MCU 14/0106 Appendix F - Ecological Assessment

State and Local Government Ecological Assessment
Noosa Civic Expansion



flaviventris. At least three additional species were recorded, however, due to the brief and fragmented
nature of these calls; they could not be positively identified. The three additional species are likely to be
Chalinolobus gouldii, Miniopterus orianae oceanensis and Myotis macropus or Nyctophilus sp. None of the
bats recorded are scheduled under the NCA.
The Little Bentwing Bat (Miniopterus australis) is considered regionally significant within south-east
Queensland/Noosa Shire under Part 6 of the Noosa Biosphere (Biosphere Ltd, 2009). This species roosts in
a variety of places including caves, tunnels, stormwater drains and possibly tree hollows and forages for
insects in well-timbered habitats (Van Dyck and Strahan, 2008).

4.2.2.2            Reptiles
Most of the Study Area support good reptile habitat in the form of leaf litter, fallen timber and dense
vegetation. While the Wildnet database search returned 42 reptiles for the broader area, only 7 species
were recorded from Study Area. This included 2 species of snake and 4 of lizard including the Green Tree
Snake (Dendrelaphis punctulata), Carpet Python (Morethia spilota) (Plate 8), Common Garden Skink
(Lampropholis delicata), Lampropholis coggeri, Ctenotus taeneolatus and Lace monitor (Varanus varius).




                                                   Plate 8: Carpet Python (Morethia spilota)


Review of existing databases indicated that two listed reptile species, Elf Skink (Eroticoscincus graciloides)
and Cooloola Blind Snake (Ramphotyphlops silvia) could potentially occur within the habitats of the Study
Area.
ELF SKINK (Eroticoscincus graciloides)
The Elf Skink was originally recorded from the adjacent area (now Noosa Civic) and from the nearby Noosa
National Park. The Elf Skink has also been recorded within the wider Noosa locality in both Wildnet and
Queensland Museum records. The habitat for the Elf Skink includes rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest
where it shelters under rocks, logs and leaf litter (Qld Parks and Wildlife Service, 2001). Therefore all areas
on Study Area with high leaf litter and logs or rocks were considered potential habitat and were subject of
targeted searches. Targeted searches included pitfall trapping, funnel trapping and targeted searches of leaf
litter, under rocks and logs. This did not result in any observations or captures of Elf Skink.
While no individuals were recorded, suitable habitat was found; hence the species may be present in
undetectable numbers.




QIC Noosa Civic Pty Ltd                                         Version 1                       5 December 2014
J13041_Ecological Assessment State Local_V1.docx          Commercial in Confidence                     Page 23