Where an action is likely to have a significant impact, and therefore determined to be a controlled action under the EPBC Act, additional surveys are likely to be required during assessment, particularly where high levels of uncertainty exist. Additional survey effort is likely to be required if loss of breeding habitat is proposed to occur, to establish the presence or absence of breeding birds. Where possible, undertaking additional surveys prior to referral may help to streamline the assessment of your action, including any offset obligations. These surveys should be carried out during the preferred time periods outlined in Table 2 and the results submitted in the referral. Where the presence or absence of breeding birds needs to be established, information must be provided concerning the use of hollows. Surveyors should look for and document evidence of chewing around the entrance of hollows and the presence of feathers at the base of the tree. Knocking on or raking the tree (scratching the tree truck with a pole) can elicit a response from a female who may be incubating eggs however this must be done during the day before mid-afternoon, as the female will leave the nest to be fed by the male. Where breeding is likely and there is evidence of presence, it is recommended that hollows be inspected directly. Surveys to determine presence or absence of breeding should always be undertaken by suitably experienced person(s). Table 2: Timing for surveys for black cockatoos Baudin’s Cockatoo Carnaby’s Cockatoo Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Swan Coastal Plain to September – foraging habitat; may occur in breeding areas of southern Swan Coastal Plain January to July – foraging habitat; night roosts; may occur after July if breeding in local areas (e.g. Lake Clifton) Any time of the year – foraging habitat; night roosts; may be found breeding in some locations containing suitable breeding tree species Wheatbelt Possible presence on margins during breeding season (October to breeding habitat and foraging habitat in proximity July to February/March – breeding habitat and foraging habitat in proximity Possible presence on margins, depending upon resource availability - breeding habitat and foraging habitat in proximity
Table 4: Priority mitigation options Species Regional mitigation and/or offset* direction Swan Coastal Plain Wheatbelt Jarrah forest Coast Carnaby’s Cockatoo Objective: To improve the security of tenure and management, and the condition of habitat throughout the range Objective: To improve the condition and management of breeding habitat and associated foraging habitat, including increasing hollow availability Objective: To improve the condition and management of breeding habitat and associated foraging habitat, including increasing hollow availability Objective: To improve the security of tenure and management, and the condition of habitat throughout the range Priority 1 Rehabilitate foraging habitat Restore breeding habitat Rehabilitate breeding habitat Rehabilitate foraging habitat Priority 2 Maintain night roosting sites and associated watering points Maintain and/or create hollows Rehabilitate foraging habitat Maintain night roosting sites and associated watering points Priority 3 Rehabilitate/ maintain/revegetate corridors between foraging and roosting Rehabilitate foraging habitat Reduce/eradicate competition from nest competitors Rehabilitate/ maintain/revegetate corridors between foraging and roosting Baudin’s Cockatoo Objective: To improve the condition and management of breeding habitat in proximity to foraging habitat Objective: To improve the condition and management of breeding habitat in proximity to foraging habitat Objective: To improve and manage breeding habitat, including increasing hollow availability, and reduce conflicts with orchardists Objective: To improve the condition and management of breeding habitat in proximity to foraging habitat Priority 1 Rehabilitate foraging habitat in proximity to breeding habitat Maintain hollows in breeding habitat areas Reduce conflict with orchardists through netting of fruit crops Rehabilitate foraging habitat in proximity to breeding habitat Priority 2 Rehabilitate/ maintain/revegetate corridors between foraging and breeding habitat Rehabilitate foraging habitat in proximity to breeding habitat Reduce/eradicate competition from other nest competitors Rehabilitate/ maintain/revegetate corridors between foraging and breeding habitat Priority 3 Maintain hollows in breeding habitat areas Reduce/eradicate competition from other nest competitors Rehabilitate breeding habitat Maintain hollows in breeding habitat areas