Appendix H - Biodiversity Code

                                                                               Native Foresters




3.4      Assessment of breeding places and fauna habitat quality

A fauna habitat assessment was undertaken during the field investigations (Table 4). This
assessment was based on the habitats present, the listed species known to occur or potentially
occurring within the locality and the occurrence of specific habitat features appropriate for
breeding by these species. For the purposes of this report, the definition of “breeding places”
follows that provided in s332 of the Nature Conservation (Wildlife Management) Regulation
2006. For species such as Koala and native frogs, who do not use a habitual breeding place,
the term ‘breeding habitat’ is used in lieu of ‘breeding place’. The fauna habitat assessment is
important in determining species that may be in the area but whose presence was not able to be
detected.

The vegetation in the survey area possesses good habitat values for native fauna, although the
habitat is narrow in extent and surrounded by urban residential areas. There is potential for
species dispersal and recruitment along the drainage lines and the narrow vegetation corridor
that traverses Lomandra Park and Heritage Park. This vegetation corridor is locally significant
as it connects Harry Springs Conservation Park to the north across Golf Course Drive with
Tewantin National Park to the south across the Cooroy Noosa Road.

The mature Eucalypt trees in the survey area are considered “habitat trees” as they are of
significant size (up to 500 millimetres dbh). These trees provide roosting, perching and foraging
resources as well as breeding habitat for a number of arboreal mammal, reptile and avian fauna
species and should be retained wherever possible.

Although a number of preferred primary and secondary Koala food trees are present, given the
narrow extent of the vegetation on site and the dense near-impenetrable understorey, the area
is considered to provide suboptimal Koala habitat. Koalas may potentially traverse the survey
area or use it as a dry season refugia as they disperse from high quality habitat in Harry Springs
Conservation Park to the north and Tewantin National Park to the south and west. There are a
significant number of Koala sightings (live and dead) in the surrounding one kilometre area
which suggests the site may provide an important habitat link for the species.

One disused stick nest and an excavated hole in an arboreal termite nest that would once have
been used by a Laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) or one of the Forest kingfisher
species were observed in the canopy (Figure 9, Tree No 245, Detailed Survey and Contour
Plan). No significant hollows were observed in any of the larger trunks or limbs. The trees
provide abundant food for honeyeaters and other nectarivorous species, while some of the
rainforest trees and shrubs on site could provide food for frugivorous bird and mammals,
including bats. The weed-dominated dense understorey provides cover and nesting habitat for
small birds such as Variegated fairy-wren (Malurus assimilis) and Brown thornbill (Acanthiza
pusilla), and also provides breeding and foraging opportunities for small mammals and reptiles.

Around the drainage lines and stormwater outlets in the central and southern parts of the site,
the ground was saturated and surface water accumulations were noted beneath the dense
understorey (Figure 10). Following two days of showers which delivered 37 millimetres of rain,
these areas became inundated, giving rise to ephemeral ponds, although the inundation was of
short duration. Such habitats may provide fish-free breeding habitat for EVNT listed frog species
during periods of prolonged inundation.



Carramar Extension – Fauna and Flora Assessment                                                   22