Attachment 7B - Fauna and Flora Assessment_NoosaLandfill_NorthernSection_Revision3

                                                                                    Native Foresters




4.0 SIGNIFICANT SPECIES
4.1      Swamp crayfish (Tenuibranchiurus glypticus)
Swamp crayfish, listed as Endangered under the NC Act (1992), is Australia’s smallest crayfish
growing up to 25 mm (Figure 9). Its distribution is highly restricted, occurring from the Kinkuna
section of Burrum Coast National Park, Queensland and southwards along the coastline to Lake
Hiawatha, New South Wales. Its area of occupancy within this coastal strip is fragmented and the
species occurs in small, isolated locations, some of which are threatened by urbanisation.
Throughout its range, the Swamp Crayfish is associated mainly with coastal Paperbark swamps,
including areas of remnant and regrowth Melaleuca woodland.

Swamp crayfish can be distinguished from other crayfish species in south east Queensland by its
narrow thorax and the vertical alignment of the fingers of the claws. It is often difficult to detect as
it burrows into the substrate in coastal wallum swamps and shallow drainage channels. It can be
found among sedges and less frequently in open water. Much of the year is spent underground
in elaborate burrows that may extend over 1.5 metres below the surface.

The breeding biology of Swamp crayfish is poorly documented. Available data suggest that
breeding may occur during late autumn/early winter with egg-bearing animals and young-of-year
crayfish having been recorded in May-July (Dawkins, 2015; E. Meyer, pers. comm.), as well as at
other times of year.

Two adult Swamp crayfish were found in small ponds, foraging above leaf litter under a canopy
of Melaleuca (-26.43565oS, 153.02659oE and -26.43570oS, 153.02634oE). Refer to Figure 1.
Their distribution is likely to extend throughout the entire survey area and adjacent habitats.

Habitat loss (i.e loss of treed wetlands), pollution, degradation of water quality, changes to
drainage patterns and climate change are considered significant threats to the survival of Swamp
crayfish. However, records of this species from drainage lines and artificial ponds, within and
adjacent to disturbed Melaleuca woodlands suggest some resilience to disturbance.




              FIGURE 9: Swamp crayfish in Melaleuca wetland adjacent to landfill


Noosa Landfill & RRC – northern section – Fauna and Flora Assessment – REV3                            27