Ecological Assessment

State and Local Government Ecological Assessment
Noosa Civic Expansion




2                  Methodology
The assessment is largely consistent with Noosa Planning Scheme Policy 18 – Ecological Guidelines. To
assist in identifying likely issues or constraints (such as regional ecosystems and flora species that could be
encountered) and those that would need to be targeted during field work, a search of relevant literature and
databases was undertaken prior to field investigations.
Detailed surveys were undertaken to determine the ecological values of the Study Area, including the
presence or absence of Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006 (NC(W)R) listed species and
regulated vegetation that had potential to occur in or use the habitats of the Study Area. The Queensland
Government's Herbrecs and Wildnet databases and the Queensland Museum’s database were assessed to
assist in predictive analysis of species distribution. Regional ecosystem mapping (regulated vegetation
management map and vegetation management supporting map) was also reviewed.
Flora and fauna field surveys were conducted over a one-week period, during April - May 2013 and an
additional one day survey in September 2014. The surveys were undertaken by two ecologists at any one
time (CV’s of contributing ecologists are provided in Appendix A).
Duplicate seasonal surveys were not undertaken (i.e. trapping was only undertaken in one season, being the
‘dry season’). While the field work fell outside of the optimal survey period for some species, the overall
approach to the survey was regarded as adequate because:
> the Study Area is relatively small in area thereby enabling good site coverage;
> the survey effort ran over a period of a week and included an additional day during rain; and
> the survey accounted for the predicted presence of species through habitat assessment.

2.1.1              Desktop Assessment and Literature Review
Table 2-1 below summarises databases and mapping reviewed prior to field work in 2013 and those
reviewed in 2014 to inform preparation of this report.

Table 2-1               Desktop Assessments to inform field work and to inform reporting
Items reviewed to inform field work in 2013          Items reviewed to inform 2014 reporting
Regional Ecosystem remnant (Queensland               Regulated Vegetation Management Map and Vegetation
Herbarium, 2012a) and regrowth mapping               Management Supporting Map (Department of Natural
                                                     Resources and Mines (DNRM), 2014) (Appendix B)

Queensland Herbarium’s Herbrecs (Queensland          Utilised the 2012 search
Herbarium, 2012b). The search covered a 5km
radius around the Study Area (Appendix C)
Wildnet Database (DEHP, 2012)                        The Wildnet database (DSITIA, 2014) (Appendix D). The
                                                     search covered a 5km radius around the Study Area
Queensland Museum records for an                     Utilised the 2012 search
approximately 5km search area including the
Study Area (NW cnr 153d 0m, -26d 22m; SE cnr
153d 6m, -26d 27m) (Queensland Museum,
2013) (Appendix E)
South East Queensland Koala Conservation             South East Queensland Koala Conservation State Planning
State Planning Regulatory Provisions (SPRP)          Regulatory Provisions (SPRP) mapping and GIS layers (DEHP,
mapping and GIS layers (DEHP, 2013)                  2014) (Appendix F)

-                                                    SARA State interest mapping (DSDIP,2014b) (Appendix G);
                                                         - Coastal Protection Layers (Coastal Management District
                                                            and Coastal Management Zone);
                                                         - Koala Conservation layer (Koala Assessable
                                                            Development Area);
                                                         - Native Vegetation Clearing (Category B areas on the

QIC Noosa Civic Pty Ltd                                  Version 1                                      5 December 2014
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