Pre-Clearance Fauna Surveys Across Western Australia
Fauna Services conducts professional pre-clearance fauna surveys across Western Australia for mining, land development, road construction, infrastructure and renewable energy projects. Our surveys are designed to identify conservation significant species, inform environmental approvals, and ensure your project complies with the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act), and DBCA requirements.
What Is a Pre-Clearance Fauna Survey?
A pre-clearance fauna survey (also known as a fauna salvage or targeted fauna survey) is a systematic assessment conducted in the weeks or days before vegetation clearing or earthworks commence. Its purpose is to identify all native fauna — particularly conservation significant species — present within the project area, and to implement appropriate management measures before disturbance begins.
Pre-clearance surveys are a regulatory requirement for most development and mining projects in Western Australia where native vegetation is being cleared.
Our Survey Process
Fauna Services conducts pre-clearance surveys in accordance with the EPA’s Technical Guidance — Sampling methods for terrestrial vertebrate fauna (2016) and relevant DBCA guidelines. Our process includes:
- Desktop study — review of existing fauna records, NatureMap data, previous survey reports, and listed species for the project area
- Targeted fauna surveys — systematic field methods including cage trapping, pitfall trapping, spotlight surveys, acoustic bat monitoring, and active searches
- Black cockatoo habitat assessment — targeted surveys for Carnaby’s, Baudin’s and Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoos (all listed under the EPBC Act)
- MNES assessment — identification and assessment of Matters of National Environmental Significance
- Conservation significant species assessment — recording and evaluating threatened, priority and specially protected fauna under state and federal legislation
- Fauna management plan — development of site-specific protocols for fauna salvage, spotter catcher deployment and habitat management
- Compliance reporting — detailed survey reports suitable for EPA referral, clearing permit applications and environmental approval submissions
Species We Survey For
Our zoologists are experienced in surveying for a wide range of conservation significant species across WA’s bioregions, including:
- Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo and other black cockatoo species
- Quenda (southern brown bandicoot)
- Chuditch (western quoll)
- Numbat
- Western Ringtail Possum
- Carpet python and other reptiles
- Malleefowl
- Western Spiny-tailed Skink
- Shorebirds and migratory species listed under international agreements (JAMBA, CAMBA, ROKAMBA)
Regions We Cover
We conduct pre-clearance fauna surveys across all WA bioregions including the Swan Coastal Plain, Pilbara, Kimberley, Goldfields-Esperance, Midwest, South West, Wheatbelt and Great Southern. We work across both remote mine sites and urban development areas.
Get in Touch
Contact Fauna Services to discuss your pre-clearance survey requirements. We can integrate with your existing environmental consultant team or manage the full survey and reporting process end-to-end.
Email edward@fauna.au or call 0401 189 834.