Attachment 7C - Flora and Fauna Survey Assessment_Noosa Landfill - Revision 3

                                                                               Native Foresters



3.3      Fauna assessment
The wet heath, wetland and Eucalypt woodland vegetation communities around the Noosa
Landfill support the breeding and habitation requirements of a diversity of native fauna,
including but not limited to three mammal species, 26 bird species, five reptile species, six
amphibians and one invertebrate, as shown in Appendix K. Some of the fauna present are
shown in Figure 12.

Fauna detection was largely impeded by the density of understorey vegetation, however
the habitats present are considered likely to support a high density of small and medium-
sized mammals e.g. Bush Rat (Rattus fuscipes), Swamp Rat (Rattus lutreolus), Grassland
Melomys (Melomys burtoni), Fawn-footed Antechinus (Antechinus flavipes), Bandicoots
(Perameles nasuta and Isoodon macrourus) and Special Least concern Short-beaked
Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus).

Historical evidence of habitat utilisation by Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in the form of
scratches and scats has been found in the Scribbly gum and Eucalypt-dominated woodland
ecosystems in the impact area and buffer (BAAM, 2012) and surrounds (USC Detection
Dogs for Conservation, 2017; pers.comm. Romane Critescu). Given the historical evidence
of Koala activity adjacent to the landfill as shown in Appendix L and the presence of
suitable habitat and preferred Koala food trees, it is considered that the area may be used
by local Koala populations. Koalas are listed as Vulnerable under the NC Act 1992 and the
EPBC Act 1999.

A number of snakes e.g. Red Belly Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus), Eastern Brown
Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) and Carpet Python (Morelia spilota Mcdowelli) were identified
during the fauna survey.

A number of reptiles, including Tussock Rainbow Skink (Carlia vivax) and Lace monitors
(Varanus varius) were observed in the more open habitats towards the northern end of the
survey area.

The avian population is abundant and diverse. Passerines e.g. Brown Honeyeater
(Lichmera indistincta) and White-throated Gerygone (Gerygone olivacea) were found in the
Eucalypt and wallum woodlands and among strips of regrowth vegetation on the eastern
boundary of the landfill. Waterbirds and waders were present around the ponds, dams and
drainage lines, e.g. Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca in large numbers) and
Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops). Raptors e.g. Black Kite (Milvus migrans) and
White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) were observed circling overhead on the
edge of landfill. The avian population will vary in response to seasonal conditions, migratory
patterns and availability of food resources.

A large population of Vulnerable-listed Wallum Froglets (Crinia tinnula, Figure 13) was
detected approximately 200 to 600 metres east north-east of the landfill boundary (outside
of the identified impact area) in closed heathland (-26.4359, 153.0321) and in an area of
extensive ephemeral ponding adjacent to the fire trail (-26.4351, 153.0318). Refer to Figure
15. Wallum Froglets are tolerant of disturbance and will sometimes breed in roadside
puddles, spoon drains and flooded grasslands. Their distribution may expand/contract in
response to wet/dry cycles. During wetter years, the distribution may expand into the
patches of suitable habitat that occur in the identified impact area.



Noosa Landfill & Resource Recovery Centre – Fauna and Flora Assessment                     33