Appendix H - Biodiversity Code

                                                                               Native Foresters



4.5      Wallum rocket frog (Litoria freycineti)

The Wallum Rocketfrog (Litoria freycineti) is one of several ’acid frogs’ adapted to breeding in
acidic coastal waters. It is commonly seen in the vicinity of coastal wallum swamps which
typically have low nutrient soils and vegetation consisting of heath, sedgeland, Melaleuca
swamp or Banksia woodland. It is mostly a nocturnal species, and is a spring and summer
breeder (Vanderduys, 2012). Wallum rocket frogs are listed as Vulnerable under the NC Act.

The Wallum Rocket Frog grows to about 45 millimetres in length. Colour is grey-brown to dark
brown on its back with dark stripes, it has a dark triangular area on the top of snout and a dark
streak runs from its nostril through the eye and continues down its side. The belly is whitish and
granular and the back of thighs is light brown with cream spots. The male of the species calls
from the ground beside water, with calling activity consistent with breeding behaviour for the
species (Frogs Australia, 2011).

Wallum rocketfrogs were not identified within the survey area, however the ponded water
surrounded by Melaleuca woodland near the carpark, Melaleuca wetland and stormwater
outlets on site could potentially provide suitable breeding habitat for the species following
prolonged inundation in spring or summer. There are two WildNET records of Wallum
rocketfrogs in a one kilometre radius of the Carramar site.

4.6      Swamp crayfish (Tenuibranchiurus glypticus)

Swamp crayfish, listed as Endangered under the NC Act, is Australia’s smallest crayfish that
grows up to 25 millimetres (Figure 13). Its distribution is highly restricted, occurring only from
Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast. It can be distinguished from other species of crayfish in south
east Queensland by its narrow thorax and the vertical alignment of the fingers of the claws. It is
often difficult to detect as it burrows into the substrate in coastal wallum swamps and shallow
drainage channels. It is usually found among sedges rather than in open water. A large period
of the year is spent below ground in elaborate community burrows that may extend over 1.5 m
below the surface.

The lifecycle of freshwater crayfish differs from marine crayfish which release their eggs in the
sea as planktonic larvae. Freshwater crayfish hatchlings continue to develop on the swimmerets
under the female’s abdomen. The yolk of the egg is retained by the young hatchlings as a yolk
sac, supplying food during early growth. The mother’s swimmerets move gently to provide a
supply of well aerated water necessary for the survival of the developing young. Only when the
yolk sac has been completely absorbed and the young resemble miniature adults, do they leave
the mother and commence free-living.

Habitat loss, pollution and climate change are considered significant threats to the survival of
this species. There is very little suitable habitat remaining within its range, as most has been
cleared.

Two Swamp crayfish were identified in the ephemeral ponds in the Melaleuca wetland and
stormwater outlets east of the Carramar carpark following rain as show in Figure 8 and
Appendix A. Implementation of an EHP-approved Species Management Plan will be required
under Section 332 of the Nature Conservation (Wildlife Management) Regulation 2006 before
works can proceed unless measures are taken to ensure indirect impacts to the breeding



Carramar Extension – Fauna and Flora Assessment                                                   29