Abel Ecology Prescribed Ecology Actions Report (PEAR) for Pacific Hills Christian School Lot 1, DP 1087960 Prepared for: Pacific Hills Christian School Report No: AE19-REP-2072-ISS 1 Prepared by: Abel Ecology Date: 25 October 2019 PO Box 495 Unit 2, 10-11 Ferguson Road Springwood NSW 2777 T (02) 4751 9487 BAM Ecology Pty Ltd T/A Abel Ecology E [email protected] 2 Samuel 20:18 ACN 626 221 467 – ABN 37 626 221 467 www.abelecology.com.au Disclaimer This report has been prepared in accordance with the scope of services described in agreement between Abel Ecology and the Client. In preparing this report, Abel Ecology has relied upon data, surveys and site inspection results taken at or under the particular time and or conditions specified herein. Abel Ecology has also relied on certain verbal information and documentation provided by the Client and/or third parties, but did not attempt to independently verify the accuracy or completeness of that information. To the extent that the conclusions and recommendations in this report are based in whole or in part on such information, they are contingent on its validity. Abel Ecology assumes no responsibility for any consequences arising from any information or condition that was concealed, withheld, misrepresented, or otherwise not fully disclosed or available to Abel Ecology. The findings contained in this report are the result of discrete/specific methods used in accordance with normal practices and standards. To the best of our knowledge, they represent a reasonable interpretation of the general condition of the site in question. Under no circumstances, however, can it be considered that these findings represent the actual state of the site/sites at all points. 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Document History Report Version Prepared by Technical Review by Proofread by Submission Method Date Report Draft A Dr Alison Hewitt Steven Smith Dropbox 15 Oct 19 Report Issue 1 Dr Alison Hewitt Dr Danny Wotherspoon Steven Smith Dropbox 25 Oct19 Report Issue 2 Dr Alison Hewitt Dr Danny Wotherspoon Steven Smith Dropbox 25 Oct19 25 October 2019 ISSUE 2 Page 2 of 90 AE19 2072 REP ISS 2 25Oct19.docx © Abel Ecology, 2019 AD Table of Contents Executive summary ............................................................................................................................................. 6 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 16 1.1 Legislative context ..................................................................................................................................... 16 1.1.1 SREP 20 ........................................................................................................................................................ 16 1.1.2 SEPP 19 ........................................................................................................................................................ 16 1.1.3 SEPP 44 Koala habitat protection ............................................................................................................ 17 1.1.4 Scope of the Hornsby Council Flora and Fauna Guidelines ................................................................ 17 1.2 The proposal ............................................................................................................................................... 17 1.3 Sources of information used in this assessment ...................................................................................... 18 2. Biodiversity offsets scheme thresholds 1 and 2 ....................................................................................... 18 2.1 Threshold One: Biodiversity Conservation Regulation 2017 Development area assessment thresholds ........................................................................................................................................... 18 2.2 Threshold Two: Clearing or prescribed activities as listed in the Biodiversity Conservation Regulation 2017 on land included on the Biodiversity Values Map ........................................... 19 3. Landscape features of the site and the locality ..................................................................................... 21 3.1 Site description ........................................................................................................................................... 21 3.2 History of the site ........................................................................................................................................ 22 3.3 Geology and soils ...................................................................................................................................... 22 3.4 Landscape features .................................................................................................................................. 23 3.4.1 Site landscape features ............................................................................................................................ 23 4. Field survey methods ................................................................................................................................. 23 4.1 BioNet Atlas of NSW Wildlife website search .......................................................................................... 23 4.2 Field work effort ......................................................................................................................................... 27 4.3 Flora survey method, vegetation community and habitat classification .......................................... 28 4.4 Simplified vegetation integrity assessment ............................................................................................. 28 4.5 Fauna survey method ............................................................................................................................... 29 4.5.1 Diurnal fauna searches ............................................................................................................................. 29 4.6 Species likely to occur .............................................................................................................................. 29 4.7 Limitations of the survey ............................................................................................................................ 29 4.8 Staff associated with the field work ........................................................................................................ 30 5. Survey Results: Vegetation and habitat description ............................................................................... 30 5.1 Site vegetation and habitat ..................................................................................................................... 30 5.2 Species and Communities of conservation concern ........................................................................... 31 5.3 Weeds ......................................................................................................................................................... 31 6. Survey Results: Fauna ................................................................................................................................ 32 6.1 Species of conservation concern ............................................................................................................ 32 6.2 Fauna results ............................................................................................................................................... 32 6.3 Fauna Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 36 6.4 Microbats .................................................................................................................................................... 36 6.5 Feral fauna ................................................................................................................................................. 37 7. Discussion of results .................................................................................................................................... 37 8. Impact on biodiversity: Threshold 3 ......................................................................................................... 37 8.1 Threshold 3: Five-part test summary ........................................................................................................ 37 9. Planning Instruments .................................................................................................................................. 40 25 October 2019 ISSUE 2 Page