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

No arboreal mammals were recorded at the Subject Site during the survey period. Habitat assessment
indicates that there are no suitable hollow-bearing trees to provide den and breeding sites for the
majority of arboreal mammal species known to occur in the wider locality. Despite the absence of
records, the Brush-tailed Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is still likely to occasionally forage at the site
from suitable den habitat in adjacent residential areas. The Feathertail Glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) is
also likely to occur here, as detection of this species is difficult. The proposed development of the
northern area of the Subject Site will not result in any significant impacts on arboreal mammals known
to occur in the wider locality.

The Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) has been recorded from suitable habitat in the wider locality,
including the northern sections of Noosa National Park. Targeted surveys for this species (including
spotlighting, call-playback and scat searches) faited to detect signs of the Koala at the Subject Site.
Habitat assessment (combined with vegetation survey results) indicates that Koala forage tree species do
not occur at the site. It is therefore unlikely that the Subject Site provides suitable habitat for Koalas,
and the proposed development of the northern area of the site will not result in any significant impacts
on this species. Koala Conservation Plan provisions are addressed in Appendix F.

Although Anabat bat-call detection devices were employed during the survey period, no
microchiropteran bats were detected at the Subject Site. A number of microchiropteran bats are
known from the wider region, including some that are listed as threatened species, and despite the
absence of records during the survey period some may forage where suitable habitat occurs at the site.
Species that are known to roost in small tree hollows, or beneath leaves or decorticating bark could
potentially find suitable roost habitat throughout the Subject Site. The site does not however provide
suitable roost or nursery habitat for microchiropteran bats that are dependant on caves, culverts or
other similar structures. No significant habitat for microchiropteran bats will be removed under the
proposed development of the northern area of the Subject Site. No significant impacts on these species
are therefore likely to occur.

Several megachiropteran bat species are known to occur in the wider locality, and the Commonwealth
listed Grey-headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) was recorded foraging at the Subject Site during
the survey period. It is likely that any of the other megachiropteran bats known to occur in the wider
locality may forage occasionally at the site, particularly during blossoming and fruiting periods of trees
occurring at the site. However habitat assessment indicates that the site does not provide roosting or
breeding habitat for these species, and no flying fox colonies were observed at the Subject Site during
the survey period. It is therefore highly unlikely that the proposed development of the northern area of
the site will result in any significant impacts on megachiropteran bats

2.5 Wildlife Corridor Values

Habitat assessment combined with desktop analysis of mapping and aerial photography indicate that
the section of Noosa National Park adjacent to the Subject Site provides a significant north/south wildlife
corridor for fauna species dependent on heathland/sedgeland communities in the wider locality. The
Subject Site itself supports taller open woodland/wallum heathland that provides additional width,
shelter and variation in vegetation to the adjacent national park corridor.

Noosa Council mapping indicates that most of the Subject Site is designated as “Open Space
Conservation”. A smaller section at the north of the site is designated as “Community Services” and is
therefore consistent with the land use proposed for development. The development area will be
confined to the northern area of the subject site and therefore will not impact vegetation of the
southern area of the site. This vegetation will continue to enhance the wildlife corridor values of the
adjacent Noosa National Park.

The small waterway in the northern area of the site may also contribute as a small-scale movement
corridor. The occurrence of Lewin’s Rail both within the site’s waterway and along Burgess Creek
downstream of the site appears to support that there is some movement of species along the waterway
corridor. However, the waterway is heavily degraded and infested with weed species, and there is no

 

Grasstree Court, Sunrise Beach Ecological Assessment Report (BCRO2) PLACE Environmental

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