SARA RFI - Ecological Assessment Report

Ecological Assessment Report
3 - 7 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads

An assessment of the proposal against the relevant performance outcomes has been
carried out and is contained in Appendix 9. Subject to implementation of the management
measures in Section 6, results indicate that the proposed change complies with the
outcomes sought by the code.



5.3 FAUNA


Potential impacts on fauna can be categorised as direct impacts associated with habitat
loss to indirect impacts on conserved habitat features. Possible fauna impacts of
development include:

   ● Changes in habitat niche availability caused by clearing of vegetated habitats;
   ● Potential clearing of vegetative habitat, including habitat trees and replacement of
       habitat niches;
   ● Competition and predation via the introduction of pest animal species;
   ● Changes in the fauna community composition as a direct consequence of species
       favoured by higher density urban development (e.g. Black Rats, Noisy Miners,
       Torresian Crows) at the expense of species more sensitive to urban habitat and
       associated environments (e.g. small native mammals and small insectivorous birds);
       and,
   ● Potential impacts of light pollution on the structure and function of fauna
       communities through creation of ‘night-light niches’, favouring some species (e.g.,
       some species of Microchiropteran bats) often to the detriment of other species (e.g.,
       compromised immune function of some species associated with elevated stress
       levels due to predation risk foraging in higher than normal ambient light conditions,
       as well as alteration to circadian clocks, while some frogs limit movement and
       breeding activity as a result of elevated predation risk associated with high light
       conditions).

Spatial analysis of the impacts of the proposed change indicated that the proposed
change would be positive in terms of impacts on potential fauna habitat, as a greater area
of native vegetation will be retained. The proposed change is almost entirely located
within the approved development footprint. Whilst additional impacts may occur as a
result of civil works or landscaping, the overall impacts in the context of approved
development footprint are minor in extent. Spatial analysis of the assessable area
indicated:

   ● The areas of potential direct impacts are located outside of the site boundary to
       allow for development of driveway access, and are small relative to the total area of
       additional potential habitat that will be retained on site (i.e., removal of 81 sqm of
       Areas of Biodiversity Significance on the Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands
       Overlay Map);
   ● The proposed removal of additional potential habitat is located along the perimeter
       of the site and adjacent to a road, therefore the extent, quality and connectivity of
       potential habitat will not be significantly reduced;



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