FINAL Ecological Management Plan Stage 1_Grasstree Court 5 February 2021

Ecological Management Plan – Grasstree Court – Lot 6



Allocasuarina littoralis cones were collected from the site on 22nd November 2018. Seed predominantly
from the feed trees 36, 63, 68, 62, 57 and 68 were obtained by specialists from Arborcare Queensland and
Florabunda Nursery.

Once collected, the cones were taken to Florabunda Nursery and managed for future propagation. The
process generally includes, placing cones in warm dry location for valves to open and release the seed.
Once seed is released, they are stored below 3oC 2 until germination of seeds are required.

Germination of seed will be staggered over time to ensure trees are available for planting in the various
locations as proposed and approved by Council, including the landscaped/retained areas within and
immediately adjacent to the subject land, the proposed rehabilitation/offset site and within local parks and
open space areas.

In late 2020, approximately 800 tubestock have been grown on, with more than 100 larger pots ready for
planting in early 2021.


2.2 Threatened Flora
As part of the State requirements for “threatened flora”, a report was prepared in accordance with the
Flora Survey Guidelines – Protected Plants (DEHP 2016) 3 under the Nature Conservation Act (NC) 1992.

The report was submitted to the State on 22 November 2018 for an activity that is:
    • Exempt under Section 261ZA – i.e. no EVNT plant species found to occur on site; and
    • With regard to the DEHP (2015) Operational Policy - Wildlife Management - When a protected plant
       in Queensland is considered to be “in the wild”

As no threatened plants were located within the clearing area and in accordance with the State Guidelines,
a protected plant clearing permit is not required from DEHP. Submission of the survey report to DEHP is
taken to be notification to the Department.

Field surveys (12th and 13th November 2018) were completed by Queensland recognised botanists and
“suitably qualified persons” Dr Stephen Catchpoole and Dr Ann Moran. Additional field surveys
(September, October, November 2018 and January 2021) were completed by “suitably qualified persons”
Dr Justin Watson.

No threatened species were located within or immediately adjacent to the subject land. One specimen of
the Near Threatened Macarthuria complanata and two specimens of the Endangered Blandfordia
grandiflora (Christmas bells) were recorded within Noosa National Park (Lot 147 NPW889). The subject
land and area to be cleared does not support suitable habitat for these species.

The State has approved/acknowledged the report (reference APP0030284) with the following provision:
Clearing of a protected plant under this section must be conducted within two years after the flora survey
report was submitted to the Department of Environment and Science.

Despite no further actions required, protective fencing (to avoid inadvertent clearing of threatened species
and vegetation to be retained) is recommended in the State Flora Report and to be part of the
recognised/best practice measures to be implemented as part of this document. In December 2020,
discussions with the Department of Environment and Science confirmed that Lot 6 is no longer subject to
the “high risk flora trigger” and no further requirements from the State in this regard.


2
 Storing seeds at this temperature maintains viability up to 12 months.
3
  DEHP (2016) Flora Survey Guidelines – Protected Plants. Version 2.00 Conservation & Biodiversity Policy Unit,
Department of Environment & Heritage Protection, State of Queensland.

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