SARA RFI - Ecological Assessment Report

 

of the site for arboreal fauna and hollow nesting birds. The lower-lying area (wet heath,
fernland) receive untreated stormwater via a number of drains to the east and south and
run-off associated with the adjacent development in the southwest.

2.3.1 Koala

The koala Phasco/arctus cinereus is listed as vulnerable in the southeast Queensland
bioregion under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. Koalas are considered to be relatively
widespread over the site, with evidence (scats, visual) recorded predominantly in the
swamp mahogany, dry sclerophyll forest and paperbark community (Parker 1997, JWA
2003, pers. obs.). However, recent evidence (pers.obs. 2004) also suggests they regularly
utilise the riparian forest adjacent to Noosa Inlet for corridor and possible forage values.
The Noosa Koala Habitat Atlas (AKF 2004) identifies only a small portion of the site (outside
the development area) as Primary Habitat for the koala. The development site is identified
as “other vegetation”, whilst the lower lying areas are identified as “unknown habitat
quality”.

In the Noosa area Eucalyptus tereticornis (forest red gum/Queensland blue gum), &.
robusta (swamp mahogany), E.microcorys (tallowwood) and E.propinqua (small-fruited grey
gum) are considered primary feed trees (AKF 2004). Two species of recognised koala feed
trees occur at the site, E.tereticornis and E.robusta. A number of secondary species
(Class A) (EPA 2001), such as Melaleuca quinquenervia (broad-leaved paperbark), Corymbia
intermedia (pink bloodwood) and Lophostemon confertus (brushbox), also occur within the
site.

2.3.2 Glossy Black-Cockatoo

The glossy black-cockatoo Ca/yptorhyncus lathami is listed as vulnerable in Queensland
under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. The site contains a relatively high density of
Allocasuarina littoralis (black she-oak) - mostly regrowth, a preferred feed tree of the glossy
black-cockatoo. Parker (1997) recorded glossy black-cockatoo foraging in the eastern part
of the site. Further surveys (pers. obs. 2004) have identified foraging activity in the
southern portion of the site (adjacent to Noosa Drive) and extensive foraging in Pinaroo
Park (to the south of the site and south of Noosa Drive). Birds were recorded foraging in
the early mornings and late afternoon. Nesting resources (ie. mature trees with relatively
large hollows) are generally absent from the area. Glossy black-cockatoos have been
observed foraging predominantly in the morning and late afternoons in the Noosa area.
Discrimination between feed and non-feed trees by cockatoos in south-east Queensland is
negligible (Wild et a/, 2002). However, it is suggested that seed weight and cone
abundance (and possibly soil quality) are likely determinants for feeding selection on
individual trees by the cockatoos (Wild et a/. 2002).

 

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