Gogo Station Matters of National Environmental Significance Assessment APPENDIX 3 – NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT SPECIES ASSESSMENT SMK CONSULTANTS Gogo Station Significant Species Assessment Nationally Significant Species Identification 1 Introduction Nationally threatened species and communities and migratory species protected under international agreements have been initially defined within the search area outlined in Figure 1 using the PMST and NatureMap search tools. A total of 28 species were identified by these searches, which are identified in Table 1Figure 1. Figure 1: Region searched for MNES using the EPBC PMST Table 1: Species Identified for Consideration Using the EPBC PMST and NatureMap Scientific Name Common Name WA Conservation Status Commonwealth Conservation Status Malurus Purple-crowned Fairy- Endangered Endangered coronatus wren Polytelis Princess Parrot; Priority 4 Vulnerable alexandrae Alexandra’s Parrot Calidris Curlew Sandpiper Vulnerable; Protected Critically Endangered, ferruginea Under International Migratory (Bonn, CAMBA, Agreement JAMBA, ROKAMBA), Marine Erythrura Gouldian Finch Endangered gouldiae Pezoporus Night Parrot Critically Endangered Endangered occidentalis Rostratula Australian Painted Snipe Endangered Endangered as Rostratula australis australis SMK P a g e | 1 CONSULTANTS Gogo Station Significant Species Assessment Scientific Name Common Name WA Conservation Status Commonwealth Conservation Status Marine as Rostratula benghalensis (sensu lato) Dasyurus Northern Quoll; Digul Endangered Endangered hallucatus Macroderma Ghost Bat Vulnerable Vulnerable gigas Macrotis lagotis Greater Bilby Vulnerable Vulnerable Pristis pristis Freshwater Sawfish; Vulnerable, Migratory (Bonn) Largetooth Sawfish Actitis Common Sandpiper Protected Under Migratory (Bonn, CAMBA, hypoleucos International Agreement JAMBA), Marine as Actitis hypoleucos Migratory (ROKAMBA) as Tringa hypoleucos Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift, Pacific Protected Under Migratory (CAMBA, JAMBA, Swift International Agreement ROKAMBA), Marine Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater Protected Under Marine International Agreement Crocodylus Freshwater Crocodile Other Specially Protected Marine johnstoni Fauna Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow Protected Under Migratory (CAMBA, JAMBA, International Agreement ROKAMBA), Marine Motacilla Grey Wagtail Protected Under Migratory (CAMBA, JAMBA, cinerea International Agreement ROKAMBA), Marine Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail Protected Under Migratory (CAMBA, JAMBA, International Agreement ROKAMBA), Marine Calidris Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Protected Under Migratory (Bonn, CAMBA, acuminata International Agreement JAMBA, ROKAMBA), Marine Calidris Pectoral Sandpiper Protected Under Migratory (Bonn, JAMBA, melanotos International Agreement ROKAMBA), Marine Charadrius Oriental Plover, Oriental Protected Under Migratory (Bonn, CAMBA, veredus Dotterel International Agreement JAMBA, ROKAMBA), Marine Glareola Oriental Pratincole Protected Under Migratory (CAMBA, JAMBA, maldivarum International Agreement ROKAMBA), Marine Pandion Eastern Osprey Protected Under Migratory (Bonn), Marine haliaetus International Agreement Ardea modesta Eastern Great Egret, Protected Under Marine as Ardea alba White Egret International Agreement Ardea ibis Cattle Egret Protected Under Marine International Agreement Haliaeetus White-bellied Sea-eagle Protected Under Marine leucogaster International Agreement Calidris Long-Toed Stint Protected Under Migratory (Bonn, CAMBA, subminuta International Agreement JAMBA, ROKAMBA), Marine Plegadis Glossy Ibis Protected Under Migratory (Bonn), Marine falcinellus International Agreement Tringa glareola Wood Sandpiper Protected Under Migratory (Bonn, CAMBA, International Agreement JAMBA, ROKAMBA), Marine CAMBA = China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement; JAMBA = Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement; ROKAMBA = Republic of Korea Australia Migratory Bird Agreement; Bonn = Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals SMK P a g e | 2 CONSULTANTS Gogo Station Significant Species Assessment The distribution of each species has been assessed through an examination of species’ records across Western Australia, within the wider region surrounding Fitzroy Crossing, and within a 30km radius of the proposed development. The assessment examined the likelihood of the species being present within the vicinity of the proposed development, and the likelihood that the proposed development is located within an area of important habitat for the species. Each species was then assessed with regards to known habitat requirements, based on conservation advice and recovery plans published by the Commonwealth. The habitat requirements of each species were then considered with regards to the potential impacts of the proposed development that habitat within the region surrounding Fitzroy Crossing. Thus, each species was assessed with regards to the likelihood of the species being impacted by the proposed development (Section 2). Section 3 provides a summary of the list of species which have the potential to be impacted by the proposed development. SMK P a g e | 3 CONSULTANTS Gogo Station Significant Species Assessment 2 Species Assessments 2.1 Purple-Crowned Fairy Wren (Malurus coronatus) 2.1.1 Malurus coronatus Distribution Across Western Australia M. coronatus occurs along waterways in the Kimberley Division of Western Australia, and east to the Victoria River Downs in the Northern Territory. Its distribution includes parts of the Fitzroy River, Drysdale River, Durack River and Ord River systems in Western Australia. The distribution of the Purple-crowned Fairy-wren has been severely reduced since the species was first discovered 140 years ago. Declines have occurred along the lower reaches of the Fitzroy River, where the fairy-wren is now locally extinct, and along the upper Fitzroy River and Ord River systems where only small, relict populations persist. NatureMap returned a total of 122 records of M. coronatus in Western Australia. The records are concentrated within the north of the State (Figure 2). Figure 2: Locations of NatureMap Records of M. coronatus in WA 2.1.2 Malurus coronatus Distribution Near Development Site A total of 19 records of M. coronatus occur within a 30km radius of the proposed development. Records are located exclusively within the riparian zone of the Fitzroy River. The records date between 1998 and 2007, indicating that the species is still likely to be present within the region. SMK P a g e | 4 CONSULTANTS Gogo Station Significant Species Assessment Figure 3: NatureMap Records of M. coronatus Within 30km of Proposed Development 2.1.3 Malurus coronatus Habitat Requirements The Purple-crowned Fairy-wren (western) inhabits dense, riparian vegetation in the wet-dry tropics of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. It is found near permanent rivers and springs (or associated billabongs and swamps), where it occupies dense thickets of Pandanus aquaticus or canegrass and also occurs, less frequently, in rushes and shrubs. M. coronatus predominantly feeds on insects, yet may also feed on leaves and seeds. To breed, M. coronatus builds dome-shaped nests built of rootlets, grass stems, leaves and bark are built close to the ground in thickets of Pandanus aquaticus and canegrass (especially Chionachne cyathopoda). Breeding activity occurs during most months. 2.1.4 Likelihood of Malurus coronatus Being Impacted by Development Recent records of M. coronatus have been identified within a 10km radius of the subject site. Conservation advice for this species indicates it typically inhabits dense riparian vegetation. Records of the species in the area all occur within the riparian zone of the Fitzroy River, which is consistent with known habitat requirements of the species. The species is considered to have the potential to utilise grassland of the subject site as foraging habitat, yet it is likely that the riparian vegetation of the Fitzroy and Margaret rivers would function as more important habitat for this species. There is a small potential that water extraction from the Margaret River by the proposed development will impact upon riparian habitat which may be used by M. coronatus. Whilst the volume of water to be extracted from the river is small, a lack of hydrological and ecological data within the Fitzroy catchment means that the exact impacts of water extraction on riparian ecosystems cannot yet be quantified. As such, the impact of the development on M. coronatus will be considered in accordance with the precautionary principle. SMK P a g e | 5 CONSULTANTS Gogo Station Significant Species Assessment 2.2 Princess Parrot (Polytelis alexandrae) 2.2.1 Polytelis alexandrae Distribution Across Western Australia The Princess Parrot occurs in arid regions of Western Australia, Northern Territory and South Australia. The species has been recorded at low densities in the Great Sandy, Gibson, Tanami and Great Victoria Deserts. At least part of the population appears to be highly dispersive, and many records are ephemeral. NatureMap returned a total of 105 records of P. alexandrae in Western Australia. The records are scattered across the State, predominantly in inland areas (Figure 4). Figure 4: Locations of NatureMap Records of P. alexandrae in WA 2.2.2 Polytelis alexandrae Distribution Near Development Site NatureMap returned one record of P. alexandrae within 30km of the proposed development site. The record was taken on an unknown date. The record indicates that the species has potential