped Robin X 1 X X Melanodryas cucullata Hooded Robin Eopsaltria australis Eastern Yellow Robin X Eopsaltria griseogularis Western Yellow Robin 2 Drymodes brunneopygia Southern Scrub-robin 5 2 X Pomatostomidae Pomatostomus temporalis Grey-crowned Babbler X Pomatostomus superciliosus White-browed Babbler X 8 21 X X Cinclosomatidae Psophodes occidentalis Chiming Wedgebill 4 Cinclosoma castanotum Chestnut Quail-thrush 2 3 X Chestnut-breasted Quail- Cinclosoma castaneothorax thrush Neosittidae Daphoenositta chrysoptera Varied Sittella X Pachycephalidae Oreoica gutturalis Crested Bellbird X 49 15 X X Pachycephala pectoralis Golden Whistler 5 X Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler X 7 X X Colluricincla harmonica Grey Shrike-thrush X 1 18 X X Dicruridae Grallina cyanoleuca Magpie-Lark X 12 X X X Rhipidura fuliginosa Grey Fantail 18 X
Family Species Common Name on Malleefowl Search
Mt Gibs ATA Environmental 2007 Murchison Zinc1997 Ninox Mt Gibson Monitoring Coffey 2008 Yalgoo Ferrowest, Coffey 2008 Koolanooka Tingay, 1996 Koolanooka ATA Environmental, 2003 Koolanooka South,ATA Environmental 2004 Paynes Find, How and Cooper 2002 Gindalbie, Bamford 2007 Blue Hills Bamford 2007 Jasper Hill, Bamford 2007 Karara, Bamford 2007 Mungada, Bamford2007 Terrapod, Bamford 2007 Rhipidura leucophrys Willie Wagtail X 15 10 X X X Myiagra inquieta Restless Flycatcher X Campephagidae Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike X 5 1 X X X Coracina maxima Ground Cuckoo-Shrike Lalage sueurii White-winged Triller X X Artamidae Artamus personatus Masked Woodswallow X 5 X Artamus cinereus Black-faced Woodswallow X 12 X X X Artayanopterusmus c Dusky Woodswallow X X Artamus minor Little Woodswallow 6 X X Cracticus torquatus Grey Butcherbird X 4 X Cracticus nigrogularis Pied Butcherbird X 5 9 X X X Gymnorhina tibicen Australian Magpie X 29 1 X X X Strepera versicolor Grey Currawong X X X Corvidae Corvus coronoides Australian Raven 11 X X X Corvus bennetti Little Crow X 13 24 X X Corvus orru Torresian Crow X 30 Ptilonorhynchidae Chlamydera guttata Western Bowerbird X Motacilidae Anthus novaeseelandiae Richard's Pipit X 12 X X Passeridae Taeniopygia guttata Zebra Finch X 89 163 X X Dicaeidae Dicaeum hirundinaceum Mistletoebird X X Hirundinidae Cheramoeca leucosternum White-backed Swallow 7 X Hirundo neoxena Welcome Swallow X 3 8 X X X Hirundo nigricans Tree Martin X 9 20 X X X
Family Species Common Name on Malleefowl Search
Mt Gibs ATA Environmental 2007 Murchison Zinc1997 Ninox Mt Gibson Monitoring Coffey 2008 Yalgoo Ferrowest, Coffey 2008 Koolanooka Tingay, 1996 Koolanooka ATA Environmental, 2003 Koolanooka South,ATA Environmental 2004 Paynes Find, How and Cooper 2002 Gindalbie, Bamford 2007 Blue Hills Bamford 2007 Jasper Hill, Bamford 2007 Karara, Bamford 2007 Mungada, Bamford2007 Terrapod, Bamford 2007 Hirundo ariel Fairy Martin X X Sylviidae Cinclorhamphus mathewsi Rufous Songlark X Cinclorhamphus cruralis Brown Songlark X Zosteropidae Zosterops lateralis Silvereye Mammals Bovidae Capra aegagrus Goat X X X Canidae Vulpes vulpes Red Fox X X X Felidae Felis catus House Cat X Molossidae Nyctinomus australis White-striped Freetail Bat 6 Vespertilionidae Nyctophilus geoffroyi Lesser Longeared Bat X 1 Nyctophilus gouldi Gould's Longeared Bat 5 Vespadelus regulus Southern Forest Bat 5 Dasyuridae Antechinomys laniger Kultarr 1 Ningaui ridei Wongai Ningaui X Pseudantechinus woolleyae Woolley's False Antechinus 1 Sminthopsis crassicaudata Fat-tailed Dunnart X 5 Sminthopsis dolichura Little Long-tailed Dunnart X 70 12 2 2 1 Sminthopsis gilberti Gilbert's Dunnart 3 Sminthopsis macroura Stripe-faced Dunnart 22 Macropodidae Macropus fuliginosus Western Grey Kangaroo X 2 Macropus robustus Wallaroo or Euro X X Macropus rufus Red Kangaroo X X Oryctolagus cuniculus European Rabbit X X
Family Species Common Name on Malleefowl Search
Mt Gibs ATA Environmental 2007 Murchison Zinc1997 Ninox Mt Gibson Monitoring Coffey 2008 Yalgoo Ferrowest, Coffey 2008 Koolanooka Tingay, 1996 Koolanooka ATA Environmental, 2003 Koolanooka South,ATA Environmental 2004 Paynes Find, How and Cooper 2002 Gindalbie, Bamford 2007 Blue Hills Bamford 2007 Jasper Hill, Bamford 2007 Karara, Bamford 2007 Mungada, Bamford2007 Terrapod, Bamford 2007 Tachyglossidae Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna X X Muridae Mus musculus House Mouse X 3 7 7 1 3 1 Notomys alexis Spinifex Hopping Mouse 11 X Notomys mitchelli Mitchell's Hopping Mouse 12 Pseudomys hermannsburgensis Sandy Inland Mouse X 17 3 3 1 1 1 Amphibians Limnodynastidae Neobatrachus sp. 40 Neobatrachus sutor Shoemaker Frog 387 Neobatrachus wilsmorei Plonking Frog 1 16 Myobatrachidae Pseudophryne occidentalis Western Toadlet 5 Reptiles Agamidae Caimanops amphiboluroides 1 4 1 1 Ctenophorus cristatus Bicycle Dragon 1 1 Ctenophorus maculatus Spotted Military Dragon 2 Ctenophorus nuchalis Central Netted Dragon 1 Ctenophorus reticulatus Western Netted Dragon 8 7 6 2 5 1 2 Ctenophorus scutulatus 53 2 3 17 12 12 13 Moloch horridus Thorny Devil 6 Pogona minor 9 2 5 1 1 3 1 Boidae Antaresia stimsoni Stimson's Python 1 1 Carphodactylidae Nephrurus milii Barking Gecko 1 3 2 1 Diplodactylidae Strophurus elderi 1 Strophurus strophurus 1 2
Family Species Common Name on Malleefowl Search
Mt Gibs ATA Environmental 2007 Murchison Zinc1997 Ninox Mt Gibson Monitoring Coffey 2008 Yalgoo Ferrowest, Coffey 2008 Koolanooka Tingay, 1996 Koolanooka ATA Environmental, 2003 Koolanooka South,ATA Environmental 2004 Paynes Find, How and Cooper 2002 Gindalbie, Bamford 2007 Blue Hills Bamford 2007 Jasper Hill, Bamford 2007 Karara, Bamford 2007 Mungada, Bamford2007 Terrapod, Bamford 2007 Elapidae Brachyurophis approximans 1 Brachyurophis semifasciata 6 Demansia psammophis Yellow-faced Whipsnake 2 1 Demansia psammophis reticulata 1 Furina ornata Moon Snake 1 1 Parasuta monachus 8 2 3 1 Pseudechis australis Mulga Snake 3 2 1 Pseudonaja modesta Ringed Brown Snake 4 2 Pseudonaja nuchalis Gwardar 2 1 Simoselaps bertholdi Jan's Banded Snake 7 1 Suta fasciata Rosen's Snake 2 1 Gekkonidae Diplodactylus granariensis 38 1 1 Diplodactylus pulcher 53 17 4 38 5 3 2 Gehyra variegata X 134 33 13 9 19 3 2 Heteronotia binoei Bynoe's Gecko 78 23 12 8 1 4 Lucasium maini 11 Lucasium squarrosum 17 31 2 Oedura reticulata 12 Rhynchoedura ornata Beaked Gecko 31 37 2 1 Pygopodidae Delma australis 4 2 1 4 Delma butleri 1 Delma fraseri 4 Lialis burtonis 2 1
Family Species Common Name on Malleefowl Search
Mt Gibs ATA Environmental 2007 Murchison Zinc1997 Ninox Mt Gibson Monitoring Coffey 2008 Yalgoo Ferrowest, Coffey 2008 Koolanooka Tingay, 1996 Koolanooka ATA Environmental, 2003 Koolanooka South,ATA Environmental 2004 Paynes Find, How and Cooper 2002 Gindalbie, Bamford 2007 Blue Hills Bamford 2007 Jasper Hill, Bamford 2007 Karara, Bamford 2007 Mungada, Bamford2007 Terrapod, Bamford 2007 Pygopus nigriceps 30 2 5 Scincidae Cryptoblepharus buchananii 20 1 7 Cryptoblepharus plagiocephalus 4 Ctenotus mimetes 3 5 1 1 3 2 3 Ctenotus pantherinus Leopard Skink 1 1 1 Ctenotus schomburgkii 227 34 1 1 3 1 Ctenotus severus 23 4 Ctenotus uber 9 2 1 2 4 Cyclodomorphus branchialis 1 4 Egernia depressa Pygmy Spiny-tailed Skink 43 4 5 1 Egernia inornata 56 Egernia stokesii badia 13 3 Eremiascincus richardsonii Broad-banded Sand Swimmer 12 11 Hemiergis initialis 1 Lerista distinguenda X Lerista gerrardii 2 5 3 2 Lerista kingii 49 Lerista muelleri X 1 1 5 Lerista nichollsi 4 Menetia greyii X 66 6 2 4 5 8 Morethia butleri 8 2 1 1 1 Tiliqua occipitalis Western Bluetongue 3 Typhlopidae Ramphotyphlops australis 5
Family Species Common Name on Malleefowl Search
Mt Gibs ATA Environmental 2007 Murchison Zinc1997 Ninox Mt Gibson Monitoring Coffey 2008 Yalgoo Ferrowest, Coffey 2008 Koolanooka Tingay, 1996 Koolanooka ATA Environmental, 2003 Koolanooka South,ATA Environmental 2004 Paynes Find, How and Cooper 2002 Gindalbie, Bamford 2007 Blue Hills Bamford 2007 Jasper Hill, Bamford 2007 Karara, Bamford 2007 Mungada, Bamford2007 Terrapod, Bamford 2007 Ramphotyphlops waitii 4 Varanidae Varanus caudolineatus 14 9 3 1 Varanus gouldii Bungarra or Sand Monitor 21 5 2 Varanus panoptes Yellow-spotted Monitor 2 8 1 Varanus tristis Racehorse Monitor 6 1 1
References Alan Tingay and Assoc (1996) Vertebrate Fauna Koolanooka Mine Site Morawa . Unpublished report for Kingstream resources, NL. ATA Environmental (2004) Fauna Assessment Koolanooka South . Unpublished report for Mount Gibson Mining Ltd, Perth. ATA Environmental (2004) Fauna Assessment Koolanooka . Unpublished report for Midwest Corporation Ltd, Perth. Bamford Consulting Ecologists (2007) Fauna Values of Gindalbie Metals' Karara and Mungada Hematite/Magnetite Projects . Unpublished report for Woodman Environmental Consulting Pty Ltd, Perth Coffey Environments (2008) Vertebrate Fauna Survey Yalgoo Iron Ore Project . Unpublished report for Ferrowest Ltd, Perth. Coffey Environments (2008) Baseline Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Assessment Results for Mount Gibson . Unpublished report for Extension Hill Pty Ltd Perth. How R A and Cooper N K (2002) Vertebrate survey of the Paynes Find Sandplain, Yalgoo Bioregion . Unpublished report NTVBE/2002/BF2 to the WH and M Butler Fund. Ninox Wildlife Consulting (1997) Vertebrate Fauna of the Murchison Zinc Project Area. Unpublished report for John Consulting Services, Perth.