Rev Fauna Flora Assessment

                                                                                   Native Foresters




4.0 SIGNIFICANT SPECIES
4.1      Grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus)

The largest of the flying-foxes, the Grey headed flying fox, ranges from Townsville in the tropical
north, south along the east coast, and south to Victoria. The species roosts communally in densely
vegetated gullies, and feeds on rainforest fruits and blossoms from eucalypts, angophoras,
banksias and tea-trees (Tideman 1995). Paperbark tea tree woodlands are an important winter
food source. As with other species of flying foxes, the species is threatened by destruction of
roosting areas and the clearing and development of feeding habitat which has led to its listing as
a Vulnerable species under the EPBC Act.

During the mating season (March-April), Grey headed flying foxes form large camps. When food
is scarce flying-foxes can disperse from these camps and may hang individually or in small groups
near feeding trees. Campsites may be permanently or seasonally occupied, depending on
availability of flowering trees nearby. Grey-headed flying-foxes can fly up to 50 kilometres to find
food (fruit and nectar).

Females give birth to a single pup in October-November, which is carried by the mother for one
month and remains dependent on the mother for up to four months.

Grey-headed flying foxes have been identified during the surveys feeding in flowering Corymbias
and Melaleucas adjacent to and within the Carramar site. Large colonies are known to roost in
Noosaville (Wallace Park, near Weyba Road and on Goat Island).


4.2      Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

The Koala is an arboreal folivore, restricted in its distribution to the eucalypt forests and woodlands
of eastern Australia. The species is listed as Vulnerable under State and Federal legislation.
Preferred food trees in the Noosa region include Blue gum (E. tereticornis), Grey gum (E.
propinqua), Tallowwood (E. microcorys), Swamp mahogany (E. robusta) and Flooded Gum (E.
grandis). Individuals have distinct home ranges which vary according to population density and
the abundance of mature food trees (Martin and Handasyde 1995).

Whilst a significant number of primary and secondary food tree species are present in the survey
area, the habitat quality for Koalas is considered sub-optimal by virtue of its dense, near
impenetrable sedgeland understorey; its narrow extent and proximity to a major road.

There was no evidence of Koalas or Koala activity in the survey area, however Queensland
Governmnet’s WildNET database holds six records within one kilometre of the survey area and
there are a number of anecdotal sightings recorded on Koala Tracker and by the Heritage Park
Bushland Care Group (Joan Heavey, pers.comm.) within one kilometre of the survey area.

The occurrence of recent Koala records (live and dead) and the location of the survey area in the
middle of a matrix of known, high quality Koala habitat areas indicates that the Carramar site may
provide dry season refugia and/or movement corridor that Koala populations may potentially
exploit in future in an increasingly fragmented landscape.



Carramar Extension – Fauna and Flora Assessment – Revision 2                                          31