Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

Buck Reef West Project – Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

Prepared for Carpentaria Gold Pty Ltd

April 2017

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

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Project Name Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment Project Number 17BRI-6412 Ailsa Kerswell Project Manager 07 3503 7191 Suite 1 / 471 Adelaide St Brisbane Qld 4000 Prepared by Robert Browne-Cooper, Ailsa Kerswell Reviewed by Rodney Armistead Approved by Miles Yeates Status Final

Version Number 2

Last saved on 27 April 2017

This report should be cited as ‘Eco Logical Australia 2017. Buck Reef West Project Terrestrial Ecology Assessment. Prepared for Carpentaria Gold.’

Disclaimer This document may only be used for the purpose for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the contract between Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd and Carpentaria Gold. The scope of services was defined in consultation with Carpentaria Gold, by time and budgetary constraints imposed by the client, and the availability of reports and other data on the subject area. Changes to available information, legislation and schedules are made on an ongoing basis and readers should obtain up to date information. Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon this report and its supporting material by any third party. Information provided is not intended to be a substitute for site specific assessment or legal advice in relation to any matter. Unauthorised use of this report in any form is prohibited.

Template 29/9/2015

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

Contents

1 Introduction ...... 1 1.1 Background...... 1 1.2 Project overview ...... 1 1.3 Scope and objectives ...... 1

2 Methods ...... 3 2.1 Desktop assessment ...... 3 2.1.1 Database searches ...... 3 2.1.2 Previous studies ...... 3 2.2 Field surveys...... 5 2.2.1 Target species ...... 5 2.2.2 Survey method ...... 5 2.2.3 Incidental sightings ...... 9 2.3 Data analysis ...... 9 2.4 Significant impact assessments ...... 9

3 Results ...... 12 3.1 Ghost Bat surveys ...... 12 3.1.1 Bioacoustic recording ...... 12 3.1.2 Harp-trapping ...... 14 3.1.3 Targeted searches ...... 15 3.1.4 Conclusion ...... 16 3.2 Black-throated Finch ...... 17 3.3 Squatter Pigeon ...... 17 3.4 Incidental fauna sightings ...... 17

4 Impact assessment ...... 19 4.1 Ghost Bat ...... 19 4.1.1 Species overview ...... 19 4.1.2 Ghost Bat in the study area ...... 20 4.1.3 Potential impacts ...... 21 4.1.4 Management and mitigation measures ...... 22 4.1.5 Conclusion ...... 22 4.2 Black-throated Finch (southern) ...... 22 4.2.1 Species overview ...... 23 4.2.2 Black-throated Finch in the study area ...... 23 4.2.3 Potential impacts ...... 24 4.2.4 Management and mitigation measures ...... 24

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

4.2.5 Conclusion ...... 25 4.3 Significant residual impact ...... 25

References ...... 26

Desktop searches...... 28

Survey effort ...... 29

Fauna species list ...... 32

Likelihood of occurrence tables ...... 36

Anabat recording results ...... 40

Harp trapping photographs ...... 41

List of figures

Figure 1: Study area and location ...... 2

Figure 2: Survey sites ...... 10

Figure 3: Survey effort ...... 11

Figure 4: Habitat values ...... 18

List of tables

Table 1: Summary of previous surveys ...... 4

Table 2: Summary of harp trapping surveys ...... 6

Table 3: Criteria for Black-throated Finch habitat values ...... 8

Table 4: Criteria for Squatter Pigeon habitat values ...... 8

Table 5: Weather observations from Charters Towers (closest Bureau of Meteorology weather station) ...... 12

Table 6: Results of Anabat analysis ...... 13

Table 7: Harp trapping and target search results ...... 15

Table 8: Data for four key Queensland Ghost Bat populations ...... 19

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

Abbreviations

Abbreviation Description

ALA Atlas of Living Australia

BRWP Buck Reef West Project

DEHP The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection

DoEE The Department of the Environment and Energy

EIS Environmental Impact Statement

ELA Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd

EPBC Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

MNES Matters of National Environmental Significance

NC Act Nature Conservation Act 1992

RE Regional Ecosystem

SEIS Supplementary Environmental Impact Statement

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

1 Introduction

1.1 Background Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd (ELA) has been engaged by Carpentaria Gold Pty Ltd to provide a terrestrial ecology assessment for the proposed open cut gold mine expansion in Ravenswood, North Queensland, known as the Ravenswood Expansion Project, of which, the Buck Reef West Project (BRWP) is a component. Carpentaria Gold is seeking approval to expand the proposed Buck Reef West open pit to allow continuation of mining operations for the Ravenswood Expansion Project.

A number of terrestrial ecology assessments have been undertaken to support the broader Ravenswood Expansion Project, in particular for the Sarsfield Expansion Project. Some of the results of these assessments are also relevant to this assessment and have been used as appropriate. Further ecological field survey and assessment focusing on fauna has also been undertaken for this study to ensure there is a rigorous understanding of the values of the site and the potential impact of the BRWP.

1.2 Project overview The principal aim of the BRWP is to recommence mining at the decommissioned Buck Reef West mine site. The Mine lies adjacent to the historic mining town of Ravenswood, located 125 km south west of Townsville and 65 km east of Charters Towers in Queensland. The mine, in its current form has been in operation since 1987. The BRWP mainly involves the excavation of a new open pit and associated waste rock dump as well as a road diversion. The BRWP area has previously been subject to small scale underground and open pit mining. The BRWP is expected to contribute to the currently approved processing rate of approximately 5 Mtpa of ore with a Life of Mine (LoM) of approximately 5 years. Combined with the other components of the Ravenswood Expansion Project, the BRWP will extend the LoM up to 2029. The BRWP is set to produce a higher grade of ore than other components of the Ravenswood Expansion Project.

Resolute Mining Limited (ASX:RSG) (“Resolute”) is the proponent for the BRWP. It is an ASX listed developer and operator of gold mines in Australia and Africa with over 25 years’ continuous production. Resolute is one of the largest Australian gold miners having produced in excess of 7 Moz of gold from nine gold mines since 1989.

The proposed mine plan for BRWP, including the study area for this assessment is displayed in Figure 1.

1.3 Scope and objectives The objective of this scope of work is to provide a thorough understanding of the terrestrial ecology values of the BRWP study area and any associated potential impacts. The results of previous surveys and understanding of the site are summarised below, and support a rationale for this study to focus on the following species:

 Macroderma gigas (Ghost Bat)  Poephila cincta cincta (Black-throated Finch (southern sub-species))  Geophaps scripta scripta (Squatter Pigeon (southern sub-species))

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

Figure 1: Study area and location

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

2 Methods

2.1 Desktop assessment A desktop assessment and review of previous ecological studies, environmental databases, maps and associated literature was undertaken to evaluate the existing data and identify the potential presence of Commonwealth listed Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) and State listed Matters of State Environmental Significance (MSES) within the study area.

2.1.1 Database searches The following databases were reviewed to assess the potential for MNES and MSES to occur within the study area (refer to Appendix A):

 Protected Matters Search Tool  Wildlife Online  Regional Ecosystem (RE) mapping  Queensland geological digital data, Clermont mapping tile (DNRM, 2012)  Isaac-Comet land-systems mapping (CSIRO, 1967)  Referrable Wetland mapping  Essential Habitat mapping  BirdLife Australia Atlas  Atlas of Living Australia  Water storage points GIS data  Aerial photography  Approved Conservation Advice, National Recovery Plans and Survey Guidelines for MNES species occurring within the project area

The desktop assessment also informed potential survey sites for threatened species.

2.1.2 Previous studies Two terrestrial ecology assessments have been undertaken for the Sarsfield Expansion Project in the last six years. These include field programs undertaken by:

 3D Environmental (2012) in 2011 – 2012 associated with the Sarsfield Expansion Project EIS and SEIS; and  Eco Logical Australia (2016 b,c) in 2016 to support the approval applications to expand the Sarsfield and Nolans open pits to allow continuation of mining operations at the Ravenswood Gold Mine.

Both field surveys included an assessment of the BRWP study area and provide important regional context for this assessment. Eco Logical Australia (2016a) also undertook a desktop analysis to update the results of the 3D Environmental impact assessment report, taking account of the 2016 field survey results and to consider species listing (and de-listing) on the EPBC and NC Acts since 2014.

The results of the previous assessments within the BRWP study area are summarised in Table 1. These, along with the results of survey in the broader region have been used to develop the specific survey methodology for the BRWP .

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology A s s e s s m e n t

Table 1: Summary of previous surveys

Method and results within BRWP study area Considerations from surveys in broader region (i.e. Sarsfield Previous study Expansion Project study area)

3D Environmental (2012) Vegetation mapping – BRWP study area mapped as non-remnant No threatened ecological communities or endangered/or concern Quaternary site assessments – 2 sites within BRWP study area Regional Ecosystems mapped recorded as exotic/non-remnant vegetation Squatter Pigeon, Black-throated Finch and Koala assessed as Anabat recording – one anabat deployed within BRWP study area; ‘potentially’ occurring within the SEP study area three bat species recorded (Yellow-bellied Sheathtailed Bat; Squatter Pigeon was recorded however the subspecies could not Northern Freetail Bat; Little Northern Freetail Bat) be positively identified

Eco Logical Australia (2016 Rapid assessment of vegetation – confirmed BRWP study area is Confirmed no threatened ecological communities or endangered/or a,b,c) non-remnant vegetation; highly degraded environment (historical concern Regional Ecosystems mapped and threatened flora Wet season survey disturbance, weeds and erosion) species unlikely to be present Dry season survey Active searches for threatened fauna (one site) – no threatened Recorded Squatter Pigeon and its habitat within SEP project area fauna recorded Gap analysis Recorded potential call Ghost Bat call within the existing (disused) Habitat assessments for BTF and Squatter Pigeon (one site) – BRW pit BRWP study area provides some low value habitat for BTF Observed low to high value habitat for BTF in SEP study area Observed limited Koala habitat along Sandy Creek

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

2.2 Field surveys

2.2.1 Target species Based on the results of the previous assessments described above, this survey focused specifically on determining the presence, site usage and habitat value of the BRWP study area for the following species:

 Macroderma gigas (Ghost Bat)  Poephila cincta cincta (Black-throated Finch (southern sub-species))  Geophaps scripta scripta (Squatter Pigeon (southern sub-species))

Whilst the methodology focussed on the target species, other vertebrate fauna species were recorded as a result of opportunistic observations, calls, and hand searching. These are reported on below.

2.2.2 Survey method Surveys were conducted in accordance with relevant State and Commonwealth guidelines for each species. Survey sites are illustrated in Figure 2 whilst survey effort is provided in Appendix B. Across the study area, the following survey techniques were employed:

 Two hectare targeted fauna searches  Habitat assessments  Deployment of motion-sensitive cameras  Nocturnal searches (spotlighting)  Deployment of bioacoustic bat recorders  Harp trapping for microbats  Dusk and pre-dawn mine shaft watches  Targeted searches for bats and prey within disused mine shaft  Targeted searches for the remains of entangled bats along barbed wire fences  Dawn bird surveys incl. active listening (i.e. birds being identified by direct sightings and from their calls)  Opportunistic fauna observations  Hand searching (targeting reptiles)

Specific methodology for each target species is described below and maps of survey sites and tracks provided in Figure 2 and Figure 3.

Ghost Bat Surveys targeting the Ghost Bat were conducted in accordance with the Targeted Species Survey Guidelines – Ghost Bat (Macroderma gigas) (Hourigan. 2011).

Bioacoustic detection using Anabats was undertaken on four nights using three devices. The species has low intensity calls (28.5-36.5 kHZ) and in order for acoustic detection to be effective, microphones were placed within < 5 – 7m of potential habitat features to increase the likelihood of recording the species. Sixteen recording sessions were undertaken, including three ‘shaft watch’ sessions adjacent to mine shafts (1 hour each); three active search (spotlighting) sessions (1 hour each); one day-time session where the detector was carried into a shaft (30 min); and nine over-night sessions where the detectors were deployed in static locations (approx. 10-12 hours per recorder per night).

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

Active searches consisting of 10 hours included dusk, pre-drawn and nocturnal surveys. As per the survey guidelines, active searches were undertaken using both spotlights and hand-held acoustic detectors. Roost searches were undertaken within the disused mine shaft for both Ghost Bats and evidence of their prey (e.g. skeletal remains of frogs, lizards, birds (species that perch at night), small terrestrial mammals and other microbats). Additional daytime surveys were also undertaken along barbed wire fence lines, to search for entangled animals and the skeletal remains of bats that had been trapped.

Harp-trapping was undertaken over four nights (total of 5 full trap nights; 2 partial trap nights – trapping abandoned due to rain). Full details are provided in Table 2.

Harp net traps were set at four locations across the study area (Figure 2 and Table 2). The habitat at each location varied from a small creek, the track cutting into the existing (disused) BRW pit and at the entrance of the portal shaft. Harp nets were set at these locations because it was determined that they could be microbat flyways (creek line and cutting) or could provide roosting habitat (portal).

Surveys outside of the existing (disused) BRW pit were discontinued after the first survey night, as the majority of microbats observed during the nocturnal searches were seen flying over the top of the vegetation (approximately 5 – 10 m above the ground). Therefore, any further ground level harp net surveys were deemed to be ineffective in capturing these microbats.

To survey microbats that were using the portal shaft to roost, forage and/or seek refuge, both harp nets were positioned across the shaft entrance. Surveys did not commence until the ecologists were satisfied they had a reasonably understanding of the number of microbats present in the shaft and therefore that trapping could be undertaken ethically.

Surveys were conducted at the portal entrance on the 22 and 23 March. On the 22 March, both harp nets were closed after three hours due to heavy rain and all animals were released immediately after capture. A full night survey effort was undertaken over the 23 March, with nets being cleared twice overnight. Numerous individuals of non-target species (i.e. not Ghost Bats nor other threatened species) were captured and a sub-set identified, weighted and sexed.

Motion-sensitive cameras were also deployed outside the entrance to the mine shafts. The aim of the motion-sensitive cameras was to capture images of the large-sized Ghost Bats as they flew from or into the shaft and / or reacted to the harp nets set in front of the shaft.

Table 2: Summary of harp trapping surveys

Trap location # Date Harp net trap Location, habitat type and aim of survey (Figure 2) (overnight) survey effort

This harp net was set in a small creek with low banks that were surrounded by moderate sized Eucalyptus spp. and 20 – 21 One trap 1 Corymbia spp. This net was set to detect microbats, Mar night including Ghost Bats that might be foraging among creek lines

This harp net was set in the existing (disused) BRW pit with 20 – 21 One trap the aim of detecting microbats, including any Ghost Bats, 2 Mar night leaving (and assumed to be using) the portal and / or microbats foraging in the pit area

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

Trap location # Date Harp net trap Location, habitat type and aim of survey (Figure 2) (overnight) survey effort This harp net was set in the track cutting that accesses the existing (disused) BRW pit. It was used to detect those 21 – 22 One trap 3 microbats, including the Ghost Bats leaving (therefore using) Mar night the portal and exiting the pit area by flying through the access cutting

Six hours Two harp nets were set to block the entrance of the portal trapping (3 shaft. The aim of setting the harp nets in this location was to hours; 2 determine which microbats were using the portal to roost, for 4 22 Mar traps)* refuge and / or to forage. The main aim of this component of the survey was determine whether Ghost Bats were exiting or entering the shaft

Two trap 23 – 24 nights (1 4 As above for trap location 4. Mar night; 2 traps)

*For animal welfare considerations, the harp net traps were closed due to rain.

Black-throated Finch Targeted Black-throated Finch surveys were conducted to determine potential occurrence of this species as well as the presence of suitable habitat. In particular, Eucalypt woodland patches (where present) were targeted to search for finch nesting activity.

Surveys targeted the three key resources critical for the Black-throated Finches survival and breeding. These include; water sources, grassy woodlands and trees that have the potential to provide suitable nesting habitat (SEWPAC 2009). The surveys focused on these three elements and were conducted in accordance with the Significant Impact Guidelines for the Endangered Black- throated Finch (southern) (Poephila cincta cincta) (SEWPAC 2009), utilising a variety of methods throughout the study area including:

 Targeted surveys  Habitat assessments  2 hectare searches  Early morning searches and listening for calling finches  Nest searches in in suitable woodland habitat (where present)  Opportunistic observations during all survey activities

Surveys were conducted over 5 consecutive days.

Habitat values for the Black-throated Finch were based on the criteria in Table 3.

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

Table 3: Criteria for Black-throated Finch habitat values

Indicator Very high High Moderate Low Very low

Condition Remnant with Remnant with Mature Immature Non remnant minimal low disturbance regrowth / regrowth / disturbance (e.g. grazing, moderately mature occasional disturbed regrowth with weeds) remnant (e.g. dense weeds / heavy grazing, highly disturbed dense weeds) remnant (e.g. heavy grazing, dense weeds)

Ground cover Moderate (41- Dense (76 - Sparse (15 - Very sparse Bare 75%) 90%) 40%) (<15%) / very dense (>90%)

Grass species Multiple dietary Multiple dietary Single dietary Single dietary No dietary species species species species rarely species present commonly occasionally commonly occurring occurring occurring occurring / Multiple dietary species rarely occurring

Water <400m <400m 400m - 3km 3 - 5km to water >5km to water permanent ephemeral ephemeral water water / 400m - water 3km permanent water

Breeding <3km confirmed <3km 3 - 5km breeding site unconfirmed breeding site breeding site

Squatter Pigeon Targeted Squatter Pigeon surveys were conducted to determine potential occurrence of this species as well as the presence of suitable habitat. Random meanders, waterhole watches, motion detection surveillance cameras and habitat assessments were used to target species presence and associated habitat. Surveys were conducted over 5 consecutive days.

Habitat values for the Squatter Pigeon were based on the criteria in Table 4.

Table 4: Criteria for Squatter Pigeon habitat values

Indicator Breeding Foraging

Landform Breeding habitat occurs on stony rises Any remnant or regrowth open-forest to occurring on sandy or gravelly soils sparse, open-woodland dominated by Eucalyptus, Corymbia, Acacia or Callitris species, on sandy or gravelly soils

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

Distance to water Within 1km of ephemeral wetland, Within 3km of ephemeral wetland, permanent water source or watercourse > permanent water source or watercourse > stream order 3 stream order 3

2.2.3 Incidental sightings Incidental fauna observations were recorded while travelling through the study area and between survey sites. The species were identified and recorded.

2.3 Data analysis Bioacoustic data from three Anabats was analysed by Balance Environmental (Appendix E). Balance Environmental identified the species making the calls recorded during this survey by manually comparing the recorded spectrograms with reference calls collected during other northern Queensland microbat surveys and / or from published call descriptions (Rienhold et al. 2001; Milne 2002 and Penny et al. 2004).

Habitat values for Black-throated Finch and Squatter Pigeon were determined as per the criteria above.

2.4 Significant impact assessments Potential impacts to the identified threatened species were assessed in accordance with relevant significant impact guidelines issued by the Department of the Environment and Energy (DoEE) and the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (DEHP).

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

Figure 2: Survey sites

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

Figure 3: Survey effort

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

3 Results

Field surveys were undertaken over 5 days (20 – 24 March 2017) by two qualified fauna ecologists. Weather conditions during the surveys are presented in Table 5. On-site rainfall patterns varied, with heavy rain overnight on 22 March, which lead to the abandonment of harp trapping. In general, however, conditions were considered suitable for undertaking the required surveys.

Table 5: Weather observations from Nolans Weather Station

Date Min temperature (oC) Max temperature (oC) Rainfall (mm)

Mon 20 March 23.6 37.0 0

Tues 21 March 24.0 36.4 3

Wed 22 March 23.3 36.9 13

Thurs 23 March 23.4 27.4 8

Fri 24 March 23.2 36.3 1.5

The entire study area has undergone a large amount of historical disturbance due to previous mining activities. The study area is covered with exotic and non-remnant vegetation, including high numbers of weedy shrubs (predominantly Chinee Apple) and exotic grasses. There are also areas of Eucalypt plantings. There is a high level of erosion across the site and in particular within the drainage gullies. Overall, the site provides low quality habitat for threatened species. Notwithstanding, the site supports a range of common fauna species as described in Section 3.4 below.

3.1 Ghost Bat surveys Due to the previously recorded potential Ghost Bat record south of the BRWP study area (Eco Logical Australia 2016a), surveys targeting Ghost Bats were a primary focus of the field assessment.

3.1.1 Bioacoustic recording More than 11,000 microbat calls were recorded over the four night survey period. The number of calls recorded per recording session varied greatly, ranging from 125 or fewer call sequences during the active sessions (searches) to between 1000 and 5000 sequences for the static deployments (overnight). At least 13 species were recorded during the surveys, with another three species (including the Ghost Bat) also possibly present but not reliably identified (Refer to Table 6).

Calls recorded outside of shafts were representative of a broader cross-section of the echolocating bat community occurring in the study area. Records from these sessions included species likely to be roosting in the nearby shafts and abandoned buildings along with a number of hollow-dependent species that would be foraging over, but not necessarily roosting in, the study area. A notable record in these data was that of Little Pied Bat (Chalinolobus picatus), which would be near the northern limit of its geographic range here.

The majority of the call sequences recorded in quarry portal shaft was attributable to just one species, the cave dwelling Miniopterus orianae oceanensis (Eastern Bent-winged Bat). Calls from

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

Rhinolophus megaphyllus (Eastern Horseshoe Bat) were also prominent from this roost site. In addition, a small number of positively identified calls came from two other cave dwelling bats – Vespadelus troughtoni (Eastern Cave Bat) and M. australis (Little Bent-winged Bat). Whilst, a small number of infrequent calls were possibly attributable to another cave dwelling species Taphozous troughtoni (Troughton’s Sheath-tailed Bat). However, due to similarities in call profiles with other microbats that were recorded during this survey, these calls were not definitively identified. A notable record in these data was that of Chalinolobus picatus (Little Pied Bat), which is near the northern limit of its geographic range at this location.

A number of calls potentially attributable to the Ghost Bat were recorded during the mine-shaft deployments, however, the species could not be reliably identified. The calls were recorded in the quarry portal shaft (Refer to Figure 4), which is currently flooded and providing a limited amount of roosting habitat. The calls in question were of low amplitude (i.e. weak), with almost-vertical, linear pulses that occupied two distinct frequency ranges (ca. 80-35 kHz sweep or ca. 45-20 kHz sweep). The higher frequency call patterns looked not unlike the calls of Large-footed Myotis, which could be present in the study area and is known to also roost in mine shafts. The lower band-width calls largely fell within identifiable Eastern Bent-winged Bat calls, and it is considered possible that the low-amplitude, low-frequency, linear pulses may simply be part of that species’ repertoire (e.g. they could be pre-emergence orientation calls near a shaft entrance).

Calls recorded outside of shafts were representative of a broader cross-section of the echolocating bat community occurring in the study area. Records from these sessions included species likely to be roosting in the nearby shafts and abandoned buildings, as identified above, along with a number of hollow-dependent species that would be foraging over, but not necessarily roosting in, the study area. Again, this included the Little Pied Bat (Chalinolobus picatus), which is near the northern limit of its geographic range at this location.

Table 6: Results of Anabat analysis

Scientific name Common name Comment incl. roosting and foraging behaviour*

White-striped Free-tailed Roosts in tree hollows Austronomus australis Bat

Chaerephon jobensis Northern Freetail Bat Roosts in tree hollows, mostly in hollow spouts

Chalinolobus gouldii Gould's Wattled Bat Roosts in tree hollows

Chalinolobus nigrogriseus Hoary Wattled Bat Roosts in tree hollows, rock ledges and buildings

Cave dwelling species Chalinolobus picatus Little Pied Bat Study area close to northern limit of geographic range

Not definitive call identification Macroderma gigas Ghost Bat Cave dwelling species Listed as vulnerable under EPBC and NC Acts

Miniopterus australis Little Bent-winged Bat Cave dwelling species

Miniopterus orianae Eastern Bent-winged Bat Cave dwelling species oceanensis

Northern or Beccari's Mormopterus lumsdenae Roosts in tree hollows Freetail Bat

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

Eastern or Ride’s Free- Mormopterus ridei Roosts in tree hollows tailed Bat

Not definitive call identification Myotis macropus Large-footed Myotis Cave and hollow bearing tree dwelling species

Eastern Long-eared Bat, Nyctophilus spp. (possibly Lesser Long-eared Bat N. bifax, N. geoffroyi and / or Roost in tree hollows and / or Gould’s Long- N. gouldi eared Bat

Rhinolophus megaphyllus Eastern Horseshoe Bat Cave dwelling species

Yellow-bellied Sheath- Saccolaimus flaviventris Tree hollows tailed Bat

Little Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens spp. (possibly and / or Northern Broad- Roost in tree hollows S. greyi and / or S. sanborni) nosed Bat

Troughton's Sheath- Not definitive call identification Taphozous troughtoni tailed Bat Cave dwelling species

Vespadelus troughtoni Eastern Cave Bat Cave dwelling species *Roosting and foraging behaviour references: Churchill 2008; Kutt et al 2008a; Lumsden et al 2002

3.1.2 Harp-trapping Harp trapping was undertaken in various locations across the study area, but concentrated on the area around the portal mine shaft where high densities of bats were observed accessing the shaft. Trapping at locations away from the portal (in the creek and within the existing BRW pit) did not capture any individuals. Subsequent trapping at the portal entrance captured numerous microbats across two nights.

Trapping on 22 March was undertaken for 3 hours (2 traps) and then subsequently abandoned due to heavy rain. While traps were deployed 12 Eastern Bentwing Bats and / or Little Bentwing Bats (Miniopterus sp.) were captured. Positive identification of these species require mass and bone measurement, which were not undertaken due to rain and consequent animal welfare considerations. One Eastern Horseshoe Bat was also captured and released.

Trapping on 23 – 24 March was undertaken for an entire overnight sampling period. Overnight 128 Eastern Bentwing Bats and / or Little Bentwing Bats (Miniopterus sp.) and one Eastern Horseshoe Bat were captured and released. A sub-section of the Miniopterus sp. were processed to record forearm length, and confirmed that both species were present. The gender of ten individuals was assessed and included seven males and three females, suggesting that the portal supports breeding habitat for the Miniopterus species.

Results of harp trapping are presented for each site/night in Table 7. Photographs of locations and trap set up are provided in Appendix F.

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

3.1.3 Targeted searches Targeted searches for the Ghost Bat were undertaken across the study area and included spotlighting, monition-detecting cameras, roost searches within a disused mine shaft (for bats and discarded prey items), daytime searches for prey species and daytime searches for skeletal remains along barbed wire fencing.

No individuals of the Ghost Bat were observed during any of the surveys, including the roost and wire searches. No skeletal remains of prey were found in the mine shaft. No Ghost Bat images were recorded on the two motion-sensitive cameras set during harp trapping.

The Yellow-bellied Sheathtail Bat (Saccolaimus flaviventris), with which the Ghost Bat may be mistakenly identified was observed during the field assessments.

Table 7: Harp trapping and target search results

Trap location # Date Survey results (Figure 4) (overnight)

No microbats were captured in harp traps. 20 – 21 March 1 Microbats were seen flying beneath a nearby road culvert as well as 2017 over the top of the tree canopy (5 to 10 m above the ground).

No microbats were captured in harp traps. During the evening fly-out visual and hand held anabat surveys at the 20 – 21 March portal, numerous microbats were observed flying in and out of the 2 2017 shaft. Many other microbats were seen and / or recorded on the anabat recorders flying overhead in the pit and across the water in the existing BRW pit (5 to 10 m above the ground).

No microbats were captured in harp traps. Numerous microbats were recorded flying from the portal shaft. Many others were seen and / or recorded on anabat recorders flying 21 - 22 March overhead (5 to 10 m above the ground) within the existing BRW pit. 3 2017 This includes one Yellow-Bellied Sheathtail Bat, which with its white underbelly can be confused with Ghost Bats. Analysis of call data at the time showed that the observed bat was a Yellow-bellied Sheathtail Bat.

Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

Trap location # Date Survey results (Figure 4) (overnight) Twelve (12) Eastern Bentwing Bat and / or Little Bentwing Bat were captured in harp traps. No bone or mass measurements were taken of any of the captured animals due to the rain (and animal welfare considerations). Therefore, positive identification was not possible. One Eastern Horseshoe Bat also captured and released.

All bats were released immediately into the portal shaft and the traps 22 March 2017 were closed for the remainder night, once ecologists were certain that all microbats had been released.

Several larger microbats were seen flying above the portal while clearing the captured bats from the harp nets. Spotlighting and hand held anabat surveys were not conducted on this night. This is due to 4 the sensitivity of the anabat microphones to water.

128 Eastern Bentwing Bats and / or Little Bentwing Bats (Miniopterus sp.) and one Eastern Horseshoe Bat were captured and released. A sub-section of the Miniopterus sp. were processed to record forearm length, and confirmed that both species were present. The gender of 23 – 24 March ten individuals that was assessed included seven males and three 2017 females.

Several microbat were seen flying within the pit during the spotlight surveys. However, all anabat recorders had been set elsewhere, therefore these foraging microbats were not positively identified.

3.1.4 Conclusion Collectively, the results of the survey suggest that there is potential for the Ghost Bat to occur within the study area. The study area is within the species known distribution, there is suitable roost habitat (quarry portal shaft and other shafts) and the presence of prey-species. Potential calls from the Ghost Bat were also recorded at two sites during the field assessment. However, as there were no individuals were overserved and only few potential calls recorded, it is suggested that individuals may be using the site periodically and in low numbers.

Outside of breeding season, Ghost Bat colonies disperse from permanent roosts and use a range of ‘day roosts’ including caves, rock shelters, overhangs, vertical cracks, and mines. They will utilise a large number of these during a year (Hourigan 2011). Dispersed groups are small, usually a single pair (Hourigan 2011). Based on these ecological features of the species, and the field survey results, it is likely that the BRWP study area is used as a ‘day roost’ for a small dispersed group/pair.

Both foraging and roosting habitat (in particular the disused mine shafts) for the species is available within the study area. Furthermore, the substantial number of microbat bats that were recorded near to or at the entrance of the shaft, show that there is an ample food resource present in the study area for the Ghost Bat. This large carnivorous microbat is known to prey on Bentwing Bats, Horseshoe Bats and Sheath-tail Bats (Richards et al 2008), all of which were recorded in the study area.

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3.2 Black-throated Finch No Black-throated Finches were observed during the survey, nor was any evidence of species presence (e.g. nests). This is consistent with the results of surveys across the larger region (i.e. SEP study area; Eco Logical Australia 2016a).

Habitat values for this species were assessed at 11 sites across the study area and at all sites, habitat was determined to be of low to very low quality. The limiting factor for the Black-throated Finch in the study area appears to be the lack of permanent water in proximity to large areas of foraging habitat. Potential foraging habitat in the study area is limited by historical habitat disturbance and weed incursion. This is also consistent with previous survey results.

Three other finch species were observed during the field survey (Zebra Finch, Double-barred Finch, Plum-headed Finch). These species were foraging within areas of degraded re-growth grassland. Grass species within these areas include both native and exotic species as listed below. This included one species of grass that is a known Black-throated Finch food species.

 Aristida spp.  Bothriochloa ewartiana (Forest Bluegrass)  Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel Grass) – exotic  Enneapogan spp.  Fimbristylis spp.  Panicum decompositum – BTF food species  Sporobolus caroli (Fairy Grass)

Collectively, these results suggest there are some areas of low quality habitat for the Black-throated Finch within the study area, however there is no evidence to suggest the species is currently present within the study area or surrounds.

3.3 Squatter Pigeon No Squatter Pigeons were observed during the survey. Site-based habitat assessments and general observations across the study area determined there is no suitable habitat present for this species. The area lacks alluvial sandy creeks supporting native eucalyptus woodlands, important to this species. This conclusion is also consistent with previous survey results. Therefore, it is considered unlikely that Squatter Pigeon is present in the study area.

3.4 Incidental fauna sightings One hundred (100) fauna species (9 frog species, 10 reptile species, 4 snakes, 45 bird species and 32 mammals) were identified throughout the study area whilst performing habitat assessments and targeted species surveys during field surveys (Appendix C).

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Figure 4: Habitat values

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4 Impact assessment

The results of this study conclude that the Ghost Bat is potentially present within the study area, and that there is some very low to low quality habitat present for Black-throated Finch. Consequently, an impact assessment has been undertaken for both these species. As both species are listed as MNES on the EPBC Act, the impact assessment has been undertaken according to the Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1 - Matters of National Environmental Significance (Commonwealth of Australia 2013) and any other relevant policy guidance.

4.1 Ghost Bat The Ghost Bat (Macroderma gigas) is listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act. The species overview below has been summarised from the Approved Conservation Advice for the Ghost Bat (TSSC 2016) and Targeted Species Survey Guidelines – Ghost Bat (Macroderma gigas) (Hourigan 2011).

4.1.1 Species overview The Ghost Bat is the largest of the microchiropteran (micro) bats in Australia. The species ranges across tropical Australia from the Pilbara to Queensland. In Queensland it is known from the east coast from Cape York to near Rockhampton (Mt Etna) and is also found in western Queensland with populations in the Riversleigh and Cammoweal area. Maintaining this species’ range is important as it has genetically distinct subpopulations.

The Queensland populations are located in four to five highly disjunct localities, hence their genetic distinction. Data is available for four of the five main colonies, and all are in decline with Lawn Hill thought to be extinct (Refer to Table 8). These sites are known as permanent roosts.

Table 8: Data for four key Queensland Ghost Bat populations

SUBPOPULATION PREVIOUS ESTIMATE RECENT ESTIMATE

Mt Etna 170 (2011/12 estimate) 40 (number of bats seen in 2013)

50 (inferred from multiple cave visits 2011- Cape Hillsborough 180 (2011/12 estimate) 2014)

Camoweal 160-180 (2013 estimate) 50-100

Kings Plains 167 (1995 direct count estimate) 108 (2014 direct count estimate)

Most of the colony disperses from permanent roosts during the non-breeding season in the cooler months. During this time Ghost Bats use caves, rock shelters, overhangs, vertical cracks, and mines during the year as day roosts. Dispersed groups are small, usually a single pair.

The Ghost Bat is carnivorous and feeds on smaller animals including frogs, lizards, birds (species that perch at night), small terrestrial mammals and other microbats. Tagging studies have shown that foraging areas have a mean size of 61 ha, with these areas on average 1.9 km from the daytime roost. Tagged bats generally returned to the same areas each night and require a range of cave sites.

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Threats to the Ghost Bat include:

 Habitat loss (destruction of, or disturbance to, roost sites and nearby areas) due to mining  Disturbance of (human visitation at) breeding sites  Modification to foraging habitat  Collision with fences, especially those with barbed wire  Collapse or reworking of old mine adits  Contamination by mining residue at roost sites  Disease  Poisoning by cane toads  Competition for prey with foxes and feral cats

Primary conservation actions listed in the approved conservation advice for the Ghost Bat are:

 Protect roost sites from mining, human disturbance and collapse; and  Replace the top strands of barbed wire in fences near roost sites with single-strand wire

4.1.2 Ghost Bat in the study area The Ghost Bat was a key target species for the fauna surveys in this assessment. A range of techniques were used to detect the species, and these met the requirements of the Targeted Species Survey Guidelines – Ghost Bat (Macroderma gigas) (Hourigan 2011).

Overall, the occurrence of the Ghost Bat within the BRWP study area cannot be confirmed, however there is the potential for it to be present. A potential Ghost Bat call was recorded in July 2016 within the existing (disused) BRW pit and most recently a number of calls potentially attributable to the Ghost Bat were recorded during the mine-shaft surveys.

A range of other searches for this species were undertaken across the site, including spotlighting (with hand-held call detectors), active roost searches (for bats, dung and prey remains), harp trapping and daytime searches for skeletal remains along fence lines. No individuals were detected nor was any evidence of dung or prey remains across the combined searches.

The above results are in contrast to the detection of other microchiropteran bat species, with the confirmed presence of at least 13 species via call recordings, sightings and capture during harp trapping. These results suggest that survey techniques and effort were suitable for detecting the presence of microbats within the study area. Whilst the Ghost Bat is acknowledged to be a species that is difficult to detect, the collective results suggest the species’ presence onsite is likely to be limited to a small number of individuals, who are using the site for foraging rather than a presence of a roosting colony. This is consistent with the ecology of the species, as Ghost bats are known to disperse widely and in small groups when not breeding and can forage across area of ~60 ha. They are also know to use a large number of ‘day roosts’ including cave and disused mine sites.

There are a number of suitable habitat features for the Ghost Bat across the BRWP study area. These includes at least four disused mine shafts (Refer to Figure 4) and vegetated areas where foraging individuals can perch in wait of prey. The species is carnivorous and feeds on a broad diet comprising small mammals including other bats, birds, reptiles, frogs and large insects (TSSC 2016). The BRWP study area was found to support a range of common fauna species, many of which form suitable prey for the Ghost Bat.

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4.1.3 Potential impacts

EPBC Ac key concepts This impact assessment is presented within the context of the key concepts commonly applied to assessments of vulnerable species under the EPBC Act and defined in Matters of National Environmental Significance Significant impact guidelines 1.1 (Commonwealth of Australia 2013). In particular, the concepts of an important population of a species and habitat critical to the survival of a species. These are discussed in relation to the Ghost Bat at the BRWP study area.

An ‘important population’ is a population that is necessary for a species’ long-term survival and recovery. This may include populations identified as such in recovery plans, and/or that are:

 Key source populations either for breeding or dispersal  Populations that are necessary for maintaining genetic diversity, and/or  Populations that are near the limit of the species range

In Queensland, known roosting populations can be considered key source populations for breeding and dispersal, as well as being critical for maintaining genetic diversity (given the genetic isolation of each population). These known roosting populations occur at Mt Eta, Cape Hillsborough, Camooweal and Kings Plains (conso advice) and are estimated to contain upwards of 40 individuals. The BRWP study area is hundreds of kilometres from each of these sites and the roosting habitat on site cannot be considered part of these key roosting sites.

The results of this and previous surveys suggest the presence of Ghost Bat at the BRWP study area is likely to be limited to a small number of individuals, who are using the site for foraging rather than a presence of a roosting colony. The study area is also within the central parts of the species’ geographic range. For these reasons it is not considered that there is an important population of Ghost Bat within the study area.

‘Habitat critical to the survival of a species or ecological community refers to areas that are necessary:

 For activities such as foraging, breeding, roosting, or dispersal  For the long-term maintenance of the species or ecological community (including the maintenance of species essential to the survival of the species or ecological community, such as pollinators)  To maintain genetic diversity and long term evolutionary development, or  For the reintroduction of populations or recovery of the species or ecological community.

As above, the known roosting areas can be considered habitat critical to the survival of the Ghost Bat. The BRWP study area provides some roosting and foraging habitat, however this is likely to be used by individuals that have core breeding colonies elsewhere. The foraging resources within the project area are well represented within the wider region. The disused mine shafts also provide roosting habitat, however do not appear to support large numbers of Ghost Bats, but are rather a few in a series of many ‘day roosts’ used by the species. There are numerous disused mine shafts in and around the Ravenswood area that would also provide suitable day roosting habitats. For these reasons it is not considered that the BRWP study area provides habitat critical to the survival of this species.

Impact assessment An action is likely to have a significant impact on a vulnerable species, such as the Ghost Bat if there is a real chance or possibility that it will:

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 Lead to a long-term decrease in the size of an important population of a species  Reduce the area of occupancy of an important population  Fragment an existing important population into two or more populations  Adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of a species  Disrupt the breeding cycle of an important population

As discussed above, the BRWP study area does not support an important population or habitat critical to the survival of this species, and therefore significant impacts of the types listed above are considered unlikely.

The BRWP is also unlikely to introduce or exacerbate issues with invasive species or disease. The study area has a over 140 year of disturbance history and invasive species are already established. These include foxes, feral cats and cane toads, which are known threats to the Ghost Bat. The BRWP is unlikely to further exacerbate these issues and therefore significant impacts stemming from pests and disease are considered unlikely.

The BRWP does have the potential to modify, destroy, remove or isolate or decrease the availability or quality of habitat for the Ghost Bat. However, this is unlikely to occur to the extent that the species will decline. There are four disused mine shafts within the study area that will be removed during the BRWP. This represents a loss of potential day roosting habitat. As discussed above, outside of breeding season and maternity key roosting sites, Ghost Bats utilise numerous day roosts. It is likely the disused mine shaft within the BRWP study area represents only one of many possible day roosting options in the region.

The BRWP study area also provides foraging habitat for the Ghost Bat, with the total area to decline with the development of the pit and mine rock waste dump. However, the overall habitat quality of the study area is low, with the long history of disturbance, weed invasion and erosion. There are large areas of better quality foraging habitat surrounding the BRWP study area. This species has been shown to have an average foraging area of ~60 ha and therefore, it is not considered that the removal of foraging habitat associated with the BRWP will lead to any decline in the population.

4.1.4 Management and mitigation measures There are a range of management and mitigation measures that can be implemented to mitigate risks to the Ghost Bat from the BRWP. These include:

 Ensuring the top strands of barbed wire in fences near roost sites are single-strand wire  Progressively destroying existing roosts i.e. old mine shafts during construction so that not all roosting habitat is destroyed at once. This will give bats an opportunity to relocate to other roosting sites  Employing measures to encourage bats to leave the roost immediately before the shafts are destroyed e.g. noise and disturbance similar to that used to disperse flying-fox colonies

4.1.5 Conclusion Based on the considerations discussed above, it is considered unlikely that the BRWP will have a significant impact on the Ghost Bat.

4.2 Black-throated Finch (southern) The Black-throated Finch (southern) is listed as endangered under the EPBC Act. The area around Townsville is considered to be a strong-hold for this species.

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4.2.1 Species overview The Black-throated Finch had a historic distribution from north-east New South Wales to Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands and west to central Queensland, however this distribution has now largely contracted to the northern part of this former range (DEWHA 2009). The southern subspecies remains locally common at sites near Townsville and Charters Towers, and small flocks continue to be seen scattered throughout the Brigalow Belt North and Desert Uplands bioregions of Queensland (BTFRT 2007).

There are no reliable estimates of the current extent of occurrence or the remaining population of the Black-throated Finch (SEWPaC 2009). It is thought that over the last 20 years as the extent of occurrence has contracted, the population size has also declined (BTFRT 2007).

The southern subspecies of the Black-throated Finch inhabits grassy open woodlands and forests, typically characterised by Eucalyptus, Corymbia, Acacia and Melaleuca (DEWHA 2009c). Within this habitat, Black-throated Finch requires access to three critical resources:

 Water;  Grass seeds; and  Trees providing suitable nesting habitat.

A lack of availability of any one of the above will seriously impact on an area’s ability to support Black-throated Finch, and it is thought availability of water and grass seed is more limiting than suitable nesting habitat (DEWHA 2009). Black-throated Finch has been known to nest in the hollow branch of a tree, or in a fork of a tree, shrub or sapling (SEWPaC 2009).

The decline in the Black-throated Finch is thought to have coincided with the advent of pastoralism in the early 20th century and the ongoing clearing of woodland and forest habitats (SEWPaC 2009). The National Recovery Plan for the Black-throated Finch southern subspecies (Poephila cincta cincta) (BTFRT 2007), identifies key threats to this southern subspecies, which include:

 Clearing and fragmentation of woodland and forest habitat, particularly riparian areas;  Degradation of habitat by domestic stock and feral animals;  Invasion of habitat by exotic weeds, including exotic grasses;  Alteration of habitat by changes in fire regime; and  Predation by feral animals.

4.2.2 Black-throated Finch in the study area Targeted wet season surveys and habitat assessments were undertaken both within the BRWP study area (this assessment) and more broadly in the region (Eco Logical Australia 2016a). Across both the BRWP study area and more broadly, there were no direct observations of the Black- throated Finch nor any indirect signs of the species. No nests were identified from previous breeding seasons during any of the field surveys.

There are some areas of low habitat quality for Black-throated Finch across the BRWP study area. This habitat was identified as regrowth vegetation and disturbed areas degraded by erosion and invasion of weed species including Chinee Apple, Rubber Vine and Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus). Some low quality regrowth grassland is present within the study area and contains at least one of Black-throated Finch food species.

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4.2.3 Potential impacts Significant impact thresholds have been determined for Black-throated Finch (SEWPaC 2009) and an assessment against the Significant impact guidelines for the endangered black-throated finch (southern) (Poephila cincta cincta) has been undertaken to determine whether the BRWPis likely to result in significant impacts to this species. Significant impacts to Black-throated Finch are considered likely if there is:

 Net loss or degradation of water sources (either permanent or seasonal)  Widespread or indiscriminate loss of trees, including known nesting trees within 1 km of a water source  A decrease in tree recruitment capacity which limits the area’s ability to be self-sustaining

The ephemeral waterways of Elphinstone Creek and its tributaries do not support riparian woodlands known to be preferred by Black-throated Finch (DoE, 2016). The small area of low quality habitat within 1 km of the waterways does not support significant native tree vegetation but is rather non- remnant regrowth and exotic species. There have been no nesting trees recorded within the study area or surrounds.

The areas of low quality habitat mapped across the BRWP study area have been mapped as regrowth grassland and open shrublands, and are interspersed with cleared and highly degraded areas. Given the levels of historical and current disturbance of the site, the current capacity for native tree recruitment is considered limited and that the area is not self-sustaining. Indeed, the only areas of Eucalypt vegetation across the study area are old rehabilitation areas associated with previous activities at the site, where the Eucalypts have been planted. Therefore, it is unlikely that the BRWP will further limit the area’s ability to have active tree recruitment and be self-sustaining.

Significant impacts to Black-throated Finch are also considered likely if there will be degradation of foraging habitat (grassland) where known Black-throated Finch records exist, including the intensification of biomass reduction or stocking rates. There are no know records of Black-throated Finch within the study area and grassland regrowth is considered to be of low quality for the species.

4.2.4 Management and mitigation measures There are a range of management and mitigation measures that can be implemented to improve the areas of low quality Black-throated Finch habitat adjacent to the BRWP area. Although potential impacts to the species are considered unlikely (see above), these measures can be implemented as part of sound environmental practice and will provide an overall benefit to the species, particularly when rolled out as part of a larger package of measures for the broader Ravenswood Extension Project.

Recommended measures include:

 Develop and implement a site specific weed management plan for BRWP. This plan should be periodically reviewed for effectiveness and updated, where required. The plan should include weed hygiene procedures to manage the spread of invasive weeds.  Conduct targeted and comprehensive weed inspections (monitoring plans) for the control of invasive weed species during construction and operation phases.  Ensure water quality for mine waters released into drainage network is within tolerances of baseline water quality  Minimise grazing in areas of Black-throated Finch habitat in areas under the management of Carpentaria Gold

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 Rehabilitation of mined areas should aim to reinstate species similar to those in RE 9.12.1b and especially use native grasses preferred by Black-throated Finch  Investigate the potential to place artificial watering points in Black-throated Finch habitat, where practical, to enhance areas of suitable habitat.

4.2.5 Conclusion Based on the considerations discussed above, it is considered unlikely that the BRWP will have a significant impact on the Black-throated Finch (southern).

4.3 Significant residual impact No significant residual impacts to MNES are likely to occur from the BRWP.

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References

3D Environmental (2012) Sarsfield Expansion Project Definitive Feasibility Study Environmental Impact Assessment – Resolute Mining Limited: Terrestrial Ecology Assessment.

Churchill, S. 2008. Australian Bats, Second Edition. New Holland Publishers.

Commonwealth of Australia 2013. Matters of National Environmental Significance Significant impact guidelines 1.1.

Threatened Species Scientific Committee [TSSC] (2016). Approved Conservation Advice for Macroderma gigas (ghost bat). Canberra: Department of the Environment. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/174-conservation-advice- 05052016.pdf. In effect under the EPBC Act from 05-May-2016

Department of the Environment (2016). Poephila cincta cincta in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of the Environment, Canberra. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat. Accessed Mon, 1 Aug 2016

Black-throated Finch Recovery Team (BTFRT), Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW) and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. 2007. National recovery plan for the black- throated finch southern subspecies Poephila cincta cincta. Report to the Department of the Environment and Water Resources, Canberra. Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW), Hurstville and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Brisbane.

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPAC 2009). Significant Impact Guidelines for the Endangered Black-throated Finch (southern) (Poephila cincta cincta) Background Paper. Australia Government, Canberra.

Hourigan, C. 2011. Ghost bat, Macroderma gigas. Targeted species survey guidelines. Queensland Herbarium, Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation, Brisbane.

Kutt. A. S. Milne. D. J. and Richards. G. C. (2008) Northern Free-tailed Bat Chaerephon jobensis (Miller, 1902). In van Dyck, S. and Strahan, R. (eds). The Mammals of Australia. Third Edition. Reed New Holland, Sydney.

Lumsden, L.F., Bennett, A.F., Silins, J.E., 2002. Location of roosts of the lesser long-eared bat Nyctophilus geoffroyi and Gould’s wattled bat Chalinolobus gouldii in a fragmented landscape in south-eastern Australia. Biological Conservation 106, 237–249.

Milne. D. J. (2002). Key to bat calls of the top end of the Northern Territory. Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory.

Richards, G. C., Hand. S., Armstrong. K. M., and Hall. L. S. (2008). Ghost Bat Macroderma gigas (Dobson, 1880). In van Dyck, S. and Strahan, R. (eds). The Mammals of Australia. Third Edition. Reed New Holland, Sydney.

Richards, G. C. (2008). Yellow-bellied Sheath-tailed Bat Saccolaimus flaviventris (Peters, 1867). In van Dyck, S. and Strahan, R. (eds). The Mammals of Australia. Third Edition. Reed New Holland, Sydney.

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Richards, G. C., Hand. S., Armstrong. K. M., and Hall. L. S. (2008a). Ghost Bat Macroderma gigas (Dobson, 1880). In van Dyck, S. and Strahan, R. (eds). The Mammals of Australia. Third Edition. Reed New Holland, Sydney.

Richards, G, C. Hoye, G. A., Lumsden, L. F., Law, B. S., and Milne. D. J. (2008). Large-footed Myotis Myotis macropus (Gould, 1855). In van Dyck, S. and Strahan, R. (eds). The Mammals of Australia. Third Edition. Reed New Holland, Sydney.

Richards, G, C., Reardon. T. B., and Pennay. M. (2008c). Little Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens greyii. (Gray, 1843). In van Dyck, S. and Strahan, R. (eds). The Mammals of Australia. Third Edition. Reed New Holland, Sydney.

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Wildlife Online Extract

Search Criteria: Species List for a Specified Point Species: Animals Type: All Status: All Records: All Date: Since 1980 Latitude: -20.1096 Longitude: 146.8890 Distance: 10 Email: [email protected] Date submitted: Thursday 30 Mar 2017 14:40:13 Date extracted: Thursday 30 Mar 2017 14:50:03 The number of records retrieved = 164

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As the DSITIA is still in a process of collating and vetting data, it is possible the information given is not complete. The information provided should only be used for the project for which it was requested and it should be appropriately acknowledged as being derived from Wildlife Online when it is used. The State of Queensland does not invite reliance upon, nor accept responsibility for this information. Persons should satisfy themselves through independent means as to the accuracy and completeness of this information. No statements, representations or warranties are made about the accuracy or completeness of this information. The State of Queensland disclaims all responsibility for this information and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs you may incur as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way for any reason.

Feedback about Wildlife Online should be emailed to [email protected] Kingdom Class Family Scientific Name Common Name I Q A Records animals amphibians Bufonidae Rhinella marina cane toad Y 13 animals amphibians Hylidae Litoria caerulea common green treefrog C 1 animals amphibians Hylidae Litoria wilcoxii eastern stony creek frog C 1 animals amphibians Hylidae Litoria inermis bumpy rocketfrog C 1 animals amphibians Hylidae Litoria rubella ruddy treefrog C 2 animals amphibians Hylidae Litoria latopalmata broad palmed rocketfrog C 2 animals amphibians Limnodynastidae Platyplectrum ornatum ornate burrowing frog C 3 animals birds Acanthizidae Gerygone fusca western gerygone C 1 animals birds Acanthizidae Smicrornis brevirostris weebill C 13 animals birds Acanthizidae Gerygone palpebrosa fairy gerygone C 6 animals birds Acanthizidae Gerygone olivacea white-throated gerygone C 11 animals birds Accipitridae Aquila audax wedge-tailed eagle C 4 animals birds Accipitridae Accipiter cirrocephalus collared sparrowhawk C 3 animals birds Accipitridae Milvus migrans black kite C 6 animals birds Accipitridae Haliastur sphenurus whistling kite C 6 animals birds Accipitridae Haliaeetus leucogaster white-bellied sea-eagle C 1 animals birds Acrocephalidae Acrocephalus australis Australian reed-warbler C 2 animals birds Anatidae Nettapus coromandelianus cotton pygmy-goose C 2 animals birds Anatidae Chenonetta jubata Australian wood duck C 1 animals birds Anatidae Anas superciliosa Pacific black duck C 2 animals birds Anatidae Cygnus atratus black swan C 2 animals birds Anatidae Aythya australis hardhead C 3 animals birds Anhingidae Anhinga novaehollandiae Australasian darter C 3 animals birds Ardeidae Ardea intermedia intermediate egret C 1 animals birds Ardeidae Ardea pacifica white-necked heron C 1 animals birds Ardeidae Egretta novaehollandiae white-faced heron C 1 animals birds Ardeidae Ardea alba modesta eastern great egret C 3 animals birds Artamidae Cracticus nigrogularis pied butcherbird C 17 animals birds Artamidae Cracticus tibicen Australian magpie C 18 animals birds Artamidae Strepera graculina pied currawong C 5 animals birds Artamidae Cracticus torquatus grey butcherbird C 15 animals birds Artamidae Artamus leucorynchus white-breasted woodswallow C 5 animals birds Cacatuidae Eolophus roseicapilla galah C 3 animals birds Cacatuidae Cacatua galerita sulphur-crested cockatoo C 10 animals birds Cacatuidae Calyptorhynchus banksii red-tailed black-cockatoo C 4 animals birds Campephagidae Coracina novaehollandiae black-faced cuckoo-shrike C 9 animals birds Campephagidae Coracina tenuirostris cicadabird C 2 animals birds Campephagidae Coracina papuensis white-bellied cuckoo-shrike C 3 animals birds Casuariidae Dromaius novaehollandiae emu C 1 animals birds Charadriidae Elseyornis melanops black-fronted dotterel C 1 animals birds Charadriidae Vanellus miles masked lapwing C 1 animals birds Charadriidae Vanellus miles miles masked lapwing (northern subspecies) C 1 animals birds Columbidae Geophaps scripta squatter pigeon C 2 animals birds Columbidae Geophaps scripta scripta squatter pigeon (southern subspecies) V V 1 animals birds Columbidae Geopelia striata peaceful dove C 21 animals birds Columbidae Ocyphaps lophotes crested pigeon C 6

Page 1 of 4 Queensland Government Wildlife Online - Extract Date 30/03/2017 at 14:50:03 Kingdom Class Family Scientific Name Common Name I Q A Records animals birds Coraciidae Eurystomus orientalis dollarbird C 3 animals birds Corcoracidae Struthidea cinerea apostlebird C 4 animals birds Corcoracidae Corcorax melanorhamphos white-winged chough C 1 animals birds Corvidae Corvus orru Torresian crow C 18 animals birds Corvidae Corvus coronoides Australian raven C 20 animals birds Cuculidae Scythrops novaehollandiae channel-billed cuckoo C 1 animals birds Cuculidae Centropus phasianinus pheasant coucal C 3 animals birds Cuculidae Chalcites minutillus little bronze-cuckoo C 1 animals birds Cuculidae Cacomantis variolosus brush cuckoo C 1 animals birds Dicruridae Dicrurus bracteatus spangled drongo C 5 animals birds Estrildidae Taeniopygia bichenovii double-barred finch C 10 animals birds Falconidae Falco berigora brown falcon C 1 animals birds Falconidae Falco cenchroides nankeen kestrel C 1 animals birds Halcyonidae Todiramphus sanctus sacred kingfisher C 2 animals birds Halcyonidae Dacelo novaeguineae laughing kookaburra C 6 animals birds Halcyonidae Dacelo leachii blue-winged kookaburra C 2 animals birds Halcyonidae Todiramphus macleayii forest kingfisher C 1 animals birds Hirundinidae Petrochelidon ariel fairy martin C 3 animals birds Maluridae Malurus melanocephalus red-backed fairy-wren C 7 animals birds Megaluridae Megalurus timoriensis tawny grassbird C 1 animals birds Megapodiidae Alectura lathami Australian brush-turkey C 5 animals birds Meliphagidae Stomiopera flava yellow honeyeater C 21 animals birds Meliphagidae Meliphaga lewinii Lewin's honeyeater C 21 animals birds Meliphagidae Entomyzon cyanotis blue-faced honeyeater C 10 animals birds Meliphagidae Manorina flavigula yellow-throated miner C 2 animals birds Meliphagidae Lichmera indistincta brown honeyeater C 4 animals birds Meliphagidae Philemon corniculatus noisy friarbird C 6 animals birds Meliphagidae Manorina melanocephala noisy miner C 3 animals birds Meliphagidae Philemon citreogularis little friarbird C 3 animals birds Meliphagidae Melithreptus albogularis white-throated honeyeater C 14 animals birds Meliphagidae Plectorhyncha lanceolata striped honeyeater C 1 animals birds Meropidae Merops ornatus rainbow bee-eater C 4 animals birds Monarchidae Myiagra inquieta restless flycatcher C 3 animals birds Monarchidae Myiagra rubecula leaden flycatcher C 9 animals birds Monarchidae Grallina cyanoleuca magpie-lark C 5 animals birds Motacillidae Anthus novaeseelandiae Australasian pipit C 1 animals birds Nectariniidae Dicaeum hirundinaceum mistletoebird C 2 animals birds Neosittidae Daphoenositta chrysoptera varied sittella C 7 animals birds Oriolidae Sphecotheres vieilloti Australasian figbird C 2 animals birds Otididae Ardeotis australis Australian bustard C 1 animals birds Pachycephalidae Colluricincla harmonica grey shrike-thrush C 6 animals birds Pachycephalidae Pachycephala rufiventris rufous whistler C 14 animals birds Pardalotidae Pardalotus striatus striated pardalote C 19 animals birds Petroicidae Microeca flavigaster lemon-bellied flycatcher C 1 animals birds Petroicidae Melanodryas cucullata hooded robin C 1 animals birds Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocorax varius pied cormorant C 1

Page 2 of 4 Queensland Government Wildlife Online - Extract Date 30/03/2017 at 14:50:03 Kingdom Class Family Scientific Name Common Name I Q A Records animals birds Phalacrocoracidae Microcarbo melanoleucos little pied cormorant C 2 animals birds Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocorax sulcirostris little black cormorant C 2 animals birds Phasianidae Coturnix ypsilophora brown quail C 1 animals birds Podargidae Podargus strigoides tawny frogmouth C 2 animals birds Podicipedidae Tachybaptus novaehollandiae Australasian grebe C 2 animals birds Podicipedidae Podiceps cristatus great crested grebe C 2 animals birds Pomatostomidae Pomatostomus temporalis grey-crowned babbler C 4 animals birds Psittacidae Aprosmictus erythropterus red-winged parrot C 5 animals birds Psittacidae Trichoglossus haematodus moluccanus rainbow lorikeet C 3 animals birds Psittacidae Platycercus adscitus pale-headed rosella C 9 animals birds Ptilonorhynchidae Ptilonorhynchus maculatus spotted bowerbird C 1 animals birds Ptilonorhynchidae Ptilonorhynchus nuchalis great bowerbird C 8 animals birds Rallidae Gallinula tenebrosa dusky moorhen C 3 animals birds Rallidae Fulica atra Eurasian coot C 1 animals birds Rhipiduridae Rhipidura leucophrys willie wagtail C 13 animals birds Rhipiduridae Rhipidura rufifrons rufous fantail SL 1 animals birds Rhipiduridae Rhipidura albiscapa grey fantail C 12 animals birds Strigidae Ninox connivens barking owl C 1 animals birds Strigidae Ninox boobook southern boobook C 1 animals birds Threskiornithidae Threskiornis spinicollis straw-necked ibis C 1 animals birds Timaliidae Zosterops lateralis silvereye C 1 animals mammals Bovidae Capra hircus goat Y 1 animals mammals Dasyuridae Planigale maculata common planigale C 2 animals mammals Emballonuridae Saccolaimus flaviventris yellow-bellied sheathtail bat C 6 animals mammals Emballonuridae Taphozous troughtoni Troughton's sheathtail bat C 3 animals mammals Macropodidae Petrogale assimilis allied rock-wallaby C 3/3 animals mammals Macropodidae Macropus giganteus eastern grey kangaroo C 1 animals mammals Macropodidae Macropus agilis agile wallaby C 5 animals mammals Miniopteridae Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis eastern bent-wing bat C 9 animals mammals Miniopteridae Miniopterus australis little bent-wing bat C 6 animals mammals Molossidae Tadarida australis white-striped freetail bat C 1 animals mammals Molossidae Mormopterus lumsdenae northern free-tailed bat C 3 animals mammals Molossidae Chaerephon jobensis northern freetail bat C 8 animals mammals Molossidae Mormopterus ridei eastern free-tailed bat C 6 animals mammals Phalangeridae Trichosurus vulpecula common brushtail possum C 1 animals mammals Pteropodidae Pteropus alecto black flying-fox C 2 animals mammals Rhinolophidae Rhinolophus megaphyllus eastern horseshoe-bat C 1 animals mammals Suidae Sus scrofa pig Y 7 animals mammals Tachyglossidae Tachyglossus aculeatus short-beaked echidna SL 1 animals mammals Vespertilionidae Chalinolobus picatus little pied bat C 2 animals mammals Vespertilionidae Scotorepens balstoni inland broad-nosed bat C 2 animals mammals Vespertilionidae Nyctophilus geoffroyi lesser long-eared bat C 1 animals mammals Vespertilionidae Vespadelus troughtoni eastern cave bat C 4 animals mammals Vespertilionidae Chalinolobus morio chocolate wattled bat C 3 animals mammals Vespertilionidae Scotorepens sp. 3 animals mammals Vespertilionidae Chalinolobus nigrogriseus hoary wattled bat C 6

Page 3 of 4 Queensland Government Wildlife Online - Extract Date 30/03/2017 at 14:50:03 Kingdom Class Family Scientific Name Common Name I Q A Records animals mammals Vespertilionidae Chalinolobus gouldii Gould's wattled bat C 9 animals reptiles Agamidae Diporiphora australis tommy roundhead C 3 animals reptiles Boidae Antaresia maculosa spotted python C 1 animals reptiles Carphodactylidae Nephrurus asper spiny knob-tailed gecko C 1 animals reptiles Colubridae Dendrelaphis punctulatus green tree snake C 2 animals reptiles Colubridae Boiga irregularis brown tree snake C 1 animals reptiles Diplodactylidae Strophurus williamsi soft-spined gecko C 1 animals reptiles Diplodactylidae Oedura castelnaui northern velvet gecko C 4 animals reptiles Elapidae Furina ornata orange-naped snake C 1 animals reptiles Elapidae Demansia psammophis yellow-faced whipsnake C 1 animals reptiles Elapidae Pseudonaja textilis eastern brown snake C 2 animals reptiles Gekkonidae Heteronotia binoei Bynoe's gecko C 5 animals reptiles Gekkonidae Gehyra dubia dubious dtella C 7 animals reptiles Scincidae Morethia taeniopleura fire-tailed skink C 8 animals reptiles Scincidae Cryptoblepharus adamsi Adams' snake-eyed skink C 3 animals reptiles Scincidae Pygmaeascincus timlowi dwarf litter-skink C 29 animals reptiles Scincidae Glaphyromorphus punctulatus fine-spotted mulch-skink C 4 animals reptiles Scincidae Cryptoblepharus pulcher pulcher elegant snake-eyed skink C 2 animals reptiles Scincidae Ctenotus taeniolatus copper-tailed skink C 8 animals reptiles Scincidae Lygisaurus foliorum tree-base litter-skink C 10 animals reptiles Scincidae Ctenotus spaldingi straight-browed ctenotus C 4 animals reptiles Scincidae Carlia munda shaded-litter rainbow-skink C 2 animals reptiles Scincidae Carlia jarnoldae lined rainbow-skink C 1 animals reptiles Scincidae Carlia schmeltzii robust rainbow-skink C 22 animals reptiles Scincidae Menetia greyii common dwarf skink C 2 animals reptiles Typhlopidae Anilios sp. 1

CODES I - Y indicates that the taxon is introduced to Queensland and has naturalised. Q - Indicates the Queensland conservation status of each taxon under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. The codes are Extinct in the Wild (PE), Endangered (E), Vulnerable (V), Near Threatened (NT), Least Concern (C) or Not Protected ( ). A - Indicates the Australian conservation status of each taxon under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The values of EPBC are Conservation Dependent (CD), Critically Endangered (CE), Endangered (E), Extinct (EX), Extinct in the Wild (XW) and Vulnerable (V). Records – The first number indicates the total number of records of the taxon for the record option selected (i.e. All, Confirmed or Specimens). This number is output as 99999 if it equals or exceeds this value. The second number located after the / indicates the number of specimen records for the taxon. This number is output as 999 if it equals or exceeds this value.

Page 4 of 4 Queensland Government Wildlife Online - Extract Date 30/03/2017 at 14:50:03

EPBC Act Protected Matters Report

This report provides general guidance on matters of national environmental significance and other matters protected by the EPBC Act in the area you have selected.

Information on the coverage of this report and qualifications on data supporting this report are contained in the caveat at the end of the report.

Information is available about Environment Assessments and the EPBC Act including significance guidelines, forms and application process details.

Report created: 30/03/17 15:36:59

Summary Details Matters of NES Other Matters Protected by the EPBC Act Extra Information Caveat Acknowledgements

This map may contain data which are ©Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia), ©PSMA 2010

Coordinates Buffer: 10.0Km

Summary

Matters of National Environmental Significance

This part of the report summarises the matters of national environmental significance that may occur in, or may relate to, the area you nominated. Further information is available in the detail part of the report, which can be accessed by scrolling or following the links below. If you are proposing to undertake an activity that may have a significant impact on one or more matters of national environmental significance then you should consider the Administrative Guidelines on Significance.

World Heritage Properties: None National Heritage Places: None Wetlands of International Importance: None Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: None Commonwealth Marine Area: None Listed Threatened Ecological Communities: None Listed Threatened Species: 19 Listed Migratory Species: 11

Other Matters Protected by the EPBC Act

This part of the report summarises other matters protected under the Act that may relate to the area you nominated. Approval may be required for a proposed activity that significantly affects the environment on Commonwealth land, when the action is outside the Commonwealth land, or the environment anywhere when the action is taken on Commonwealth land. Approval may also be required for the Commonwealth or Commonwealth agencies proposing to take an action that is likely to have a significant impact on the environment anywhere.

The EPBC Act protects the environment on Commonwealth land, the environment from the actions taken on Commonwealth land, and the environment from actions taken by Commonwealth agencies. As heritage values of a place are part of the 'environment', these aspects of the EPBC Act protect the Commonwealth Heritage values of a Commonwealth Heritage place. Information on the new heritage laws can be found at http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage

A permit may be required for activities in or on a Commonwealth area that may affect a member of a listed threatened species or ecological community, a member of a listed migratory species, whales and other cetaceans, or a member of a listed marine species.

Commonwealth Land: None Commonwealth Heritage Places: None Listed Marine Species: 17 Whales and Other Cetaceans: None Critical Habitats: None Commonwealth Reserves Terrestrial: None Commonwealth Reserves Marine: None

Extra Information

This part of the report provides information that may also be relevant to the area you have nominated.

State and Territory Reserves: 1 Regional Forest Agreements: None Invasive Species: 22 Nationally Important Wetlands: None Key Ecological Features (Marine) None

Details

Matters of National Environmental Significance

Listed Threatened Species [ Resource Information ] Name Status Type of Presence Birds Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper [856] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat may occur within area

Erythrotriorchis radiatus Red Goshawk [942] Vulnerable Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Neochmia ruficauda ruficauda Star Finch (eastern), Star Finch (southern) [26027] Endangered Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Numenius madagascariensis Eastern Curlew, Far Eastern Curlew [847] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat may occur within area

Poephila cincta cincta Southern Black-throated Finch [64447] Endangered Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Rostratula australis Australian Painted Snipe [77037] Endangered Species or species habitat may occur within area

Tyto novaehollandiae kimberli Masked Owl (northern) [26048] Vulnerable Species or species habitat may occur within area

Mammals Dasyurus hallucatus Northern Quoll, Digul [331] Endangered Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Macroderma gigas Ghost Bat [174] Vulnerable Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Petauroides volans Greater Glider [254] Vulnerable Species or species habitat may occur within area

Phascolarctos cinereus (combined populations of Qld, NSW and the ACT) Koala (combined populations of Queensland, New Vulnerable Species or species habitat South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory) may occur within area [85104] Saccolaimus saccolaimus nudicluniatus Bare-rumped Sheath-tailed Bat, Bare-rumped Vulnerable Species or species habitat Sheathtail Bat [66889] may occur within area

Plants

Name Status Type of Presence Cajanus mareebensis [8635] Endangered Species or species habitat may occur within area

Dichanthium setosum bluegrass [14159] Vulnerable Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Eucalyptus raveretiana Black Ironbox [16344] Vulnerable Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Marsdenia brevifolia [64585] Vulnerable Species or species habitat may occur within area

Reptiles Denisonia maculata Ornamental Snake [1193] Vulnerable Species or species habitat may occur within area

Egernia rugosa Yakka Skink [1420] Vulnerable Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Lerista vittata Mount Cooper Striped Lerista [1308] Vulnerable Species or species habitat may occur within area

Listed Migratory Species [ Resource Information ] * Species is listed under a different scientific name on the EPBC Act - Threatened Species list. Name Threatened Type of Presence Migratory Marine Birds Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift [678] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Migratory Marine Species Crocodylus porosus Salt-water Crocodile, Estuarine Crocodile [1774] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Migratory Terrestrial Species Cuculus optatus Oriental Cuckoo, Horsfield's Cuckoo [86651] Species or species habitat may occur within area

Monarcha melanopsis Black-faced Monarch [609] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail [644] Species or species habitat may occur within area

Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher [612] Species or species habitat may occur within area

Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail [592] Species or species habitat known to occur within area

Migratory Wetlands Species Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper [856] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat may occur within area

Gallinago hardwickii Latham's Snipe, Japanese Snipe [863] Species or species habitat may occur within

Name Threatened Type of Presence area Numenius madagascariensis Eastern Curlew, Far Eastern Curlew [847] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat may occur within area

Pandion haliaetus Osprey [952] Species or species habitat may occur within area

Other Matters Protected by the EPBC Act Listed Marine Species [ Resource Information ] * Species is listed under a different scientific name on the EPBC Act - Threatened Species list. Name Threatened Type of Presence Birds Anseranas semipalmata Magpie Goose [978] Species or species habitat may occur within area

Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift [678] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Ardea alba Great Egret, White Egret [59541] Species or species habitat known to occur within area

Ardea ibis Cattle Egret [59542] Species or species habitat may occur within area

Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper [856] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat may occur within area

Cuculus saturatus Oriental Cuckoo, Himalayan Cuckoo [710] Species or species habitat may occur within area

Gallinago hardwickii Latham's Snipe, Japanese Snipe [863] Species or species habitat may occur within area

Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-Eagle [943] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater [670] Species or species habitat may occur within area

Monarcha melanopsis Black-faced Monarch [609] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Name Threatened Type of Presence Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail [644] Species or species habitat may occur within area

Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher [612] Species or species habitat may occur within area

Numenius madagascariensis Eastern Curlew, Far Eastern Curlew [847] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat may occur within area

Pandion haliaetus Osprey [952] Species or species habitat may occur within area

Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail [592] Species or species habitat known to occur within area

Rostratula benghalensis (sensu lato) Painted Snipe [889] Endangered* Species or species habitat may occur within area

Reptiles Crocodylus porosus Salt-water Crocodile, Estuarine Crocodile [1774] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Extra Information State and Territory Reserves [ Resource Information ] Name State White Blow QLD

Invasive Species [ Resource Information ] Weeds reported here are the 20 species of national significance (WoNS), along with other introduced plants that are considered by the States and Territories to pose a particularly significant threat to biodiversity. The following feral animals are reported: Goat, Red Fox, Cat, Rabbit, Pig, Water Buffalo and Cane Toad. Maps from Landscape Health Project, National Land and Water Resouces Audit, 2001.

Name Status Type of Presence Birds Acridotheres tristis Common Myna, Indian Myna [387] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Columba livia Rock Pigeon, Rock Dove, Domestic Pigeon [803] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Lonchura punctulata Nutmeg Mannikin [399] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Passer domesticus House Sparrow [405] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Name Status Type of Presence Sturnus vulgaris Common Starling [389] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Frogs Rhinella marina Cane Toad [83218] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Mammals Bos taurus Domestic Cattle [16] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Capra hircus Goat [2] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Felis catus Cat, House Cat, Domestic Cat [19] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Mus musculus House Mouse [120] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Oryctolagus cuniculus Rabbit, European Rabbit [128] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Rattus rattus Black Rat, Ship Rat [84] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Sus scrofa Pig [6] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Vulpes vulpes Red Fox, Fox [18] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Plants Acacia nilotica subsp. indica Prickly Acacia [6196] Species or species habitat may occur within area

Cryptostegia grandiflora Rubber Vine, Rubbervine, India Rubber Vine, India Species or species habitat Rubbervine, Palay Rubbervine, Purple Allamanda likely to occur within area [18913] Hymenachne amplexicaulis Hymenachne, Olive Hymenachne, Water Stargrass, Species or species habitat West Indian Grass, West Indian Marsh Grass [31754] likely to occur within area

Jatropha gossypifolia Cotton-leaved Physic-Nut, Bellyache Bush, Cotton-leaf Species or species habitat Physic Nut, Cotton-leaf Jatropha, Black Physic Nut likely to occur within area [7507] Lantana camara Lantana, Common Lantana, Kamara Lantana, Large- Species or species habitat leaf Lantana, Pink Flowered Lantana, Red Flowered likely to occur within area Lantana, Red-Flowered Sage, White Sage, Wild Sage [10892] Parkinsonia aculeata Parkinsonia, Jerusalem Thorn, Jelly Bean Tree, Horse Species or species habitat Bean [12301] likely to occur within area

Parthenium hysterophorus Parthenium Weed, Bitter Weed, Carrot Grass, False Species or species habitat Ragweed [19566] likely to occur within area

Name Status Type of Presence Vachellia nilotica Prickly Acacia, Blackthorn, Prickly Mimosa, Black Species or species habitat Piquant, Babul [84351] likely to occur within area

Caveat The information presented in this report has been provided by a range of data sources as acknowledged at the end of the report.

This report is designed to assist in identifying the locations of places which may be relevant in determining obligations under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It holds mapped locations of World and National Heritage properties, Wetlands of International and National Importance, Commonwealth and State/Territory reserves, listed threatened, migratory and marine species and listed threatened ecological communities. Mapping of Commonwealth land is not complete at this stage. Maps have been collated from a range of sources at various resolutions.

Not all species listed under the EPBC Act have been mapped (see below) and therefore a report is a general guide only. Where available data supports mapping, the type of presence that can be determined from the data is indicated in general terms. People using this information in making a referral may need to consider the qualifications below and may need to seek and consider other information sources.

For threatened ecological communities where the distribution is well known, maps are derived from recovery plans, State vegetation maps, remote sensing imagery and other sources. Where threatened ecological community distributions are less well known, existing vegetation maps and point location data are used to produce indicative distribution maps.

Threatened, migratory and marine species distributions have been derived through a variety of methods. Where distributions are well known and if time permits, maps are derived using either thematic spatial data (i.e. vegetation, soils, geology, elevation, aspect, terrain, etc) together with point locations and described habitat; or environmental modelling (MAXENT or BIOCLIM habitat modelling) using point locations and environmental data layers.

Where very little information is available for species or large number of maps are required in a short time-frame, maps are derived either from 0.04 or 0.02 decimal degree cells; by an automated process using polygon capture techniques (static two kilometre grid cells, alpha-hull and convex hull); or captured manually or by using topographic features (national park boundaries, islands, etc). In the early stages of the distribution mapping process (1999-early 2000s) distributions were defined by degree blocks, 100K or 250K map sheets to rapidly create distribution maps. More reliable distribution mapping methods are used to update these distributions as time permits.

Only selected species covered by the following provisions of the EPBC Act have been mapped: - migratory and - marine The following species and ecological communities have not been mapped and do not appear in reports produced from this database:

- threatened species listed as extinct or considered as vagrants - some species and ecological communities that have only recently been listed - some terrestrial species that overfly the Commonwealth marine area - migratory species that are very widespread, vagrant, or only occur in small numbers The following groups have been mapped, but may not cover the complete distribution of the species: - non-threatened seabirds which have only been mapped for recorded breeding sites - seals which have only been mapped for breeding sites near the Australian continent Such breeding sites may be important for the protection of the Commonwealth Marine environment.

Coordinates

-20.10956 146.88902

Acknowledgements This database has been compiled from a range of data sources. The department acknowledges the following custodians who have contributed valuable data and advice: -Office of Environment and Heritage, New South Wales -Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Victoria -Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania -Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, South Australia -Department of Land and Resource Management, Northern Territory -Department of Environmental and Heritage Protection, Queensland -Department of Parks and Wildlife, Western Australia -Environment and Planning Directorate, ACT -Birdlife Australia -Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme -Australian National Wildlife Collection -Natural history museums of Australia -Museum Victoria -Australian Museum -South Australian Museum -Queensland Museum -Online Zoological Collections of Australian Museums -Queensland Herbarium -National Herbarium of NSW -Royal Botanic Gardens and National Herbarium of Victoria -Tasmanian Herbarium -State Herbarium of South Australia -Northern Territory Herbarium -Western Australian Herbarium -Australian National Herbarium, Canberra -University of New England -Ocean Biogeographic Information System -Australian Government, Department of Defence Forestry Corporation, NSW -Geoscience Australia -CSIRO -Australian Tropical Herbarium, Cairns -eBird Australia -Australian Government – Australian Antarctic Data Centre -Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory -Australian Government National Environmental Science Program -Australian Institute of Marine Science -Reef Life Survey Australia -American Museum of Natural History -Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Inveresk, Tasmania -Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania -Other groups and individuals

The Department is extremely grateful to the many organisations and individuals who provided expert advice and information on numerous draft distributions.

Please feel free to provide feedback via the Contact Us page.

Survey effort

Date Location Target Species Duration Survey Details

Bioacoustic Bat Recorder

20/03/2017 55 K 488175 Ghost Bat / other bat Anabat set at shaft entrance aimed Over-night 01:21:00 PM 7776797 species into shaft

20/03/2017 55 K 488180 Ghost Bat / other bat 1h 0m 0s Dusk hand-held Anabat 6:20:00 PM 7776802 species

22/03/2017 55 K 488180 Ghost Bat / other bat 1h 0m 0s Pre-dawn hand-held Anabat 4:37:44 AM 7776802 species

21/03/2017 55 K 488169 Ghost Bat / other bat 1h 0m 0s Pre-dawn hand-held Anabat 5:28:02 AM 7776801 species

21/03/2017 55 K 488366 Ghost Bat / other bat Set Anabat near core shed in open 1 night 6:06:27 PM 7776669 species potential flyway

21/03/2017 55 K 488083 Ghost Bat / other bat Set Anabat at base of chimney stack 1 night 11:40:10 AM 7777103 species amongst mine ruins

23/03/2017 55 K 488597 Ghost Bat / other bat 1 night Set Anabat at shaft south of pit 4:45:14 AM 7776440 species

23/03/2017 55 K 488215 Ghost Bat / other bat 1 night Set Anabat at shaft southeast of pit 8:08:13 AM 7776460 species

55 K 488251 Ghost Bat / other bat Anabat set on edge of water in 22/03/2017 1 night 7776844 species quarry

55 K 488175 Ghost Bat / other bat 22/03/2017 1 night Anabat set in pit shaft aimed inwards 7776797 species

55 K 488176 Ghost Bat / other bat Anabat held in hand during shaft 23/03/2017 30 minute 7776783 species search

Pre-dawn shaft watch

22/03/2017 55 K 488177 Watch portal shaft in quarry for Ghost Bat 1h 0m 0s 5:30:00 AM 7776797 Ghost Bats returning to roost site

Dusk shaft watch

20/03/2017 55 K 488177 Watch portal shaft in quarry for Ghost Bat 1h 0m 0s 6:20:00 PM 7776797 Ghost Bats leaving roost site

22/03/2017 55 K 488177 Watch portal shaft in quarry for Ghost Bat 1h 0m 0s 6:20:00 PM 7776797 Ghost Bats leaving roost site

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Date Location Target Species Duration Survey Details

Habitat Assessment and two hectare search

20/03/2017 55 K 488671 Black-throated Finch, 40 minute 2 Habitat highly degraded 2:01:46 PM 7776061 Squatter Pigeon ha

21/03/2017 55 K 488643 Black-throated Finch, 40 min 2 ha Habitat highly degraded 6:28:02 AM 7775794 Squatter Pigeon

21/03/2017 55 K 488726 Black-throated Finch, 40 min 2 ha Habitat highly degraded 6:42:00 AM 7775922 Squatter Pigeon

21/03/2017 55 K 488467 Black-throated Finch, 40 min 2 ha Habitat highly degraded 7:04:30 AM 7775664 Squatter Pigeon

21/03/2017 55 K 488181 Black-throated Finch, 40 min 2 ha Habitat highly degraded 10:23:53 AM 7777267 Squatter Pigeon

21/03/2017 55 K 487863 Black-throated Finch, 40 min 2 ha Habitat highly degraded 10:49:43 AM 7777010 Squatter Pigeon

21/03/2017 55 K 488149 Black-throated Finch, 40 min 2 ha Habitat highly degraded 11:11:44 AM 7777091 Squatter Pigeon

22/03/2017 55 K 488357 Black-throated Finch, 40 min 2 ha Habitat highly degraded 6:37:44 AM 7776656 Squatter Pigeon

22/03/2017 55 K 488896 Black-throated Finch, 40 min 2 ha Habitat highly degraded 7:30:59 AM 7776557 Squatter Pigeon

22/03/2017 55 K 488924 Black-throated Finch, 40 min 2 ha Habitat highly degraded 8:12:27 AM 7776245 Squatter Pigeon

22/03/2017 55 K 488479 Black-throated Finch, 40 min 2 ha habitat highly degraded 8:37:04 AM 7776334 Squatter Pigeon

Harp Trap

20/03/2017 55 K 488571 Ghost Bat / other bat 1 night Harp trap set in eroded creek bed 3:05:42 PM 7776089 species

20/03/2017 55 K 488214 Ghost Bat / other bat Harp trap set approx. 30m east of 1 night 8:41:36 PM 7776820 species shaft in pit

21/03/2017 55 K 488104 Ghost Bat / other bat Harp trap set for 1 night in narrow 1 night 6:00:00 PM 7776828 species cut track into pit

22/03/2017 55 K 488172 Ghost Bat / other bat Harp trap set in shaft entrance 2h 0m 0s 12:00:00 AM 7776795 species (rained out)

22/03/2017 55 K 488178 Ghost Bat / other bat Harp trap set in shaft entrance 2h 0m 0s 12:00:00 AM 7776794 species (rained out)

23/03/2017 55 K 488172 Ghost Bat / other bat Harp trap set in shaft entrance 1 night 12:00:00 AM 7776795 species overnight

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23/03/2017 55 K 488178 Ghost Bat / other bat Harp trap set in shaft entrance 1 night 12:00:00 AM 7776794 species overnight

Motion Camera

20/03/2017 55 K 488560 Motion camera set near eroded Vertebrate fauna 3 nights 2:21:55 PM 7776082 creek gully

21/03/2017 55 K 488166 Ghost Bat 1 night Set on gates of main shaft in pit 12:18:52 PM 7776821

22/03/2017 55 K 488177 Motion camera aimed at harp traps Ghost Bat 2h 0m 0s 12:00:00 AM 7776799 at shaft entrance (rained out)

Nocturnal search

20/03/2017 55 K 488093 Ghost Bat / 1h 0m 0s Spotlighting for nocturnal fauna 12:00:00 AM 7776773 reptiles, frogs

21/03/2017 55 K 488211 Ghost Bat / 1h 0m 0s Spotlighting for nocturnal fauna 12:00:00 AM 7776840 reptiles, frogs

22/03/2017 55 K 488252 Ghost Bat / 1h 0m 0s Spotlighting for nocturnal fauna 12:00:00 AM 7776955 reptiles, frogs

23/03/2017 55 K 488286 Ghost Bat / 1h 0m 0s Spotlighting for nocturnal fauna 12:00:00 AM 7776660 reptiles, frogs

Shaft search

23/03/2017 55 K 488176 Search within shaft for Ghost Bat Ghost Bat 0h 30m 0s 12:00:00 AM 7776783 presence/ signs

Opportunistic observations

20/03/2017 – Throughout Observations of active fauna and call Vertebrate fauna Opportunistic 23/03/2017 project area identification throughout survey

Hand searching

20/03/2017 – Throughout Active searching, turning over Vertebrate fauna Opportunistic 23/03/2017 project area ground debris

Searching barbed wire fences for trapped bats

In pit outline 20/03/2017 – Searching along barbed wire fences and waste Ghost Bat Opportunistic 23/03/2017 for remains of bats dump areas

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Fauna species list

Scientific Name Common Name

Frogs

Litoria caerulea Green Tree Frog

Litoria fallax Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog

Litoria inermus Bumpy Rocket Frog

Litoria latopalmata Broad-palmed Frog

Litoria nusata Rocket Frog

Litoria rubella Deseret Tree Frog

Litoria wilcoxii Eastern Stony Creek Frog

Platyplectrum ornatum Ornate Burrowing Frog

Rhinella marina Cane Toad

Reptiles (Geckos, Skinks and monitors)

Cryptoblepharus pulcher Elegant Snake-eyed Skink, Fence Skink or Wall Skink

Ctenotus taeniolatus Copper-tailed Skink

Ctenotus robusta Eastern Striped Skink

Gehyra dubia Dubious Gecko

Glaphyromorphus punctulatus Five-spotted Mulch Skink

Hemidactylus frenatus (exotic) Asian house Gecko

Heteronotia binoei Bynoe’s Prickly Gecko

Lucasium steindachneri Steindachner’s Ground Gecko or Box Patterned Gecko

Nephrurus asper Rough Knob tail Gecko

Varanus storri Storr’s Monitor (in rock piles near heli-pad)

Snakes

Antaresia maculosa Mottled Python or Eastern Small-blotched Python

Brown Tree Snake, Night Tiger Snake, Dolls-eye Boiga irregularis Snake or Banded Cat Snake

Demansia torquata Collared Whip-snake

Morelia spilota Carpet Python

Birds

Accipiter fasciatus Brown Goshawk

Aquila audax Wedge-tailed Eagle

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Scientific Name Common Name

Ardeotis australis Australian Bustard

Cacatua galerita Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Calyptorhynchus banksii Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo

Centropus phasianinus Pheasant Coucal

Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike

Corvus coronoides Australian Raven

Corvus orru Torresian Crow

Coturnix pectoralis Stubble Quail

Cracticus nigrogularis Pied Butcherbird

Cracticus torquatus Grey Butcherbird

Dacelo leachii Blue-winged Kookaburra

Dacelo novaeguineae Laughing Kookaburra

Eolophus roseicapillus Galah

Falco berigora Brown Falcon

Falco cenchroides Nankeen Kestrel

Falco longipennis Australian Hobby

Gallinula tenebrosa Dusky Moorhen

Geopelia placida Peaceful Dove

Geopelia striata Zebra Dove

Grallina cyanoleuca Magpie-lark

Gymnorhina tibicen Australian Magpie

Haliastur sphenurus Whistling Kite

Lichmera indistincta Brown Honeyeater

Malurus melanocephalus Red-backed Fairy-Wren

Manorina melanocephala Noisy Miner

Megalurus spp. Grassbird

Meliphaga lewinii Lewin's Honeyeater

Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater

Milvus migrans Black Kite

Neochmia modesta Plum-headed Finch

Ninox boobook Southern Boobook

Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon

Pardalotus striatus Striated Pardalote

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Scientific Name Common Name

Petrochelidon ariel Fairy Martin (nests)

Philemon corniculatus Noisy Friarbird

Platycercus adscitus Pale-headed Rosella

Smicrornis brevirostris Weebill

Struthidea cinerea Apostlebird

Taeniopygia bichenovii Double-barred Finch

Taeniopygia guttata Zebra Finch

Trichoglossus moluccanus Rainbow Lorikeet

Vanellus miles Masked Lapwing

Mammals (Terrestrial)

Bos taurus Cattle

Macropus agilis Agile Wallaby

Macropus robustus Common Wallaroo (Euro)

Macropus giganteus Grey Kangaroo

Mus musculus House Mouse

Oryctolagus cuniculus Rabbit

Tachyglossus aculeatus Echidna (quills and scats in portal shaft)

Vulpes vulpes European Red Fox

Mammals (Flying)

Austronomus australis White-striped Free-tailed Bat

Chaerephon jobensis Greater northern Free-tailed Bat

Chalinolobus gouldii Gould's Wattled Bat

Chalinolobus nigrogriseus Hoary Wattled Bat (based on possible call profile)

Chalinolobus picatus Little Pied Bat

Macroderma gigas Ghost Bat (based on possible call profile)

Miniopterus australis Little Bentwing Bat

Miniopterus orianae oceanensis Eastern Bentwing Bat

Mormopterus lumsdenae Northern Free-tailed Bat

Mormopterus ridei Ride's Free-tailed Bat

Myotis macropus Large-footed Myotis (based on possible call profile)

Eastern Long-eared Bat (based on possible call Nyctophilus bifax profile)

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Scientific Name Common Name

Gould's Long-eared Bat (based on possible call Nyctophilus gouldi profile)

Nyctophilus geoffroyi Lesser Long-eared Bat (based on possible call profile)

Pteropus alecto Black Flying-fox

Pteropus scapulatus Little Red Flying-Fox

Rhinolophus megaphyllus Eastern Horseshoe Bat

Saccolaimus flaviventris Yellow-bellied Sheath-tailed Bat

Scotorepens greyii Little Broad-nosed Bat (based on possible call profile)

Northern Broad-nosed Bat (based on possible call Scotorepens sanborni profile)

Taphozous troughtoni Troughton's Sheath-tailed Bat

Vespadelus troughtoni Eastern Cave Bat

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Likelihood of occurrence tables

EPBC Likelihood of NC Act Species name Common name Act occurrence Justification Status1 Status1 assessment Fauna Species Calidris ferruginea Curlew CE, Mi - Unlikely Suitable wetland habitat not present on site and closest record > 30km away Sandpiper (ALA). Erythrotriorchis radiatus Red Goshawk V E Unlikely Generally found in coastal and sub coastal tall open forests and tall woodlands near water. Suitable habitat not present on site. Neochmia ruficauda Star Finch E E Unlikely More commonly known in Central Queensland, nearest records are on the coast at ruficauda Townsville (ALA). Numenius Eastern Curlew CE, Mi V Unlikely Species is most commonly associated with sheltered coasts (TSSC, 2015). madagascariensis Suitable habitat not present on site. Poephila cincta cincta Black-throated E E Potential The study area is within the species range where it is most commonly observed. Finch (southern) Suitable habitat for the species occurs within the vicinity of study area and records of the species were recorded in Ravenswood in 2013 (ALA). Rostratula australis Australian E V Unlikely Wetland species, suitable habitat not present on site. Painted Snipe Tyto novaehollandiae Masked Owl V V Unlikely Occurs in riparian forest, open forest, Melaleuca swamps and mangrove edges. kimberli Requires large hollows for nesting. Suitable habitat not present on site. Geophaps scripta Squatter Pigeon V V Unlikely Individuals identified within the vicinity of the study area during field surveys (ELA, scripta 2016). No suitable habitat observed within the study area during current field assessment. Dasyurus hallucatus Northern Quoll E - Unlikely Occurs in a diversity of habitats including Eucalypt woodlands, rainforests, sandy lowlands and beaches, shrubland, grasslands and desert. Requires rocky habitat for denning. Suitable habitat not present on site. Macroderma gigas Ghost Bat V V Potential Database searches indicate the species or species habitat is likely to occur within 20 km of the study area. Potential calls recorded within the study area in July 2016 and during the current

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EPBC Likelihood of NC Act Species name Common name Act occurrence Justification Status1 Status1 assessment field assessment. Species is known to roost in disused mine shafts which are present within the study area. Petauroides volans Greater Glider V - Unlikely Prefers old growth eucalypt forests and woodlands with abundant hollows. Suitable habitat not present on site. Phascolarctos cinereus Koala V V Unlikely Database searches indicate that the species or species habitat may occur within 20 km of the study area. Occurs in a range of temperate, tropical and sub-tropical forests as well as woodland and semi-arid communities dominated by Eucalyptus species. Suitable habitat may occur along Sandy Creek and Plum Creek but no suitable habitat occurs within the study area. Saccolaimus Bare-rumped CE E Unlikely Outside species known and predicted range (ALA). saccolaimus Sheathtail Bat nudicluniatus Denisonia maculata Ornamental V V Unlikely Species inhabits remnant and non-remnant low-lying areas with cracking clay Snake soils. Suitable habitat not present. Egernia rugosa Yakka Skink V V Unlikely Known woodland habitats include Poplar Box, Mulga, White Cypress Pine as well as disturbed, and cleared areas where suitable microhabitat features remain. Database searches revealed species or species habitat likely to occur within 100 km of the study area, however, no suitable habitat was identified within the study area. Lerista vittata Mount Cooper V V Unlikely Occurs in habitats with soft sandy soils where it burrows into leaf litter and loose Striped Lerista soil under logs. Suitable habitat not present on site. Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift Mi, Ma - Unlikely Aerial species, known to occur over a wide range of habitats. Unlikely to be a permanent inhabitant of the study area. Crocodylus porosus Salt-water Mi, Ma - Unlikely Estuarine species. Suitable habitat not present. Crocodile Cuculus optatus Oriental Cuckoo Mi - Unlikely Recorded within 50 km. May utilise habitat on site periodically.

Monarcha melanopsis Black-faced Mi - Unlikely Species prefers rainforest ecosystems which were not recorded on the site during Monarch field surveys.

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EPBC Likelihood of NC Act Species name Common name Act occurrence Justification Status1 Status1 assessment Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail Mi - Unlikely Large range and extremely uncommon migrant.

Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher Mi - Unlikely Occurs in eucalypt forests often near wetlands or watercourses. Recent record within 5 km (ALA) however no suitable habitat within the study area. Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail Mi - Unlikely Occurs in wet sclerophyll forests usually with a dense understory often including ferns. Recent record within 10 km (ALA), however no suitable habitat within the study area. Gallinago hardwickii Latham's Snipe Mi - Unlikely Species prefers open, freshwater wetlands with low, dense vegetation, however can occur in a range of wetland habitats. Suitable habitat not present. Pandion haliaetus Osprey Mi - Unlikely Species requires large water bodies for feeding. Unlikely to be a permanent inhabitant of the study area. Flora species

Cajanus mareebensis E E Unlikely Study area is outside the species known range. Closest known record is over 335 km to the north of the study area. Dichanthium setosum Bluegrass V - Unlikely Database searches revealed that the species or species habitat is likely to occur within 100 km of the study area, however, the closest confirmed record is over 50 km away to the south. Study area is unlikely to have suitable habitat for the species due to a lack of black soils.

Eucalyptus raveretiana Black Ironbox V V Unlikely Occurs on banks of rivers and creeks on clayey or loamy soil. Suitable habitat not present within study area. Marsdenia brevifolia V V Unlikely Database searches revealed that the species is known to occur within 100 km of the study area, however, no suitable habitat (rock outcrops or black soils) are present within the study area.

1 Current status under the EPBC Act: CE = Critically; E = Endangered; V = Vulnerable; M = Migratory OR NC Act: E = Endangered; V = Vulnerable; NT = Near Threatened 2 Known: Records from the study area. Likely: Preferred habitat observed or mapped in the study area and known to occur in the region surrounding the study area and distribution overlaps with the study area.

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Potential: Marginal habitat observed or mapped in the study area and known to occur in the region surrounding the alignment corridor and distribution overlaps with the study area. Unlikely occurring: Not known from surrounding region or distribution does not overlap with the study area but at least marginal habitat present. * if was derived from Species Profile and Threats Database (http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl) or A-Z of animals (https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals- az/index.html)

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Anabat recording results

Balance Environmental Report

Microbat Call Identification Report

Prepared for (“Client”): Eco-logical Australia Survey location/project name: Ravenswood area, north Qld Survey dates: 11-18 July 2016 Client project reference: Job no.: ELA-1602 Report date: 1 August 2016

DISCLAIMER:

© Copyright – Balance! Environmental, ABN 75 795 804 356. This document and its content are copyright and may not be copied, reproduced or distributed (in whole or part) without the prior written permission of Balance! Environmental other than by the Client for the purposes authorised by Balance! Environmental (“Intended Purpose”). To the extent that the Intended Purpose requires the disclosure of this document and/or its content to a third party, the Client must procure such agreements, acknowledgements and undertakings as may be necessary to ensure that the third party does not copy, reproduce, or distribute this document and its content other than for the Intended Purpose. This disclaimer does not limit any rights Balance! Environmental may have under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The Client acknowledges that the Final Report is intended for the sole use of the Client, and only to be used for the Intended Purpose. Any representation or recommendation contained in the Final Report is made only to the Client. Balance! Environmental will not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from the use and/or reliance on the Final Report by any third party.

Methods

Data received and post-processing

Bat calls were recorded over eight consecutive nights (11th - 18th July 2016) using a Song Meter SM3 detector (Wildlife Acoustics, USA). Balance! Environmental received 10,447 full-spectrum ultrasonic acoustic files (WAV format), which were converted to Anabat-type zero-crossing (ZC) bat-call sequence files with Wildlife Acoustics’ Kaleidoscope Version 3.1.0. This process yielded 8058 ZC batcall sequence files for use in call identification.

Call identification

The ZC sequence files were viewed using AnalookW (Corben 2015) and a subset of files containing representative samples of all call types recorded on each night was selected for further analysis. Species identification was achieved manually by comparing spectrograms of the selected calls with those of reference calls from northern Queensland and/or with published call descriptions (e.g. Reinhold et al. 2001; Milne 2002; Pennay et al. 2004).

Species' identities were refined by considering probability of occurrence based on published distribution information (e.g. Churchill 2008; van Dyck et al. 2013) and on-line fauna database records (http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wetlandmaps; and http://www.ala.org.au).

Reporting standard

The format and content of this report follows Australasian Bat Society standards for the interpretation and reporting of bat call data (Reardon 2003), available on-line at http://www.ausbats.org.au/. Species nomenclature follows Reardon et al. (2015).

Results & Discussion

No bat calls were recorded on the nights of 14th and 15th July. The remaining six nights yielded 7892 sequence files, from which 358 calls were selected for identification.

At least 12 species were recorded over the six successful nights (see Table 1); however, the call data was dominated) by just one species, with Eastern Bent-winged Bat (Miniopterus orianae oceanensis) responsible for >85% of total calls recorded each night. Other species with a preference for cave-type roosts were also prominent in the call data, including: Eastern Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus megaphyllus); Troughton’s Sheath-tailed Bat (Taphozous troughtoni); Little Bent-winged Bat (Miniopterus australis); and Eastern Cave Bat (Vespadelus troughtoni).

A single call, recorded at 9:30pm on 18th July is thought to potentially have come from the threatened Ghost Bat (Macroderma gigas). This species uses very low-amplitude calls that are not easily recorded by detectors, so it is not surprising that only one of the 8000+ recorded calls might be attributable to the species. Furthermore, the identity of the call cannot be attributed to Ghost Bat with absolute certainty, since the long-eared bats (Nyctophilus spp.) produce calls with similar characteristics. Further survey work, including observation and trapping/netting would be required to confirm this species’ presence at the site.

ELA-1602_Ravenswood_11-18Jul16_batcall analysis.docx 1/08/2016 Page 2 of 6

Table 1. Microbats recorded during the Ravenswood survey, 11-18 July 2016. ♦ = at least one call from the site was attributed unequivocally to the species □ = calls similar to those of the species were recorded, but could not be reliably identified - = species not recorded

Date: 11/7 12/7 13/7 16/7 1/07 18/7 Total sequence files: 1662 1790 1785 816 1263 576 Calls identified: 89 75 119 16 37 22 Rhinolophus megaphyllus ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Macroderma gigas - - - - - □ Chalinolobus gouldii ♦ ♦ ♦ - ♦ ♦ Chalinolobus nigrogriseus or Scotorepens sp. ♦ ♦ ♦ - ♦ ♦ Vespadelus troughtoni ♦ - ♦ - ♦ ♦ Miniopterus australis ♦ ♦ - - - - Miniopterus orianae oceanensis ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Austronomus australis - ♦ ♦ - - - Chaerephon jobensis ♦ ♦ ♦ - ♦ ♦ Mormopterus lumsdenae ♦ ♦ ♦ - ♦ - Mormopterus ridei ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ - Taphozous troughtoni ♦ ♦ ♦ - ♦ -

References

Churchill, S. (2008). Australian Bats. Jacana Books, Allen & Unwin; Sydney. Corben, C. (2015). AnalookW for bat call analysis using ZCA. Version 4.1z, 20 September 2015. Milne, D.J. (2002). Key to the Bat Calls of the Top End of the Northern Territory. Technical Report No. 71, Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory, Darwin. Pennay, M., Law, B. and Reinhold, L. (2004). Bat Calls of New South Wales. Department of Environment and Conservation, Hurstville. Reardon, T. (2003). Standards in bat detector based surveys. Australasian Bat Society Newsletter 20, 41-43. Reardon, T.B., Armstrong, K.N. and Jackson, S.M. (2015). A current taxonomic list of Australian Chiroptera. Australasian Bat Society. Version 2015-05-15. URL: http://ausbats.org.au/taxonomic- list/4589345107 Reinhold, L., Law, B., Ford, G. and Pennay, M. (2001). Key to the bat calls of south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales. Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Brisbane. van Dyck, S., Gynther, I. and Baker, A. (ed.) (2013). Field Companion to the Mammals of Australia. New Holland; Sydney.

ELA-1602_Ravenswood_11-18Jul16_batcall analysis.docx 1/08/2016 Page 3 of 6

Glossary

Technical terms used in this report are described in the following table.

Approach phase The part of a bat call emitted as the bat starts to home in on a detected prey item; a transitional series of pulses between the search phase and feeding buzz, that become progressively steeper and shorter in duration. Call Refers to a single bat call, made up of a series of individual sound pulses in one or more phases (search, approach, feeding buzz). CF (=Constant Frequency) A type of pulse in which the dominant component consists of a more- or-less ‘pure tone’ of sound at a Constant Frequency; with shape appearing flat on the sonogram. Often also contains a brief FM component at the beginning and/or end of the CF component (viz. FM- CF-FM). Characteristic frequency (Fc) The frequency of the flattest part of a pulse; usually the lowest frequency reached in the qCF component of a pulse. This is often the primary diagnostic feature for species identification. Duration The time period from the beginning of a pulse to the end of the pulse. Feeding buzz The terminal part of a call, following the approach phase, emitted as the bat catches a prey item; a distinctive, rapid series of very steep, very short-duration pulses. FM (=Frequency Modulated) A type of pulse in which there is substantial change in frequency from beginning to end; shape ranges from almost vertical and linear through varying degrees of curvature. FC range Refers to the range of frequencies occupied by the characteristic frequency section of pulses within a call or set of calls. Frequency sweep or “band-width” The range of frequencies through which a pulse sweeps from beginning to end; Maximum frequency (Fmax) – minimum frequency (Fmin). Knee The transitional part of a pulse between the initial (usually steeper) frequency sweep and the characteristic frequency section (usually flatter); time to knee (Tk) and frequency of knee (Fk) can be diagnostic for some species. Pulse An individual pulse of sound within a bat call; the shape, duration and characteristic frequency of a pulse are the key diagnostic features used to differentiate species. Pulse body The part of the pulse between the knee and tail and containing the characteristic frequency section. Pulse shape The general appearance of a pulse on the sonogram, described using relative terms related to features such as slope and degree of curvature. See also CF, qCF and FM. qCF (=quasi Constant Frequency) A type of pulse in which there is very little change in frequency from beginning to end; shape appears to be almost flat. Some pulses also contain an FM component at the beginning and/or end of the qCF component (viz. FM-qCF). Search phase The part of a bat call generally required for reliable species diagnosis. A consistent series of pulses emitted by a bat that is searching for prey or and/or navigating through its habitat. Search phase pulses generally have longer duration, flatter slope and more consistent shape than approach phase and feeding buzz pulses. Sequence Literally, a sequence of pulses that may be from one or more bats; but generally refers to a call or part (e.g. phase) of a call. Tail The final component of a pulse, following the characteristic frequency section; may consist of a short or long sweep of frequencies either upward or downward from the Fc; or may be absent.

ELA-1602_Ravenswood_11-18Jul16_batcall analysis.docx 1/08/2016 Page 4 of 6

Appendix 1 Representative bat spectrograms from the Ravenswood survey, 11-18 July2016. (Scale: 10msec per tick; time between pulses removed)

Rhinolophus megaphyllus Possibly Macroderma gigas Chalinolobus gouldii or Nyctophilus sp.

C. nigrogriseus or Scotorepens sp. Vespadelus troughtoni Miniopterus australis

Miniopterus orianae oceanensis Austronomus australis Chaerephon jobensis

ELA-1602_Ravenswood_11-18Jul16_batcall analysis.docx 1/08/2016 Page 5 of 6

Mormopterus lumsdenae Mormopterus ridei Taphozous troughtoni

ELA-1602_Ravenswood_11-18Jul16_batcall analysis.docx 1/08/2016 Page 6 of 6 Buck Reef West Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

Harp trapping photographs

Plate 1: The location, vegetation structure and assumed creek line flyway at harp net survey site 1 (set to survey on the 20 March 2017

Plate 2: The location, open nature and pit flyway to water at harp net survey site 2 (set to survey on the 20 March 2017)

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Plate 3: The location, open nature and pit flyway to water at harp net survey site 3 (set to survey on the 21 March 2017)

Plate 4: The location harp net survey site 4 consisting of two harp nets set to survey those microbat using the portal for roosting and / or foraging (set to survey between 22 and 23 March 2017)

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Plate 5: Short terminal joint on the third wing digit that is typical of Miniopterus orianae oceanensis (Eastern Bentwing Bat)

Plate 6: Photograph of Miniopterus orianae oceanensis (Eastern Bentwing Bat)

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Plate 7: Photograph of Rhinolophus megaphyllus (Eastern Horseshoe Bat)

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PERTH WOLLONGONG GOSFORD Suite 1 & 2 Suite 204, Level 2 Suite 5, Baker One 49 Ord Street 62 Moore Street 1-5 Baker Street

West Perth WA 6005 Austinmer NSW 2515 Gosford NSW 2250 T 08 9227 1070 T 02 4201 2200 T 02 4302 1220 F 02 9542 5622 F 02 4268 4361 F 02 4322 2897

DARWIN BRISBANE 16/56 Marina Boulevard Suite 1 Level 3 1300 646 131 471 Adelaide Street Cullen Bay NT 0820 www.ecoaus.com.au T 08 8989 5601 Brisbane QLD 4000 T 07 3503 7191 F 08 8941 1220 F 07 3854 0310