Public Environment Report Tarkine Forest Drive ... - Transport

SurveyThere was considered to be the potential for finding further populations of this orchidspecies in similar habitat in the vicinity of Segments A and B of the road and aroundCouta Rocks (NBES 2011). These areas were targeted for survey (as outlined in Section4.9.2).One population is located in close vicinity to the Tarkine Drive at a site known as TigerCreek (Figure 4.3) which is located east of Temma Road in discrete areas north ofBottle Creek and roughly opposite the cattle yards.Figure 4.3 - Grassland at Tiger Flats – significant orchid habitat (Segment B) (Source: NBES2011)As part of this project targeted searches were undertaken in November 2009 (4.9.2Orchid and Spring Ephemeral Survey). No new populations were identified. Onepopulation at Tiger Creek was carefully inspected.All known populations were separately investigated in 1999 and 2009 with the roadsidepopulations near Tiger Creek reinspected in 2010 and 2012 (Threatened Species Section2010, Threatened Plants Tasmania 2012).The results from the targeted surveys at Tiger Creek revealed fluctuations in numberswith a dramatic decline observed in 2012 (219 in 1999,160 in 2009, 211 in 2010 andonly 43 in 2012).The majority of plants are located in stable grassland habitat over 10 m from the roadand not under direct threat from works. However, in 2009 it was observed that twoplants were located much closer to the road shoulder. These plants are at risk to anyroad works including standard grading works (Figure 4.4).Ref: HB09080H001 PER Tarkine Drive 33P Rev 00/DL/CL/jw 50