BHP : Mooka Rail Pre-clearance Survey

MEMORANDUM

MOOKA RAIL SIDING PRE-CLEARANCETHREATENED FAUNA SURVEY

PREPARED FOR: BHP WAIO

Memo | Mooka Rail Siding | Pre-clearance Threatened Fauna Survey

© Spectrum Ecology Pty Ltd ABN 68 615 115 243 PO Box 314 Leederville Western Australia 6902 Ph: (08) 9317 8233

Email: [email protected]

Project ID: 2236-2	Mooka Rail Siding Pre-clearance Threatened Fauna Survey
Prepared for:	BHP WAIO
Date of issue:	02/06/2023
Prepared by:	Dan Kamien
Spectrum Review:	Melinda Henderson & Astrid Heidrich

This document has been prepared to the requirements of the client identified on the cover page and no representation is made to any third party. It may be cited for the purposes of scientific research or other fair use, but it may not be reproduced or distributed to any third party by any physical or electronic means without the express permission of the client for whom it was prepared or Spectrum Ecology Pty Ltd.

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Memo | Mooka Rail Siding | Pre-clearance Threatened Fauna Survey

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

BHP Western Australian Iron Ore (BHP WAIO) plans to realign a section of rail at Mooka siding on the Mount Newman railway, located approximately 20 km south of Port Hedland. As such, a pre-clearance targeted fauna survey was conducted focusing on three threatened species and suitability of available habitat:

• Bilby (Macrotis lagotis);
• Grey Falcon (Falco hypoleucos); and
• Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis).

The survey consisted of searches conducted via foot traverse, and opportunistic observation. No direct observation or secondary sign of the targeted species were recorded. Additionally, habitats identified within the Survey Area are not suitable for Night Parrot and offer only potential foraging habitat for Grey Falcon. Although suitable Bilby habitat was recorded in the Survey area, it is not unique or isolated and represents a negligible proportion of available habitat in the locality.

2. PROJECT BACKGROUND

To accommodate construction of additional rail infrastructure, BHP Western Australian Iron Ore (BHP WAIO) plans to realign a section of rail at Mooka siding on the Mount Newman railway, located approximately 20 km south of Port Hedland. As such, BHP WAIO engaged Spectrum Ecology & Spatial (Spectrum) to undertake a targeted threatened fauna survey as part of a pre-vegetation clearance assessment.

2.1. Scope of Work

The scope of this study was to undertake a single-phase, targeted terrestrial fauna survey, focusing on the potential occurrence of threatened species within the 176 ha development envelope, hereafter referred to as the Survey Area (Map 2.1 and Section 3.5.1).

The specific objectives of this study were to:

• conduct an on-ground habitat assessment of the Survey Area, providing comment on habitat suitability for threatened species, specifically the Bilby (Macrotis lagotis; listed as Vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act), the Grey Falcon (Falco hypoleucos, EPBC & BC Act Vulnerable) and the Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis, EPBC Act Endangered, BC Act Critically Endangered); and
• traverse the Survey Area to determine the presence of Bilby, Grey Falcon and Night Parrot via direct observation or secondary sign.

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Memo | Mooka Rail Siding | Pre-clearance Threatened Fauna Survey

3. METHODS

3.1. Threatened Fauna Statutory Framework

Fauna species that are rare, threatened with extinction, or have high conservation value, are specially protected by law under either the State BC Act and/or the Commonwealth EPBC Act.

3.2. Fauna Habitat Assessment

Vertebrate fauna landforms were described in the field based on functional landforms within the broader landscape. Available digital aerial imagery was also considered in combination with regional land systems mapping, as well as vegetation to inform the extent of identified habitats. Habitat descriptions were conducted opportunistically where warranted.

3.3. Fauna Sampling

The targeted fauna survey consisted of searches conducted via foot traverse, and opportunistic observation. The survey was conducted in accordance with relevant Commonwealth and State policy, including the following:

• Technical Guidance – Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (Environmental Protection Authority, 2020);
• Guidelines for Surveys to Detect the Presence of Bilbies, and Assess the Importance of Habitat in Western Australia (DBCA 2017);
• Matters of National Environmental Significance. Significant impact guidelines 1.1 EPBC Act Policy Statement (DoE, 2013);
• Survey Guidelines for Australia’s Threatened Birds (DEWHA 2010); and
• Survey Guidelines for Australia’s Threatened.(DSEWPaC 2011).

3.4. Survey Personnel and Timing

The targeted fauna survey was completed by a team of two zoologists in a single day on 11 May 2023 (Table 3.1).

Table 3.1: Fauna survey team qualifications and experience.

Name	Position	Role	Qualification	Years of Zoological
				Consulting Experience
Dan Kamien	Principal Zoologist	Fauna team member	BSc. Hons	18
Melinda Henderson	Senior Zoologist	Fauna team lead	BSc. Hons	8

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