Wambo Coal AEMR 2011-2012 - Peabody Energy

Executive Summary
RPS Australia East (RPS) was commissioned by Wambo Coal Pty Ltd (Wambo) to
undertake the annual ecological monitoring program for their Remnant Woodland
Enhancement Program (RWEP). The RWEP was established to offset land disturbed by
open cut coal mining. HLA-Envirosciences Pty Ltd initially established the annual flora and
fauna monitoring program in 2006 (HLA 2007a, b). RPS has undertaken the monitoring
program in 2007 (RPS Harper Somers O’Sullivan 2007), 2008 (RPS Harper Somers
O’Sullivan 2009), 2009 (RPS 2010), 2010 (RPS 2011) and 2011 (this report).
Flora monitoring identified 266 flora species across 34 flora quadrats. Based on these
observations, the current management practices within the RWEP areas of Wambo Coal
Mine is appropriate for the conservation of flora species. Variation evident in the results
from the six years of monitoring is most likely related to natural variation in species
distribution, natural variation in species abundance and variation inherent in the sampling
design, and not due to current management practices. There was no evidence to suggest
that current management practices or mining activity was having any effect on the flora
species within the RWEP areas of Wambo Coal Mine.
While no Swift Parrots (Lathamus discolor) or Regent Honeyeaters (Anthochaera phrygia)
were identified during targeted winter bird surveys, annual surveys for these species
should continue into the future, particularly during years of heavy eucalypt blossom when
either or both species may occur on Wambo Coal land.
Diurnal bird monitoring identified a total of 126 bird species across 26 survey sites and
opportunistically, including nine threatened species. Current management practises within
the RWEP areas of Wambo Coal Mine appear to be appropriate for the conservation of
bird species. Variation evident in the results across the years of monitoring is most likely
related to natural variation in species diversity, natural variation in species abundance and
variation inherent in the sampling design, and not to current management practises.
One Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua), which is listed as Vulnerable under the NSW
Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act), responded during call playback
surveys. Owl species targeted by call playback also included Masked Owl (Tyto
novaehollandiae), Barking Owl (Ninox connivens) and Sooty Owl (Tyto tenebricosa). Due
to the large home range area of the target owl species, which each have a home range in
the vicinity of or greater than 1000 hectares and the relatively few (four) call playback
sessions undertaken each year it is not unexpected that threatened owls species are
rarely detected.
Spotlighting surveys identified the Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) as
the most common arboreal mammal species in RWEP areas of the Wambo Coal Mine.
Across five years of annual monitoring only four arboreal mammal species have been
identified. The Common Brushtail Possum was identified each year and the Sugar Glider
(Petaurus breviceps) was recorded for the first time in 2011. The threatened Yellow-
2011 Annual Ecological Monitoring Report, Final Report, May 2012 Page i