SARA RFI - Ecological Assessment Report

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT                                            2-1

2       STATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES AND CONSIDERATIONS
        Existing values of the site and adjacent areas that influence environmental management strategies
        developed for this EMP include the following:
        •    The soils on site are primarily sand with very low nutrient levels and poor water holding
             capacity;
        •    The adjacent heathlands and waterways surrounding the RHD area are of high conservation
             value;
        •    The maintenance of the natural infiltration of rainwater to the groundwater aquifer and the
             associated quantity and quality of seepage at the base of dune/wetland interface is critical for the
             maintenance of the ecosystems within the wetland area, Weyba Creek (a Fish Habitat Area) and
             Noosa Inlet. The maintenance of high water quality is critical for these areas;
        •    Associated with the above, the maintenance of the elevated acidity (pH 4-5) and low nutrient
             environment in the wetlands is critical for survival of key species such as the Wallum Froglet and
             its habitat;
        •    The vegetation in adjacent areas is of significant conservation value. The retention of native
             vegetation cover on the steep eastern slopes immediately adjacent to the RHD area is vital to the
             maintenance of slope stability and viable wildlife corridors;
        •    Weeds are prevalent in the low lying areas of the site, particularly in areas affected by external
             catchment inflows with high nutrient loads;
        •    The site and adjacent land is part of a corridor for the movement of koalas and other threatened
             species such as Glossy Black Cockatoos and provides habitat for these species; and
        •    The development site and much of the Ecological Restoration area is adjacent to established
             residential areas.

        It will be important that the ERP Contractor and Wildlife Ecologist convey and elaborate on the
        above points to personnel working at the site during the Site Induction training program and during
        the life of the ERP implementation program.




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