Surveys for arboreal mammals, Long-Footed Potoroo and Spiny ...

a core zone of 150 - 200 ha. Once 17,500 ha is reached, any new sites are to be
assessed for habitat quality and the SMA system adjusted so that in lesser priority
sites the core zone is protected, and 17,500 ha is not exceeded.
17,500 ha of SMAs was reached several years ago and new sites found since then
have generated the adjustment process.
In this case any SMA would include the two proposed coupes on either side of
Brown Mountain Creek.
The Action Statement is currently under review. Under the proposed revised
Action Statement, a record such as this would generate a 150 ha Special
Management Zone of which a minimum of 50 ha of the best Long-footed Potoroo
habitat would be protected from disturbance.
DSE undertook extensive flora and fauna surveys across East Gippsland from
1983-1993. Brown Mountain Creek catchment is in Brodribb Forest Block which
received a prelogging survey in 1986 (report no 19). This particular site was not
surveyed for LFP. It was not identified as a Site of Significance.
There have been extensive systematic and ad hoc targeted surveys for Longfooted
Potoroos in East Gippsland since 1985. The Brown Mountain area west of
Legge Road was surveyed in 2001 and a Long-footed Potoroo was confirmed.
Long-footed Potoroos have also been detected at two sites along Errinundra Rd
since 2000. No surveys for these animals have been undertaken by DSE in this
area since.
Environment East Gippsland reported to DSE on 3 February 2009 that a Longfooted
Potoroos had been detected (using hairtubing). The hair sample was
identified as Long-footed Potoroos by an expert in this field (Barbara Triggs).
The sample was reported as collected within 100m of Brown Mountain Creek at
approx grid ref 6560 E 58744. This is on the western side of Brown Mountain Ck
on the edge of proposed coupe 840-502-0019.
Orbost Spiny Crayfish
Orbost Spiny Crayfish is listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee
Act 1988.
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