THREATENED SPECIES MANAGEMENT
Our wildlife in Queensland is under great pressure from climatic changes and human development and encroachment.
There are over 950 threatened species in Queensland alone and we each have a responsibility to ensure we protect and sustain our native wildlife.
Threatened species in Queensland includes any animal or plant that is at risk of extinction. They are categorised as endangered, vulnerable and near threatened species and listed under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and / or the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 for management.
Our services in relation to threatened species include:
- Habitat translocation and rehabilitation
- Animal breeding place surveys
- Development and submission of Species Management Plans and Impact Management Plans
- Fauna and habitat surveys
- Protected plant surveys and permits for EVNT flora species under the Nature Conservation (Wildlife Management) Regulation 2006
- Assessments of significance and referrals under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
- Ground truthing and assessment of significant impact on Matters of State Environmental Significance
- Fauna Spotter Catching and rescue
- Nest box supply, installation and monitoring
PROJECTS
Below is a selection of threatened species management projects
Project 1
Avian Species Management Plan for Bridges Re-Development Qld – 2022
The purpose of this Species Management Plan (SMP) was to mitigate potential population impacts to avian species and to ensure the re-development project was undertaken in an environmentally acceptable manner.
Biodiverse Environmental was previously engaged by the client in October 2021 to conduct a fauna management report for upcoming maintenance works on four bridges. The report identified that the Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel) and Welcome Swallows (Hirundo neoxena) were present within the maintenance works area. Both species are listed as least concern colonial breeders under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
Due to the presence of the Fairy Martin and Welcome Swallow within the project sites, the client was required to develop and submit a Species Management Plan for tampering with animal breeding places (high risk of impacts) to the Department of Environment and Science.
A High-Risk SMP was to be used for:
- least concern animals that are colonial breeders, and therefore whose broader populations are at greater risk from the impacts of events at a single location.
- development of a generic Species Management Program for tampering with animal breeding places (high risk of impacts) for the Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel) and Welcome Swallows (Hirundo neoxena) for the maintenance works on bridge or culverts.
The development of the Species Management Program included the following:- Consultation with DES
- Completion of the Species Management Program application form
- Development/amendment of supporting documents required to be attached to the Species Management Program application form.
- Supporting documents included map/plan of the proposed impact area, Animal Breeding Place Survey Report and an Impact Management Plan
Project 2
Wallum Froglet Species Management Plan for Noosaville Development Qld -2022
The purpose of this Species Management Plan (SMP) was to mitigate potential population impacts to acid frog populations specifically the Wallum Froglet (Crinia tinnula) and to ensure the development project was undertaken in an environmentally acceptable manner at a Noosaville development. The froglet is species are listed as least concern under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and vulnerable under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
This work was the result of the froglet being present during the ground truth survey for the Fauna Management Plan (FMP) which triggered the SMP. The SMP was approved by the Dept of Environment and Science in January 2023.
Prior to works commencing, an Impact Management Plan (IMP) was written to provide practical guidance to the construction teams when clearing the site. Biodiverse Environmental Fauna Spotter catchers will be on site before and during all clearing activities to relocate the frog population and monitor the progress of the IMP when development starts.
Project 3
Endangered Swamp Crayfish Nocturnal Survey – 2021
The client conducted vegetation clearing works on a road upgrade project in Burpengary. Prior ecological surveys identified that three NCA conservation significant listed species are known to occur in the area including the endangered Swamp crayfish (Tenuibranchiurus glypticus), the vulnerable Wallum froglet (Crinia tinnula) and the vulnerable Tusked frog (Adelotus brevis).
A Species Management Program (SMP) was developed for the threatened species by a third-party ecological consultancy. To adhere with the management measures identified in the SMP, a targeted nocturnal pre-clearance survey was required prior to vegetation clearing works being conducted.
The methodology included in the relevant fauna survey guidelines were implemented for each of the fauna species being surveyed. A scientific report detailing the findings of the surveys was developed and supplied to the client.
