Attachment 6 - Ecological Assessment

Ecological Assessment Report v1                                                            NCES REF: J000542
Lot 9 on RP225312 – 100 Cooyar Street, Noosa Heads




4.4       Fauna

4.4.1      Fauna Habitat Values
The observed habitat within the site includes paperbark open forest, Banksia woodland, and modified
areas, all of which exhibit potential to provide suitable habitat for numerous fauna species. The site
abuts the western edge of the Girraween Nature Refuge and Noosa National Park habitat and offers
a buffer between those conservation areas and the distinct lack of habitat present to the west of the
site beyond Cooyar Street.
A specific fauna survey of the site was not undertaken as part of the scope of works and would be
required to confirm the specific fauna species utilising the site’s habitat. Nonetheless, inferences
about the composition of the local fauna assemblage can be drawn from local knowledge, site
conditions and database search results.
Vegetated areas of the site contain a variety of fauna habitat types and exhibit direct connectivity
with offsite vegetation areas. These areas have the potential to offer fauna species the following
habitat opportunities:
          Open canopy and mid-canopy nesting sites and perches which may be used by birds and
           arboreal mammals;
          Fallen logs and dead trees with exfoliating bark;
          Flower pollen from the mix of canopy and mid-strata species may provide a food source for
           nectivorous species including possums, gliders, flying foxes and birds;
          Scattered Koala habitat trees that may provide a food, breeding and resting resource for
           koalas;
          Sun exposed areas below canopy gaps and on forest fringes may be suitable habitat for
           exothermic reptiles such as snakes, skinks, small lizards and possibly larger reptiles such as
           lace monitors;
          Areas of light to heavy leaf litter have the potential to host small reptiles, amphibious species
           and may provide breeding opportunities for brush turkeys; and
          Grass and sedge groundcovers (native and exotic) have the potential to provide shelter and
           movement pathways for small terrestrial mammals.
The site does not support estuarine areas hence is only likely to support freshwater species where
conditions permit habitation. Freshwater fish are unlikely to inhabit the eastern drain given its limited
reach of continuous inundation from the down pipe outlets to the eastern site boundary where the
discharge enters a soakage zone, characterised by ferns and bull rush and which is generally devoid
of standing water. The southern drain appears to be predominantly dry and likely only hosts flows
for a very limited period following heavy rainfall. Amphibian species may be drawn to these
intermittent water resources.

4.4.2      Habitat for Previously Recorded Conservation Significant Fauna
Table 1 identifies the conservation significant fauna species which have been previously recorded
within a 2km radius of the site on Wildlife Online for which the site offers suitable habitat.




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