Bushfire Hazard Assessment & Management Plan

Bushfire Hazard Assessment & Management Plan – v2                              NCES REF: ELK 2016-04
Lot 70 on M37807 – 28 Elkhorn Drive, Tewantin




3.2.2 Vegetation Unit 2 – Open Eucalypt Woodland over shrubby/grassy understorey.
Vegetation Unit 2 is present flanking the eastern site boundary and occupies the western bank
of the Noosa River for considerable distance to the north and south of the site. The unit
averages only 40m east to west width and is differentiated from VU1 by the presence of a
shrubby understorey species assemblage.

This community exhibits an average canopy height of 26m with Projective Foliage Canopy
Cover (PFCC) of 15%. Overall, the vegetation community displays indicative species diversity
of Regional Ecosystem 12.5.3 which is described as ‘Eucalyptus racemosa subsp. racemosa
woodland with Corymbia intermedia, E. siderophloia +/- E. tindaliae, E. resinifera, E. pilularis,
E. microcorys, Angophora leiocarpa. Melaleuca quinquenervia is often a prominent feature of
lower slopes.

The vegetation was observed to be of moderate age (40-60 years) and is dominated by
Eucalyptus tereticornis with Corymbia intermedia sub-dominant. Melaleuca quinquenervia
and Lophostemon suaveolens become increasingly dominant on the lower slopes. The shrub
layer is characterised by Glochidion sumatranum, Alphitonia excelsa, Cupaniopsis
anacardioides and Lophostemon suaveolens. The groundstorey is dominated by Imperata
cylindrica (Blady Grass) and Smilax australis with a mix of native and exotic grasses and ferns
present. A narrow band of mangrove species flanks the edge of VU2 and is restricted to the
tidal limit. Mangrove communities are considered virtually fireproof and therefore they have
been absorbed into VU2 rather than being identified as a discrete vegetation unit requiring
assessment.

Plate 5 depicts typical conditions within VU2.




         Plate 5 – VU2 Mixed Eucalypt Open Forest/ Woodland over shrubby/grassy understorey




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