2016-12-12 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                             12 DECEMBER 2016


1.   Biodiversity Assessment Report

The assessment report details the current and future status of biodiversity conservation in Noosa
Shire. It provides a scientific basis for the understanding of local biodiversity values. The report
builds upon existing flora and fauna studies prepared by Noosa Council in 2003 and Sunshine
Coast Regional Council in 2010. It also provides mapping of biodiversity values, including
vegetation communities, significant species habitat, threatened ecological communities,
waterways, wetlands, landscape corridors, ecological condition and conservation status. The
mapping uses a greater range of available information than previously, and takes advantage of
up-to-date processes and technology. Some field validation of vegetation records was also
completed.

The Assessment Report:
 summarises biodiversity values and threats;
 overviews land clearing patterns and rates;
 overviews development risks using planning scheme zoning information;
 presents a preliminary climate change vulnerability analysis that maps and ranks the
   anticipated exposure and sensitivity of broad vegetation groups (BVGs) to climate change
   impacts from coastal hazards, bushfire, increased temperature and evaporation;
 maps and ranks biodiversity values across the Shire;
 highlights some of Noosa’s conservation initiatives and programs and presents a series of
   case studies demonstrating how actions are being implemented on the ground; and
 identifies gaps in conservation management and recommends future conservation priorities
   to guide the development of the Biodiversity Conservation Plan.

Biodiversity values

Key features identified for Noosa’s biodiversity include:
 Approximately 55% of Noosa Shire is covered by native vegetation (remnant vegetation);
 A diverse range of vegetation communities exist, which can be classified into 61 regional
    ecosystem types (REs);
 While Noosa Shire comprises 4.1% of the total area of south east Queensland (SEQ), it
    contains representations of 39% of the REs that can occur in the bioregion;
 Unique ecosystems exist including rare subtropical examples of patterned fens (grassy
    wetlands), coastal lagoon systems, lakes and dune systems;
 A number of ecological communities and flora and fauna species are recognised and
    protected as endangered, vulnerable, near threatened etc. under state and federal
    environmental law, including the critically endangered lowland rainforest community;
 A great diversity of wildlife and plants are present (~1,340 species of plants and 348 species
    of terrestrial vertebrate animals). At least 217 species of birds, 45 species of reptiles, 55
    species of mammals, and 31 species of frogs are known from the area;
 Notable fauna species are present such as Koala, Glossy Black Cockatoo, Water Mouse,
    Ground Parrot, Coxen’s Fig Parrot, Powerful Owl, acid frogs, Cooloola Blind Snake, marine
    turtles, migratory shorebird species, Mary River Cod and Australian Lungfish to name a few;
 Critical habitats are present, including internationally recognised migratory bird habitats of
    conservation importance at the mouth of the Noosa River and Noosa North Shore and marine
    turtle nesting sites along the eastern beaches;
 A network of core habitat areas provide ecological connectivity from a diverse cross-section
    of ecosystem types and altitudinal ranges;
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