2019-02-18 GC Agenda Att 1 to Item 8 - Draft Environment Strategy

Strategy 3: Improve long-term survival for threatened species and
ecological communities
Target: By 2030, populations of key threatened indicator species remain viable.

There are currently 128 fauna and flora species that are listed as endangered, vulnerable or near
threatened under State and Commonwealth environment legislation that occur in Noosa Shire.
There are also 3 nationally-declared Threatened Ecological Communities, and 32 Endangered and
‘Of Concern’ Regional Ecosystems listed by the State.

Over the last decade the representation of ecosystems has generally stabilised but there has been
changes to the distribution and abundance of native species in the developed coastal zone. Some
species have benefited from some development while other species have declined.

There are a range of threats to flora and fauna species including clearing for development and
rural purposes, predation by feral animals, weed encroachment, disease, vehicle strike, bushfire,
competition for nesting hollows, changes to groundwater and declining food availability. Climate
change also has the potential to significantly impact threatened species survival through changes
in temperature and rainfall patterns.

A priority of the Environment Strategy is to conserve important ecological communities and the
habitat that sustains individual fauna and flora species, as well as to minimise threatening
processes. As well as habitat conservation at the broad landscape level, some species require
interventions at the site level to address critical threats. Site specific management responses for
threatened species will continue to be identified and implemented.

As a key local land manager, Council has a role in helping threatened species through protecting
and enhancing ecosystems and habitat that fauna and flora require for survival. For example, 28
threatened species have been recorded in the Yurol-Ringtail State Forest area including the Koala
(Phascolarctos cinereus), Spotted-tailed Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), Giant Barred Frog
(Mixophyes iteratus) and the Swamp Stringybark (Eucalyptus conglomerata). Council and
environment groups are rehabilitating former pine forest in this area and it is anticipated that this
will not only be of benefit to koalas but also many other fauna and flora species.




Noosa Shire Environment Strategy                                                              Page 17