RFI - Attachment 4B - Flora and Fauna Assessment Rev 5

                                                                                 Native Foresters



3.4      Fauna assessment
The vegetation on the subject site supports the breeding and habitation requirements of a diversity
of native fauna, including but not limited to one terrestrial mammal; thirteen bird species; five
amphibian species and two reptile species, as shown in Appendix H.

Two Least-concern skinks were detected within the footprint of proposed clearing works: Elegant
Snake Eyed Skink (Cryptoblepharus pulcher) and Garden Skink (Lampropholis delicata).

A number of nectarivorous and insectivorous bird species were observed foraging amongst the
Paperbarked tea tree, Eucalypt and heath elements in the survey area (Figure 8). Monkey rope
vine also provides food for nectarivorous birds during seasonally dry conditions when preferred
food sources are scarce. Scarlet honeyeaters (Myzomela sanguinolenta), were observed feeding
on Monkey rope flowers during the survey.

The survey area provides refuge during dry conditions, and in suitably wet conditions, it also
provides breeding habitat for Least concern amphibian species such as Eastern sedge frog
(Litoria fallax), Striped marsh frog (Limnodynastes peronii), Striped rocketfrog (Litoria nasuta),
Green tree frog (Litoria caerulea) and Graceful tree frog (Litoria gracilenta). Despite the presence
of suitable habitat in the survey area, Wallum frogs appear to be excluded from the area of interest
on the edge of the landfill potentially due to the presence of large populations of competitor
species e.g. Eastern sedgefrog and Striped rocketfrog and predator species e.g. Cane toads;
frequent disturbance and/or changes in water quality (pH and nutrients) associated with proximity
to landfill runoff (Ed Meyer, pers.comm). Large populations of Vulnerable-listed Wallum froglets
(Crinia tinnula) were identified in the less disturbed remnant and groundwater-dependent
ecosystems further north and east during targeted surveys conducted in March and April 2019,
and further north along the Noosa Eumundi Road (Noosa National Park) in February 2020, but
were not present in the survey area.

Several Endangered Swamp crayfish (Tenuibranchiurus glypticus) were present in the ephemeral
ponds in the Melaleuca wetland. Swamp crayfish will reproduce, overwinter and /or avoid
desiccation within elaborate community burrows that extend to depths of more than one metre.
Further information on this species is provided in section 4.0.

No Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) or evidence of Koalas was found within the survey area.
However, a previous survey conducted at the Noosa Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre by
Native Foresters (2019) identified historical evidence of habitat utilisation within the surrounding
Eucalypt-dominated woodland ecosystems. There are also four WildNET records within the
surrounding one kilometre radius, suggesting the possibility of a local population. The survey site
and surrounding remnant bushland is within a locally refined Koala Habitat Area, and Koala food
and habitat trees e.g. Eucalyptus robusta and Melaleuca quinquenervia, are common across the
survey area. As such, it is considered likely that the area may be used by local Koala populations.
Koalas are listed as Endangered under the NC Act 1992 and the EPBC Act 1999.




Central Drive Sippy Downs – Fauna & Flora Assessment                                       24