We have been working with NSW OEH to develop a standardised field survey methodology that can inform on occupancy issues associated with the conservation and monitoring of Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies. Our initial survey work has been focused in the Watagans and Curracabundi National Parks located in elevated hinterland areas of mid-coastal NSW.
The critically endangered Red-lored Whistler is a small bird that occurs in the remaining mallee areas of western NSW. Our work for OEH has thus far involved a review of historical RLW records and available survey data, as well as the design of a survey program based on passive acoustic sampling at regular intervals across remaining areas of habitat which the species is known to utilise. The first formal survey based on our design will occur in the Spring of 2019. Watch this space.....
We are continuing to work with NSW Office of Environment & Heritage (OEH) and the Koala Likelihood Model (KLM) by undertaking additional sampling in cells that currently have little or no information on koalas. To this end we are currently undertaking survey work in the South Pilliga, Warrumbungles National Park and extending into northern parts of Gilgandra Shire. The results to date do not bode well for koala survival in these areas.
In 2006 we were contracted by the then Gold Coast Council to undertake a koala habitat and population assessment across the Gold Coast LGA, including detailed studies in the Coombabah and Coomera-Pimpama areas. Amongst outcomes from this work were recommendations for dealing with the envisaged rapid urban expansion that was to occur in the Commera - Pimpama area.
In 2012, the NSW Minister for Planning & Infrastructure initiated a review of the application of Environmental Zones (E Zones) and overlays in Local Environmental Plans on the Far North Coast of NSW. Amongst the implications arising from this review was the deferral of proposed land use zonings in some areas.
We often work with other consultancy companies and/or organisations to assist them with the undertaking of various projects. Current collaborations include:
- assisting with a long-term study being undertaken by colleague Dr. Mark Fitzgerald. This study uses a BACI (Before, After, Control, Impact) designed monitoring program assessing the potential impacts upon birds of various festival events on the North Byron Parklands at Yelgun.
We have recently completed several local and landscape-scale, koala-centric connectivity studies intended to better understand and predict the movement needs of koalas across fragmented landscapes.
Morihei Ueshiba (1883 - 1969)
