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

                                                                                      Native Foresters




   FIGURE 20: Southern stormwater outflow - surface runoff with green algae indicative of
                                  nutrient enrichment

Given the above observations from current landfill operations, the proposed redistribution
of catchment flows and increased water volumes to the drainage lines associated with
additional cell development, has the potential to exacerbate or shift the observed impacts
further to the east into areas of retained and currently un-impacted vegetation. How Swamp
Crayfish and/or Wallum Frogs respond to this will depend on their sensitivity and tolerance
to changes in water quality and habitat condition.

        pH - Based on our current understanding, it appears likely that the these species
         would tolerate a moderate increase in water pH, with Swamp Crayfish and Wallum
         Froglet tadpoles having been recorded in pH 6.0 water (E. Meyer, unpub. data).
         However, water chemistry plays an important role in limiting interspecies
         competition. Areas that receive increased volumes of higher-pH surface runoff may
         potentially, over time, become more favourable for Beeping Froglet (Crinia
         parinsignifera); Striped Rocketfrog (Litoria nasuta); and Eastern Sedgefrog (Litoria
         fallax), which are considered the main competitors of Wallum frogs and whose
         aquatic life stages would not endure in low pH environments.
        Nutrients - Nitrogen enrichment is known to cause chronic and acute toxicity to
         amphibians and their larvae (Ortiz-Santaliestra et al. 2006; Egea-Serrano et al.
         2012). Nutrient enrichment leading to eutrophication of aquatic systems is linked to
         increased parasite infection and amphibian disease risk (Johnson et al. 2007).
        Heavy metals/other pollutants (in the event of unexpected or unpermitted release)-
         Species responses to increases in pollutants (e.g. detergents, surfactants) and
         metal ion concentrations are currently not available.

In areas where catchments/surface runoff will be redirected to, additional investigations into
water quality discharged will be required to determine whether direct and indirect impacts
to Swamp Crayfish/Wallum Frogs can be mitigated or avoided.



Noosa Landfill & Resource Recovery Centre – Fauna and Flora Assessment – Revision 3
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