Koala Management Plan

Transcription

1 Koala Management Plan DELWP staff to complete Prepared by (company): ABP Date submitted to DELWP: 17/04/2018 Approver name: Mark Breguet Approver signature: Date approved by DELWP: 18/04/2018

2 Contents Introduction... 3 Plantations... 3 Section 1 Responsibilities... 4 Section 2 Training and Capability... 6 Section 3 Planning... 8 Section 4 Operations Harvesting Coppice Management Roading New Plantings Burning Section 5 - Koala welfare Koala incident or near miss procedure Section 6 - Evaluation and review Appendices Appendix 1 Double Count Koala Survey Methodology Appendix 2 Minimum requirements for koala spotters Appendix 3 - Acronyms, abbreviations and definitions Appendix 4 Koala Visability in Coppice

3 Introduction Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are protected in Victoria under the Wildlife Act 1975 (Wildlife Act). Koalas are widespread in the Blue-gum (Eucalyptus globulus) plantations in the Green Triangle Region of Victoria and authorisation from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is required to disturb them during plantation management operations in this region. This Koala Management Plan supports the authorisation to disturb koalas and sets out the requirements for training and induction of staff, planning plantation management operations, undertaking plantation management operations, addressing the welfare of impacted koalas and review of this plan. It is mandatory that the approved Koala Management Plan is implemented. Failure to comply with the approved Koala Management Plan or the conditions of the authorisation to disturb koalas may result in the authorisation being revoked and/or compliance action being taken by DELWP. Plantations This Koala Management Plan applies to operations undertaken in the plantations listed in the current Section 28A (1A) authorisation to disturb koalas issued to Australian Bluegum Plantations P/L. Company information ABP grows and harvests premium quality Eucalyptus globulus (Blue Gum) plantations for the production of woodchip used for high quality paper manufacture. ABP was formed in late 2009 to acquire and manage high quality Blue Gum plantations located in the Green Triangle region in south west Victoria / south east SA, and south west WA. ABP s plantation estate in the Green Triangle is around 57,000 hectares of which approximately 43,000 hectares is located in South West Victoria. Plantations are managed on a 10 to 15 year rotation length. 3

4 Section 1 Responsibilities Objective: All personnel involved in plantation management activities know their responsibilities for koala management and welfare and are able to perform the required tasks to minimise koala welfare risks. 1.1 Nominated Person responsible for the Koala Management Plan Following is the person who has been nominated as responsible for maintaining, implementing and reviewing the Koala Management Plan. This person will be the main contact for DELWP in relation to this plan. DELWP must be notified by within 48hrs if a new person is appointed in this role. Name: Position title: Des Hetherton (Refer to Authorisation to Disturb Koalas Letter dated 13 th September, 2017 Health & Safety Manager Telephone (office): Telephone (mobile): des.hetherton@austgum.com.au 1.2 Induction to the Koala Management Plan and responsibilities of personnel All personnel must receive an induction to this Koala Management Plan and be made aware of their responsibilities under this Koala Management Plan and their legislative responsibilities under POCTA and the Wildlife Act. All personnel must sign a declaration stating that they have received an induction to the Koala Management Plan and been made aware of their responsibilities. Copies of the signed declarations must be kept and made available to a DELWP Authorised Officer on request. Timelines for induction into Management Plan All relevant and current ABP staff, koala spotting staff and contractors shall be trained in their responsibilities within two months of this plan has been approved by DELWP. Staff from koala spotting companies shall be trained approximately within two weeks of this plan being approved, relevant ABP staff approximately within four weeks of the plan being approved and then relevant contractors approximately within two months of the plan being approved. ABP recognises Inductions conducted by other companies or individuals who have been granted an Authority to Disturb under these provisions as it relates to koala welfare and responsibilities under the Wildlife Act and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Training and induction shall be conducted by a training provider in accordance with the approved Training and Induction Manuals. All training and inductions shall be documented in training and induction records register and include a declaration which individuals must sign. A register shall also be maintained of those trained. These records shall be maintained by the training provider and a copy held by ABP. Training will be commensurate with the individual s role and cover items: - 4

5 Areas covered in Training and Induction Manual Induction into the approved Koala Management Plan. Koala biology. Legislative requirements. (Wildlife Act and POCTA) Spotting procedure. Incident reporting. Koala handling and transportation. Post harvest welfare checks. Euthanasia. Safety and OH & S. 1.3 Responsibilities when there is a change of plantation owner or manager and koalas remain on site If there is going to be a change of owner/manager of a plantation and koalas remain on site, any ongoing owner or manager of a plantation must be made aware of the following: a. the estimated number of koalas remaining on site b. their responsibilities under POCTA and the Wildlife Act, and c. that authorisation under the Wildlife Act may be required if management of retained trees/coppice is undertaken and koalas are present. DELWP must be notified who the ongoing owner/manager will be and that they have been notified of items a-c above. Should control of a property owned or managed by ABP be handed over to a third party that ongoing owner/manager shall be advised in writing of: - The estimated number of koalas remaining on site. Their responsibilities under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Wildlife Act. That authorisation under the Wildlife Act may be required if management of retained trees/coppice is undertaken and koalas are present. This information shall be provided at the time of handover of the property. This information shall be provided by the Land Department of ABP. A copy of this notification shall be maintained by ABP. DEWLP shall be advised by e mail whom the ongoing owner/manager will be within two weeks from the date of the end of the lease 5

6 Section 2 Training and Capability Objective: There is an effective training regime that ensures all relevant personnel (staff and contractors) are capable of performing their duties such that koala welfare is protected and impacts on koalas are minimised. 2.1 Development of training materials Training materials must be developed in consultation with an animal welfare expert. If training materials are revised they must be provided to DELWP for review and approval prior to the training being implemented. ABP and the approved training training manuals has been developed over the past four years after extensive consultation with stakeholders. These stakeholders include representatives from DELWP, Animal Welfare Bureau, Wildlife Carers, and contractors and specifically Robyn Richardson, Wildlife carer. ABP and the training provider shall undertake an annual review of all training material to ensure training is maintained to a high standard and both new technology and techniques are assessed for their suitability. This review shall be undertaken in the following manner. The review shall be undertaken by a training provider in conjunction with ABP. This review shall be undertaken at a minimum of once a year. The review shall be undertaken as part of a stakeholder consultation process and staff from the training provider/s, ABP, DELWP, DEDJTR, a harvesting contractor representative, a wildlife carer representative and a spotter representative shall be invited to be represented in the process. Any major changes to training material shall only be made after the consultation process. If those invited decline to attend, ABP, in conjunction with the training provider/s shall undertake the review. The training provider shall advise DELWP of any changes to the training material and provide a copy of the relevant documentation via e mail. 2.2 Provision of training and training records All personnel must receive appropriate training for their roles and responsibilities regarding koala management, including koala behaviour, detection, welfare assessments, euthanasia and handling of koalas. Records of training must be kept and provided to a DELWP Authorised Officer on request. All harvesting and operational personel involved in koala management plan shall receive training appropriate to their particular roles. Koala spotting company project staff including the Training Manager, Welfare Manager, Welfare Supervisor and Spotter Manager shall be trained in:- The content of this management plan. Legislative requirements. Koala detection techniques Koala reporting Koala incident reporting. 6

7 Spotting koalas at night. Koala Handling and transport techniques, including juveniles. OH & S practices. Koala welfare assessment. Koala identification and tree marking. Koala biology. ABP harvesting, silviculture staff and Estate manager (these are not operational staff who are involved in the actual felling of trees or silvicuture operations) located in the Green Triangle shall be trained in the following: The content of this management plan. Legislative requirements. Koala incident reporting. Koala Handling and transport techniques, including juveniles. OH & S practices. Koala identification and tree marking. Koala biology. Who is authorised to euthanise koalas. Contractors operating within the koala zone, including harvesting, roading and silviculture contractors, supervisors and operators shall be trained in the following:- The content of this management plan. Legislative requirements. Koala incident reporting. The methodology used by koala spotters for spotting koalas. OH & S practices. Koala biology. Who is authorised to euthanise koalas. Koala detection techniques. Contractors operating outside the koala zone will not receive this training unless koala densities greater than one koala per hectare. This training shall be undertaken by a training provider. All relevant and current ABP staff, koala spotters and contractors shall be trained in their responsibilities within two months of this plan has been approved by DELWP. ABP recognises training conducted by other companies or individuals who have been granted an Authority to Disturb under these provisions as it relates to koala welfare and responsibilities under the Wildlife Act and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Topics covered during training shall be as per the approved Training Manual. A training instructor shall prepare an assessment of each person trained. A training feedback report will also be completed by each person trained so that any training issues can be identified. Ongoing training shall be provided should this management plan be revised. Refresher training shall be provided by a koala spotting company on an as needs basis. Each person trained will be required to sign a declaration acknowledging that they have been trained and understand the requirements of this plan. A training register shall be maintained detailing individuals trained. These records shall be maintained by a koala spotting company and a copy held by ABP. These records shall be made available to an Authorised DELWP Officer on request by ABP. 7

8 Section 3 Planning Objective 1: Ensure that when planning plantation operations, the welfare of koalas during and postoperations is considered. Objective 2: Koala density and distribution in plantations is known in order to improve the Owner/Manager s management response and management of koalas in the landscape. 3.1 Risk assessments Risk assessments must be conducted that identify potential risks to koalas from plantation management operations, including stress, injury, exposure, death and orphaning of joeys, and options to mitigate these risks. Risk assessments must be included in plantation management operations plans. Risk assessment and control measures for operations. The following risks to koalas have been identified. Hazard Risk Rating Control measure Controlled risk rating Koala being in tree that is felled. High Use of spotters for harvesting operations in the koala zone Koala being run over by harvesting machinery 1. Spotters trained to keep watch for koalas moving around plantation. 2. Harvest crew trained to keep watch for koalas moving around plantation. Koala being in a tree that is hit by another tree being felled or processing at the stump Koalas being injured through processing away from standing timber Medium 1. Spotters to check standing timber for koalas if trees being felled into standing timber. 2. Harvest crew trained to fell timber away from Identified and marked nine koala trees. 3. Harvest crews trained to ensure trees being processed do not impact marked koala trees. Machine operators to keep watch for koalas Koala entering felled timber on the ground. 1. Spotters to check felled timber on the ground in left for longer than 3 hours. 2. Harvest crew trained to keep watch for moving koalas. 8

9 Increased movement of koala during the mating season (Sept. to April generally) Medium 1. Harvesting staff to keep a look out for koalas moving around the plantation. 2. Spotters to pay particulat attention to koala movement and keep watch for koalas moving around the plantation Night harvesting. Spotters required to relocate from plantation area when trees being felled. Keep the number of trees checked during the dark to a minimum. More regular checks. Joey being separated from mother. 1. Spotters to attempt to locate mother of any separated joey and reunite. If mother unable to be located Joey to be conveyed to vet for assessment. 2. Spotters to monitor koalas. 3. Spotters to conduct welfare assessment at completion of each shift which includes checking for separated joeys. Koala suffering from effects of adverse weather Koala being sprayed with insecticide or pesticide Medium Minimum of 9 trees retained for koala to offer protection Spotters deployed to identify koalas during coppice management 9 stumps of coppice retained for koala. Koala being injured during coppice grinding operation Koala being injured during roading operations Involving the felling of bluegum trees. Koala receiving burn injuries or smoke inhalation during burning operations Ensure chemicals not sprayed in direction of koalas. Spotters deployed to identify koalas during coppice management operations and 9 stumps of coppice retained for koala. Medium Spotters deployed to identify koala during roading operations involving the felling of bluegumtrees 1. Post harvest survey used to determine koala numbers on site. 2. Monitoring of burn operations. Spotters deployed to conduct welfare checks on any koalas. 9

10 Planting operations Machine operator trained to watch for moving koalas Once koala numbers increase to more than 20 in the harvest zone increased risk of injury. Medium Spotter numbers to be increased to one for each single grip harvester or two for each feller buncher. Increased density of koalas as harvesting of plantation nears end Medium ABP harvest supervisor to determine at what stage harvesting to be suspended based on density of koalas. 3.2 Plantation Management Operation Plans Plantation management operation plans must consider the following information in order to minimise impacts to koalas: a. koala density based on the results of the koala population assessment b. harvest rate and harvest system used c. presence of appropriate neighbouring remnant native vegetation or Blue-gum plantation that the koalas may disperse to d. sequence of harvest to prevent isolating populations from neighbouring habitat, and e. plantation management operations in neighbouring plantations and their potential impacts on koalas. Harvest planning is undertaken by ABP staff. All relevant ABP contractors and Koala Spotters are inducted into the Timber Harvest plan prior to operations commencing. This Timber Harvest Plan will be supplied to the relevant DELWP personal. The koala density based on the koala population assessment is considered when preparing the Timber Harvest plan and used in conjunction with other factors such as neighbouring remnant vegetation or bluegum plantations and the harvest sequence. This information shall be used to determine if additional resources are needed to commence the harvesting operation in line with section 4 of this management plan. This plan is prepared by identifying and taking into account neighbouring remnant native vegetation and neighbouring bluegum plantations (if present). The direction or harvest sequence which the plantation must be harvested is specified in the Timber Harvest Plan. This harvest sequence takes into account the proximity of this surrounding vegetation or other exit point and harvest is directed towards that surrounding vegetation to allow the safe dispersal of koalas. Within the koala zone, spotters will be deployed at the commencement of harvesting, coppice management and roading involving the felling of bluegum trees. Outside the koala zone spotters will be deployed if the koala density is greater than 1 koala per ha. If, after five days of harvesting, coppice management or roading, no koalas have been sighted then spotters may be removed. If a koala is subsequently sighted then spotters must be reintroduced. ABP shall communicate with other plantation owners to minimise the impact on koalas should harvesting occur in adjacent plantations. 10

11 Coppice operations Planning for coppice management operations shall use the Koala visibility in Coppice matrix as detailed in Appendix 4, to determine visibility within the coppice. This matrix is based on stump coppice survival rate and the height of the coppice. Should the visibility fall within the Poor sight of the matrix, spotters shall be deployed to carry out koala detection checks. 3.3 Welfare of koalas remaining on site after operations Plantation management operations must be planned to ensure the welfare of koalas remaining on site after operations have ceased. This must include facilitating the safe dispersal of koalas into surrounding habitat or survival of koalas in retained refuge within the plantation. If dispersal into surrounding habitat is not possible, the amount of plantation likely to be needed to be retained for koala refuge must be considered. The direction or harvest sequence which the plantation must be harvested is specified in the Timber Harvest Plan. This harvest sequence takes into account the proximity of this surrounding vegetation or other exit point and harvest is directed towards that surrounding vegetation to allow the safe dispersal of koalas. The koala population assessment will give an indication as to the koala population at commencement of harvest, however sequential harvesting allows for the safe dispersal of koalas. During harvesting a considerable number of koalas will leave the plantation area and safely disperse into the surrounding countryside. As the harvest nears the final stage, data from the daily koala welfare checks shall be used to determine numbers present. Based on these numbers and taking into account the likelihood of an increased risk to koala welfare an ABP Harvest Supervisor shall determine at what stage harvesting may be suspended. If harvesting is suspended ABP shall return to the plantation at a time to be determined in order to harvest any remaining trees. A koala spotter shall be deployed during this operation. Section 4 Operations Objective: Ensure koala welfare and minimise the impacts on koalas during and post operations conducted in plantations. 4.1 Koala detection and retention of trees during operations Systems must be in place during and post operations to maximise detection of koalas using an effective methodology. If spotters are to be used, the requirements in Appendix 2 must be used at a minimum. Approval must be sought from DELWP for methods that do not involve spotters. The koala detection methodology must demonstrate that the following requirements will be met: a. Detection methods must be implemented within one hour prior to operations commencing. b. All koala detection checks and koalas located must be recorded. 11

12 c. When a koala is detected prior to or during harvesting, a minimum of nine live trees must be retained per koala. The tree in which the koala is located should be in the centre of the retained trees. Retained trees must only be harvested once koalas are no longer present. d. When a koala is detected prior to or during coppice management operations, a minimum of nine live stumps must be retained per koala. The stump in which the koala is located should be in the centre of the retained stumps. Retained stumps must only be removed or treated once koalas are no longer present. e. Trees/stumps where koalas are located and the additional trees/stumps to be retained must be clearly marked using a standardised marking system that is clearly visible to machinery operators. f. Felling of trees likely to impact any tree in a retained clump must be directed away from the clump and the koala tree. g. Where koalas are detected they must be monitored by a spotter until the operation is complete to ensure they do not move into the path of the machinery. h. Where felled timber with retained foliage remains on site and there is an interruption in harvesting, or the timber will be left on the ground for three hours or more prior to processing, checks of the felled timber must be made prior to operations resuming to ensure that koalas are not present in the felled timber. i. The amount of remaining refuge left for koalas in a plantation when an operation is completed must be recorded and provided to DELWP. Koala detection operations on plantations being harvested by ABP shall be undertaken in accordance with the attached training and induction manual for Koala Spotters. Harvesting Koala spotters shall be deployed at the commencement of harvesting operations on all plantations located within the koala zone to conduct koala detection checks. All koala detection checks and details of koalas located will be recorded on the Koala spotter check sheet. Koala spotters shall be deployed on plantations outside the koala zone where it is determined that the koala density is greater than one koala per hectare. If, after five days of harvesting, no koalas are detected, then spotters may be removed. In plantations where the spotter has been removed, machinery operators must undertake 3 hour checks of the area being harvested to locate koalas. These checks will be recorded on the Koala Spotters Record Sheet. Should a koala be located once a spotter has been removed, spotters will be reintroduced. If, after five days of harvesting, no koalas are detected, then spotters may again be removed. When a koala is detected prior to or during harvesting, a minimum of nine live trees must be retained per koala. The tree in which the koala is located should be in the centre of the retained trees, where possible. Retained trees must only be harvested once koalas are no longer present. Felling of trees or the processing of felled trees likely to impact any tree in a retained clump must be directed away from the clump and the koala tree. Where koalas are detected they will be monitored by a spotter until the operation is complete. Due to safety reasons, spotters cannot monitor koalas during the hours of darkness. Any koalas located during hours of darkness are to be monitored once it becomes daylight. All new spotters must have completed the approved training prior to commencing work. Areas to be harvested must be checked by the spotter prior to harvesting and must be continuously monitored. 12

13 In densities of less than 20 koalas per harvest zone, one spotter can spot for up to three single grip harvesters, or one feller buncher. Once koala numbers are greater than 20 per harvest zone, or where koalas are highly mobile between trees in the area to be harvested in that shift, then spotters will be increased to one spotter per one single grip harvester or two spotters per one feller buncher. Areas must have been checked by the spotter within one hour prior to that area being harvested and must be continuously monitored. Koala location will be communicated to machinery operators either verbally or by radio. Where felled timber with retained foliage remains on site and there is an interruption in harvesting, or the timber will be left on the ground for three hours or more prior to processing, checks of the felled timber will be made by the spotter prior to operations resuming to ensure that koalas are not present in the felled timber. Should a koala be located the felled timber is to be clearly marked with paint and the machine operator notified. If during harvesting, koalas are located in trees adjacent to powerlines, this can cause issues relating to fire and power supply. Should this risk occur ABP will work with DELWP to determine an appropriate method to reduce the hazard of standing trees next to power lines. Coppice Management If coppice is located outside the koala zone and the koala density is less than one koala per hectare, the machine operator shall keep watch for koalas and ensure that operations do not impact or affect the koala. Within the koala zone the attached Koala visibility in Coppice (See Appendix 4) matrix shall be used to determine visibility within the coppice. This matrix is based on stump coppice survival rate and the height of the coppice. If coppice falls within the Good Sight of the matrix machine operators shall watch for koalas and ensure that operations do not impact or effect koalas. Should a koala be sighted, operations are not permitted within the nine tree cluster of the koala. Should the visibility fall within the Poor sight of the Koala Visibility in coppice matrix, (see appendix 4) spotters shall be deployed to carry out koala detection checks. If post harvest surveys indicate a koala density of greater than one koala per hectare spotters shall be deployed without reference to the Koala Visibility in Coppice matrix All koala detection checks and details of koalas located will be recorded on the DELWP Koala spotter check sheet. Should the visibility fall within the Poor sight of the Koala Visibility in coppice matrix, (see appendix 4) spotters are to check both standing trees and coppice for koalas within a nine tree radius of standing trees. Checks are to be done within one hour prior to any work being conducted near the standing trees. Should the visibility fall within the Poor sight of the Koala Visibility in coppice matrix, (see appendix 4) coppice within nine trees of existing shelter belts is also to be checked for koalas prior to work commencing in that area. Operations can commence once the spotter and the machine operator have made contact over the UHF radio or discussed the survey area in person. Operations at night are not to be conducted on coppice rows which contain koala trees or rows within 9 trees of standing trees (retained koala trees or shelter belts). Roading At the commencement of roading operations which involve the felling of bluegum trees within the koala zone, spotters shall be deployed. Outside the koala zone spotters will be deployed when the koala density is greater that one koala per hectare. Standard koala detection techniques shall be undertaken during this operation. 13

14 New Plantings For all operations involving new plantings, machine operators shall watch out for any koalas which may be wandering around the plantation and watch that the koala is not impacted by machinery or operations Burning The only burning operations conducted by ABP are that of burning heaps of slash. Should this operation be undertaken within the koala zone, a spotter shall monitor operations and conduct welfare checks on koalas. If burning operations are undertaken outside the koala zone, spotters shall be deployed if the koala density is greater that one koala per hectare. 4.2 Spraying Herbicides or Pesticides When spraying trees or coppice with pesticides or herbicides, spraying must be conducted in such a way that spray drift onto koalas and retained trees/stumps is minimised. Spaying procedure ABP limits its reliance of herbicides and pesticides and application is in accordance with our environmental certification. Application of both pesticide and herbicide is carried out as an overspray operation using ground based self propelled spray equipment. Overspray is a spray operation where the spray is directed at the ground. Spray is not directed upwards towards koalas. The following herbicides may be applied for coppice operations. Glyphosate. Metsulfuron Methyl. Polyether Modified Polysiloxant. The following herbicides may be applied for weed control. Clopyralid. Haloxyfop. Simazine. Mako Glyphosate Amitrol. The following pesticides may be applied for insect control. Alpha-Cypermethrin. 14

15 Section 5 - Koala welfare Objective: That injured or orphaned koalas are managed in a humane manner. 5.1 Koala welfare assessment process A koala welfare assessment process must be in place which includes checking koalas in trees and on the ground for injuries and unusual behaviour. Koalas in trees must be observed using binoculars. The welfare assessment process must include undertaking assessments at the operational site: a. at the end of each day during plantation management operations b. one day post-completion of all operations at the site c. three days post-completion of all operations at the site, and d. between 5 and 7 days post-completion of all operations at the site. The welfare assessment records must be kept and send to DELWP as soon as practicable after the assessment, preferably within 24hrs, using the DELWP welfare assessment reporting template. The koala spotting company s Program staff including the Training Manager, Welfare Manager, Welfare Supervisor and Spotter Manager and and those contractors conducting spotting operations will be trained in koala welfare assessment as per the approved Koala Training Manual. In addition to carrying out their daily koala detection activities, koala spotters will monitor all koalas located for any indication of welfare issues. At the completion of each day, the koala spotter will carry out a koala welfare assessment of those koalas. These checks shall be recorded on the Koala Welfare assessment record template. One day post completion of operations a koala welfare assessment shall be carried out by a qualified koala spotting company staff member. Three days post completion of operations a koala welfare assessment shall be carried out by a qualified koala spotting company staff member. Between 5 and 7 days post-completion of all operations a koala welfare assessment shall be carried out by a qualified koala spotting company staff member. These checks shall be recorded on the Koala Welfare assessment record template. The result of these assessments shall be forwarded to DELWP within 24 hours or as soon as possible by the koala spotting company. Should a koala be located for which welfare concerns are raised, that koala shall be conveyed to the nearest appropriate veterinary clinic for assessment. 5.2 Details of local veterinarians and wildlife carers Details of local vets and carers must be kept on site at all times and must be available to all employees. Should any koala be located with suspected health issues, that koala shall be transported to the nearest appropriate veterinary clinic for assessment or a vet called to attend at the plantation. Should any separated joey koala be located, that joey shall be transported to the nearest appropriate veterinary clinic for assessment. 15

16 The koala shall be transported in the required carrying basket as detailed in the approved Training Manual. Once a health assessment has been conducted and if appropriate the koala shall be conveyed to the nearest licensed DELWP wildlife shelter. Koalas will only be conveyed to a DELWP licensed wildlife shelter after assessment by a vet. The wildlife shelter should be contacted and arrangements made for delivery by koala spotting company staff Details of veterinary clinics and DELWP licensed wildlife shelters shall be held on site by the koala spotter and provided to Koala Program Staff and ABP Staff. Outside the koala zone where spotters are not present the harvesting contractor shall be provided with the details. List of Veterinary Clinics. Locality Name Address Phone Number Camperdown Camperdown Vet Clinic 1 Leura Street Camperdown Vic 3260 Cobden Hampden Vet Clinic 22 Curdie Street Cobden Vic 3266 Colac Rhodes Veterinary Clinic 74 Gellibrand Street, Colac Vic 3250 Colac Murray Street Vet Clinic 330 Murray Street Colac Vic 3250 Colac Colac Veterinary Clinic 38 Skene Street Colac Vic 3250 Hamilton Hamilton Vet Care 97 French Street, Hamilton Vic 3300 Hamilton Cox Street Vet 87 Cox Street Hamilton Vic 3300 Hamilton Livestock Logic 60 Portland Road, Hamilton Vic Heywood Heywood Veterinary Services 17 Edgar Street Heywood Vic Portland Portland Veterinary Clinic 176 Percy Street Portland Vic Terang/Mortlake Terang/Mortlake Vet Clinic Terang Ph Mortlake Ph Timboon/Simpson The Vet Group Timboon Ph Mortlake Warrnambool Warrnambool Vet Clinic 514 Raglan Parade Warrnambool Vic 3280 Warrnambool Warrnambool Vet Group 59 Mortlake Road Warrnambool Vic 3280 Warrnambool Lava Street Vet Clinic 209 Lava Street Warrnambool Vic

17 List of DELWP Licensed Wildlife Shelters. Locality Name Address Phone Number Deans Marsh Deans Marsh Derrinallum Drumborg Glenthompson Hamilton Hamilton Kolora Koroit Koroit Linton North Byaduk Mrs Jill L Stewart Mrs Sandra B Dempsey Mrs Lynden J Faull Mrs Kylie M Stirling Ms Pamela G Turner Mrs Marie O Greiner Mrs Michelle A Burrowes Ms Kirsa Veal Mrs Tracey A Wilson Mrs Sharon L Smith Ms Lorraine L Thomas Ms Robyn L Richardson 2005 Lorne Rd Deans Marsh VIC Old Lorne Rd Deans Marsh VIC Ligar St Derrinallum VIC Donovans Rd Drumborg VIC Wildwood BUNNIGAL 12 Moyston Dunkeld Rd Glenthompson VIC Clarke St Hamilton VIC Kurtzes Rd Hamilton VIC Kolora Lane Kolora VIC 'Cherrybank' 145 Officers La Koroit VIC Penshurst- Warrnambool Rd Koroit VIC Piggoreet Rd Linton VIC Whigadn 6889 Port Fairy Rd North Byaduk VIC Access to a person authorised to humanely destroy koalas in emergency situations There must be 24hr access to a person authorised under the Wildlife Act or POCTA to humanely destroy koalas in emergency situations and who has the appropriate equipment to humanely destroy the koala. In all cases where a koala needs to be euthanised, a qualified vet shall be consulted as detailed in section 5.2 All injured koalas shall be conveyed to the nearest appropriate qualified vet for assessment or an on-call vet called out to attend at the plantation as required. Should any koala require being euthanised then that animal shall be euthanised by the qualified vet. 17

18 5.4 Personnel trained in koala assessment and handling procedures At least one person trained in koala assessment and handling procedures must be on site at all times and there must be appropriate koala handling and transport equipment available on site at all times. All koala spotters, selected ABP contractors and the koala spotting company s Koala Project Manager, Koala Welfare Manager, Koala Welfare Supervisor and Koala Spotter Manager will be trained in assessing and handling koalas as per the ABP/ Koala Training Manual. A koala spotter will be deployed on plantations within the koala zone whilst plantation operations are undertaken. A koala spotter will be deployed on plantations outside the koala should the koala density be greater than one koala per hectare. Equipment required to transport and handle koalas will be on each site and in the possession of the koala spotter (including the machine operator should he be required to spot for koalas) Should that equipment be broken it shall be replaced as soon as possible. This equipment shall consist of two sturdy washing baskets, an octopus strap or cable ties, two clean towels, a woollen blanket and two baskets for transporting juvenile koalas. Koalas will be transported by the koala spotting company staff or by onsite staff on the back seat of an air-conditioned vehicle or on the floor of a covered van. The internal vehicle temperature should be kept at 22 C. Koalas must not be transported in the back of an open utility. Transport baskets will be secured to prevent movement and must remain covered during transport. Equipment shall be checked on a regular basis to ensure that it is in good order. Koala spotting company staff shall conduct these inspections. 5.5 Koala incident process A koala incident process must be in place. The process must include the following at a minimum: a. Name and contact details of personnel trained in koala assessment and handling b. Procedure to follow if an incident or near-miss occurs within an plantation, this must include actions to be taken and a procedure for reporting incidents to DELWP via Andrew.pritchard@delwp.vic.gov.au and a cc to Koalas.bsw@delwp.vic.gov.au within 24hrs of the incident occurring and providing detailed incident and near-misses to DELWP at Andrew.pritchard@delwp.vic.gov.au with a cc to Koalas.bsw@delwp.vic.gov.au using the provided reporting form within a week of the incident or near-miss occurring. c. Procedure that must be followed when an injured, distressed or dead koala is found. The procedure must include checking for pouch young if a dead koala is found. d. Procedure that must be followed when a separated or orphaned juvenile koala is found. e. The procedures must consider the requirements of POCTA and must identify when a veterinarian must be consulted, when a wildlife carer must be consulted and when the koala must be euthanised on site. 18

19 Index Forestry Supervisory Staff Name Position Phone Number E mail address Paul McCallum Greg Carter Joanne Price Danielle Munro Koala Project Manager Koala Spotter Manager Koala Welfare Manager Koala Welfare Supervisor pm.indexforestry@gmail.com gc.indexforestry@gmail.com Jp.indexforestry@gmail.com dm.indexforestry@gmail.com Index Forestry Koala Spotters Koala Spotter Name Phone Number Amy Tennant Bek Winnell Bernie Harris Chloe Spring Evert Taylor-Hannson Charlotte Parker Joel Fehsler Lucy Hand Maddison Elliott Madison Hirst Michael Carter Jamee Criddle Rebecca Elmes Sharna Kalms Shelley Munro Steve Watson Tom Hiscock

20 Koala incident or near miss procedure Definitions. Incident Any incident where a koala is physically impacted during plantation management operations, either by trees, machinery, chemicals, fire or people, or where a koala falls from a tree as a result of plantation management operations, or where a juvenile koala is separated from its mother as a result of plantation management operations. Near miss Any incident where a koala is almost physically impacted during operations, either by trees, machinery, chemicals, fire or people. Procedure. Should a koala incident or near miss occur during operations then the koala spotter is to immediately contact one of the koala spotting company Supervisory Staff and ABP by text message. If a dead koala is located, the koala spotter is to check the pouch of any female to determine if pouched young is present. If pouched young is present then the dead female along with the pouched young (to be left in pouch) are to be conveyed to a vet ASAP. The koala spotting company supervisor shall investigate the incident as soon as possible and record details on the Koala Report form. This report form is to be to be supplied to the appropriate Manager as soon as possible. A koala spotting company supervisor shall examine any injured koala to determine the extent of the animal s injuries and ensure the animal in conveyed for treatment as a matter of priority Where possible, any dead koala shall be buried on site and the GPS location recorded Any koala assessed as requiring treatment should be conveyed to the nearest appropriate veterinary clinic for further assessment or a vet called to attend the plantation. If a separated juvenile koala is located every effort should be made to reunite it with its mother. Any separated juvenile koala unable to be reunited with its mother and believed to be uninjured should be transported to the nearest appropriate veterinary clinic for assessment prior to being transported to the nearest DELWP licensed wildlife shelter. The Koala is to be transported by koala spotting company staff or by onsite staff on the back seat of an air-conditioned vehicle or on the floor of a covered van. The internal vehicle temperature should be kept at 22 C. Koalas must not be transported in the back of an open utility. Transport baskets will be secured to prevent movement and must remain covered during transport. Once the koala has been examined by a vet and found to be free from injury and in consultation with that vet, the koala will then be conveyed to the nearest DELWP licensed wildlife shelter. Details of any incident shall be reported to ABP by text message and DELWP via to Andrew.pritchard@delwp.vic.gov.au and a cc to Koalas.bsw@delwp.vic.gov.au within 24hrs of the incident occurring by Index Forestry Staff on behalf of ABP. A detailed incident and near-misses to forwarded to ABP and DELWP at Andrew.pritchard@delwp.vic.gov.au with a cc to Koalas.bsw@delwp.vic.gov.au using the provided reporting form within a week of the incident or near-miss occurring by koala spotting company staff. 20

21 Section 6 - Evaluation and review Objective: Continuous improvement of the koala management system to ensure that the Koala Management Plan is effective and includes the most up-to-date information. 6.1 Koala management plan review A review of the Koala Management Plan must be undertaken annually, taking into account: a. Incidents and near-misses b. Welfare issues encountered c. Procedural issues d. New technology or scientific understanding e. Results of compliance recommendations, and f. Changes to the requirements set by DELWP. The outcome of the review must be recorded and retained. Where the review identifies that amendments to the Koala Management Plan are necessary, the plan must be updated to reflect the required amendments. Changes to the Koala Management Plan must be provided to DELWP for review prior to the changes being implemented. ABP shall review the Koala Management Plan annually. This review shall take place prior to the annual submission of the renewal of the application for an Authority to disturb. The review shall be undertaken as part of a stakeholder consultation process and staff from a koala spotting company ABP, DELWP, DEDJTR, a harvesting contractor representative, a wildlife carer representative and a spotter representative shall be invited to be represented in the process. If those invited decline to attend, ABP, in conjunction with the spotting company shall undertake the review. The review shall consider (a). Incidents and near misses. (b). Welfare issues encountered. (c). Procedural issues. (d). New Technology or scientific understanding. (e) results of compliance recommendations and (f). Changes to the requirements set by DELWP. ABP shall evaluate and recommendations and proposed changes. Details of any proposed changes will be provided to DELWP at the time of the submission for renewal of the Authority to Disturb. Details of any changes to the plan will be recorded by the koala spotting company s Program Manager in the form of minutes taken at the time of the review. 21

22 Appendices Appendix 1 Double Count Koala Survey Methodology This koala survey methodology involves using transect lines and a double count technique within plots and to survey for koalas. The survey methodology can be used to provide an estimate of the number of koalas per hectare for each plot. Setting plots and transect lines Plots are set up with dimensions of 600 meters by 50 meters. Plots should consist of a centre line and two parallel boundary lines, spaced 25m either side of the centre line, and marked out with flagging tape tied to trees directly on each transect line. A straight line is maintained by positioning flagging tape directly in line with the previous two markers. The centre line is marked with pink and blue tape whilst the boundary lines are marked with pink tape only to facilitate orientation when traversing the plot. A Global Positioning System (GPS) should be used to determine the end position of each transect line by measuring the distance back to the start of the line. Double count technique Koala densities are assessed in each plot using the double count technique described by Caughley and Sinclair (1994). This involves two observers working independently to search every tree in the plot and record observations of any koalas seen on a field data sheet. The same two observers conduct all plot surveys to reduce variability resulting from differences in the sighting efficiencies or skills of different observers. The first observer walks the transect line. When a koala is sighted, notes must be taken on the distance along the transect, side and perpendicular distance from the centre line, tree species in which it is located, its position and height in the tree, and whether any back young are present. The second observer starts the survey 10 minutes after the first so that observations were independent of each other. At the end of each plot, data collected by each observer were compared to identify those koalas seen by the first observer but missed by the second, those seen by the second observer but missed by the first, and those seen by both. The plots are then surveyed again by both observers together, in order to confirm the results by checking the koalas each observer saw. 22

23 Correction factor As it is unlikely that all koalas in a plot will be found by observers on every occasion, a correction factor is required to account for those koalas that may not have been found. This is based on the sighting probability of each observer and is applied in the below formula. The following formula is to be used to calculate the number of koalas in each plot: Where, N = population size S1 = Number of koalas seen by observer 1 but missed by observer 2 S2 = Number of koalas seen by observer 2 but missed by observer 1 B = Number of koalas seen by both observers The sighting probabilities for each observer (P1 and P2) are calculated as: P1 = B / (B + S2) P2 = B / (B + S1) Source: Caughley and Sinclair (1994) Accounting for back young To account for back young on koalas that were not seen during the survey, the number of back young in the population is required to be estimated by multiplying the proportion of adults carrying back young in each plot by the population value calculated for each plot using the above formula. This value is then added to the adult population value to give an estimate of the total koala population. Koala Density An estimate of density in terms of the number of koalas per hectare for each plot should be calculated by dividing the population value as calculated above by the area of the plot. 23

24 Koala Population Density Field Data Sheet NOTE THAT EACH KOALA SURVEY WILL HAVE TWO DATA SHEETS: OBSERVER 1 AND 2. ENTER FULL DATA FROM ONE OBSERVER, THEN ADDITIONAL SIGHTINGS ONLY FROM SECOND. Site / Transect* Date Observer 1 Observer 2 Koala no Distance along transect (m) Left or right of transect (L / R) Height in tree (m) Distance perpendicular to transect Y if beyond 25 m Y if back young present Tree species code Comments Seen by other observer? (1/0) Species:BG = Blue Gum (Euc. globulus ) n/a = unknown or other 24

25 Appendix 2 Minimum requirements for koala spotters Note: The safety of personnel should always come first. Companies should consider their obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 and any other requirements set by WorkSafe Victoria when implementing these procedures. 1. Spotters must be used at the commencement of harvesting and coppice management. If, after five working days of harvesting or coppice management, the number of koalas does not exceed the thresholds set in point 2, then spotters may be removed. 2. In areas where spotters have previously been removed, spotters must be introduced where the density of koalas is greater than: a. For a single grip harvester: i. Two koalas in the area to be harvested by a single machine in that shift; or ii. Three koalas in the area to be harvested by a crew of single grip harvesters in that shift b. For a feller buncher, any koalas in the area to be harvested in that shift c. For coppice management, any koalas in the area to be managed in that shift. 3. Where a threshold to require a spotter is reached, spotters must be used for a minimum of five working days. If after five working days the threshold has not been reached again the spotter may be removed. 4. Spotter requirements: a. All spotters must have completed appropriate training b. In densities of less than 20 koalas per harvest zone, one spotter can spot for up to three single grip harvesters, or one feller buncher. Areas must have been checked by the spotter prior to harvesting and must be continuously monitored. c. Once koala numbers are greater than 20 per harvest zone, or where koalas are highly mobile between trees in the area to be harvested in that shift, then spotters must be increased to: one spotter per one single grip harvester or two spotters per one feller buncher. Areas must have been checked by the spotter within one hour prior to that area being harvested and must be continuously monitored. d. For coppice management, one spotter is required per operation. e. Koala location must be communicated to machinery operators. 5. In plantations where the spotter has been removed, machinery operators must undertake 3 hour checks of the area being harvested to locate koalas. These checks must be recorded. 6. During harvesting, machinery operators must monitor koalas that may have moved or not been identified during pre-harvest checking, particularly if spotters are not being used. 7. Where koala spotting is being undertaken at night, a torch with sufficient power to clearly illuminate koalas in the tops of trees must be used. 25

26 Appendix 3 - Acronyms, abbreviations and definitions Acronyms POCTA Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act DELWP The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Abbreviations The Wildlife Act The Wildlife Act 1975 Definitions Authorised Officer A DELWP employee authorised under section 83(1) of the Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987 for the purposes of the Wildlife Act Authorisation to Disturb Koalas The written authorisation under section 28A(1A) of the Wildlife Act which may be given by DELWP to an owner or manager of a plantation to disturb koalas, or cause koalas to be disturbed during plantation management operations. An authorisation will only be given where a complete application form is received and a DELWP-approved Koala Management Plan is in place. Coppice Stumps of harvested trees left to regenerate. Coppice management Any activity which is undertaken on coppice that may impact koalas. At a minimum it includes the application of chemicals (herbicide or pesticide), fire treatment and the mechanical removal or destruction of coppice. This excludes coppice thinning operations where coppice stems are selectively removed. Coupe Area designated for harvesting. Crew A group of three single grip harvesters working in close proximity in a plantation. Feller buncher A harvester that can rapidly cut and gather a number of trees before felling them. Fire treatment Any activity which is undertaken using fire. For example, burning coppice or slash. Harvest zone The area to be harvested in a shift by either a feller buncher or single grip harvest system. Incident Any incident where a koala is physically impacted during plantation management operations, either by trees, machinery, chemicals, fire or people, or where a koala falls from a tree as a result of plantation management operations, or where a juvenile koala is separated from its mother as a result of plantation management operations. Juvenile koala - A koala joey that is dependent on its mother and is not yet weaned. Juvenile koalas start to emerge from their mother s pouch around 6-7 months of age, when they weigh approximately g. They emerge from the pouch permanently, from 6-12 months of age (700g - 2.2kg), depending on size and habitat conditions, during this time they ride on their mother s backs and are often referred to as back young. At this stage, juvenile koalas are still entirely dependent on their mother and consume both milk and eucalyptus leaves. Juvenile koalas are weaned at approximately 12 months of age (2-2.5kg), however they will remain close to their mother for a period of time post weaning). Koala density The number of koalas per hectare. Koala Management Plan The document which details how the owner or manager of a Blue-gum plantation will manage their operations across all plantations to minimise impacts to koalas and 26

27 protect koala welfare. The plan must be approved by DELWP. Having an approved Koala Management Plan is a condition of an Authorisation to Disturb Koalas. Manager A plantation management company that leases a Blue-gum plantation from the owner of the plantation for the purposes of managing the plantation (e.g. undertaking harvest planning, harvesting, silviculture, roading etc.), or who has been contracted by the owner of a Blue-gum plantation to undertake the management of the plantation. Near-miss Any incident where a koala is almost physically impacted during operations, either by trees, machinery, chemicals, fire or people. New plantings All activities involved in planting new trees in a plantation. Owner The owner of a Blue-gum plantation, this can be either a natural person or a body corporate. (This is not necessarily the landowner). Personnel Employees and contractors of the authorisation holder involved in site operations, including the planning of site operations. It does not include visitors to site such as mechanics or couriers. Plantation Managed stands of trees planted or sown primarily for timber production purposes. For the purposes of these standards it refers to the Blue-gum plantation in which the plantation management operations will be undertaken. Plantation management operations Any activity that poses welfare risk to koalas, at a minimum this includes harvesting, roading, fire treatment, coppice management and new plantings. Plantation operations plan A detailed plan for a site that explains where, when, how and by whom an operation will be conducted, and any constraints or prescriptions that apply to the operation. At a minimum, the plan would define the location and timing of the operation, the type of equipment required to do the work, and the management of special values, such as koalas, on that specific site. A Timber Harvest Plan is an example of a plantation operations plan. Separated juvenile A juvenile koala that has been, or is suspected of being, separated from its mother. Silviculture - The science and practice of managing harvesting, forest establishment, composition, and growth, to achieve specified objectives. Single grip harvester A harvester that fells, debarks and cuts individual trees. Slash Woody debris left after harvest operations. Spotter A person trained in spotting koalas in a plantation. Welfare assessment An assessment of koala welfare which involves checking the patches that remain in the harvest area for koalas (either in tree or on-ground), and assessing their welfare (injuries and behaviour). 27

28 Appendix 4 Koala Visability in Coppice 28