Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2007B00391:body:0:p5
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2007B00391
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 10805–13815

not record owls using old minefields at all, however, they did observe owls hunting in grassy clearings.

Habitat Critical to Survival
All four nests recorded for this species, three in Marginal Rainforest and one in Primary Rainforest, have been in tree hollows in Syzygium nervosum (Hill & Young 1995) and all nest sites are likely to be in tree hollows (Hill & Young 1995). Syzygium nervosum is a common emergent tree particularly in Primary Rainforest where it forms approximately 18% of the forest canopy and 30% of the emergent species (Du Puy 1993). It is commonly greater than 35m high, has abundant tree hollows, unlike most other tree species in Primary Rainforest. Syzygium nervosum is, therefore, a very important tree species for Christmas Island Hawk-Owls and if its abundance was to change in the future, this might lead to a shortage of nest sites. Marginal Rainforest appears to have more species of trees with hollows and may have more potential nest sites for Christmas Island Hawk-Owls. Additional monitoring may show that owls can nest in a number of tree species.

Based on the available information and applying the EPBC Act criteria, habitat critical to the survival of the Christmas Island Hawk-Owl is defined as all Primary and Marginal rainforest, and all secondary growth rainforest that provides suitable habitat. The boundaries of Primary and Marginal rainforest are mapped and provided in Figure 1. Secondary growth rainforest suitable for Christmas Island Hawk-Owls has not been mapped, as there is currently insufficient data on this.

International Obligations
The Hawk-Owl is not listed under any international agreements.

Affected Interests
Commonwealth Parks Australia North, Shire of Christmas Island, Christmas Island Phosphates, Union of Christmas Island Workers, the Asia Pacific Space Centre Pty. Ltd, the Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS), Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA).

Role and interests of indigenous people
Not applicable. Christmas Island does not have an indigenous population.

Social and economic impacts
The actions in this plan may have positive and negative social and economic impacts.

Positive social impacts will arise from community education actions that will increase Christmas Islanders knowledge and interest in their own environment. The rainforest rehabilitation program provides on-island jobs, as could the hawk-owl monitoring program. Christmas Island endemic birds attract specialist bird watching groups each year that is high value, low-impact tourism.

Negative social and economic impacts arising from implementation of the plan could include greater restrictions due to review of the quarantine barrier. The EPBC Act already provides a regulatory framework for the protection of rainforest on Christmas Island, and one element of this is assessing potential impacts of proposed developments on the listed threatened species. These provisions have the potential to