Questions and Answers – Ecological Reports

(compiled by Dr Stephen Phillips, Biolink Pty Ltd)

Q. Is this report “independent”?
A. Yes. We have prepared this report the same way we prepare any report – independently and thoroughly. The organisers have not sought to influence any of the outcomes.

Q. What process did you use to evaluate the risk to threatened flora and fauna?
A. The proposed rally represented a novel challenge in terms of assessment. We had to design a number of ecologically based filters designed to identify species at risk, while also ensuring our field assessments were sufficiently rigorous to provide the necessary level of ecological data. To assist us we had a team of four ecologists who basically traversed the entire competition course. They performed very detailed ground examination approximately every 250 metres, not only of the roadway proposed to be used, but of the areas adjacent. In addition we also used all records of threatened species that occurred within an area five kilometres either side of the road for each of the proposed special stages.

Q. Do you think there is an increased risk to endangered species during the running of the event?
A. There will always be some risk. When you consider that these roads generally (with only one or two exceptions) have public traffic on them every day of the week, there is, based on our work, no significant increase in terms of the criteria we were required to consider. In fact because the rally is run in daylight, cars will be running at regular intervals and (as) there will be associated disturbances from helicopters, etc, over a relatively short period of time, the risk is further minimised.

Q. What specific measures have you recommended to the organisers?
A. We have recommended measures such as temporary fencing under the auspices of Koala Plans of Managements in all areas where there is evidence of resident koala populations and at least one stage was shortened because it traversed an extensive area of core koala habitat. In addition we have recommended flotation barriers of a few creeks under bridges over which the rally passes, so that in the very unlikely case of a car going off the bridge, any oil or fuel spill will be captured. We have made some other recommendations in relation to some threatened plant species and Lyrebirds.

Q. What is your impression of the Organiser’s attitude to these recommendations?
A. I have had nothing but cooperation and agreement to implement our recommendations. The organisers appear to be very conscious of their responsibilities to the environment.

Q. There has been a lot of media coverage about concerns the event to damage the environment of the area. Are these concerns legitimate?
A. It is good that people can raise their concerns. I think some concerns have been an overreaction and I hope that people take the time to read the report. We believe it to be very thorough.