Biodiversity Australia was engaged by Seymour Whyte to conduct fauna management of the clearing works conducted during the Mudgeeraba to Varisty Lakes Highway Upgrade. As of 31st March 2020, this involved 73 days of vegetation removal.

As the works involved the removal of previously constructed bridges and culverts, Biodiversity Australia conducted surveys of these areas to determine if breeding places for SLC or colonial breeders would be impacted. Over 200 Chocolate Wattle Bats, and 8 Welcome Swallow Eggs were identified, and mitigation measures put in place to limit any impacts.

In accordance with DTMR’s offset requirements under the State Government Supported Community Infrastructure Koala Conservation Policy, all Non Juvenile Koala Habitat Trees (NJKHTs) present within the subject site were counted and recorded. A total of 161 NJKHts were identified and reported.

Due to the active vigilance of the on-site Fauna Spotters, a total of 28 animal interactions were successfully managed over the 73 days of clearing that have currently taken place.

 

 Key deliverables on the project:

  • External contractor inspection records for micro bat and bird species breeding within TMR infrastructure;
  • Pre-clearance Fauna Habitat Reports;
  • Post-clearance Fauna Management Reports and
  • Non-juvenile Koala Habitat Tree surveys.