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

                                                                                      Native Foresters



5.0 SUMMARY
5.1      Flora and vegetation communities

        There is an existing approval for works onsite Permit A – RARP2005/101216 which
         allows clearing for the identified works impact areas onsite.
        The proposed clearing area adjacent to the landfill can be described as weedy
         regrowth in poor condition, with Singapore Daisy, introduced grasses and pastoral
         legumes dominating the understorey. It currently provides a buffer to the adjacent
         remnant vegetation communities that are in good condition and are generally
         consistent with the mapped Regional Ecosystem types.
        The proposed clearing area for the southern stormwater discharge drain and the
         areas adjacent to the landfill expansion area can be described as remnant Scribbly
         gum (Eucalyptus racemosa) and Eucalypt open forest to woodland in the more
         elevated areas (Land Zone 5, Figure 2), and Paperbark Tea Tree (Melaleuca
         quinquenervia) wetland with closed wet heath and sedgeland in the lower-lying
         areas (Land Zone 3, Figure 15).
        The remnant Eucalypt-dominated communities east of the landfill (RE 12.5.3/12.5.4)
         possess a complex structure and feature old growth Eucalypts up to 20 metres
         in height, with diameter at breast height one to two metres, bearing multiple
         hollows, and a semi-closed understorey. Weeds are limited to the 25 metre strip
         on the edge and around the stormwater discharge outlets.
        The remnant Eucalypt woodland (RE12.5.3/12.5.4) and closed heathland (RE
         12.3.13) in the impact area, the 100 metre buffer and beyond, that are not near a
         point source of surface runoff, a major road or motorway, or an area of historical
         clearing, are in very good ecological condition.
        The Paperbark Tea Tree community (RE 12.3.5) that occurs along the drainage lines
         is highly susceptible to eutrophication and prone to weed invasion, as evidenced by
         the current state of the northern drainage line.
        There is up to 2.475ha of regrowth (Category X) Eucalypt and Melaleuca woodland
         which is impacted by weed growth to be cleared.
        There is up to 0.170 ha of vegetation within the southern stormwater discharge drain
         that is composed of the Endangered RE 12.5.3 to be cleared.
        There is up to 0.480 ha of vegetation within the southern stormwater discharge drain
         that is composed of the Least Concern RE 12.5.4 to be cleared.
        There is 0.275 ha of vegetation within the southern area of the landfill expansion
         area is consistent with the Endangered RE 12.5.3 but is mapped as Category X
         vegetation to be cleared.
        The potential Impact Area east of the landfill is mapped as an Area of Biodiversity
         Significance under the Noosa Plan 2019 (Noosa Council Biodiversity Overlay).
        The potential Impact Area lies within a Protected Plants high risk area.
        There were no EVNT listed flora species located within the potential Impact Area or
         the 100 metre site buffer.
        Weed outbreaks are expanding from the landfill edge, drainage lines and historical
         clearings for boreholes and access tracks into high quality habitat further north and
         east. Along the central drainage line, rampant growth of Silkpod vine growth
         (Parsonsia straminea) is dominating all strata.




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