EAST COAST BLUES AND ROOTS FESTIVAL SITE, TYAGARAH

CEG was engaged by Bluesfest Pty Ltd to complete an ecological assessment for the site proposed as the new venue for the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival.  Assessment objectives were to:

• Describe flora and fauna characteristics of the site
• Identify threatened species and their habitat and Endangered Ecological Communities
• Assess ecological impacts associated with the proposal
• Develop strategies for ecological management both during and of the festival outside periods

The site is considered ecologically sensitive, containing remnant native vegetation, Endangered Ecological Plant Communities, threatened species and aquatic environments.  Given the high profile nature of the development, it was essential that ecological management for the site met not only legislative requirements but also local community expectations.

A Flora and Fauna Assessment Report, Vegetation Management Plan, Koala Plan of Management and Ecological Site Management Plan were prepared for the site.  Ecological management priorities identified and addressed by these reports included:

• Retention, protection and rehabilitation of all native vegetation
• Protection of Endangered Ecological Communities
• Protection of threatened flora species (Syzygium moorei)
• Protection of threatened species (Wallum Froglet, Osprey, Koala, Grey-headed Flying-fox, Black Flying-fox, Little Bentwing-bat, Eastern False Pipistrelle and Greater Broad-nosed Bat)
• Protection of aquatic and riparian environments
• Effective ecological management during festivals
• Annual monitoring to detect long term ecological impacts of the festival

KYOTO ENERGY PARK, SCONE

CEG was engaged by Pamada Pty Ltd to complete an ecological assessment for land proposed as the site of the Kyoto Energy Park in Scone, Upper Hunter Valley.  The development is a wind energy park that involves the installation of up to 35 wind turbines and construction of associated infrastructure.  Assessment objectives were to:

• Describe flora and fauna characteristics of the site
• Identify threatened species and their habitat and Endangered Ecological Communities
• Assess ecological impacts associated with the proposal, in particular the impact of turbine rotor blades on bird and bats species
• Develop ecological management strategies for both the construction and operational phases

A Flora and Fauna Assessment, Ecological Site Assessment and Bird Impact Assessment were prepared for the site.  Ecological management priorities identified and addressed in these reports included:

• Retention of native vegetation
• Retention and protection of the Endangered Ecological Community White Box - Yellow Box - Blakely’s Red Gum Woodland
• Protection of the endangered flora population of Cymbidium canaliculatum
• Protection of threatened fauna species (Glossy Black Cockatoo, Koala, Squirrel Glider, Grey-headed Flying-fox, Black Flying-fox and Eastern False Pipistrelle)