08/1128 - Information Response to Biodiversity Items & Ecological Impact Items - Place Designs [As Published] · 132008.1128

BCROS RFI Response to Counci! 20081126 Page 4 af 28

One of the rare and threatened plants species listed in Item 15 (Gompholobium virgata v. emarginatum)
was observed on site and individual plant locations captured using differential GPS (DGPS). Six population
groupings were identified on the Vegetation Plan FIGURE 1. The largest group (Group F) was located
within the Noosa National Park to the west of the existing Church on Lot 5. Small populations (D & E) were
observed within the area proposed for the retirement village on Lot 1 and 4 individuals (Group C) on Lot 6
where the Nursing home components is proposed north of Grasstree Court.

Based on discussions with Council and the EPA, in the years prior to application, the proposed layout was
considered to define an acceptable level of impact on the identified rare plants. By positioning the
development footprint in the more disturbed elevated section of Lot 1, the majority of the rare and
threatened plant species would be protected. It is noted that significant populations of the targeted flora
species are adequately protected within the 20m conservation buffer within Lot 1, as well as within the
adjoining Noosa National Park.

Targeted Flora Survey (2008)

An EPBC Protected Matters search and a Queensland Wildlife on-line database search were repeated.
These searches indicate that no additional rare and threatened species had been identified or listed since
the previous searches which were conducted in 2007.

The Master Plan 2006 - Part 2 Background Information (Noosa Shire Council 20066) contained results from
several surveys across the Girraween precinct were also reviewed. This report identified three other rare
and threatened species that had been recorded.

The additional flora survey was conducted on 25 September 2008 by Chris Hansen. The targeted species
listed in Item 15 of the Council Information Request, which will be referred to as “probable species”, are:

« Acacia baueri ssp baueri;

*« Gompholobium virgata v. emarginatum;

« Macarthuria complanata; and

« Schoenus scabripes.

Flora species identified in the Girraween Master Plan 2006 - Part 2 Background information (Noosa Shire
Council 2006b) as potentially being on Lot 1 were also surveyed for. These species included:

« Acacia attenuata;

« Blandfordia grandiflora; and

¢ = Boronia rivularis.

A field survey was undertaken to verify species presence or absence and if present, their distribution was
mapped by differential (DGPS). The revised Flora Survey methodology, the field survey results and
amendments are incorporated into a revised version of the Ecological Assessment Report - Revision A
(2008). All amendments are highlighted as underlined text (ATTACHMENT 3).

A Revised Vegetation Plan is illustrated in FIGURE 2. The amendments made in FIGURE 2 compared to
FIGURE 1 are noted below:

« An additional Vegetation sub-community “Community 2b - Closed wet heath on natural
spring/soak (RE 12.2.12); associated with a small soak of less then 500m’ in the north west corner
of proposed Lot 9.

e The soak contained a small population of one of the target species Schoenus scabripes,

e An additional Population area. of Gompholobium virgata v. emarginatum (Group G) located within
the lower western section of Vegetation Community 1 - Open/ Dry heath on coastal dunes
(12.2.9/12.2.13).

e The other targeted species were not observed despite the survey being conducted in perfect
conditions — good sunlight and in early Spring.