SARA RFI - Ecological Assessment Report

Ecological Assessment Report
3 - 7 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads

small area of vegetation on site, the patch is defined by edge effects, which has resulted in
weed infiltration throughout the patch. Environmental weeds and pest species were
present across the site in all strata – weed and pest species richness and relative
abundance tended to increase as the height of the strata decreased. That is, weed species
richness and abundance were greatest in the understorey and low shrub strata and lowest
in the canopy, sub-canopy and tall shrub strata.

Results of the botanical survey suggested that the survey area did not contain NC Act
threatened flora species occurring in the wild, nor any threatened ecological communities.
Two (2) threatened plants identified as Eucalyptus curtisii (near threatened under the NC
Act) were recorded along the northern street-facing perimeter of the site. As this species
in not known to naturally occur within the area, is not consistent with the observed RE and
is growing alongside other planted vegetation, it was determined that the Eucalyptus
curtisii observed on site do not occur in the wild.

Cymbidium suave, an epiphytic orchid, which is listed as a special least concern 8 species
under the NC Act, was identified growing on several trees on site. Due to the scope of the
tree survey, which only accounted for trees above a specific size threshold and excluded
certain areas of the site, a complete inspection of the site should be conducted to identify
the presence of Cymbidium suave prior to any vegetation clearing, to retain or translocate
individual plants (including host trees). Refer to Section 6 for detailed management
measures.

Full botanical survey results are contained in Appendix 4.

Based on the results of the field investigations, it was determined that areas containing
biodiversity values were less than the extent shown on the Noosa Council Biodiversity,
Waterways and Wetlands Overlay Map and differed in configuration. Ecologically
important areas (defined under Schedule 1 of Noosa Plan 2020) containing biodiversity
values were observed in all locations outside of the cleared / disturbed areas (i.e., within
observed RE 12.2.5) shown in Figure 18, however, were subject to disturbance and
threatening processes.

Overall results of the botanical assessment indicated:

    ● No NC Act threatened flora species, occurring in the wild, were observed on site as
        part of the survey, however, special least concern species, Cymbidium suave, was
        observed on several host trees throughout the site;
    ● Over 30% of the site has been cleared or disturbed to accommodate existing
        development features including, a sales office, construction site offices and
        amenities and construction car parks;
    ● Existing vegetation on site is generally consistent with remnant RE 12.2.5, however,
        the configuration and area of the vegetation was less than the mapped extents



8 Under Section 88D (2) of the NC Act, a regulation may prescribe a least concern plant to be a special least concern plant if the

taking or use of the plant is at risk of not being ecologically sustainable, including, for example, because of—
     (a) high commercial demand for the plant or a part of the plant; or
     (b) the biological traits of the plant.



                                                                                                                          36 | 66