Environmental Baseline Report for Midge Point Non Training ... Poi… · Seagrass beds Seagrass...

Department of Defence

ADSTC-P19-0010

Environmental Baseline Report for Midge Point Non-Defence Training AreaVolume 1 - Report

October 2018

GHD | Report for Department of Defence - ADSTC-P19-0010, 4132052 | i

Executive summary

Background

The Department of Defence are planning training exercises, including Talisman Sabre, which are to take place in mid-2019. As part of these exercises participants may undertake training on some areas that are not Defence land, known as non-Defence training areas (NDTA). As Defence is a Commonwealth Agency, it must evaluate the potential environmental impacts of a Defence action on the environment in relation to both the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) significant impact guidelines 1.1 Matters of National Environmental Significance as well as the EPBC Act significant impact guidelines 1.2, Actions on, or impacting upon, Commonwealth Land, and Actions by Commonwealth Agencies.

This report provides baseline environmental information regarding the Midge Point NDTA. A detailed desktop assessment was undertaken followed by a rapid field assessment within accessible areas of the study area to identify and/or verify key ecological values, and other evident environment and heritage attributes. This report is subject to, and must be read in conjunction with, the limitations and the assumptions and qualifications contained throughout the report.

Vegetation and flora

Vegetation communities

Two EPBC Act listed threatened ecological communities (TEC) were reported to occur in the search area from the EPBC Act Protected Matters database search. A mixed vegetation polygon that contains regional ecosystem 8.2.2 as a subordinate unit is mapped along the coastal dunes within the southern extent of the study area. This regional ecosystem is a listed equivalent community to the Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Thickets of Eastern Australia threatened ecological community where diagnostic and condition thresholds are met.

Conservation significant flora species

No conservation significant species listed under the EPBC Act or Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act) were recorded from within the NDTA study area.

Introduced flora species

Introduced flora species were observed growing on the coastal dunes present. Non-remnant vegetation along the foreshore supported higher levels of weed abundance than mapped remnant vegetation. The following restricted invasive - Category 3 plants under Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014 were observed within the study area during the field survey:

Cryptostegia grandiflora*(rubber vine)

Lantana camara* (lantana)

Spathodea campanulata subsp. nilotica* (African tulip tree)

Sphagneticola trilobata* (Singapore daisy)

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Fauna

Habitat types

Four broad habitat types were identified in the study area of Midge Point NDTA.

Woodlands with vine thicket elements

Mangroves on rocky shore

Intertidal flats

Seagrass meadows

Fauna species

A total of 17 fauna species were recorded in rapid assessments of the study area. This comprised three species of mammals and 14 species of birds. One conservation significant species, the eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis), listed as critically endangered under the EPBC Act and endangered under the NC Act was confirmed present within the study area. One individual was observed foraging at low tide along the intertidal flats at mid-morning.

Likelihood of occurrence

An assessment of the likelihood of occurrence was undertaken based upon database searches, habitats present and species known distribution. Conservation significant species confirmed present, likely to occur or may occur in the study area are included in the following table.

Likelihood of occurrence of conservation significant species

Common name Species name NC Act EPBC Act Conservation significant species confirmed present Eastern curlew Numenius

madagascariensis Endangered Critically Endangered

Conservation significant species likely to occur

Grey-headed flying-fox

Pteropus poliocephalus Least Concern Vulnerable

Australian snubfin dolphin

Orcaella heinsohni Vulnerable -

Dugong Dugong dugon Vulnerable - Squatter pigeon (southern)

Geophaps scripta scripta Vulnerable Vulnerable

Beach stone-curlew Esacus magnirostris Vulnerable - Great knot Calidris tenuirostris Endangered Critically Endangered Lesser sand plover Charadrius mongolus Endangered Endangered Western Alaskan bar-tailed godwit

Limosa lapponica baueri Vulnerable Vulnerable

Green turtle Chelonia mydas Vulnerable Vulnerable Conservation significant species that may occur

Curlew sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Endangered Critically Endangered Red knot Calidris canutus Endangered Endangered Northern Siberian bar-tailed godwit

Limosa lapponica menzbieri

Endangered Critically Endangered

Greater sand plover Charadrius leschenaultii Vulnerable Vulnerable Greater glider Petauroides volans Vulnerable Vulnerable Koala Phascolarctos cinereus Vulnerable Vulnerable

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Common name Species name NC Act EPBC Act Northern quoll Dasyurus hallucatus Least Concern Endangered Water mouse Xeromys myoides Vulnerable Vulnerable Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Vulnerable Vulnerable Loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta Endangered Endangered Hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata Endangered Vulnerable Olive Ridley turtle Lepidochelys olivacea Endangered Endangered Flatback turtle Natator depressus Vulnerable Vulnerable Green sawfish Pristis zijsron Least Concern Vulnerable

Other natural and physical resources

Waterways and wetlands

The nearshore areas of study area are mapped as estuarine wetland. This extends into the marine influenced areas of Yard Creek to the south of the study area. A small unnamed watercourse is located at the northern end of the beach.

Seagrass beds

Seagrass beds are mapped in the nearshore area, extending from the mid northern area of Midge Point Beach down towards the confluence of Swizet Creek with the Coral Sea.

Contaminated land

A search of the Queensland Department of Environment and Science land registers was conducted for the beachfront allotment within the study area. This area was not listed on the environmental management register or contaminated land register.

Heritage

World heritage property

The nearshore zone in the study area is located within the mapped boundary of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage property, listed under the EPBC Act.

National Heritage Places

In addition to its listing as a World Heritage property, the Great Barrier Reef is also a National Heritage Place listed under the EPBC Act.

Cultural heritage

The Gia Peoples’ country includes the mainland adjacent to the Whitsunday Islands, north to Bowen, south to O’Connell River and east to the Clarke Connors Ranges, in the north of the NDTA, whilst the Yuwibara Peoples’ boundary is north to Midge Point, south to Cape Palmerston and west to the Clarke Connors Range, and 10 nautical miles east of the coastline. Additionally, the Ngaro Peoples of the Whitsunday Islands traded with the Gia People on the mainland coastline.

A search of the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnership (DATSIP) database revealed that there were no Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage site points or polygons within the Midge Point NDTA, although some records exist in the region of Midge Point. Notwithstanding this, the area may possess cultural heritage sites and intangible values which have not been the subject of this assessment.

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Native Title Claim (QA2013/007) by the Yuwibara People extends over the very southern nearshore portion of the study area. This claim has been registered however has not yet been determined in the Federal Court.

Historic heritage

There are no Queensland Heritage Act 1992 registered historic heritage places within the study area.

Discussion

The Midge Point NDTA is located along the beach frontage and includes the reserve and adjacent nearshore area. Habitats present may provide foraging habitat for a range of conservation significant species, including the eastern curlew. Similar habitats are present on a regional basis.

Based upon consideration of a range of factors assessed in the field survey, areas of relatively higher, moderate or lower environmental values were mapped to produce a simple communication tool for Defence planning purposes. It is important to note that these mapped areas display relative values and do not delineate specific constraints to exercises that can be conducted at the NDTA.

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Table of contents

Volume 1

1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Background .......................................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Purpose of this report........................................................................................................... 1

1.3 Midge Point Study Area overview ........................................................................................ 1

1.4 Project team ......................................................................................................................... 2

1.5 Scope and limitations ........................................................................................................... 2

1.6 Qualifications ....................................................................................................................... 3

1.7 Terminology ......................................................................................................................... 3

2. Methods.......................................................................................................................................... 5

2.1 Approach .............................................................................................................................. 5

2.2 Desktop assessment............................................................................................................ 5

2.3 Field assessment ................................................................................................................. 6

2.4 Likelihood of occurrence assessment.................................................................................. 8

3. Desktop assessment results ........................................................................................................ 10

3.1 Ecological communities ..................................................................................................... 10

3.2 Conservation significant flora species ............................................................................... 10

3.3 Introduced flora species ..................................................................................................... 11

3.4 Conservation significant fauna species ............................................................................. 11

3.5 Land use planning and management registers ................................................................. 13

3.6 Other natural and physical resources ................................................................................ 13

3.7 Heritage ............................................................................................................................. 14

4. Field survey results ...................................................................................................................... 18

4.1 Vegetation and flora ........................................................................................................... 18

4.2 Fauna ................................................................................................................................. 22

4.3 Likelihood of occurrence of conservation significant species ............................................ 27

4.4 Other natural and physical resources ................................................................................ 28

4.5 Qualities and characteristics .............................................................................................. 29

5. Discussion .................................................................................................................................... 31

5.1 Relative environmental values ........................................................................................... 31

5.2 Mapping categories ............................................................................................................ 31

6. References ................................................................................................................................... 34

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Table index

Table 1-1 Project team ......................................................................................................................... 2

Table 3-1 RE descriptions .................................................................................................................. 10

Table 3-2 Conservation status and closest records ........................................................................... 11

Table 3-3 Conservation significant species historically recorded within 10 km radius of the study area .......................................................................................................................... 12

Table 4-1 Regional ecosystems assessed during the field survey .................................................... 21

Table 4-2 Terrestrial habitat types observed in the study area .......................................................... 23

Table 4-3 Likelihood of occurrence assessment................................................................................ 27

Table 5-1 Relative environmental value categories ........................................................................... 31

Figure index

Figure 1-1 NDTA – Midge Point ............................................................................................................ 4

Figure 2-1 Distribution of Survey Effort within the Study Area .............................................................. 9

Figure 3-1 Other natural and physical resources ................................................................................ 16

Figure 3-2 Indigenous Heritage ........................................................................................................... 17

Figure 4-1 Regional Ecosystem Mapping ........................................................................................... 20

Figure 4-2 Fauna habitat types within the study area ......................................................................... 25

Figure 4-3 Conservation Significant Species Records within and adjacent to study area .................. 30

Figure 5-1 Relative Environmental Values .......................................................................................... 33

Volume 2

Appendices

Appendix A – PMST Report

Appendix B – Wildlife Online

Appendix C – Likelihood of Occurrence

Appendix D – EMR and CLR Search Results

Appendix E – Indigenous Heritage

GHD | Report for Department of Defence - ADSTC-P19-0010, 4132052 | i

Acronyms

Acronym Meaning

CLR Contaminated Land Register

DATSIP Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnership

Defence Department of Defence

DES Queensland Department of Environment and Science

DNRME Queensland Department of Natural Resources Mines and Energy

DoEE Department of Environment and Energy

E endangered

EMR Environmental Management Register

EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth)

ILUA Indigenous land use agreement

LC least concern

NC Act Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Queensland)

NDTA non-Defence training area

OC of concern

PMST Protected Matters Search Tool

RE regional ecosystem

SAT Spot assessment technique

SPS Species profile search

TEC threatened ecological community

TSSC Commonwealth Threatened Species Scientific Committee

V vulnerable

VMA Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Queensland)

WO Wildlife online

WONS Weed of national significance

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1. Introduction

1.1 Background

The Department of Defence (Defence) commissioned GHD Pty Ltd (GHD) to conduct baseline environmental assessments at a number of non-Defence training areas (NDTA). The purpose of the assessment is to provide Defence with site specific information to form the basis of an internal Defence assessment for activities to be conducted as part of Defence training exercises, including Talisman Sabre 2019. This report pertains to Midge Point NDTA (‘the NDTA’), which comprises the esplanade and nearshore area (Figure 1-1).

As the NDTA are not Commonwealth land, Defence must consider matters of national environmental significance against the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) significant impact guidelines 1.1 Matters of National Environmental Significance as well as the EPBC Act significant impact guidelines 1.2, Actions on, or impacting upon, Commonwealth Land, and Actions by Commonwealth Agencies.

1.2 Purpose of this report

This report has been prepared to characterise the current environmental conditions at Midge Point NDTA.

1.3 Midge Point Study Area overview

1.3.1 Location and description

The study area is located at Midge Point Beach in Midge Point. The study area comprises the reserve along the esplanade south of the headland (part Lot 76 on CI3485) and the nearshore area. Yard Creek extends to the coast at the southern end of the beach, draining from the nearby Conder Hills.

1.3.2 Regional context and characteristics

The study area is situated approximately 30 km south east of Proserpine. The beach township of Midge Point is located immediately to the west. The reserve along the foreshore adjoins the low relief shallow nearshore area. Gould Island Reef and Midge Reef are situated offshore to the south east of the study area, whilst the adjacent terrestrial environment to the south and west comprises undeveloped estuarine wetlands at the confluence of Yard Creek with the Coral Sea.

The northern extent of the study area comprises an undeveloped headland, with a beach track extending along the unformed esplanade. An unnamed ephemeral watercourse located at the northern end of the beach drains from the small catchment to the south of the headland.

1.3.3 Land use

Adjacent land use to the west of the study area is residential, whilst the beach comprises a Council reserve. The vegetated area adjacent to the south of the residences is undeveloped, whilst Bloomsbury Conservation Park, covering an area of approximately 3 ha is located on Lot 82 on CI3666. Bundesen Avenue Park, a Council reserve is situated to the west of the study area. There are nine official beach access paths along the reserve foreshore, including a boat ramp and two vehicle access points (Reef Catchments 2009).

The land on Midge Point itself to the north of the study area is predominantly undeveloped, and comprises State Land, with the foreshore areas comprising Council reserve land.


The Midge Point fish habitat area, mapped under the Queensland Fisheries Management Act 1994 is located to the south of the study area.

1.4 Project team

The GHD project team are included in Table 1-1.

Table 1-1 Project team

Name Project role Qualifications

Simon Pearce GHD Project Director B.Nat.Res.

Emma Cornelius GHD Project Manager B.Sc.(Hons), Cert II Bushland Regeneration

Peter Moonie Field lead Reporting

BSc (Ecology), BAppSc, Grad Dip

Shannon Blatchford Field team Reporting

B.Sc., Dip Conservation and Land Management

1.5 Scope and limitations

1.5.1 General

This report: has been prepared by GHD for Department of Defence and may only be used and relied on by Department of Defence for the purpose agreed between GHD and the Department of Defence as set out in section 1.2 of this report.

GHD otherwise disclaims responsibility to any person other than Department of Defence arising in connection with this report. GHD also excludes implied warranties and conditions, to the extent legally permissible.

The services undertaken by GHD in connection with preparing this report were limited to those specifically detailed in the report and are subject to the scope limitations set out in the report.

The opinions, conclusions and any recommendations in this report are based on conditions encountered and information reviewed at the date of preparation of the report. GHD has no responsibility or obligation to update this report to account for events or changes occurring subsequent to the date that the report was prepared.

The opinions, conclusions and any recommendations in this report are based on assumptions made by GHD described in this report (refer section 1.6 of this report). GHD disclaims liability arising from any of the assumptions being incorrect.

GHD has prepared this report on the basis of information provided by Department of Defence and others who provided information to GHD (including Government authorities), which GHD has not independently verified or checked beyond the agreed scope of work. GHD does not accept liability in connection with such unverified information, including errors and omissions in the report which were caused by errors or omissions in that information.

GHD has not been involved in the preparation of the Defence Environmental Report and has had no contribution to, or review of the Environmental Report other than in the preparation of this document. GHD shall not be liable to any person for any error in, omission from, or false or misleading statement in, any other part of the Environmental Report.

The opinions, conclusions and any recommendations in this report are based on information obtained from, with, specific survey locations. Site conditions at other parts of the site may be different from the site conditions found at the specific survey locations.


Investigations undertaken in respect of this report are constrained by the particular site conditions, such as the location of buildings, services and vegetation. As a result, not all relevant site features and conditions may have been identified in this report.

Site conditions (including the presence of hazardous substances and/or site contamination) may change after the date of this Report. GHD does not accept responsibility arising from, or in connection with, any change to the site conditions. GHD is also not responsible for updating this report if the site conditions change.

1.6 Qualifications

This report should be read with respect to the following qualifications:

The survey was a high level (reconnaissance) assessment only and was not intended to meet general industry requirements for detailed flora and fauna surveys.

Whilst field surveys were largely conducted within or in close proximity to the study area, reporting of environmental values includes areas in the region of the study area, and is not limited to the bounds of the study area.

1.7 Terminology

Study area – The study area is the area shown on Figure 1-1, which comprises the areas that are generally of interest to Defence. Surveys were largely undertaken from within the study area.

Rapid assessment site – The rapid assessment sites were specific locations where surveys were conducted, generally within or in close proximity to the study area, although as above, alternate locations were used where certain areas were not accessible.

Conservation significant species – Species listed as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable under the EPBC Act as well as species listed as Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened (EVNT) under the Queensland NC Act.

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Department of DefenceEnvironmental Baseline Report for

Non-Defence Training Area Midge PointMap Projection: Transverse Mercator

Horizontal Datum: GDA 1994Grid: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55

Paper Size ISO A4

oData source: GHD: Survey Area (2018); DNRME: Place Name Gazetteer, Cadastre, Roads (2018); Imagery Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS,

USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community. Created by: x lee\\ghdnet\ghd\AU\Gold Coast\Projects\41\32052\GIS\Maps\MXD\41_32052_024_EnvBaseline_MP_Region_Rev0.mxdPrint date: 19 Oct 2018 - 08:09

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NDTA - Midge Point

Data Disclaimer©2018. Whilst every care has been taken to prepare this map, GHD and

DNRME make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, re liability,completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and cannot accept liability

and responsibility of any kind (whether in contract, tort or otherw ise) for anyexpenses, losses, damages and/or costs (including indirect or consequent ia ldamage) which are or may be incurred by any party as a result of the mapbeing inaccurate, incomplete or unsuitable in any way and for any reason.


2. Methods

2.1 Approach

The ecological values of the study area were investigated through a combination of desktop assessments and field flora and fauna surveys. Methods are described below.

2.2 Desktop assessment

2.2.1 Overview

A desktop assessment was conducted in order to identify documented records of environmental values that have been historically recorded or have potential to occur within the local area.

2.2.2 Database searches

A desktop review was undertaken to identify and collate existing information on the ecological values within study area and surrounding landscape. For most database sources, the desktop search extent encompassed the study area inclusive of a 10 km buffer to provide context about potential presence of mobile species or cryptic species that are known to occur in similar habitats within the region. The following information sources were accessed on 25 September 2018 unless otherwise stated:

Protected Matters Search Tool – The Department of the Environment and Energy (DoEE) Protected Matters Search Tool (PMST) was used to identify conservation significant flora and fauna, and threatened ecological communities listed under the EPBC Act that have the potential to occur within the vicinity of the study area.

Wildlife Online database – The Department of Science (DES) Wildlife Online database was searched to retrieve historical records of flora and fauna species previously recorded within the vicinity of the study area.

Species Profile Search database – The DES Species Profile Search was undertaken to obtain spatial data records for conservation significant species responsible for generating high risk trigger areas intersecting the study area. The search was also undertaken to gain an understanding of the location and collection date of any protected plant records in proximity to the disturbance footprint.

Atlas of Living Australia database – The Atlas of Living Australia database was searched to retrieve historical records of flora and fauna species previously observed within the vicinity of the study area.

Biomaps – This mapping tool was used to review specific locations, collection date and details of records of species of conservation significance within desktop search area.

Regulated Vegetation Mapping – The Department of Natural Resources and Mines and Energy (DNRME) Vegetation Management Regional Ecosystem and Remnant Map spatial layer (version 10.1) was viewed to determine the extent and type of REs mapped within the study area.

Essential Habitat Mapping – The DES Essential Habitat Map spatial layer (version 4.29) was viewed to determine if vegetation within the study area has been identified as essential habitat for any conservation significant species listed under provisions of the NC Act.

Protected Plants Flora Survey Trigger Map – The DES Protected Plants Flora Survey Trigger Map spatial layer was viewed to assess if the vegetation within the study area is in proximity to a record of a conservation significant flora species.


Spatial Seagrass Mapping – Collation of spatial seagrass data from 1984 – 2014 for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area was viewed to assess if seagrass meadows occur within the vicinity of the study area.

State Planning Policy Mapping – State Planning Policy (SPP) mapping was reviewed to identify Matters of State Environmental Significance (MSES) that occur within or adjacent to the study area.

Contaminated land search – A search of the Queensland Environmental Management Register (EMR) and Contaminated Land Register (CLR) was conducted for the beachfront within the study area on the 27 September 2018.

Cultural heritage search – A Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnership (DATSIP) search was conducted for the study area on 20 September 2018. Queensland Globe mapping was reviewed in relation to National Native Title Tribunal Claims and Indigenous Land Use Agreements relevant to the study area on 28 September 2018.

2.3 Field assessment

A morning and afternoon survey was undertaken by two ecologists on 9 and 10 September 2018. This was undertaken via a rapid assessment at several locations throughout the study area. The methods used are detailed below.

2.3.1 Vegetation and flora assessments

Rapid vegetation assessments were undertaken at seven sites within the study area as shown in Figure 2-1. The methodology adopted for the respective components of the assessments is described below.

Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) - The structural and composition characteristics of vegetation communities within the study area were compared with DoEE’s technical descriptions of TECs to determine whether any vegetation communities present met the requirements necessary to constitute a TEC. Where TECs were identified in the field, aerial photography and vegetation mapping was further scrutinized to map their likely extents within the broader study area.

Regional ecosystems (REs) of interest – verification of endangered and of concern regional ecosystems was undertaken using a combination of Quaternary level assessments and informal observations (as described in Neldner et al. 2017). Whilst data was collected on the structural and floristic composition of vegetation communities, time constraints did not allow for the delineation of their boundaries.

Marine plant communities – Where marine plant communities were observed in the study area, their floristic composition was assessed and extents were mapped using a combination of aerial photography and GPS data collected in the field.

Conservation significant flora species - targeted searches for conservation significant flora species were undertaken within areas of suitable habitat identified within the study area.

Opportunistic observations of introduced flora species were also undertaken. Throughout this report, an asterisk (*) is used to identify species that are listed as introduced (i.e. exotic) pursuant to the Queensland Nature Conservation (Wildlife Regulation) 2006.


2.3.2 Fauna surveys

Habitat assessments

Terrestrial habitat assessments were undertaken at six sites within the study area as shown in Figure 2-1. At each of these sites, the following were recorded as relevant:

Structural complexity of vegetation (i.e. tree density, canopy cover, vertical structural complexity)

Complexity of ground-level microhabitats (i.e. substrate type, vegetation cover, leaf litter, woody debris, presence of rocks)

Habitat features (i.e. hollows, fallen logs, rock outcrops, nests; particularly raptor nests, waterbodies)

Presence of hollow bearing trees and trees bearing arboreal mammal scratches

Wildlife traces (i.e. scats, tracks, scratches, diggings, burrows, nests, bones)

Opportunistic wildlife observations

Sources of disturbance (i.e. adjacent land-use, feral animals, predation, weed infestation)

The relative ecological value of each habitat type was assessed based on features including:

– The relative abundance and diversity of resources

– The size and relative connectivity of vegetation

– Habitat condition (i.e. the level of disturbance due to weeds, feral animals, cattle grazing)

– Species richness (i.e. the number of fauna species present)

– The presence of conservation significant species (listed under the NC Act and/or EPBC Act

– Key ecological function such as value as a habitat corridor or breeding, nesting or roosting site

Specific fauna survey methods

Bird Surveys

Bird surveys were conducted within each habitat type in the study area using the methodology recommended by Birds Australia. This involves a standardised 20-minute census of all birds seen or heard calling within an approximate area of 1 ha. Additional opportunistic bird surveys were conducted at numerous locations in conjunction with rapid habitat assessments. Birds flying over the study area were not included in the census.

Targeted searches for traces of conservation significant species

Within suitable habitat, targeted searches were undertaken to detect characteristic traces of conservation significant species. This included searching rocky outcrops for latrine sites of the northern quoll.

Active and opportunistic searches for wildlife

Active searches were undertaken to detect reptile and amphibian species by actively searching beneath rocks, logs, bark, leaf litter and other suitable microhabitats. All incidental records of fauna observed during surveys were recorded.


Spot Assessment Technique

The Spot Assessment .Technique (SAT) (Phillips and Callaghan 2011) was used to survey koalas by identifying the presence or absent of faecal pellets within 1 m of the base of 30 food trees in areas of potentially suitable habitat.

2.3.3 Other environmental values

The presence of other environmental values was recorded from the study sites as relevant, including natural and physical resources – waterways, wetlands, evident historic heritage values and indications of previous disturbances such as erosion and areas of potential contamination.

2.4 Likelihood of occurrence assessment

An assessment was conducted to attribute a ‘likelihood of occurrence’ to conservation significant species (i.e. species listed under the EPBC Act and/or NC Act) that have been previously recorded or were predicted to occur from the desktop searches. The assessment is provided in Appendix A.

The likelihood of occurrence assessment was based on a review of species distributions and habitat requirements, historical records for the region, and the results of habitat assessments and field surveys conducted within the study area. The likelihood of occurrence ranking was based on the following framework:

Confirmed present: Species recorded during the field survey.

Likely to occur: Species has been recorded in the desktop search extent and suitable habitat is present in the study area. Comprehensive field surveys have not been undertaken or were undertaken in sub-optimal conditions or the species is highly cryptic and/or very short-lived.

May occur: Species distribution incorporates the study area but only marginal habitat is present or the species has not been recorded in the desktop extent.

Unlikely to occur: Species has not been previously recorded in the desktop search extent and/or current known distribution does not encompass study area and/or suitable habitat is generally lacking from the study area.

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oData source: GHD: Survey Area, Survey Locations (2018); DNRME: Place Name Gazetteer, Roads (2018); Imagery Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics,

CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community. Created by: xlee\\ghdnet\ghd\AU\Gold Coast\Projects\41\32052\GIS\Maps\MXD\41_32052_025_EnvBaseline_MP_SurveyEffort_Rev0.mxdPrint date: 19 Oct 2018 - 08:58

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3. Desktop assessment results

3.1 Ecological communities

3.1.1 Threatened ecological communities

The EPBC Act Protected Matters database search (Appendix A) lists the following threatened ecological communities (TECs) as potentially occurring within the region:

Broad leaf tea-tree (Melaleuca viridiflora) woodlands in high rainfall coastal north Queensland

Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Thickets of Eastern Australia

A mixed vegetation polygon that contains RE 8.2.2 as a subordinate unit is mapped along the coastal dunes within the southern extent of the study area. RE 8.2.2 is listed as an equivalent community to the Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Thickets of Eastern Australia in the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) conservation listing advice (TSSC 2008). This polygon has potential to constitute this TEC if diagnostic and condition criteria thresholds are met.

No other mapped vegetation polygons within the study area are analogous to either of the TECs identified in the Protected Matters search.

3.1.2 Mapped regional ecosystem communities

RE mapping for the study area is shown in Figure 4-1, and descriptions of associated REs are provided in Table 3-1. REs listed occurred either as homogeneous or heterogeneous units.

Table 3-1 RE descriptions

RE code VMA Status Biodiversity Status

Regional ecosystem description

8.1.1 LC NC Mangrove closed forest of marine clay plains and estuaries

8.2.2 OC E Semi-evergreen microphyll vine thicket to vine forest, on coastal dunes

8.2.6a OC OC Corymbia tessellaris +/- Acacia leptocarpa +/- Allocasuarina littoralis +/- Banksia integrifolia +/- rainforest species open forest on parallel dunes

E – endangered; OC – of concern; LC – least concern; NC – No concern

3.2 Conservation significant flora species

The EPBC Act Protected Matters Search identified five conservation significant flora species that have the potential to occur within 10 km of the study area (Table 3-2).

State-based searches (i.e. Wildlife Online and Species Profile Search) identified one conservation significant flora species that has confirmed records within 10 km of the study area, namely Callicarpa thozetii (Table 3-2).

The conservation status of species identified in desktop searches and details of closest occurrence records held in DES’ spatial database (Species Profile Search) are provided in Table 5. Information regarding the likelihood of occurrence of these species or their habitat within the survey area is provided in Section 4.3 (Table 4-3). Copies of desktop searches are provided in Appendix A and Appendix B.


Table 3-2 Conservation status and closest records

Species NC Act Status

EPBC Act Status

Source Closest verified record

Cadellia pentastylis V V PMST 280 km south of the study area

Callicarpa thozetii E NL WO 5.8 km north west of study area.

Dichanthium setosum

LC V PMST Approximately 90 km south of study area

Eucalyptus raveretiana

LC V PMST 14 km north west of the study area

Omphalea celata V V PMST

Closest verified spatial record is approximately 75 km south of study area.

Phaius australis E E PMST Location information withheld and no WO records within the area and outside of modelled habitat for species (Butler 2012).

E - endangered, V - vulnerable, NT - near threatened, LC - least concern, NL – not listed; PMST – Protected matters search tool; WO – Wildlife Online; SPS – Species profile search

3.3 Introduced flora species

The EPBC Act Protected Matters Search identified five introduced plant species as potentially present in the region that have potential to pose a significant threat to biodiversity values (Appendix A). The species listed are all classified as restricted invasive plants under the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014 and are also listed as weeds of national significance (WONS).

3.4 Conservation significant fauna species

3.4.1 Protected matters search

A search of the DoEE Protected Matters database identified 35 conservation significant fauna species listed under the EPBC Act that are predicted to occur within 10 km of the study area (Appendix A). The following EPBC Act listed species were predicted to occur:

16 bird species, including:

– Eight shorebird species (i.e. red knot, curlew sandpiper, great knot, greater sand plover, lesser sand plover, western Alaskan bar-tailed godwit, northern Siberian bar-tailed godwit and eastern curlew).

– Three pelagic bird species (i.e. white-bellied storm petrel, southern giant-petrel and kermadec petrel).

– Four terrestrial bird species (i.e. red goshawk, star finch, southern black-throated finch and masked owl).

– One wetland bird species (i.e. Australian painted snipe).

Eight mammal species, including:

– Three marsupial species (i.e. northern quoll, greater glider and koala).

– Two bat species (i.e. ghost bat and grey-headed flying-fox).

– One rodent species (i.e. water mouse).

– Two whale species (i.e. blue whale and humpback whale).


Eight reptile species, including:

– Two terrestrial reptile species (i.e. ornamental snake and yakka skink).

– Six marine turtle species (i.e. loggerhead turtle, green turtle, leatherback turtle, hawksbill turtle, olive ridley turtle and flatback turtle).

Three shark and ray species, including:

– Two shark species (i.e. white shark and whale shark).

– One ray species (i.e. green sawfish).

3.4.2 Historical records

State based searches (i.e. Wildlife Online, Species Profile Search and Biomaps) identified 12 conservation significant fauna species that have been historically recorded within 10 km of the study area. Species identified in the database searches are summarised in Table 3-3. Wildlife Online results are presented in Appendix B.

Table 3-3 Conservation significant species historically recorded within

10 km radius of the study area

Common name Species name NC Act Status EPBC Act Status

Beach stone-curlew Esacus magnirostris Vulnerable -

Lesser sand plover Charadrius monogolus Endangered Endangered

Squatter pigeon Geophaps scripta scripta Vulnerable Vulnerable

Great knot Calidris tenuirostris Endangered Critically Endangered

Eastern curlew Numenius madagascariensis


Western Alaskan bar-tailed godwit

Limosa lapponica bauera Vulnerable Vulnerable

Northern greater glider Petauroides volans minor Vulnerable Vulnerable

Northern quoll Dasyurus hallucatus Least Concern Endangered

Grey-headed flying-fox Pteropus poliocephalus Least Concern Vulnerable



Dugong Dugong dugon Vulnerable -

Green turtle Chelonia mydas Vulnerable Vulnerable

3.4.3 Essential habitat mapping

Essential habitat for five species listed under the NC Act is mapped within the study area. Areas of mapped essential habitat include the following species:

Estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

Squatter pigeon (Geophaps scripta scripta)

Eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis)

Great knot (Calidris tenuirostris)

Bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica)


3.5 Land use planning and management registers

A search was conducted of the DES EMR and CLR for Lot 76 on CI3485. This allotment was not listed on either of the registers. The search result is provided in Appendix D.

3.6 Other natural and physical resources

3.6.1 Waterways and wetlands

The nearshore areas of study area are mapped as estuarine wetland. This extends into the marine influenced areas of Yard Creek to the south of the study area. An unnamed watercourse is located in the north of the study area.

3.6.2 Regional geology

Detailed surface geology mapping (accessed via QGlobe) indicates the northern and southern extents of the study area are underlain by unconsolidated sediments (consisting of sand and mud), whilst the central portion is underlain by fine to coarse grained sands with some gravels. Both geological units are from the Quaternary period.

3.6.3 Soils and erosion potential

Broad scale soil mapping (Bureau of Rural Sciences 2009) indicates that soils within the study area consist of coarse pale sands over a coloured B horizon. Finer scale mapping prepared for the region1 (Whitsunday Shire Council 2003), suggests that the soils on the beach ridges and dunes consists of deep yellow brown sands which are alkaline at depth. These loose sands on frontal dunes are often susceptible to erosion from storm surge.

The headland immediately to the north of the study area is mapped as comprising yellow duplex soils on acid to intermediate volcanics. Such soils are prone to erosion, particularly when cleared of vegetation.

3.6.4 Protected areas

No protected areas were connected with, or within the terrestrial portion of the study area. The esplanade, comprising the Neilsen Parade reserve on Lot 76 on CI3485 is a Council reserve. Bloomsbury Conservation Park, a small conservation area of around 3 ha is located along the southern side of Bundesen Avenue on Lot 82 CI3666 to the west of the study area.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park extends over the nearshore area of the study area, which is included in the general use zone of the park (refer to Figure 3-1). A habitat protection zone is located to the south of the study area (outside of the study area and corresponding with the mapped fish habitat area), whilst a Marine National Park zone is located to the east of the study area. The zoning plan indicates activities that are allowed, or, that require a permit within each of the zones (GBRMPA 2016).

3.6.5 Seagrass beds

Seagrass beds are mapped in the nearshore area, extending from the mid northern area of Midge Point Beach down towards the confluence of Swizet Creek with the Coral Sea.

The data layer for the seagrass beds comprises a collation of spatial seagrass data from 1984 to 2014 within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Sampling methods used for the development of the data layer by the TropWATER Seagrass Group included visual estimates, video transects, van Veen grab, free diving, helicopter and walking. Limitations noted in the metadata for the layer indicate that some of the data in the layer may be of variable quality due

1 Mapped at a 100,000 scale.


to age of some of the data and changes in technology since data was obtained in some instances (AIMS 2016).

Review of the seagrass polygon immediately to the east of Midge Point within the study area, indicates that this area was last surveyed in 2013. It is noted that whilst this is the most recent publicly available data, that the survey pre-dates significant weather events in the region, including Cyclone Debbie (2017), and as such the mapping may not be representative of the current extent of the seagrass.

3.7 Heritage

3.7.1 World Heritage Properties

The nearshore zone in the study area is located within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage property. This world heritage property extends over 2,000 km along the Queensland coastline and covers an area of around 348,000 km2. It contains the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem and supports some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems, being recognised internationally for its outstanding biodiversity (UNESCO 2018).

3.7.2 National Heritage Places

The National Heritage List includes places of outstanding heritage significance to Australia. In addition to its listing on the World Heritage List, the Great Barrier Reef is also a National Heritage Place, having been listed on the National Heritage List in 2007 (DoEE 2018).

3.7.3 Cultural heritage

Traditional owners

There are seven tribes that are the Traditional Owners for the land and sea within the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region, these being the Juru, Gia, Ngaro, Yuwibara, Koinmerburra, Barada and Wiri peoples (Reef Catchments 2017).

The Yuwibara peoples are associated with the southern extent of the study area including the near shore area (refer to Native Title section below), whilst the Gia Peoples’ country includes the mainland the Whitsunday Islands, north to Bowen, south to O’Connell River and east to the Clarke Connors Ranges. Additionally the Ngaro peoples are associated with the Whitsunday Islands and mainland coastlines where they traded with the Gia, and may be associated with the area (Reef Catchments 2017). A number of Wiri Community cultural heritage site points are registered in the region on the DATSIP database, although none are present within the study area (see below).

Database search results

The DATSIP search for Lot 76 on CI3485 did not record any cultural heritage site points within the specific search area, although a number of Cultural heritage site points are mapped within the area to the west of the study area (refer to Figure 3-2 and Appendix E). Notwithstanding this, the study area may possess cultural heritage sites and intangible values, which have not been the subject of this assessment.

Native title

The cultural heritage party for the area is the Yuwibara People. Native Title Claim (QA2013/007) extends over extends from south of Yard Creek over the very south eastern nearshore portion of the study area. The claim was lodged on 29/10/2013 and was registered from 9/01/2014 however has not yet been determined in the Federal Court. The NNTT extract is provided in Appendix E, whilst the relevant part of the claim area is shown on Figure 3-1.


Indigenous land use agreements

There are no registered Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUA) over any part of the study area.

3.7.4 Historic heritage

A search of the Queensland Heritage Register revealed that there are no registered historic heritage places within the study area registered under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992.

3.7.5 Natural heritage

Natural heritage includes the parts of the natural environment that have aesthetic, historic, scientific or social significance or other special value for future generations, as well as for the present community (DEWR 2007). The nearshore areas of the study area are situated within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, which is listed for its outstanding natural heritage values.

Conder Hills

Clarke Connors Range

CORAL SEA

Bloomsbury

Midge Point

Yalboroo

BR

UC

EH

I GH

WAY

Proserpine- Goorganga

Plain

St HelensBay Area

GreatBarrier ReefMarine Park

Oconnell

River

Great BarrierReef WHA

GreatBarrier Reef

WHA

MacartneyState Forest

CathuStateForest

EungellaNational Park

BloomsburyConservation

Park

Skull KnobConservation

Park

FIGURE 3-1

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LegendMajor RoadMajor WatercourseWorld Heritage AreaProtected AreaDirectory of Important WetlandsInshore Marine Environment

Other Natural and Physical Resources




#*#*

#*

#*

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StoneArrangement(s)

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QC2013/007Yuwibara

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Legend#* Indigenous Heritage Feature

Minor RoadInshore Marine EnvironmentCadastreRegister of Native Title Claims

Indigenous Heritage





4. Field survey results

4.1 Vegetation and flora

4.1.1 Threatened Ecological Communities

Field surveys of the polygon comprising the heterogeneous unit RE 8.2.6a/8.2.2 (a constituent RE of the Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Thickets of Eastern Australia TEC) found that it did not meet the diagnostic and condition criteria for eligibility as the TEC. The vegetation community contained vine thicket elements but did not contain sufficient species characteristic of the TEC and none of the characteristic species present comprised 30% or more of the canopy cover. Substantial disturbance attributed to weeds, rubbish dumping and informal tracks was also evident. A field description of the vegetation community in the study area containing RE 8.2.2 as a component of the heterogeneous unit RE 8.2.6a/8.2.2 is provided in Table 4-1.

No other vegetation units present, including non-remnant vegetation, met the diagnostic and condition criteria of any EPBC Act listed TEC.

4.1.2 Regional ecosystems of interest

The mixed vegetation polygon mapped within the south-eastern extent of the study area (i.e. RE 8.2.6a/8.2.2) was the only RE possessing a VMA class of endangered or of concern in the study area. DNRME mapping of this unit, shown in Figure 4-1 was consistent with on-site observations. A generalised field description and photograph of this RE are presented in Table 4-1. The only other RE present within the study area (RE 8.1.1) has a VMA status of least concern and was not formally verified during the survey.

4.1.3 Marine plant communities

Marine plant communities were confirmed present on the tidal flats, tidal inlet and foredunes within the north eastern extent of the study area and provide protection to foredune and inland communities. Mangroves dominated the community, with common species recorded including Rhizophora stylosa, Bruguiera exaristata, Ceriops tagal, Aegiceras corniculatum and Avicennia marina. Mangrove densities ranged from scattered individuals on the tidal flats to dense patches fringing the tidal inlet and foredunes. Most mangroves present on the tidal flats were less than 1.5 m high and were showing signs of recovery following cyclone damage which occurred in recent years. The mangroves landward of the tidal flats were up to 5 m tall. Common marine plants in the ground layer included Sporobolus virginicus and Sesuvium portulacastrum.

A representative photograph of the mangrove vegetation present is provided in Plate 4-1.

The extent of the marine plant community present in the study area is shown in Plate 4-2.


Plate 4-1 Marine plants on the upper intertidal zone

Plate 4-2 Extent of marine plant communities in study area (Source: Google Earth,

2018)

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8.12.20a

8.1.1

8.1.1

8.1.1

8.1.2

8.12.20a

8.1.1

8.1.1

8.12.20a

8.2.6a/8.2.2

8.12.6a/8.12.20a

8.3.1a

8.2.6a/8.2.2

8.2.6a

8.2.6a/8.2.28.2.2/8.2.1

Gould Island

MidgePoint

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Regional Ecosystem v10.1Vegetation Management Status

Remnant Containing Endangered RERemnant Containing Of Concern RERemnant Containing Least Concern REHigh Value Regrowth Containing Of Concern REHigh Value Regrowth Containing Least Concern RE

Regional Ecosystem Mapping





Table 4-1 Regional ecosystems assessed during the field survey

RE VMA REDD Description GHD Field Description Photo

8.2.6a/8.2.2 OC 8.2.6a: Corymbia tessellaris +/- Acacia leptocarpa +/- Allocasuarina littoralis +/- Banksia integrifolia +/- rainforest species open forest on parallel dunes

8.2.2: Semi-evergreen microphyll vine thicket to vine forest, on coastal dunes

This mixed vegetation unit was dominated by RE 8.2.6a which comprised a sparse canopy of Corymbia tessellaris, Melaleuca dealbata, Calophyllum inophyllum and Euroschinus falcatus (16-22 m) over a sub-canopy of Cocus nucifera*, Casuarina equisetifolia subsp. incana, Dysoxylum mollissimum subsp. molle and Spathodea campanulata subsp. nilotica* (8-12 m tall) over a low tree layer dominated by Hibiscus tiliaceus, Pandanus cookii, Clerodendrum floribundum, Ficus rubiginosa, Gossia bidwillii, Jagera pseudorhus var. pseudorhus and Acacia leptocarpa ( 2-5 m tall). Common shrubs included Cupaniopsis anacardioides, Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora, Planchonia careya, Lantana camara*, Senna pendula var. glabrata*, Aglaia elaeagnoidea Clerodendrum inerme, Capparis arborea and Terminalia cattapa. Ground layer species included Imperata cylindrica, Sphagneticola trilobata*, Crotalaria sp.* and Stachytarpheta jamaicensis*.

Landform/soils: – pale sands on coastal dunes


4.1.4 Conservation significant flora

No conservation significant flora species were recorded within the study area during the field survey. No suitable habitat for conservation significant flora species identified during the desktop searches was present.

4.1.5 Introduced flora species

Introduced flora species were commonly observed growing on the coastal dunes. Non-remnant vegetation along the foreshore supported higher levels of weed abundance than mapped remnant vegetation. The following restricted invasive - Category 3 plants under Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014 were observed within the study area during the field survey:

Lantana camara* (lantana)

Spathodea campanulata subsp. nilotica* (African tulip tree)

Sphagneticola trilobata* (Singapore daisy)

Lantana camara* is also recognised as a WONS.

4.2 Fauna

4.2.1 Habitat assessments

Three broad habitat types were identified in the study area:

Woodlands with vine thicket elements

Mangroves on rocky shore

Intertidal flats

Seagrass meadows

The ecological value of each habitat type is summarised in Table 4-2 and mapped in Figure 4-2. This has detailed the general ecological value for least concern fauna and the values for species of conservation significance.


Table 4-2 Terrestrial habitat types observed in the study area

Habitat type Characteristics Ecological values

1. Woodlands with vine thicket elements

Low abundance of hollow-bearing trees Sparse canopy over a moderately dense

understorey Soft friable soils suitable for burrowing Presence of logs, wood debris, peeling

bark and arboreal termite mounds Dense leaf litter

Nesting and foraging habitat for forest-dwelling birds

Microhabitats for skinks, monitors and other reptiles

Foraging habitat for bandicoots, rodents and other ground-dwelling mammals

Potential conservation significant species – grey-headed flying fox, northern quoll and squatter pigeon

2. Mangroves on rocky shores

Presence of mangroves Exposed rocky shores at low tide

Foraging and shelter habitat for migratory and wading shorebirds

Refuge and foraging habitat for invertebrates including crabs, sponges, sea squirts and corals

Shelter and foraging habitat for grazing snails, limpets and other molluscs

Potential conservation significant species – water mouse, beach stone-curlew, great knot, lesser sand plover, western Alaskan bar-tailed godwit, curlew sandpiper, red knot, northern Siberian bar-tailed godwit and greater sand plover


Habitat type Characteristics Ecological values

3. Intertidal flats

Soft-bottom substrate for burrowing Foraging habitat for migratory and wading shorebirds

Shelter and foraging habitat for benthic species including worms, crabs and molluscs

Foraging habitat for fish species Potential conservation significant species –

beach stone-curlew, great knot, lesser sand plover, western Alaskan bar-tailed godwit, curlew sandpiper, red knot, northern Siberian bar-tailed godwit and greater sand plover

4. Seagrass meadows

(mapped habitat, not observed) Nursery habitat for small invertebrates including crustaceans and juvenile fish species

Refuge and foraging habitat for mollusks such squid, cuttlefish, snails and bivalves, sponges, worms and sea urchins

Important feeding grounds for marine turtles and dugongs

Potential conservation significant species – green turtle, loggerhead turtle, hawksbill turtle, olive Ridley turtle, flatback turtle, dugong and Australian snubfin dolphin

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Fauna Habitat TypeMangroves on rocky shoreIntertidal flatsWoodland with vine thicket elements

Seagrass MeadowHaloduleHalodule, Halophila and ZosteraHalodule and HalophilaHalodule and Zostera

Fauna Habitat TypesWithin the Study Area





4.2.2 Fauna species

A total of 17 fauna species were recorded in the survey area. This comprised three mammal species and 14 bird species. A description of each of the fauna groups is provided below.

Amphibians

No conservation significant amphibian species listed under the EPBC Act or NC Act were recorded or have the potential to occur in the study area.

During the field survey, no least concern amphibian species were not found within the study area. Least concern amphibian species that are likely to occur due to their regional abundance include, the eastern sedgefrog (Litoria fallax), ornate burrowing frog (Platyplectrum ornatum), scarlet sided pobblebonk (Limnodynastes terraereginae) and marbled frog (Limnodynastes convexiusculus).

Reptiles

No conservation significant reptile species listed under the EPBC Act or NC Act were recorded during the field survey. Six conservation significant reptile species have the potential to occur. More information on these species is provided in Section 4.3 and Appendix C.

During the field survey, no least concern reptile species were found within the study area. Least concern reptile species that have the potential to occur, include the carpet python (Morelia spilota), brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis), three-clawed worm-skink (Anomalopus verreauxii) and straight-browed ctenotus (Ctenotus spaldingi).

Mammals

No conservation significant mammal species listed under the EPBC Act or NC Act were recorded within the study area during the field survey. Eight conservation significant mammal species have the potential to occur. More information on these species is provided in Section 4.3 and Appendix C.

The eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) was observed within the study area during the field survey. Secondary traces (i.e. faecal pellets, tracks and diggings) confirmed the presence of the northern brown bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus) and agile wallaby (Macropus agilis) in the study area.

Least concern mammal species that are likely to occur due to their regional abundance, include the unadorned rock-wallaby (Petrogale inornata), whiptail wallaby (Macropus parryi), common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and fawn-footed melomys (Melomys cervinipes).

Birds

One conservation significant bird species, the eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis), listed as critically endangered under the EPBC Act and endangered under the NC Act was confirmed present within the study area (Plate 4-3). One individual was observed foraging at low tide along the intertidal flats at mid-morning.

A total of 14 bird species were recorded in the study area during the field survey. Intertidal flats within the study area provided forging habitat for shorebirds, including the Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus), Australian pied oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris), Caspian tern (Hydroprogne caspia), eastern reef egret (Egretta sacra), gull-billed tern (Gelochelidon nilotica), red-capped plover (Charadrius ruficapillus) and whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus). Birds commonly encountered in coastal vegetated areas included the bush stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), fairy gerygone (Gerygone palpebrosa), peaceful dove (Geopelia striata), rainbow


lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus moluccanus), sacred kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus) and white-breasted woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus).

Plate 4-3 Australian oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris) (left) and

eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis)

4.3 Likelihood of occurrence of conservation significant species

A likelihood of occurrence assessment was undertaken as detailed in Section 2.4. The results of the assessment are provided in Appendix C. A summary of the likelihood of occurrence assessment is provided in Table 4-3.

Table 4-3 Likelihood of occurrence assessment

Common name Species name NC Act EPBC Act Conservation significant species confirmed present Eastern curlew Numenius

madagascariensis Endangered Critically

Endangered Conservation significant species likely to occur

Grey-headed flying-fox

Pteropus poliocephalus Least Concern Vulnerable



Dugong Dugong dugon Vulnerable - Squatter pigeon (southern)

Geophaps scripta scripta Vulnerable Vulnerable

Beach stone-curlew Esacus magnirostris Vulnerable - Great knot Calidris tenuirostris Endangered Critically

Endangered Lesser sand plover Charadrius mongolus Endangered Endangered Western Alaskan bar-tailed godwit

Limosa lapponica baueri Vulnerable Vulnerable

Green turtle Chelonia mydas Vulnerable Vulnerable Conservation significant species that may occur

Curlew sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Endangered Critically Endangered

Red knot Calidris canutus Endangered Endangered


Common name Species name NC Act EPBC Act Northern Siberian bar-tailed godwit

Limosa lapponica menzbieri


Greater sand plover Charadrius leschenaultii Vulnerable Vulnerable Greater glider Petauroides volans Vulnerable Vulnerable Koala Phascolarctos cinereus Vulnerable Vulnerable Northern quoll Dasyurus hallucatus Least Concern Endangered Water mouse Xeromys myoides Vulnerable Vulnerable Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Vulnerable Vulnerable Loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta Endangered Endangered Hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata Endangered Vulnerable Olive Ridley turtle Lepidochelys olivacea Endangered Endangered Flatback turtle Natator depressus Vulnerable Vulnerable Green sawfish Pristis zijsron Least Concern Vulnerable

4.4 Other natural and physical resources

4.4.1 Waterways

The mapped waterway within the northern extent of the project area consisted of a narrow tidal estuary fringed by mangroves. Channel depths varied substantially depending on the tide cycle. The channel is approximately 6 m wide where it meets the ocean but quickly narrows upstream to less than 3 m wide. Another minor waterway (< 5 m wide) was observed approximately 50 m south of the caravan park to the south of the residential area. The most substantial waterway present is a tidal estuary immediately south of the study area. It receives flows from the southern end of the coastal range located approximately 5 km west of the study area and traverses through a dense low mangrove forest before discharging into the ocean. This waterway is likely to provide valuable habitat for an array of fish species.

4.4.2 Wetlands

The nearshore areas of study area are mapped as a shallow-enclosed estuarine wetland. This extends into the marine influenced areas of Yard Creek and further to Swizet Creek to the south of the study area.


4.4.3 Erosion

Substantial erosion of the foreshore area was evident during the field survey, with exposed root systems of larger trees present on the foredunes. The Midge Point Beach Plan (Reef Catchments 2010) reports that several attempts have been made to arrest beach erosion and restore dune sand in past years, including installation of sand retention fencing, hay bale trials, and sand scraping activities. A photograph of beach erosion and exposed root balls is provided in Plate 4-4.

Plate 4-4 Beach erosion resulting in exposed root systems of plants

4.4.4 Seagrass beds

Seagrass beds were not exposed at the time of the survey and their presence, cover and/or health was not assessed.

4.5 Qualities and characteristics

4.5.1 Beach access

Mackay Regional Council has installed two formal beach access points for vehicles, one at the northern extent of the beach and one mid-way along the developed portion of the foreshore. Access points are for the strict purpose of launching boats in front of the access points and unfettered driving along the beach is prohibited under local Council laws. Despite this restriction, several 4WD tracks were observed along the length of the beach at the time of the field survey.

4.5.2 Heritage values

No evident historic heritage values were observed.

4.5.3 Contamination

No potentially contaminating activities were observed during the field survey. The remains of a discarded tractor were observed in the tidal inlet within the north western extent of the survey area.

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FIGURE 4-3

0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1

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41-32052Date 19/10/2018




Paper Size ISO A4

oData source: GHD: Survey Area, Conservation Significant Species Record (2018); DSITI: Conservation Significant Species Record (2018); DNRME: Place Name Gazetteer, Roads (2018);

Imagery Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community. Created by: xlee\\ghdnet\ghd\AU\Gold Coast\Projects\41\32052\GIS\Maps\MXD\41_32052_029_EnvBaseline_MP_CSS_Rev0.mxdPrint date: 19 Oct 2018 - 09:15


Conservation Significant Species RecordDesktop Record!( Beach Stone-curlew!( Eastern Curlew!( Northern Quoll

GHD Record") Eastern Curlew

Conservation Significant SpeciesRecords Within and

Adjacent to Study Area





5. Discussion

5.1 Relative environmental values

In order to inform Defence planning, a simplified map of relative environmental values has been developed in order to communicate the overall findings of the baseline environmental assessment (refer to Figure 5-1). It is important to note that mapped areas do not represent constraints, as proposed activities and potential impacts have not been considered as part of this assessment.

5.2 Mapping categories

Three categories were established to delineate areas of differing environmental value within the study area, namely, higher, moderate, and lower environmental values. These categories were established based upon desktop and field information. We note that cultural heritage values have not been included in the representation of values.

In broad terms, areas of higher environmental value included areas that were known or likely to support conservation significant species or possess substantial natural values. Areas of moderate environmental value included those areas that contain endangered or of concern regional ecosystems or mangrove communities and/or may support conservation significant species. Those areas that did not possess the attributes of the higher or moderate environmental values were categorised as having lower relative environmental value.

Where an area possessed attributes associated with different categories of relative environmental value, the higher category was attributed to that area. A more detailed description of attributes and values associated with each category is provided in Table 5-1.

Table 5-1 Relative environmental value categories

Category Feature/attribute Value

Higher Intertidal flats The eastern curlew and migratory shorebirds confirmed present in such areas.

Moderate Of concern regional ecosystems Vegetation units confirmed present. Limited extents remaining at a State level.

Open woodlands with rainforest patches, stands of Melaleuca, mangroves and riparian vegetation

Suitable habitat for the grey-headed flying-fox and northern quoll. Species may occur in such areas.

Marine plant communities Protected under the Queensland Fisheries Act 1994 and provide shelter, food and nursery areas for fish species.

Suitable habitat for the water mouse. Species may occur in such areas.

Seagrass meadows Suitable foraging habitat for the green turtle and dugong. Species are likely to occur in such areas.


Category Feature/attribute Value

Lower Highly modified areas lacking suitable habitat for conservation significant species.

Low habitat value for least concern species.

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0 100 200 300 400

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41-32052Date 19/10/2018

Department of DefenceNon-Defence Training Area Midge Point

Map Projection: Transverse MercatorHorizontal Datum: GDA 1994Grid: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55

Paper Size ISO A3

oData source: GHD: Survey Area, Relative Enrivonmental Values, Species (2018); DNRME: Place Name Gazetteer, Roads (2018); Imagery Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar

Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community. Created by: x lee\\ghdnet\ghd\AU\Gold Coast\Projects\41\32052\GIS\Maps\MXD\41_32052_038_MP_RelativeEnvValues_Species_Rev0.mxdPrint date: 19 Oct 2018 - 09:30


Relative Environmental ValueHigherModerateLower

Environmental Features!( Dugong

!(Endangered and Of ConcernRegional Ecosystems

!( Green Turtle!( Grey-headed Flying Fox!( Migratory Shorebirds!( Northern Quoll!( Water Mouse

RELATIVE ENVIRONMENTALVALUES AND FEATURES

Data Disclaimer©2018. Whilst every care has been taken to prepare this map, GHD

and DNRME make no representations or warranties about itsaccuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particularpurpose and cannot accept liability and responsibility of any kind(whether in contract, tort or otherwise) for any expenses, losses,

damages and/or costs (including indirect or consequential damage)which are or may be incurred by any party as a result of the map being

inaccurate, incomplete or unsuitable in any way and for any reason.


6. References

Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) (2016) Collation of spatial seagrass data from 1984 - 2014 for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA) (NESP TWQ 3.1, TropWATER, JCU). Metadata, file identifier 77998615-bbab-4270-bcb1-96c46f56f85a,

Department of Environment and Energy (DoEE) (2018). Species Profiles and Threats Database. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl. Accessed 19 September 2018.

Department of Environment and Science (DES) (2018). WetlandInfo – Queensland Wetlands Information. Available from: https://wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/wetlands/. Accessed 19 September 2018.

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) (2008a). Approved Conservation Advice for Eucalyptus raveretiana (Black Ironbox). Canberra: Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. In effect under the EPBC Act from 16-Dec-2008.

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) (2008b). Approved Conservation Advice for Omphalea celata. Canberra: Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/64586-conservation-advice.pdf. In effect under the EPBC Act from 16-Dec-2008.

Eyre, T.J. (2002). Habitat preferences and management of large gliding possums in southern Queensland. Ph.D. thesis, Southern Cross University, Lismore.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (2016) Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks Zoning Map 10 – Whitsunday. Map produced December 2016 by Spatial Data Centre – Edition V, Commonwealth of Australia.

Higgins, P.J. and Davies, S.J.J.F. (eds) (1996). Handbook of Australia, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 3: Snipe to Pigeons. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Limpus. C.J. (2008a). “1. Loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta (Linnaeus)”, A biological review of Australian marine turtles. Environmental Protection Agency, QLD, Brisbane, Australia, pp. 1–67.

Limpus, C.J. (2008b). “6. Leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea (Vandelli)”, A biological review of Australian marine turtles. Environmental Protection Agency, QLD, Brisbane, Australia, pp. 1–29.

Marchant, S. and Higgins, P.J. (eds) (1993). Handbook of Australia, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 2: Raptors and Lapwings. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Reef Catchments (2010) Midge Point Beach Plan. Reef Catchments and Mackay Regional Council.

Threatened Species Scientific Committee (2008). Attachments A, B and C to the Listing Advice for the Littoral Rainforest & Coastal Vine Thickets ecological community. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communities/pubs/76-species-lists.pdf. In effect under the EPBC Act from 10-Oct-2008.

Threatened Species Scientific Committee (2008). Commonwealth Listing Advice on Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Thickets of Eastern Australia. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communities/pubs/76-listing-advice.pdf. In effect under the EPBC Act from 10-Oct-2008.

http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl

https://wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/wetlands/

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/64586-conservation-advice.pdf

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/64586-conservation-advice.pdf

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communities/pubs/76-species-lists.pdf

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communities/pubs/76-listing-advice.pdf


Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) (2012). Commonwealth Listing Advice on Broad leaf tea-tree (Melaleuca viridiflora) woodlands in high rainfall coastal north Queensland. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Canberra, ACT: Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communities/pubs/122-listing-advice.pdf. In effect under the EPBC Act from 19-May-2012.



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