Habitat that shapes approvals.
Three threatened black cockatoos live in south-west Western Australia: Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo, Baudin's Cockatoo and the Forest Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo. All three are protected under the EPBC Act, and their breeding, roosting and foraging habitat is a common trigger for Commonwealth referral of development, infrastructure and clearing proposals across Perth, the Wheatbelt and the South West.
Trace Ecology assesses black cockatoo habitat for developers, local governments, infrastructure builders and landowners, so the significance of a site is clear before a design is fixed. Read more in our article WA's threatened black cockatoos: what landowners and developers need to know.
What we assess
- Breeding habitat. Trees large enough to form nest hollows, recorded by species and size, with hollows inspected for size, height and signs of use.
- Roosting habitat. Known and potential night roosts, checked against records and by evening counts where needed.
- Foraging habitat. Banksia, marri, jarrah, proteaceous heath and pine plantations mapped and rated for quality, with feeding evidence such as chewed cones and nuts recorded.
- Landscape context. Each site assessed against the Commonwealth referral guideline for the three species and the habitat around it.
What you receive
Mapped breeding, roosting and foraging habitat, a register of potential nest trees and hollows, and a clear view of whether a referral is likely to be needed, with options to avoid or reduce impacts. Where clearing goes ahead, our fauna team can inspect hollows before felling and manage fauna on site.
Frequently asked questions
Does a single tree matter?
It can. One large tree with a suitable hollow can be breeding habitat, and foraging habitat is judged by both quality and extent. An assessment shows what is significant on your site.
When should the assessment be done?
Before the layout is fixed. Habitat mapped early can shape lot layout, road alignment or clearing footprints, which is usually simpler than redesigning after a referral.
Trace Ecology is a division of Trace Enterprises, which brings heritage, environmental and planning specialists together under one roof.
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Every heritage, environmental and planning project starts with the right conversation.
Tell us what you are planning and where. We'll tell you what assessments and approvals it needs, who should be involved and what happens next.