Attachment 5 - Flora Survey Report by Gondwana Ecology

The survey method employed, and the nature of the subject land, allowed for a comprehensive species
list. Survey of the area was divided into the following units:

    •   the site (Lot 3 SP246584); and
    •   the buffer area, comprising:
            o Lot 147 NPW 889 (Noosa National Park) to the north of Lot 3 and west of the
                 transmission line easement;
            o Lot 5 S982222 to the south and west of Lot 3; and
            o Lot 3 SP182845 to the south of Lot 3.

Figure 4 shows subject area and adjacent lots and the flora survey tracks.

3.4 Threatened Species – Site
For the area to be cleared, i.e. within the site, no threatened species were recorded.

3.5 Threatened Species – Buffer Area
For the buffer area, i.e. surrounding the site, no threatened species were recorded.

3.6 Description of Vegetation within Area to be Cleared
Reference to historical aerial imagery shows the vegetation on the site has regrown since clearing in
the 1970s. The vegetation currently occupying the site is thus between 40- and 50-years old, with a
few older trees that were retained when the site was cleared (refer Figure 3).

The most common canopy tree species were Eucalyptus resinifera (red mahogany), Syncarpia
glomulifera subsp. glomulifera (turpentine), Corymbia intermedia (pink bloodwood), E. robusta
(swamp mahogany) and Melaleuca quinquenervia (paperbark teatree). Eucalyptus grandis (flooded
gum) and Lophostemon confertus (brush box) were less frequent canopy species.

The suite of canopy species reflected the regional ecosystem mapped across remnant vegetation
adjacent to the site, Regional Ecosystem (RE) 12.9-10.1 (described above).

Towards the south of the site, on lower elevation ground closer to Eenie Creek, there was a shift in
the vegetation composition, with M. quinquenervia and E. robusta becoming the dominant canopy
species. This regenerating vegetation was similar RE 12.3.5 (described above), as mapped outside of
the site and in association with Eenie Creek.

A sub- or mid-canopy layer was also present in much of regenerating eucalypt forest across the site
and varied in structure and composition. In some areas there was a dense regeneration of Sannantha
bidwillii (baeckea) whereas in other areas the midstorey was more open and featured copses of
rainforest species including Acronychia imperforata (beach acronychia), Elaeocarpus obovatus (hard
quandong), Endiandra sieberi (hard corkwood) and Schizomeria ovata (white cherry).

The groundcover within the regenerating eucalypt forest was generally sparse, due to the combined
cover of the tree and midstorey. Groundcover species recorded included Blechnum cartilagineum
(gristle fern), Baloskion tetraphyllum subsp. meiostachyum (swamp foxtails), Entolasia stricta (wiry
panic), Lepidosperma laterale (variable sword sedge) and Lomandra longifolia (long leaved matrush).

In the south of the site, where Melaleuca quinquenervia was the dominant canopy species, the
midstorey was less pronounced and was replaced by a dense ground layer of ferns and sedges
including Blechnum indicum (swamp water fern), Baloskion pallens (pale cord rush), Baloskion
tetraphyllum subsp. meiostachyum (swamp foxtails), Baumea rubiginosa (soft twigrush) and
Calochlaena dubia (soft bracken).


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