B-2 – Area 2 - Assessment of Environmental Effects 14 Figure 7: Mataura Stream Water Race remnants (Clough 2022). 2.10 TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY The terrestrial ecology values at the site are described in Boffa Miskell (2022b) a copy of which is provided in Part H of these application documents. There are no Significant Natural Areas within Area 2. Scattered exotic and native vegetation are present on the margins of watercourses at the Willows Road Farm and in shelterbelts and individual trees. A 0.45 ha stand of pine trees is midway along the northern boundary. Otherwise, the site is pasture. Overall, the vegetation onsite is considered to have ‘Low’ ecological value (Boffa Miskell 2022b) as vegetated areas are grazed and consequently are greatly impaired through absence of a ground tier and evidence of regeneration of indigenous species is poor / absent. Grazing of the Willows Road Farm has resulted in only a few small areas of potential habitat available for native lizards. Therefore, the site was assessed (Boffa Miskell 2022b) as having ‘Negligible’ ecological value for native lizard communities. The pine trees, waterway corridors and forest margins on the property provide potential native bat habitat and flight corridors. However, the habitat has a limited extent and native bats would be more likely to use the continuous habitat in the adjoining CFP. As such, the site has ‘Very Low’ value as native bat habitat (Boffa Miskell 2022b).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjE2NDg3