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General Committee Meeting -
12 December 2016 - Item 6
Attachment 1
Noosa Biodiversity Plan
Biodiversity Assessment Report
Prepared for
Noosa Shire Council
2 December 2016
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Section 2
Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report
DOCUMENT TRACKING
Item Detail
Project Name Noosa Biodiversity Plan: Biodiversity Assessment Report
Project Number 2662
Liz Fisher
Project Manager (07) 3503 7194
Suite 1, Level 3 471 Adelaide Street, Brisbane QLD 4001
Prepared by Liz Fisher, Melissa Bruton, Mark Walton, Loren Appleby
Reviewed by Ailsa Kerswell, Rebecca Britton
Approved by Brad Dreis
Status Final draft for Council endorsement
Version Number 3
Last saved on 5 December 2016
This report should be cited as ‘Eco Logical Australia 2016. Noosa Biodiversity Plan: Biodiversity
Assessment Report. Prepared for Noosa Shire Council.’
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This document has been prepared by Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd with support from Noosa Shire
Council.
Disclaimer
This document may only be used for the purpose for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the contract between
Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd and Noosa Shire Council. The scope of services was defined in consultation with Noosa Shire
Council, by time and budgetary constraints imposed by the client, and the availability of reports and other data on the subject
area. Changes to available information, legislation and schedules are made on an ongoing basis and readers should obtain
up to date information.
Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon
this report and its supporting material by any third party. Information provided is not intended to be a substitute for site specific
assessment or legal advice in relation to any matter. Unauthorised use of this report in any form is prohibited.
Template 29/9/2015
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Section 3
Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report
Contents
Executive summary .............................................................................................................................. viii
1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 12
1.1 Background................................................................................................................................. 12
1.2 Previous Biodiversity Planning Studies ...................................................................................... 12
1.3 Study scope and objectives ........................................................................................................ 13
1.4 Study approach .......................................................................................................................... 14
1.5 Study limitations ......................................................................................................................... 16
2 Noosa Shire’s Natural Environment ....................................................................................... 17
2.1 Location ...................................................................................................................................... 17
2.2 History......................................................................................................................................... 17
2.3 Biophysical Characteristics......................................................................................................... 18
2.4 Other ecosystem types & services ............................................................................................. 19
3 Biodiversity Values .................................................................................................................. 22
3.1 Vegetation communities ............................................................................................................. 22
3.1.1 Vegetation condition classes ...................................................................................................... 27
3.1.2 Conservation significant communities ........................................................................................ 27
3.1.3 Modified communities ................................................................................................................. 30
3.2 Landscape connectivity .............................................................................................................. 30
3.3 Threatened Ecological Communities .......................................................................................... 34
3.3.1 Lowland Rainforest ..................................................................................................................... 34
3.3.2 Saltmarsh.................................................................................................................................... 35
3.3.3 Littoral Rainforest ....................................................................................................................... 35
3.4 Flora and Fauna ......................................................................................................................... 38
3.4.1 Fauna species ............................................................................................................................ 38
3.4.2 Flora species .............................................................................................................................. 40
3.4.3 Habitat areas .............................................................................................................................. 42
3.5 River systems and waterways .................................................................................................... 45
3.5.1 Noosa River Catchment ............................................................................................................. 45
3.5.2 Mary River Catchment ................................................................................................................ 45
3.6 Wetlands ..................................................................................................................................... 47
3.6.1 Wetlands of International Importance (RAMSAR sites) ............................................................. 48
3.6.2 Nationally Important Wetlands.................................................................................................... 49
3.6.3 State Significant Wetlands .......................................................................................................... 49
3.7 Protected Reserves .................................................................................................................... 52
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4 Biodiversity Threats ................................................................................................................. 54
4.1 Climate change ........................................................................................................................... 54
4.2 Invasive species ......................................................................................................................... 58
4.3 Land clearing .............................................................................................................................. 60
4.3.1 Urban areas ................................................................................................................................ 64
4.3.1 Rural areas ................................................................................................................................. 65
4.4 Altered fire regimes .................................................................................................................... 65
4.5 Recreational Use ........................................................................................................................ 66
4.6 Degradation ................................................................................................................................ 66
4.7 Habitat fragmentation ................................................................................................................. 69
4.8 Human-wildlife conflict ................................................................................................................ 71
5 Biodiversity Significance and Risk Analysis ......................................................................... 72
5.1 Biodiversity significance assessment and mapping ................................................................... 72
5.1.1 Methodology for biodiversity significance assessment .............................................................. 73
5.1.2 Results ........................................................................................................................................ 74
5.2 Biodiversity risk assessment ...................................................................................................... 77
5.2.1 Development risk assessment.................................................................................................... 77
5.2.2 Climate vulnerability assessment ............................................................................................... 79
5.3 Conservation significance assessment ...................................................................................... 84
6 Noosa Shire Conservation Initiatives ..................................................................................... 86
6.1 Council Environmental Plans & Operations ............................................................................... 86
6.2 Environment Levy Land Acquisition Program ............................................................................ 87
6.3 Volunteer Programs .................................................................................................................... 88
6.3.1 Landcare ..................................................................................................................................... 88
6.3.2 LFW & VCA Program ................................................................................................................. 89
6.3.3 Bushcare and Coastcare groups ................................................................................................ 89
6.4 Community Grant Partnerships .................................................................................................. 89
7 Future Conservation Priorities ................................................................................................ 91
References ............................................................................................................................................. 92
Appendix A Noosa BVG & RE conservation statuses ....................................................................... 96
Appendix B Significant fauna and BVG associations ..................................................................... 105
Appendix C Significant flora and BVG associations ....................................................................... 118
Appendix D Protection Reserves and Biodiversity Values ............................................................. 125
Appendix E Climate Change Impacts Literature Review ................................................................ 129
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Section 5
Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report Appendix F Biodiversity values mapping methodology ................................................................. 133 List of figures Figure 1: Location of Noosa Shire ............................................................................................................ 21 Figure 2: Types of vegetation communities within Noosa Shire .............................................................. 24 Figure 3: Condition of vegetation communities within Noosa Shire ......................................................... 26 Figure 4: Proportion of vegetation cover and breakdown of vegetation condition across Noosa Shire .. 27 Figure 5: Conservation status proportions for REs within the Noosa Shire ............................................. 28 Figure 6: Proportion of Endangered and Of Concern SEQ Bioregion REs within Noosa Shire .............. 28 Figure 7: Proportion of Endangered and Of Concern neighbouring LGA REs within Noosa Shire ......... 29 Figure 8: Proportion of landscape elements across the Noosa Shire ...................................................... 32 Figure 9: Landscape connectivity and corridor within the Noosa Shire ................................................... 33 Figure 10: Proportion of Noosa’s rainforest vegetation that is the protected Lowland Rainforest TEC ... 35 Figure 11: Threatened Ecological Community within Noosa Shire .......................................................... 37 Figure 12: Total number of threatened fauna species recorded within SEQ region and Noosa Shire .... 38 Figure 13: Proportion of habitat condition classes supporting conservation value species ..................... 42 Figure 14: Habitat for species of conservation value within Noosa Shire ................................................ 44 Figure 15: River catchments and waterways within Noosa Shire ............................................................ 46 Figure 16: Wetland habitat types within Noosa Shire .............................................................................. 48 Figure 17: Wetland types within the Noosa Shire .................................................................................... 50 Figure 18: Significant wetlands within Noosa Shire ................................................................................. 51 Figure 19: Proportion of protection reserves across Noosa Shire ........................................................... 52 Figure 20: Protected areas within Noosa Shire........................................................................................ 53 Figure 21: Annual mean temperature anomaly trends for Eastern Australia from 1910 - 2015 ............. 55 Figure 22: Extreme climatic trends relevant to the Noosa region – heavy rain days (above) and consecutive dry days (below) ................................................................................................................... 56 Figure 23: Annual clearing rates of all woody vegetation across Noosa shire 2003 - 2013 .................... 63 Figure 24: Annual clearing rates in the Noosa Shire by tenure 2003 - 2013 ........................................... 63 Figure 25: Annual clearing rates in Noosa Shire by land use 2003 - 2013 .............................................. 64 © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD v
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report
Figure 26: Ecosystem health monitoring results for freshwater environments in the Noosa River catchment
.................................................................................................................................................................. 67
Figure 27: Ecosystem health monitoring results for marine environments in the Noosa River catchment
.................................................................................................................................................................. 68
Figure 28: Changes in wetland areas across Noosa Shire from 2001 - 2013 ......................................... 69
Figure 29: Biodiversity value ranking across the Noosa Shire................................................................. 76
Figure 30: Development risk (low to high) ................................................................................................ 78
Figure 31: Sea level rise vulnerability ...................................................................................................... 81
Figure 32: Bushfire vulnerability ............................................................................................................... 83
List of tables
Table 1: Vegetation condition and conservation status statistics for Noosa and broader region ............ 25
Table 2: Noosa Shire’s key and iconic fauna species .............................................................................. 39
Table 3: Noosa Shire’s key and iconic flora species ................................................................................ 41
Table 4: Proportion of wetland areas across SEQ region and coastal LGAs .......................................... 47
Table 5: Priority pest weed and animal species in the Noosa Shire, and their impacts on biodiversity and
threatened species ................................................................................................................................... 59
Table 6: Comparison of Noosa shire’s clearing statistics with SEQ bioregion and neighbouring LGAs . 61
Table 7: Habitat areas impacted by fragmentation in the Noosa Shire.................................................... 70
Table 8: Summary of biodiversity significance assessment ..................................................................... 74
Table 9: Sea level rise vulnerability .......................................................................................................... 80
Table 10: Bushfire exposure across BVGs .............................................................................................. 82
Abbreviations
Abbreviation Description
API Aerial Photography Interpretation
BVG Broad Vegetation Groups
DEWA Commonwealth Department of Environment and Water
DFA Designated Forestry Area
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report Abbreviation Description DNR Queensland Department of Natural Resources DoE Commonwealth Department of Environment DoEE Commonwealth Department of Environment and Energy DPI Queensland Department of Primary Industries EBA Endemic Bird Areas EHP Queensland Department of Environment and Protection EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 GIS Geographic Information System GRC Gympie Regional Council IBA Important Bird Areas IPCC Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change LFW Land for Wildlife LGA Local Government Area MaB Man and the Biosphere Program MRCCC Mary River Catchment Co-ordinating Committee NC Act Nature Conservation Act 1992 NCAP Noosa Climate Action Plan NDL Noosa & District Landcare NSW New South Wales RE Regional Ecosystem SCRC Sunshine Coast Regional Council SEQ South East Queensland SLATS Statewide Landcover and Trees Study TEC Threatened Ecological Community TSSC Threatened Species Scientific Committee UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation VCA Voluntary Conservation Agreements VM Act Vegetation Management Act 1999 WONS Weeds of National Significance © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD vii
Section 8
Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report
Executive summary
The Biodiversity Assessment Report has been prepared to detail the current and future status of
biodiversity conservation in Noosa. This is to assist in determining the key issues for local conservation
management to be addressed in the Biodiversity Conservation Plan. It is the supporting research
document that ensures that the development of planning policy is based on current scientific
understanding of biodiversity values across Noosa.
To identify key issues for local conservation management all biodiversity values present across Noosa
were identified and ranked according to the values’ significance. Similarly, all relevant threats impacting
on biodiversity values within the shire were identified and assessed according to the risk they pose to
biodiversity values. Values of conservation significance were determined by analysing biodiversity values
of high significance that are at high risk to current threatening processes. Issues relevant to local
conservation management were considered to be conservation significant values that are currently
lacking protection or management at both a State and Federal government level and would benefit from
local scale management.
To support this approach, a methodology was developed based on a combination of desktop review and
spatial data interrogation and analysis, utilising desktop information, some field validated vegetation
records and a range of government supplied spatial data. A detailed mapping exercise was undertaken
to spatially identify and rank biodiversity values and threats across the shire. The mapping provided a
spatial illustration of the distribution of values and risks, whilst the ranking allowed for areas of
conservation significance to be identified and prioritised.
The key result of the Biodiversity Assessment Report are described in the following sections.
Noosa’s biodiversity values
Noosa contains a diversity of biodiversity values and natural landscapes within a very confined physical
area. Many of the values and landscapes are of great significance and globally unique. Noosa’s key
biodiversity values include:
• A Shire of 871.6 km2, with ~55% covered in native vegetation, and of this >40,000 ha in
remnant condition
• A diverse range of vegetation communities, which can be classified into 61 Regional
Ecosystems (REs). While Noosa Shire comprises 1.4% of the total area of South East
Queensland (SEQ), it contains representations of 39% of the REs that can occur in the
bioregion, including 32% of the total number of Endangered REs across SEQ.
• Unique ecosystems including rare sub-tropical examples of patterned fens (wetland
ecosystem), coastal lagoon systems, sand lakes and dune systems.
• A number of ecological communities, flora, fauna and invertebrate species that are recognised
and protected under State and Federal environmental law, including the critically endangered
lowland rainforest community.
• A great diversity of wildlife and plants (~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. This includes endemic species
and relicts from the ancient Gondwanan period when all continents formed one landmass.
• Key fauna species including Koala, Glossy Black Cockatoo, Water Mouse, Ground Parrot,
Coxen’s Fig Parrot, acid frogs, Cooloola Blind Snake, sea turtles, migratory shorebird species,
Mary River Cod and Australian Lungfish.
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• Critical habitats, including internationally recognised migratory bird habitats of conservation
importance and sea turtle nesting sites. More than half of habitat available within Noosa Shire
supports species of conservation value.
• A highly connected network of core habitat areas from a diverse cross-section of ecosystem
types and altitudinal ranges.
• A very healthy river system, with the Noosa River rated as A- for the last two years in the SEQ
Healthy Waterways Report card process.
• A network of diverse wetlands, which are in good ecological condition and encompass over
16,000 ha. Many are recognised as being of national or state significance.
• An extensive protected reserve system that plays a critical role in conservation management
across the SEQ region. Over one third of the shire is covered by protected reserves, the largest
being the Cooloola Section of the Great Sandy National Park.
Current threats to Noosa’s biodiversity values
Noosa Shire demonstrates a balanced relationship between humans and the environment. The area has
been able to retain significant environmental values whilst other areas across the SEQ region have
undergone significant development. However, Noosa’s biodiversity values are under pressure from a
variety of threatening processes. Due to the significance of some of these biodiversity values, the
potential consequence of these threatening processes are considerable and important. The key relevant
threats identified within the Noosa Shire include:
• Climate change. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has identified SEQ as a
climate change vulnerability hotspot, and as a low-lying coastal area within this region, Noosa
Shire has high exposure and sensitivity to many of the predicted impacts of climate change.
• Weed and invasive species. These have been identified as one of the most significant threats
to biodiversity across the shire. Weeds and pests negatively impact not only native biodiversity
but also agricultural productivity and tourist enjoyment.
• Vegetation clearing. Dating back to the mid-1800s, clearing has been focused around urban
and tourist developments along with timber and agricultural industries. To date ~40,000 ha (or
~50%) of Noosa’s native vegetation has been cleared. The main contributor of ongoing
vegetation loss in the shire to date is the clearing of regrowth vegetation across hinterland
areas.
• Habitat fragmentation and development. Development of settlements, roads, powerlines and
rail lines has been an integral component of the Noosa Shire’s development but combined with
broader-scale land clearing, has led to fragmentation effects across the area. The resultant
loss of connectivity, barriers to movement and edge effects have an on-going detrimental effect
on both terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity such as local extinction of species populations,
genetic isolation and inbreeding depression.
• Degrading processes. Urban and agricultural development along with increasing residential
and visitor populations increase processes such as erosion and sedimentation of waterways,
increasing production of waste and declines in soil health.
• Altered fire regimes. Changes to the natural frequency and intensity of fires can destroy
ecological communities, alter recruitment patterns and increase susceptibility to weeds. Within
Noosa, fire sensitive species or specific vegetation communities are at risk and include
rainforest and dry vine thickets, wet sclerophyll forests, heathlands and Melaleuca wetlands.
• Conflicts between humans and wildlife. Conflicts are most common in the more urbanised
areas of the shire and as a result of recreational use. Key issues include vehicle and boat
strikes to fauna; habitat disturbance activities (including development) in close proximity to
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wildlife habitat; illegal or uncontrolled activities such as arson and off-trail access to national
parks; and attacks on wildlife by domesticated pets (cats and dogs).
Values of conservation significance within Noosa
Noosa contains a broad spectrum of biodiversity values with each value presenting varying degrees of
biodiversity significance. Some values are recognised to be of international importance whilst others are
considered to be locally important.
To identify areas within Noosa that contain values of high biodiversity significance, all values within Noosa
were ranked and mapped across the shire. Approximately 66% of the shire was found to comprise areas
with values that are of high biodiversity significance. These areas occurred mainly within the eastern,
coastal parts of the shire as well as along waterways (e.g. Kin Kin Creek, Sandy Creek, Pinbarren Creek,
Cooroora Creek, Ringtail Creek and Six Mile Creek), within protection reserves and in scattered pockets
of remnant vegetation throughout the hinterland of Noosa.
The majority of identified threatening processes across Noosa are a product of development with the
severity and magnitude of these threats often much greater in urban and rural areas. Climate change on
the other hand is a global issue and will affect the entirety of Noosa depending on the level of exposure
and sensitivity of biodiversity values to climate change.
To identify areas within Noosa that are at high risk to threatening processes, both development risk and
climate change vulnerability were assessed and mapped across the shire. Development risk was based
on the current land zoning across the shire whilst climate change vulnerability was assessed as a function
of exposure and sensitivity of Broad Vegetation Groups (BVGs) to predicted climate change impacts.
This high level analysis indicated that approximately 60% or 52,000 ha of the shire has a land zoning that
puts it at a higher risk of being exposed to threatening processes compared to surrounding land. Impacts
of climate change will be felt across the shire, but will be most prominent for coastal ecosystems, wet
lowland forests, heathlands and riparian zones.
Through the examination of both high value and high risk areas a considerable amount of overlap was
detected. A large portion of areas of high biodiversity significance were found to occur within identified
high risk areas. These areas are considered to contain values of conservation significance. Values within
these areas include:
• TECs and regrowth vegetation with potential to be the TEC
• Remnant and regrowth threatened species habitat
• Wetlands
• Remnant and regrowth riparian vegetation
• Ecological corridors & linkages
• Locally / regionally significant species habitat
• Regrowth vegetation analogous to Endangered REs and REs poorly represented in protection
reserves.
Current conservation management measures
There are a number of State and Federal environmental laws and policies that protect biodiversity values
and address current conservation issues. These statutory measures target values and issues that are
relevant at state and national scales such as threatened species, TECs, wetlands and vegetation
communities of conservation significance.
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At a local scale there are a number of conservation management programs and initiatives that are
currently underway within Noosa Shire. These are focused on areas and species of key interest and
importance to both the local and the wider community. Some are founded in legislative requirement and
are therefore driven and overseen by Council. However, many initiatives are undertaken by the
community and are reflective of the unique relationship the residents of Noosa Shire have with their
surrounding environment.
Key programs and initiatives include:
• Council environmental operational plans such as the Noosa Shire Koala Conservation Plan
• Environmental Levy Program that funds land acquisition, Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation
projects and supports Council’s Voluntary Conservation Agreement (VCA) Program
• Numerous volunteer programs such as Landcare, Land for Wildlife (LFW) and a variety of
bushcare and coastcare groups.
The existing conservation initiatives at a local level demonstrate that there is good momentum across
Noosa Shire for undertaking positive environmental programs and activities. Going forward, there is a
need for a clear direction and integrated strategy that builds on the information available and the on-going
programs of both Council and the community. This will ensure future conservation management actions
will be both targeted and effective at managing conservation issues relevant to Noosa.
Future direction for local conservation management across Noosa
There are a number of values of conservation significance across Noosa, which are not currently
addressed by existing protection mechanisms governed at a State and Federal level. These conservation
values are of relevance to local planning and conservation management. For the Noosa Shire this
includes:
• Remnant vegetation
• Locally and regionally significant species habitat
• Endangered regrowth vegetation
• Regrowth vegetation with TEC, riparian, corridor and significant species habitat values.
Climate change as well as weeds and pests are threats that occur across Noosa irrespective of the level
of protection. Nonetheless there are management actions that can be done at a local level to reduce
these threats and build adaptive capacity through healthy, well connected ecosystems. Both issues
require a local scale approach in addition to state and national initiatives.
Drawing from the overall results of this study, and in particular the relevant conservation issues for council,
the key conservation priorities that are emerging for biodiversity in Noosa are:
• Protecting and enhancing local and regional values.
• Building resilient ecosystems. Our climate is changing and the key way to mitigate risk and build
adaptive capacity is through having strongly resilient ecosystems.
• Maintaining and enhancing connectivity.
• Working together. Biodiversity conservation is everyone’s responsibility and together, we can
achieve great outcomes.
Utilising these key conservation priorities to develop conservation actions will ensure an effective and
targeted approach to future conservation management across the Noosa Shire.
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Section 12
Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report
1 Introduction
1.1 Ba c kg ro u n d
Noosa Shire contains extensive biodiversity and landscapes of great significance within a geographically
confined area, many of which are globally unique. The local economy of Noosa Shire has a strong
reliance on tourism, which is dependent on the natural and diverse scenery and biodiversity of the area.
The shire of Noosa is also located entirely within the Noosa Biosphere Reserve®, which is an
internationally recognised, UNESCO-designated reserve (Noosa Biosphere Ltd 2014a). Biosphere
Reserves are areas with significant environmental values that demonstrate a balanced relationship
between humans and the environment, promoting harmony between people and nature through
education, conservation and sustainable development (Noosa Biosphere Ltd 2014a). Environmental
excellence and sustainability is therefore a key priority for the Noosa community.
Biodiversity conservation is integral to achieving the overall vision of sustainability for the Noosa region.
This has been reflected in the planning and policy framework adopted by the Noosa Council to date and
is highlighted by the strong environmental focus of managing land use in the region. The recognition of
the importance of biodiversity conservation across Noosa is also demonstrated through the on-going
investment of resources into community run environmental initiatives, grant programs and partnerships.
Noosa Shire Council is committed to maintaining this strategic direction of environmental excellence and
sustainability across both the local planning framework and the on-going conservation management
approach within the shire. The Biodiversity Conservation Plan is one of Council’s key policy documents
that will be developed to fulfil this commitment. The plan will identify the key future conservation priorities
and targeted actions for the region and in doing so will guide planning and decision-making as part of the
Noosa Council planning scheme, as well as direct future investment. This relates to the management of
Council reserves, offsets program/purchases, land acquisitions programs, community grants partnerships
and volunteer programs.
The Biodiversity Conservation Plan covers the entire Noosa Shire, and incorporates the outstanding
biodiversity values and the local community views. It is one of many other related plans that will inform
the development of an overarching Environment Strategy that will synthesise all of Council’s and
communities environmental aspirations and initiatives.
This Biodiversity Assessment Report has been prepared to detail the current and future status of
biodiversity conservation in Noosa in order to assist in determining the key issues for local conservation
management that is to be addressed in the Biodiversity Conservation Plan. It is the supporting research
document that ensures the development of planning policy is based on current scientific understanding
of biodiversity values across Noosa.
1.2 P rev io u s Bio d iv er si t y P la n n i n g St u d i e s
Detailed studies of Noosa’s flora and fauna values were undertaken in 2003 as part of the “Noosa Plan -
Choosing Futures” process led by the Noosa Shire Council. Titled “Vegetation of Noosa Shire” (Burrows
et al. 2003) and “Fauna & Its Associated Biodiversity Values in Noosa Shire” (Ecotone Environmental
Services Pty Ltd, 2003), these studies aimed at assisting in the management and conservation of
biodiversity in Noosa Shire with a particularly emphasis on informing the development of the Noosa
planning scheme.
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The 2003 flora and fauna studies provided more accurate and current information to the previous
vegetation studies undertaken in 1995, which were prepared as part of the framework supporting the
development of the 1997 Strategic Plan for the Noosa Shire Council. The availability of better quality
aerial photography and the development of more refined mapping techniques at the time allowed both
studies to detail:
• Vegetation classification and condition across the shire
• Fauna assemblages, habitat associations and corridor linkages
• Species of conservation significance, including regional and local scales
• Relevant key risks and threats with recommended approaches to planning and
management.
Now, thirteen years on from the most recent assessments, this Biodiversity Assessment Report builds on
all studies undertaken to date. This assessment has used a greater range of currently available
information, much of which has been collected using the most up-to-date processes and technology. This
assessment provides increased precision and an up-to-date evaluation of biodiversity values, risks and
conservation priorities since the preparation of the 2003 studies.
Key elements from the previous studies that have been updated and expanded upon, include information
relating to:
• Regional Ecosystem (RE) classification of Noosa’s vegetation communities
• Conservation significance of regrowth vegetation and REs
• Extent of representation of REs within protection reserves
• Connectivity and corridor mapping across the shire
• Threatened flora and fauna species, including regionally and locally significant species
known to occur in Noosa
• Threats at a local context e.g. vegetation clearing rates, weed invasion
• Conservation significance criteria.
Key changes from previous biodiversity planning studies to the current study includes:
• Separation of the concept of biodiversity significance from conservation significance
• Consideration of climate change risk and the potential impacts to biodiversity values
• Inclusion of ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity including wetlands and waterways
• Analysis of statistical data including biodiversity values’ distribution and proportions across
the region and threatened species presence
• Utilisation of sophisticated mapping techniques, software and products (e.g. LiDAR)
• Consideration of existing statutory and non-statutory mechanisms and the role of local
conservation management and planning.
1.3 St u d y s co pe a nd obj ect iv e s
The aim of this report is to improve the current understanding of biodiversity values, threats and emerging
issues with the purpose of identifying the key future issues for local biodiversity conservation management
and planning in Noosa. This will ultimately inform the key priorities and actions to be captured in the
Biodiversity Conservation Plan.
The scope of the document is to:
• Review and update existing vegetation mapping available for Noosa Shire
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• Review core and connecting habitat areas in Noosa Shire and develop an improved
understanding of vegetation network (corridor) planning using leading science
• Review existing vegetation and fauna studies for Noosa Shire in consideration of changes
to legislation, land tenure, threatened species listings and emerging biodiversity threats and
issues
• Improve understanding of fauna associations with Regional Ecosystems (REs), based on
current knowledge
• Outline the current biodiversity values of Noosa Shire
• Use updated information and mapping methods to document, analyse and map biodiversity
values for the purpose of developing a Biodiversity Overlay for the new planning scheme
and strategic corridor mapping
• Assess the vulnerability of the Broad Vegetation Groups (BVG) of Noosa Shire to climate
variability and give a rating from most resilient to least resilient
• Identify future priority areas for actions by Noosa Council based on conservation
significance.
For the purpose of this study, the definition of biodiversity has been taken at the ecosystem level of
organisation. It is therefore defined as the variety of all habitat types, ecological communities and
ecological processes (Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council, 2010). In doing so, the study
focusses on the upper hierarchy of biodiversity and encompasses diversity at both a genetic and species
level of organisation.
Biodiversity has been described in terms of its components and patterns, including the identification of
the various ecosystem types, spatial distribution, complexity and connectivity across the landscape.
Threats to biodiversity have been identified and assessed in terms of the potential impact on ecosystem
resilience and integrity. Biodiversity value or significance in this study has been defined through a series
of criteria representing ecological condition, rarity, significant species habitat value, connectivity and
ecological processes. Whereas, conservation significance has been defined as a function of biodiversity
significance and risk of threat.
The study is limited to terrestrial sources of biodiversity as well as biodiversity within the terrestrial
interface of aquatic and marine environments such as mangrove, saltmarsh and dune systems.
1.4 St u d y a pp ro ach
This Biodiversity Assessment Report has been prepared using a variety of desktop information, some
field validated vegetation records and a range of government supplied spatial data. The methodology
was based on a combination of desktop review, aerial photographic interpretation (API), field survey and
spatial data interrogation and analysis. A summary of the spatial and data analysis are listed below.
• Attribution of ecological condition of land across the Local Government Area (LGA)
• Interrogation of LGA based data to identify regional and locally significant values as well as poorly
represented values
• Analysis of the relative levels of protection for REs in Noosa compared to the broader SEQ region
• Analyses of patch size and core to edge ratio
• Analysis of ecological connectivity including corridors and habitat nodes
• Identification of significant species, their locations and habitats
• Waterway and wetland mapping
• Identification and mapping of Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) (Lowland Rainforest
and Saltmarsh)
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• Proportional analyses of values (comparing Noosa statistics with SEQ region) to determine high
and exceptional values
• Detailed analysis of land clearing patterns and rates using Statewide Landcover and Trees Study
(SLATS) data
• Time series analysis to identify trends in clearing rates and waterway degradation
• Combined analysis to determine biodiversity significance
• Analysis of development risk
• Climate change vulnerability analysis.
The foundation of the approach was to identify, map and rank biodiversity values and threats that are
important and noteworthy to the Noosa region (refer to diagram below). The mapping provided a spatial
illustration of the distribution of values and risks across the shire, whilst the ranking allowed for areas of
conservation significance to be identified and prioritised.
For the biodiversity values map a composite vegetation community and condition map was initially
prepared. This integrated current RE Mapping and fine-scale vegetation mapping previously
commissioned by Sunshine Coast Regional Council (SCRC), which was further refined and updated
utilising latest spatial imagery. This composite mapping provided a base, which was attributed by
representative biodiversity values and scored according to level of significance. An overall ranked
biodiversity value map was then produced from the accumulated biodiversity value scores.
For the risk map both climate change vulnerability and development risk were individually mapped.
Climate change vulnerability was mapped and ranked according to anticipated exposure and sensitivity
of BVGs to key climate change impacts such as sea level rise, bushfire and increased temperature and
evaporation. Risk (likelihood and severity) of development and associated impacts such as vegetation
clearing and habitat fragmentation was based on current Council land use zoning.
Areas of conservation significance or key conservation issues identified in the analysis were further
considered in relation to existing statutory and non-statutory protection measures. Conservation issues
or areas lacking existing protection or considered to be of relevance to local government planning were
highlighted as key priority issues to be addressed through targeted actions in the Biodiversity
Conservation Plan.
A detailed reference list is provided that lists the primary documents used in this study, while Appendix
F provides a detailed summary of the spatial data sets that were both used and generated. A detailed
methodology of how the composite vegetation mapping and biodiversity values mapping was compiled
and refined is also provided in Appendix F.
The study approach as well as the context of the Biodiversity Assessment Report is illustrated in the
diagram below.
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Biodiversity
Values
Data Values & Risk Conservation
Analysis Mapping Significance
Analysis
Key
Priorities
Biodiversity Statutory /
Threats Non-statutory
Biodiversity
Conservation initiatives, investment options, Target
Plan
community programs Actions
Planning Scheme Environment
& policy decisions Strategy
1.5 St u d y l im it at ion s
The majority of the findings and outcomes of the Biodiversity Assessment Report are based on desktop
information. Consequently the study contains limitations that are inherent with desktop data sources.
This includes inaccuracies at finer mapping scales and the potential misalignment with actual on the
ground conditions.
The intent of the study is to provide a broad overview of biodiversity values and threats across the Noosa
and should not be interpreted as an exhausted detailed description. It is therefore recommended that
ground-truthing assessments are conducted to confirm the presence or absence of biodiversity values,
especially those that are represented spatially. The outcomes and results of the Biodiversity Assessment
Report should not take priority over the findings from these field validation surveys.
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2 Noosa Shire’s Natural Environment
2.1 Loc at i o n
The Noosa Shire is located within the mid coastline of the South East Queensland (SEQ) Region with the
Gympie Regional Council (GRC) LGA occurring to the north and west of the shire and the SCRC LGA
occurring to the south (Figure 1). The shire encompasses approximately 86,000 hectares of land
bordered to the north by the Great Sandy National Park, to the west by the Mary River Valley and to the
south by the Maroochy River catchment. This provides connectivity between the highly significant coastal
sand masses of the Cooloola/Fraser Island complex and the subtropical coastal forest uplands of the
flanking Blackall and Conondale ranges.
Noosa is also part of the biogeographic region known the "Macleay – McPherson Overlap Zone", which
is an area of exceptionally high biodiversity, where the northern (Torresian) and southern (Bassian)
Australian fauna and flora meet and overlap. Consequently, the region has a rich diversity of plants, birds,
bats, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Noosa Shire provides a stronghold for biodiversity within the SEQ
and Northern New South Wales (NSW) region (Lewis et al. 2007) and it has the only substantial area of
coastal mainland remnant vegetation between Byron Bay (300 km south in northern NSW) and
Bundaberg (250 km to the north).
The Noosa Shire occurs just south of the Great Sandy Strait, an internationally recognised Ramsar Site
and important wetland area. The major river system that flows from this area through the Shire is the
Noosa River, which originates in the coastal plains and low dunes to the north. This unusual low-lying
headwater formation has created a low flow lagoon system that includes a complex of lakes, namely Lake
Cootharaba, Lake Cooroibah, Lake Doonella and Lake Weyba. The atypical combination of a freshwater
delta and estuarine lake system represents a rare sub-tropical example of this formation (Department of
Natural Resources (DNR), 2000).
The major settlement areas within the shire are predominately located in the large contiguous urban
coastal area south of the Noosa River as well as across a number of rural hinterland towns and villages.
These areas are nestled within a mosaic of vegetation corridors and remnant and regrowth native
vegetation.
Noosa’s permanent population in 2011 was estimated at just over 48,000; however over 1.5 million people
visit the Noosa region each year, with the natural areas of Noosa Shire being the major attraction. The
region’s National Parks, beaches and the natural appeal/atmosphere are among the top five drivers of
visitor satisfaction in Noosa.
2.2 Hi st o r y
The Gubbi Gubbi (or Kabi Kabi) people have been traditional custodians of the land that makes up Noosa
Shire for over tens of thousands of years. The abundance of resources within the Noosa Shire mean local
indigenous groups had high population densities, and were generally sedentary, with huts recorded
around the lakes by early settlers (Flinders 1799, Thomas Pamphlett 1824). Fish, dugong and turtles from
the ocean; shellfish and crustaceans within the inter-tidal zone and the expansive stretches of wetlands,
swamps and lakes; and birds, marsupials and plants that were abundant in the area provided a variety of
food sources (Lewis et al. 2007).
The process of development within Noosa Shire began in the 1800s and followed the typical pattern within
Queensland, where early explorers travelled into unsettled areas to assess the natural resource potential
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report of these areas (Cato, 1979). From the 1820’s to the 1960’s, early free settlers then exploited the natural resources available in Noosa Shire (Brown 2000, Cato 1979). Forests were cleared for timber and to establish farming areas, and the dispersal and dispossession of indigenous people soon followed (Davies & Salmon, 1995). Large-scale draining of low-lying coastal areas was undertaken, and grazing animals were introduced into the area. The timber industry formed the foundation of the Noosa Shire economy with the extraction of hardwood and softwood timbers, particularly in the Kin Kin forests, providing building materials and furniture grade timber to the growing settlements around Brisbane. Dairy, oysters, banana, bean, and beef industries soon followed. However, these industries declined in the 1960s and many areas became degraded by lantana and other invasive weeds. The tourism industry in Noosa dates back to at least the 1870s, with the 1920s seeing the establishment of beach camping. However, an injection of funding to develop Hastings Street in the 1970s and 1980s led to a boom in tourist and holiday accommodation providers and tourism in Noosa Shire. Hastings Street became a global magnet for tourism. This period also saw a conflict between rampant development of Noosa, and the community’s desire to retain the natural beauty of the area. The local environmental movement took shape in 1962 when Dr Arthur Harrold formed the Noosa Parks Association. This organisation immediately began lobbying for the expansion of the Noosa National Park and the protection of Cooloola. Eventually, the Noosa Council began to incorporate strategies of environmental conservation and sensitive development with momentum gaining during 1982 – 1985 and from 1988 and into the 1990’s. In 1997 a Strategic Plan set the first limits to growth for the shire based on the carrying capacity of the environment and infrastructure. In 2007 the entire area within the boundaries of Noosa Shire was declared a biosphere reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program (MaB). Collectively, all biospheres within the MaB program form a world network of like-minded communities (Noosa Biosphere Ltd 2014a). In 2008, Noosa Council was amalgamated with Maroochy Shire and Caloundra City Councils under a state-wide rationalisation program, to form the SCRC. After a strong community-driven push, Noosa de- amalgamated from SCRC in 2014, to re-establish the independent Noosa Shire and Council that had previously operated from 1910 to 2008. For more than 50 years, Noosa has been home to one of the earliest and consistently active networks of community conservation groups in Queensland. Noosa Council has an extension service to engage private landholders in voluntary conservation programs, and numerous scientific studies of world standing continue to be undertaken in the area. 2.3 Bio ph ys ic al C ha r ac t e ri st ic s The Noosa Shire has a long geological history of volcanic activity, erosion, and deposition which are all processes that formed the underlying geology across Noosa (Lewis et al. 2007). The oldest known rocks in the area are the conglomerate and sandstone of the Keefton Formation. These are sedimentary rocks which were formed by initial deposition of unconsolidated material. The rocks outcrop only in the south-west comer of the Shire. The Keenon Formation is overlain by the younger sedimentary rocks of the Kin Kin Beds which were deposited in a marine environment (Shields, 1995). The sedimentary rocks of the Kin Kin Beds were subsequently deformed and folded resulting in alteration of the rocks into low-grade metamorphics in localised areas. These phyllitic beds in the western (inland) parts of the shire resulted in low mountains, hills and steep escarpments that dominate this area today © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 18
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(Department of Primary Industries (DPI), 1981). These old metamorphic rocks are described as Land
Zone 11 under the State Government RE classification system.
During the early to middle Triassic, the Kin Kin beds were intruded by the Woodum Granite, which now
form part of the Woondum Range that stretches north of Mount Cooroora. A much smaller, isolated
outcrop of another intrusive volcanic is the Cedar Creek Porphyry, which also occurs at Noosa Heads
(Shields, 1995). These old volcanic rocks are described as Land Zone 12.
Numerous igneous intrusions have also occurred across the shire since the Jurrasic period, which has
resulted in scattered and isolated peaks. Most prominent include Mount Cooroy, Mount Cooran, Mount
Cooroora, Mount Tinbeerwah and Mount Pinbarren (DPI, 1981). The remains of tertiary basaltic extrusion
also form Black Mountain and the Wahpunga Range just east of Kin Kin. These younger volcanic rocks
are described as Land Zone 8.
These volcanic geological formations have created the hilly undulating topography that dominates
approximately half of the Noosa Shire area, which includes Noosa’s highest point of 488m in the
Woondum National Park.
The extensive undulating and level plains, swamps and tidal flats of Noosa’s eastern coastal lowlands
have been formed by depositional processes since the late Triassic period. During the late Triassic period
and early Jurassic period, the deposition of coarse freshwater sediments from the granitic intrusions to
the west formed the Myrtle Creek sandstones in the eastern portion of the shire (DPI, 1981). These
sandstone rocks are described as land Zone 9-10.
In the more recent Tertiary geological period, clay, silt, sand and gravel have been deposited as alluvium
along all major streams across Noosa (Land Zone 3) while finer textured material has been deposited in
estuaries and lagoons adjacent to the sea (Land Zone 1). Older alluvial deposit that are now elevated
above the early Tertiary alluvium also form the plains and gently undulating rises along the Noosa
catchment floodplain (Land Zone 5). Fluctuations in sea level have probably resulted in intrusion of sea
water and possibly some marine deposition in these low-lying areas of Noosa (Shields, 1995). The low
sandstone hills and freshwater alluvium deposits in which the headwaters of the Noosa River originate
are situated at a lower elevation. This unusual formation has resulted in the development of the river’s
unique coastal lagoon system.
Bordering the coast line of the Noosa Shire are low hilly wave-deposited and windblown sand dunes. On
the northern section of the coast from 10 km north of Noosa River to the northern shire boundary, sand
dune crests rise from 75-200 m above sea level (Land Zone 2). The northern dunes consist of white and
iron-stained quartzose sand and local concentrations of heavy mineral sands, peat and sandrock (DPI,
1981). The sand dunes along the rest of the coast are below 75 m except for the area around Noosa Hill,
at the mouth of the Noosa River which rises to 147 m (DPI, 1981). Dunes further inland have become
stabilised by vegetation compared with the unstabilised frontal dunes (Shields, 1995).
2.4 O t he r e co s yst em t yp es & se rv i ce s
Other sources of biodiversity in Noosa include the subtropical marine and freshwater environments.
Within the shire this includes:
• Sandy and rocky beaches
• Intertidal rocky shores
• Nearshore fringing reefs
• Riverine seagrass beds
• Sheltered intertidal flats
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• Freshwater and tidal waterways and lakes
• Mangroves
• Subtidal soft substrates
• Riverine soft substrates
• Pelagic environments.
These freshwater, riverine and marine environments in Noosa form a highly connected network of unique
aquatic ecosystems across the landscape, which flow from the Cooloola and mass and hinterland areas
of the shire through to the estuarine river system and sea.
Biodiversity as the variety of all habitat types, ecological communities and ecological processes is also
fundamental to the production of ecosystem services that human populations rely on. Ecosystem services
are the benefits provided to humans through the transformations of resources (or environmental assets,
including land, water, vegetation and atmosphere) into a flow of essential goods and services e.g. clean
air, water, and food (Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and Arts (DEWA), 2009a).
The diversity of organisms is the direct source of many services, such as food and fibre, and underpins
others including clean water and air, through the role of organisms in energy and material cycles. Changes
in and the loss of biodiversity directly influences the capacity of an ecosystem to produce and supply
essential services, and can affect the long term ability of ecological, economic and social systems to adapt
and respond to global pressures (DEWA, 2009a). The degree of biodiversity richness that is necessary
to maintain production of ecosystem services is not clear. However, what is known is that ecosystem
services are generated by more than one ecosystem type.
Ecosystem services produced by Noosa’s diversity of ecosystem types include:
• Climate control
• Carbon sequestration
• Soil formation and maintenance of soil fertility
• Water filtration
• Purification of air
• Pollination
• Erosion control
• Decomposition and recycling of wastes
• Provision of products such as food, water, raw materials, minerals, etc.
• Recreational tourism and cultural services.
The value the Noosa shire residents and visitors place on ecosystem services, particularly in regards to
recreational tourism and cultural services is significant. This is an important element in considering the
overall value of biodiversity in this area.
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report Figure 1: Location of Noosa Shire © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 21
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report
3 Biodiversity Values
Noosa contains a diversity of biodiversity values and natural landscapes within a very confined physical
area. Many of the values and landscapes are of great significance and globally unique. Noosa’s key
biodiversity values include:
• A diverse range of vegetation communities that mostly remain in remnant condition
• A significantly high extent and proportion of endangered vegetation as defined by State and
Commonwealth legislation
• Unique ecosystems including rare sub-tropical examples of patterned fens, coastal lagoon
systems, sand lakes and dune systems
• A highly connected network of core habitat areas from a diverse cross-section of ecosystem types
and altitudinal ranges
• Nationally recognised and protected lowland rainforest and saltmarsh ecosystems
• A significantly high proportion of threatened species, including species that are endemic and
Gondwana relicts
• Critical habitats, including internationally recognised migratory bird habitats of conservation
importance
• The healthiest river system in the SEQ region
• A high proportion of wetlands areas that are internationally or nationally recognised as important
or of state significance
• An extensive protected reserve system that plays a critical role in conservation management
across the SEQ region.
Noosa provides the last stronghold for many of these biodiversity values that were once prevalent across
the entire SEQ region. These factors make Noosa a unique area and an important place for biodiversity
conservation.
3.1 V eg et at ion com mun it ie s
Within a small area, Noosa Shire has a high diversity of native vegetation communities, from the lowland
rainforest, heathlands and Melaleuca communities in the east, to the woodlands and tall open forests of
the drier west. This diversity extends to the north-east where the frontal dune communities form part of
the Great Sandy complex. A diverse community of mangrove, saltmarsh and seagrass beds also occur
along the foreshore of the Noosa River and its lake system, whilst the extinct volcanic plugs (inselbergs)
such as Mount Cooroora, Mount Cooroy and Mount Cooran, support montane heath communities.
Overall, Noosa’s diverse vegetation can be classified into 27 BVGs (BVGs 1M), which are grouped under
the following eight vegetation types:
• Rainforests and scrubs
• Wet Eucalypt open forests
• Eucalypt woodlands
• Eucalypt woodlands on floodplains
• Melaleuca woodlands
• Heaths and other coastal communities
• Wetlands
• Mangroves and saltmarshes
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report Each vegetation type is associated with a subset of REs, which further describes Noosa’s diverse vegetation composition into 61 different communities. REs are vegetation communities that are consistently associated with a particularly combination of geology, landform and soil (termed Land Zone). It is based on a classification system that allows for the categorical grouping and description of vegetation communities with similar attributes. A high proportion of this vegetation is also of conservation significance and identified as either ‘Endangered’ or ‘Of Concern’ under the Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999 (VM Act). For an Endangered status this refers to remnant vegetation communities with <10% of the pre-clearing extent remaining across the SEQ region, and for Of Concern status only 10% - 30% of the pre-clearing extent remaining. As part of the SEQ bioregion, Noosa Shire occupies approximately 1.4% of the total area but contains representations of 39% of the REs that can occur in the bioregion. A complete description of Noosa’s vegetation types, BVGs and REs is provided in Appendix A. The broad distribution of vegetation types are shown in Figure 2 and conservation significance discussed further in Section 3.1.2 and Section 3.1.3. © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 23
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report Figure 2: Types of vegetation communities within Noosa Shire © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 24
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In addition to this high diversity of vegetation communities, the Noosa Shire is unique in that a large
portion of the vegetation communities remain largely intact and resemble an undisturbed form. This is
referred to as remnant condition, which is defined under the VM Act as a vegetation community
comprising:
• more than 50% of the vegetation’s undisturbed canopy cover
• averaging more than 70% of the vegetation’s undisturbed height
• species characteristic of the vegetation’s undisturbed predominant canopy.
The condition of vegetation across Noosa is shown in Figure 3 and described further in Section 3.1.1.
Table 1 provides a summary of both vegetation condition and conservation values for the Noosa Shire.
A comparison of these attributes is also provided for the broader SEQ bioregion and neighbouring LGAs.
A full description of Noosa’s vegetation condition and conservation significance is provided in the following
sections.
Table 1: Vegetation condition and conservation status statistics for Noosa and broader region
Sunshine
Gympie
SEQ Coast
Attribute Noosa Shire Regional Three LGAs*
bioregion Regional
Council
Council
Vegetation condition
Remnant 46.8% 43.5% 41.7% 40.6% 41.9%
Conservation significance (based on area of remnant)
Endangered 11% 4% 3% 4% 4%
Of Concern 28% 20% 26% 19% 24%
Least Concern 62% 76% 72% 77% 72%
Conservation significance (based on total number of REs)
Endangered 11% 14% 12% 9% 12%
Of Concern 39% 49% 40% 38% 41%
Least Concern 49% 37% 48% 53% 47%
* Noosa Shire, GRC and SCRC
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report Figure 3: Condition of vegetation communities within Noosa Shire © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 26
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3.1.1 Vegetation condition classes
Noosa is unique in that it still contains extensive tracts of vegetation in remnant condition (Figure 3). In
total 40,265 ha of vegetation across Noosa is considered to be in remnant condition, which comprises
46.8% of the land mass (Table 1). As highlighted Table 1, Noosa has the highest proportion of remnant
vegetation compared to the broader SEQ bioregion and to neighbouring LGAs including the GRC and
SCRC.
In addition to this, validation studies across the shire (refer to Appendix F) have identified 1,622.5 ha of
native vegetation that is contiguous with surrounding remnant vegetation (Figure 3). Whilst not currently
recognised by Queensland State mapping as being in remnant condition, this vegetation appears to be
in a similar condition status as adjacent recognised remnant vegetation.
Further to this, approximately 5,071 ha of regrowth vegetation also occurs in Noosa (Figure 3). This
includes dense regrowth (vegetated patches >1 ha across Queensland State regrowth mapping) and
sparse regrowth (vegetated patches < 1ha across Queensland State regrowth mapping). Contiguous
remnant and regrowth vegetation comprises 2% and 5.8% of the Noosa land mass, respectively.
Overall, over half of the Noosa Shire region (approximately 55%) remains vegetated with 45% of the area
developed, cleared or consisting of exotic or plantation vegetation (Figure 4).
46.8%
Native vegetation Remnant
45% 54.6% Contiguous remnant
Cleared / exotic
Regrowth
5.8%
2%
Figure 4: Proportion of vegetation cover and breakdown of vegetation condition across Noosa Shire
3.1.2 Conservation significant communities
Number of Regional Ecosystems of conservation significance
Noosa remains one of the last strongholds for various REs that have been extensively cleared across the
SEQ Bioregion. Specifically, the Noosa Shire contains seven REs that are classified as Endangered and
24 classified as Of Concern by the Queensland State Government. A further 12 REs are also considered
regionally significant due to their natural limited extent within the shire (<150 ha pre-clear extent) or due
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to the substantial reduction in area of extent post European settlement (<30% of pre-clear extent remains
in Noosa). Overall, 70.5% of REs within Noosa are of conservation significance (Figure 5).
13.2%
29.5%
Endangered
Of Concern
Regionally significant
Least Concern
39.7%
17.6%
Figure 5: Conservation status proportions for REs within the Noosa Shire
As shown in Table 1, the proportion of REs that are of conservation significance within Noosa is relatively
consistent with proportions within the broader SEQ bioregion and neighbouring LGA’s. This is expected
given the significantly larger extent of both areas. In comparison Noosa Shire is considerably smaller,
encompassing only 1.4% of the total SEQ bioregion area and 8% of the neighbouring LGA’s area.
Although the shire is significantly smaller in extent, Noosa contains 32% of the total number of the
Endangered REs and 31% of the total number of Of Concern REs that occur in SEQ. It also contains
53% of the total number of the Endangered REs and 54% of the total number of Of Concern REs that
occur across the neighbouring LGAs (Figure 6 and Figure 7).
Endangered Of Concern
32% 31%
In Noosa In Noosa
Outside of Outside of
Noosa Noosa
Figure 6: Proportion of Endangered and Of Concern SEQ Bioregion REs within Noosa Shire
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Endangered Of Concern
In Noosa In Noosa
53% Outside of 54% Outside of
Noosa Noosa
Figure 7: Proportion of Endangered and Of Concern neighbouring LGA REs within Noosa Shire
Area of conservation significant vegetation
Based on remnant vegetation extent, Noosa Shire has the highest proportion of Endangered and Of
Concern REs than any other neighbouring LGA or the SEQ bioregion as a whole (Table 1). Within Noosa
11% of remnant vegetation is of an Endangered status and 28% is of an Of Concern status. That is out
of the 40,265 ha of remnant vegetation, 4,317 ha is Endangered and 11,144 ha is Of Concern.
The shire also contains three Endangered REs and four Of Concern REs of which >10% of their total
remnant extent across SEQ falls within Noosa. This means that Noosa, which makes up 1.4% of the
SEQ bioregion area, contains a significant proportion of these REs for the size of the shire. These REs
include:
• 12.3.1 - Gallery rainforest (notophyll vine forest) on alluvial plains
• 12.5.3 - Eucalyptus racemosa subsp. racemosa woodland on remnant Tertiary surfaces
• 12.11.16 - Eucalyptus cloeziana open forest on metamorphics +/- interbedded volcanics
• 12.3.4 - Melaleuca quinquenervia, Eucalyptus robusta woodland on coastal alluvium
• 12.3.2 - Eucalyptus grandis tall open forest on alluvial plains
• 12.2.13 - Open or dry heath on dunes and beaches
• 12.9-10.1 - Tall open forest often with Eucalyptus resinifera, E. grandis, E. robusta, Corymbia
intermedia on sedimentary rocks.
Noosa’s unique Regional Ecosystems
Various REs within Noosa possess important and significant ecological values, including habitat for
threatened and migratory species (refer to Section 2.4) or critical wetland and riverine ecological
functions (refer to Section 2.6 and 2.7). Some are also recognised by the Commonwealth Government
as TECs (refer to Section 2.3). However, of particular significance is RE12.2.15a and RE12.9-10.1.
RE12.2.15a is described as permanent and semi-permanent window lakes on Quaternary coastal dunes
and beaches. This wetland is a unique ecosystem known as a patterned fen and is the only subtropical
representation known in the world. Noosa contains the largest complex of this ecosystem within the
Cooloola Recreation Area, located in the north-eastern corner of the shire in the eastern side of the Noosa
River. Smaller areas also occur in the Noosa National Park. The ecosystem not only provides habitat
for a variety of rare and threatened species, but also provides an ecological archive of past climatic
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changes dating over 12,000 years old (Moss, 2014). Threatened species supported by this ecosystem
includes acid frogs, Eastern Ground Parrot (Pezoporus wallicus) and fish species such as Honey Blue-
eye (Pseudomugil mellis) and Oxleyan Pygmy Perch (Nannoperca oxleyana).
RE12.9-10.1 is described as a tall open forest of mixed Eucalypt species. The current extent of the RE
across the SEQ bioregion is only 4,537 ha of which 82% occurs within Noosa. It is therefore a unique RE
within the Noosa Shire with its dominance on sandstone derived soils adjacent to floodplains within the
Noosa River catchment. This RE in the Cootharaba area is the habitat for Boronia keysii, Noosa floral
emblem. As a result of Noosa’s extensive protection reserve, Noosa contains and protects the majority
of the RE’s remaining natural extent.
3.1.3 Modified communities
During the late 1800’s through to the mid 1900’s the Noosa Shire was extensively cleared for timber
resources as well as for the establishment and expansion of agriculture and settlement (Burrows, 2003).
Subsequently there is very little true remnant (old growth forest) remaining in Noosa Shire. However,
since that time, many of these cleared areas on steep slopes and along waterways have regrown. Whilst
initially modified from their original state, these areas are now in remnant condition and have regained
the associated ecological and biodiversity values.
In addition to such areas, there are other substantial areas across the shire that are in various stages of
succession and regrowth. Whilst not currently in remnant condition, these areas still provide important
ecological values and functions including habitat for threatened species, soil stability, landscape
connectivity and waterway buffering. Furthermore, these areas are often analogous to REs that are of
conservation significance and therefore present considerable potential value through ongoing
regeneration. An example of such a community are the scattered canopy trees of Eucalyptus tereticornis
on alluvial plains, which are associated with the Of Concern RE12.3.11. This modified community is
considered to be of significant importance as it provides habitat linkages for Koalas and nesting resources
for hollow dependent fauna in an otherwise cleared and highly modified rural landscape.
Modified communities can have degraded biodiversity values in comparison to more natural communities
in remnant condition. However, in an urban and rural context where habitat values and resources are
scarce, modified communities can play an important role in allowing biodiversity to persist. Planted native
and exotic gardens in urban areas can provide a substitute foraging resource for many fauna species. A
remaining mature Eucalypt canopy tree within a road reserve can provide a food source and dispersal
habitat for Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). Allocasuarina stands across many of Noosa’s built up
environments are food trees for the threatened Glossy Black Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus lathami).
These modified communities are noteworthy in their contribution to maintaining biodiversity within the
urban and rural areas of Noosa.
3.2 Land s ca p e co n n e ct iv it y
Noosa has a diverse network of remnant ecosystem corridors that provide connections throughout the
shire and to large vegetated areas in the neighbouring SCRC LGA (Mapleton State Forest and Conondale
Range) and GRC LGA (Great Sandy National Park and state forests north of Kin Kin). These connections
are recognised as State and Regional corridors under the South East Queensland Biodiversity Planning
Assessment (2009) due to their role in maintaining landscape and habitat connectivity for species
population dispersal and genetic diversity both at a state and regional scale (Figure 9).
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Within the Noosa Shire itself, the key landscape elements include:
• Large to medium sized habitat nodes with extensive core habitat (i.e. >10 ha)
• Small sized habitat nodes with the presence of core habitat (i.e. 1 – 10 ha) connected to other
habitat nodes (supported)
• Small sized habitat nodes with the presence of core habitat not connected to other habitat nodes
(unsupported)
• Patches with no core habitat connected to habitat nodes
• Patches with no core habitat indirectly connected to habitat nodes (stepping stone habitat)
• Ecological corridors of clustered or connected patches that link habitat nodes
• Matrix of cleared areas, scattered trees and sparse regrowth
The large and medium habitat nodes are associated with the extensive coastal lowland vegetation of the
Cooloola recreational area and Noosa National Park as well as the hinterland vegetation within the
Woondum National Park, West Cooroy State Forest Park, Tuchekoi National Park, Yurol State Forest,
Ringtail State Forest and Tewantin National Park. These areas provide extensive core habitat that is of
a high quality sufficient to support viable populations of fauna species, particularly threatened and
endemic species as well as species that were once more widespread during previous geological periods.
These areas provide a critical role in population dynamics both within the shire and broader region as the
main source areas for fauna and flora. The large and medium habitat nodes are the second largest
landscape element within the shire (Figure 8), which demonstrates Noosa’s biodiversity significance.
The distribution of the large and medium habitat nodes across the shire provides a cross-section of both
coastal and inland habitat types supporting a diverse array of species. This includes rainforest and
coastal dune heath and woodlands, riverine and lake systems, wallum heath in the east, through to
woodlands and tall open forests of the Cooroy and other plateaux and mountains to the west and north-
west. Numerous smaller habitat nodes connected to the larger and medium habitat nodes are also
distributed across the shire, providing supporting habitat for species and biota (Figure 8). The smaller
habitat nodes are sink areas for fauna species dispersing from the larger source habitat areas within the
shire.
The habitat nodes frame the entire shire and are separated by a matrix of cleared areas, scattered trees,
regrowth and urban areas, which can be a barrier or high risk dispersal option for fauna species (Figure
8). This matrix is however bisected by smaller connected patches as well as patch fragments (stepping
stone habitat), which maintain a degree of connectivity across Noosa. Areas with a greater proportion of
smaller connected patches within the shire form the key ecological corridors across Noosa and maintain
important habitat connectivity across the matrix and between the nodes. These corridors include:
• Kin Kin Creek
• Sandy Creek
• Remnant, contiguous remnant and dense regrowth between Kin Kin, Cootharaba and Pomona
• Six Mile Creek
• Remnant, contiguous remnant and dense regrowth between Federal, Black Mountain &
Ridgewood
• Ringtail Creek
These corridors consist of small remnant vegetation patches as well as regrowth vegetation interspersed
with small cleared areas. These corridors provide both current connectivity values as well as potential
future value following regeneration and rehabilitation. Due to the high proportion of existing patch
connection, these corridors are of strategic importance for allocating future acquisition investment,
rehabilitation resources and funding. Recommended biodiversity conservation management actions
include:
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• Utilising the corridor mapping to guide land acquisition programs and restoration/revegetation to
re-establish contiguous vegetated links to core habitat
• Incorporating corridor mapping into the Planning Scheme to discourage/prevent development
within identified corridors and/or require revegetation for such developments to proceed
• Identifying priority corridors for offset delivery of Matters of Local Environmental Significance
Overall, only 2.7% of habitat within the Noosa Shire consists of an isolated patch or unsupported habitat
nodes (Figure 8). The corridors as well as the habitat nodes across Noosa provide a network from north
to south as well as east to west that connects various habitat types and altitudinal ranges, critical for
dispersing fauna particularly migratory species as well as fauna species with large home ranges (Figure
9). Outside of Noosa’s LGA boundaries, the connected network provides linkages to the Maroochy
Wallum heath corridor that extends south to Coolum, the Blackall Range that extends south to Mapleton
and Obi Obi, Woondum and Beenham Range complex that extends north-west and the Great Sandy
Strait region that extends along the coastline to the north of Noosa.
Small node
Large node, 29.82% unsupported, 1.06% Small node
supported, 5.15%
Other, 26.01% Medium node,
Cleared, scattered Patch with
6.89%
trees, sparse regrowth, direct
32.88% connection to
node, 9.85%
Urban matrix,
11.30%
Isolated patch,
1.11%
Patch with indirect
connection to node,
1.95%
Figure 8: Proportion of landscape elements across the Noosa Shire
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report Figure 9: Landscape connectivity and corridor within the Noosa Shire © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 33
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report
3.3 T hre at e n e d E co l o g i c al Co mm u n it i es
The Noosa Shire contains two TECs that are recognised and protected at a Commonwealth level. These
are:
• Critically Endangered Lowland Rainforest of Subtropical Australia (“Lowland rainforest”)
• Vulnerable Subtropical and Temperate Salt Marsh (“Saltmarsh”)
3.3.1 Lowland Rainforest
Lowland rainforests are highly diverse ecological communities, which is a direct reflection of the highly
productive ecosystem type. The high structural and floristic diversity provides a large range of shelter,
food and water resources utilised by a range of fauna. The diverse fauna assemblage includes a high
proportion of frugivorous (seed dispersing) birds, arboreal vertebrates, microbats and flying foxes, as well
as invertebrates, that all play a critical role in ecological processes that sustain the rainforest such as
decomposition, maintenance of pollination and seed dispersal as well as nutrient cycling (Threatened
Species Scientific Committee (TSSC, 2011).
There are several threatened and locally significant fauna species that are dependent or highly reliant on
lowland rainforests, such as the Giant Barred Frog (Mixophyes iteratus), Marbled Frogmouth (Podargus
ocellatus), Black-breasted Button-quail (Turnix melanogaster), Short-limbed Snake-skink (Ophioscincus
truncatus), and Black Flying-fox (Pteropus alecto) (TSSC, 2011). In the cooler months, there is an influx
of birds to lowland rainforests, as part of altitudinal migrations. Overall, the community supports 34 flora
species and 12 fauna species listed as threatened under Commonwealth legislation, and 37 flora species
and 24 fauna species listed as threatened under Queensland legislation (TSSC, 2011).
Lowland rainforest occurs from Maryborough to the Clarence River near Grafton. In Noosa Shire, this
vegetation community is found across the inland areas, typically more than 2km from the coast and in
areas lower than 300m elevation (Figure 11). Approximately 4,393 ha of the lowland rainforest TEC
occurs in Noosa, which forms 90% of Noosa’s rainforest communities (Figure 9). This contributes 4.6%
of the total distribution of the TEC within SEQ. Whilst in a degraded condition and therefore not
considered to be of TEC status, 1,900 ha of rainforest regrowth within Noosa has the potential to return
back to the lowland rainforest community. These regrowth areas fall outside of the existing regulatory
framework but should be recognised for their potential future value. Recommended biodiversity
conservation management actions should therefore include protection of such values under the Planning
Scheme to ensure a no-net loss approach to protecting and maintaining biodiversity values.
The lowland rainforests in Noosa include relictual Gondwanan flora such as Agathis and Araucaria, which
grow on more fertile soils elsewhere in eastern Australia (Lewis et al. 2007). These sandy areas have a
distinctive assemblage of flora and fauna that exhibit a high degree of endemism and are strongly adapted
to living in cool sandy environments (Low, 2011). These communities also hold relictual fauna species,
which were once more widespread in previous geological periods.
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Lowland Rainforest TEC
Remnant Rainforest
Figure 10: Proportion of Noosa’s rainforest vegetation that is the protected Lowland Rainforest TEC
3.3.2 Saltmarsh
Saltmarshes are typically dominated by salt-tolerant vegetation such as chenopods and grasses on soft
substrate shores within the intertidal zone commonly associated with estuaries, low wave energy
coastlines and embayments (TSSC, 2013). The community provides extensive ecosystem services
including surface water filtration, coastline stabilisation, carbon sequestration, coastal productivity,
nursery habitat, and food and nutrients for a wide range of marine and estuarine communities. Due to the
harsh growing conditions there is a high degree of floral endemism at a species level within saltmarsh
communities (TSSC, 2013).
Saltmarshes are inhabited by a wide range of invertebrate fauna such as spiders, moths, molluscs, and
crabs. These areas are also important nursery habitat for fish and prawns at high tide. Consequently,
these ecological communities provide rich food resources for mobile vertebrates such as insectivorous
bats and birds, small raptors, and migratory birds (TSSC, 2013). Saltmarshes are the preferred, and often
only, habitat for migratory shorebirds such as the common greenshank Tringa nebularia, marsh sandpiper
Tringa stagnatilis, and Pacific golden plover Pluvialis fulva. Saltmarshes are also important habitat for the
native water mouse Xeromys myoides (TSSC, 2013).
Saltmarsh occurs from SEQ, around the southern coastline to Shark Bay (Western Australia). In Noosa
Shire, the TEC occurs as a large complex of small patches ranging from 0.05 ha to 14.4 ha located at the
mouth of the Noosa River and Lake Cooroibah (Figure 11). The saltmarsh complex is a fish habitat area
as well as containing wader habitat and seagrass meadows (SEQ catchments, 2016). Approximately 195
ha of the saltmarsh TEC occurs in Noosa, which contributes 3.1% of the distribution within SEQ.
3.3.3 Littoral Rainforest
The Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Thickets of Eastern Australia is a Commonwealth listed TEC that
is known to occur along the eastern coastline of Australia. It is a critically endangered community that
provides habitat for over 70 threatened plants and animals as well as acts as an important buffer to coastal
erosion and wind damage. The community generally appears as a series of naturally disjunct and
localised stands of rainforest and vine thicket on a range of landforms that have been influenced by
coastal processes including dunes and flats, headlands and sea-cliffs (DEWA, 2009b).
Whilst the community is not currently recognised on State vegetation mapping as occurring within the
Noosa Shire, local knowledge suggests that it does occur in discrete pockets along the coastline. This
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report includes areas in some coastal dune areas adjacent to inter-dunal swales where in the absence of fire native vegetation communities are developing plant species composition typical of littoral rainforest. Areas on the northern side of the Noosa river mouth, and an area of old growth littoral rainforest at the end of Hastings Street, (the old Noosa Woods area) are also potential areas of the Littoral Rainforest TEC community. Recommended biodiversity conservation management actions should include the undertaking of field validation studies to update RE mapping across the shire and identify areas of Littoral Rainforest TEC for protection. © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 36
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report Figure 11: Threatened Ecological Community within Noosa Shire © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 37
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3.4 Flo ra and F aun a
The Noosa Shire is home to a great diversity of wildlife and plants (~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. A number of these species are recognised
to be of conservation value, which are supported by Noosa’s extensive protection reserves and remaining
natural habitat.
3.4.1 Fauna species
Approximately 19% (66) of Noosa’s fauna assemblage is currently listed as threatened or migratory under
the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and
the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act). This includes seven frog species, three reptiles,
51 birds and five mammal species. A further 30.7% (107) are considered regionally or locally significant.
These species are considered to be of conservation value due to being endemic, conservation dependent,
restricted in distribution, hollow or roost site dependent, vulnerable to disturbance, at the limit of their
geographic range or outside their species usual range, or suffering local declines. Overall approximately
49% of Noosa’s known fauna species are of conservation value.
Whilst Noosa Shire occupies only 1.4% of the SEQ region, it provides habitat for approximately 32% of
threatened fauna species known to occur across the entire region. In particular it provides habitat for
approximately 58% of the threatened frog species that occur in SEQ and approximately 43% of the
threatened bird species (Figure 12). These proportions are very significant for the small areal extent of
the shire and are a demonstration of the diversity and quality of habitats that occur in Noosa.
40
35
30
25
20
42.9%
15
10
58.3%
25%
5 35.3%
0
Total amphibians Total birds Total mammals Total reptiles
SEQ Noosa
Figure 12: Total number of threatened fauna species recorded within SEQ region and Noosa Shire
Noosa’s globally unique ecosystems such as the patterned fens, coastal heaths, rainforests and acid
drainage systems also provide habitat for a number of relict and endemic invertebrates, some of which
are identified as threatened. In particular, a number of crayfish and earthworm species associated with
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the heath environments, swamps and sand dunes are distinctively unique and still yet to be formally
described (Lewis et al., 2007). A number of butterfly, moth and grasshopper species with Gondwana
affinities also occur within the Cooloola rainforests, along with a diverse assemblage of land snails not
seen anywhere else in the world (Lewis et al., 2007).
There are a few species that in particular encapsulate the values that make Noosa such a unique area.
These species are considered key and iconic to the region. Table 2 lists these iconic species as well as
their special values that contribute to the environmental significance of the Noosa region. A complete list
of species of conservation value, including invertebrate species within the Noosa Shire as well as habitat
associations is provided in Appendix B.
Table 2: Noosa Shire’s key and iconic fauna species
Species Status* Local Values
Internationally recognised iconic species for Australia and a point of
interest for tourism.
Koala
Noosa is a stronghold for the threatened species, which is at risk to future
Phascolarctos Vulnerable
climate change impacts. The species is a key value of the Noosa
cinereus
National Park.
The Shire has a key position in the conservation of the species.
Vulnerable species with extensive human-wildlife conflict. The shire is a
Grey-headed
refuge for the species, providing six roosts that are inhabited by species
flying fox
Vulnerable during their migratory cycle.
Pteropus
The species is a long range pollinator, playing a critical role in the
poliocephalus
persistence of vegetation communities.
A healthy population of the vulnerable Glossy Black Cockatoo occurs
within Noosa due to a concerted effort by local government authorities
Glossy black and conservation groups to protect remnant stands of Allocasuarina
cockatoo littoralis trees and large hollow-bearing trees. The bird species feeds
Vulnerable
Calyptorhynchus exclusively on the trees cones (orts). Noosa provides this habitat in
lathami lathami concentrated stands of the tree within nature strips and numerous
protected areas, and has become one of the stronghold locations for the
species.
Noosa is a stronghold for this threatened species, which is at risk to
Water mouse future climate change impacts and habitat clearing. The Noosa River is
Vulnerable
Xeromys myoides identified as key habitat in the species National Recovery Plan and has a
key position in the conservation of the species.
This vulnerable listed species is restricted to the coastal heathlands in
Ground parrot SEQ. The Noosa region provides important habitat to support one of the
Pezoporus Vulnerable few remaining coastal area populations of the species. The species
wallicus wallicus occurs within closed heath / sedgelands and is listed as an important
value in the Noosa National Park Management Plan (1999).
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Species Status* Local Values
The species is very rare (100 breeding birds) and little is known about its
behaviour or distribution. It was probably most abundant in lowland
subtropical rainforest, however, since extensively cleared post European
Coxen’s fig parrot
arrival, is now restricted to fragmented remnants of dry and cool
Cyclopsitta
Endangered rainforest (Department of Environment (DoE), 2016). Noosa Shire occurs
diophthalma
within the species suspected range (Coxen’s Fig-Parrot Recovery Team,
coxeni
2001). Council sought funding for the restoration and expansion of the
species habitat within the Shire, making Noosa an important conservation
area for the species.
Wallum
sedgefrog,
Wallum
These species are considered ‘Acid frogs’ as they typically are associated
rocketfrog,
with nutrient poor and acidic (pH between 3.5 and 6.0) water (Meyer et al.
Wallum froglet,
2006) and are unique to Australia’s eastern coastal regions.
Cooloola
sedgefrog The species are confined to coastal lowlands and sand islands of south-
Vulnerable
east Queensland and NSW and inhabit densely vegetated coastal wet
Litoria
heathlands, ferns, sedges, wetlands and swamps (Rowland, 2013). The
olongburensis,
Shire provides critical mainland coastal habitat for the species, with large
Litoria freycineti,
populations able to persist in protected reserves of Noosa.
Crinia tinnula,
Litoria
cooloolensis
This species is endemic to heathlands of the Noosa region (Fraser Island
Cooloola blind
Near to Sunshine Coast) and occurs in the Great Sandy National Park. Noosa
snake
Threatened provides refuge for the species as its habitat is at risk from climate
Anilios silvia
change impacts.
This specie’s natural distribution is restricted to the Mary River, Burnett
Australian lungfish
River and its tributaries. It is the sole survivor of species in the Family
Neoceratodus Vulnerable
Ceratodontidae, which is a family of fishes that have been around since
forsteri
prehistoric times.
* Status under the NC Act or EPBC Act
3.4.2 Flora species
Approximately 4% (50) of Noosa’s flora assemblage is currently listed as threatened under the
Commonwealth EPBC Act and the Queensland NC Act. This accounts for approximately 23% of
threatened flora species that occur within the SEQ region, which is a significant proportion given the small
extent of the Noosa Shire.
In addition to this, a further 3% (40) of flora species in Noosa are considered regionally or locally
significant. These species are considered of conservation value due to being endemic, restricted in
distribution or at the limit of their geographic range. Overall approximately 7% of Noosa’s known flora
species are of conservation value.
There are a few species that in particular encapsulate the values that make Noosa such a unique area.
These species are considered key and iconic to the region. Table 3 lists these iconic flora species as
well as their special values that contribute to the environmental values of the Noosa region. A complete
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list of species of conservation value within the Noosa Shire as well as habitat associations is provided in
Appendix B.
Table 3: Noosa Shire’s key and iconic flora species
Species Status* Local Values
Mt Cooroora She-
Vulnerable species only found at the summit of Mt Cooroora, near
oak
Pomona. Species is a unique part of Noosa’s biodiversity and has not
Allocasuarina Vulnerable
been identified outside of the region.
rigida subsp.
exsul
Bacon Wood Vulnerable species endemic to Fraser Island and south to Lake
Archidendron Vulnerable Cootharaba. Most populations occur within Great Sandy National Park.
lovelliae The Shire has a key position in the conservation of the species.
Vulnerable species endemic to Noosa River Floodplains, occurring
Key’s Boronia
Vulnerable between Kin Kin and Lake Cootharaba. It is found amongst eucalypt and
Boronia keysii
Brushbox in lowland areas up to 20 m above sea level.
Stinking The species is at threat of localised extinction due to small populations.
Cryptocarya The species is restricted to coastal sands or close to the coast in
Vulnerable
Cryptocarya rainforest or on sand dunes and endemic to SEQ and north NSW. The
foetida Noosa region contains 15 known populations.
An endangered species, confined to southern coastal Queensland,
between Kin Kin and Beerwah. It occurs mostly in the ecotone between
Swamp Stringbark wet heath (wallum) and tall open forest communities. The species
Eucalyptus Endangered survival is reliant on protection within conservation reserves in which
conglomerata Noosa has a key position, hosting the northern most limit of the main
population with the species occurring in 10 locations across Noosa’s
National Parks and Conservation Parks.
The species is endangered and occurs on coastal and subcoastal
Habenaria melaleuca swamps, threatened by climate change. Only 3 locations of
Endangered
harroldii the species is known, of which two are in Noosa (Atlas of Living Australia,
2016).
The species is considered extremely rare in the wild and is restricted to
an area between Mount Pinbarren (northern extent) and Mary Cairncross
Small-fruited Park near Maleny (southern extent), a distance of only 50 km (Barry &
Queensland Nut Thomas 1994).
Vulnerable
Macadamia The northern extent occurring within the Noosa region is considered
ternifolia significant due to the genetic isolation of these individuals from other
populations. Noosa hosts a stronghold for the species where it occurs in
14 locations within rainforest environments.
The species inhabits dry health occurring between Noosa and Rainbow
Macarthuria Near
Beach. Noosa provides a stronghold for the species, with 14 known
complanata Threatened
locations.
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Species Status* Local Values
Pineapple Zamia The species is endemic to Queensland, occurring between Brisbane and
Macrozamia pauli- Endangered Bundaberg within coastal heath habitat. Rainbow Beach to Noosa
guilielmi provides a stronghold for the species, with 4 known locations.
The species inhabits wallum country between Bundaberg to Cootharaba.
Near
Melaleuca cheelii Noosa is within the southern limit of the species range, with Lake
Threatened
Cootharaba hosting 3 known locations.
Wallum Leek-
The species is a perennial orchid growing in wallum communities and
orchid
Vulnerable stabilised dunes between Hervey Bay and Coolum. Noosa nature
Prasophyllum
reserves protect the species habitat in its southern distribution limit.
wallum
This vulnerable species has a very small area of occupancy (2ha) and is
Prostanthera sp.
known to occur at only four sites in the Mt Tinbeerwah area near
(Mt Tinbeerwah P. Vulnerable
Tewantin (DoE, 2016b). Stands of the species occurs near Harry Spring
R. Sharpe 4781)
Environmental Park.
Noosa is one of only three locations where this unique rainforest tree
Xanthostemon species is known to occur. The species occurs in the Kin Kin ‘scrub’ or
Vulnerable
oppositifolius rainforest which is unique to the region. Noosa hosts 32 locations and is
a stronghold for the species.
* Status under the NC Act or EPBC Act
3.4.3 Habitat areas
From the rainforest and the dry Eucalypt woodlands of the Noosa Hinterland to the coastal heaths and
sand dunes of the Great Sandy Strait, Noosa’s remaining natural habitat areas provide a broad range of
habitat resources for flora and fauna species of conservation value as well as common species. For
species of conservation value, 52.3% of habitat available within the Noosa Shire supports these species.
Remnant vegetation contributes the greatest proportion of habitat for conservation value species, whilst
other habitats comprising scattered trees or regrowth provide minimal habitat for species of conservation
value (Figure 13).
3.7%
3.0%
3.0%
1.3%
Remnant
Contiguous remnant
Dense regrowth
Scattered trees
Sparse regrowth
88.9%
Figure 13: Proportion of habitat condition classes supporting conservation value species
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report Habitat for species of conservation value is distributed throughout the entire shire (Figure 14). The majority of the habitat (58%) supports species within a maximum conservation status of Endangered with only a small proportion (2.7%) supporting species with a maximum conservation status of local or regional significance. Of particularly significance are the lakes of the Noosa River, the Noosa headlands and eastern beaches, which support Critically Endangered species (Figure 14). Noosa is also a key habitat area for migratory bird species, of which the majority are recognised as under threat. Noosa is the northern extent of an Endemic Bird Area (EBA) identified by Birdlife International, which extends along Australia’s eastern coast to Mallacoota in Victoria. There are over 2,500 species of bird that are restricted to an area smaller than 50,000 km2 and EBAs are globally recognised areas that provide habitat for these endemic species (BirdLife International, 2010). Noosa, along with other globally recognised sites provide habitat for nearly all of the world’s restricted-range bird species. The Great Sandy Strait National Park, including habitat fringing Lake Cootharaba and Lake Cooroiabah within the north-eastern corner of the shire are particularly recognised areas within Noosa and have been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by the International Partnership of BirdLife Australia. This area along with other globally recognised IBAs are considered important conservation areas that are critical to the future protection of bird biodiversity and the long-term viability of naturally occurring bird populations (BirdLife International, 2010). Sunshine Beach within the Noosa Shire is also a successful turtle breeding site. The largely natural beach and dune system remains unaffected by the damaging effects of coastal development seen elsewhere along the Sunshine Coast such as high levels of human activity. The beach provides critical nesting habitat for the Endangered Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and less frequently, the Vulnerable Green turtle (Chelonia mydas). © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 43
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report Figure 14: Habitat for species of conservation value within Noosa Shire © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 44
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report
3.5 Riv e r s ys t e ms and w at e rw a ys
The landscapes of Noosa Shire are dominated by the Noosa River catchment, covering the north, east,
centre, and south of the shire, and reaching the ocean at Noosa Heads (Figure 15). Noosa Shire also
has two other river catchments. The upper reaches of the Mary River catchment drains the hinterland
south and west from the Cooroy/Pomona/Cooran area before flowing north, outside the western boundary
of Noosa Shire, to Hervey Bay. The Maroochy River catchment occurs in the far south of Noosa Shire,
and mostly consists of a series of small upper-tributary creeks in high altitude areas that flow south across
the shire boundary, eventually entering the ocean at Maroochydore. There are also some small coastal
waterways east of the Marcus high dunes which flow to the ocean, such as Burgess Creek, Peregian
Creek and Marcus Creek (Figure 15).
3.5.1 Noosa River Catchment
The Noosa River system is internationally recognised for its natural, environmental, scenic, cultural and
economic values (Noosa Council, 2004). It is consistently recorded as the healthiest river system in SEQ,
with a condition score of A- in 2015, according to the Healthy Waterways annual report card (SEQ
Waterways, 2016). This means that all key processes are functioning, and critical habitats are in pristine
condition. Lower sediment and nutrient loads are also being generated with approximately 96% of the
streambanks vegetated, resulting in excellent stream health conditions (SEQ Waterways, 2016). Overall,
only 0.1% of the riverine environments within the catchment are considered artificial and highly modified
(Department of Environment, Heritage and Protection (EHP), 2016). Areas of High Ecological Value
protected under the Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009 (EPP (Water)) have been nominated
across large areas of the catchment, including the Noosa River and lakes within the Cooloola sandmass
and within the lower reaches within the Noosa National Park (Figure 15).
The largely undisturbed Noosa River and the coastal plains are also stronghold refuges for threatened
species such as the Ground Parrot, Glossy Black Cockatoo and False Water Rat. The lower Noosa River
is a rare example within the subtropics of a choked coastal lagoon system of fresh and saltwater lakes
occurring entirely on sand (Lewis et al., 2007). Characteristic fauna is associated with these wetland
environments, including a distinctive group of acid frogs. The lower Noosa River and its lakes are also
used by many migratory shorebirds for feeding on their journeys north and south. Extensive seagrass
meadows also occur.
3.5.2 Mary River Catchment
The Mary River catchment in Noosa Shire is a highly complex region characterised by steeply dissected
mountain ranges and narrow valley floors. Much of the area has been cleared for agriculture, although
significant stands of rainforest and eucalypt forest remain on many of the steeper slopes, in the less
accessible gullies, in the State Forests and along the watercourses. The main tributaries of the catchment
that occur within the Noosa Shire are Six Mile Creek, Blackfellow Creekand Middle Creek. Six Mile Creek
provides prime habitat for the Mary River Cod, which has suffered population declines since the 1930’s
and is now listed as endangered at a Commonwealth level (Mary River Catchment Co-ordinating
Committee (MRCCC), 2014). The creek also provides known habitat for the Australian Lungfish, which
is a prehistoric species currently under threat due to reductions in breeding habitat. The rainforest
remnants along Six Mile Creek also provides habitat for the stream dependent and endangered Giant
Barred Frog as well as numerous rare and threatened frog species (MRCCC, 2014). Areas of High
Ecological Value have been nominated across portions of the catchment, including the waterways within
the Woondum National Park, Ridgewood, Black Mountain, Yurol State Forest, Cooroy and Tinbeerwah
(Figure 15).
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report Figure 15: River catchments and waterways within Noosa Shire © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 46
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3.6 W et l and s
The Noosa Shire is well-known for its high quality and diverse wetlands that provide critical ecosystem
services and functions as well as significant ecological values. The extent of wetland areas within the
Noosa Shire is 16,890 ha, which comprises 19.4% of the total shire area (EHP, 2016). Compared to the
SEQ region and other coastal LGA’s, Noosa has the second highest percentage of natural wetland areas
after factoring in the extent of artificial wetlands (Table 4).
Table 4: Proportion of wetland areas across SEQ region and coastal LGAs
LGA / region Wetland area (%) Artificial wetland area (%)
Redland 20.4 3.0
Noosa 19.4 2.7
Sunshine Coast 11.3 9.8
Gold Coast 11.9 25.6
Moreton Bay 10.8 17.5
Brisbane 6.8 15.5
SEQ region 4.5 22.2
Source: WetlandInfo, 2016
Palustrine and lacustrine wetland systems are the predominant systems within the Noosa area with
approximately 195 wetlands identified in the low coastal region of the shire (EHP, 2016) (Figure 16 and
Figure 17). Lacustrine wetlands are large, open, water-dominated systems such as lakes whereas
Palustrine wetlands are primarily vegetation non-channel environments such as billabongs, swamps and
springs. Both wetland types are associated with the Cooloola sand mass, a highly significant area
containing the oldest and largest number of independent coastal dune systems recorded in the world.
Within the palustrine and lacustrine wetland systems, the coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree swamp
– Melaleuca spp. and Eucalyptus spp. is the dominant wetland habitat type. This palustrine wetland type
is usually ephemeral in nature and typically has a low pH; however numerous fauna species including
birds, bats and reptiles utilise the habitat. This includes threatened species such as the Ground Parrot,
Glossy Black Cockatoos and a number of threatened acid frog species that are adapted to the unique
conditions (EHP, 2016). This wetland habitat type often receives water from a variety of sources
(overbank stream flow, direct stream flow, rainfall, groundwater flow) and can play a role in groundwater
recharge and discharge if water table levels and substrate permeability permit (EHP, 2016). Other
important roles and functions include buffering of waterways for land based nutrient loads.
Other wetland systems in the Noosa Shire that add to the high diversity of wetland habitat types include
estuarine and riverine wetlands, which are associated with the Noosa River system (Figure 16 and Figure
17). This spectacular and extensive system of freshwater, brackish and saline lakes, marshes,
heathlands and estuarine wetlands is one of few such complex wetland systems on the entire Eastern
Australian seaboard (Lewis et al., 2007). It is particularly unique among Queensland estuaries with a
transition from fresh water to hypersaline waters in the lakes and contains the largest riverine seagrass
beds in SEQ (Lewis et al., 2007). It is also a rare subtropical example of a coastal lagoon system
developed entirely on sand.
Noosa’s unique, diverse and high quality wetlands are recognised at national and state levels. The
following sections describe wetland areas of particular significance.
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Non-floodplain grass
sedge and herb swamp
Non-floodplain wet
heath swamp
Riverine
Palustrine Non-floodplain tree
swamp—Melaleuca
spp. and Eucalypus
spp.
Floodplain wet heath
Artificial swamp
and Floodplain tree
highly swamp—
modified Melaleuca spp.
Estuarine - mangroves, and Eucalypus
wetlands
saltmarshes spp.
Lacustrine - sand & soil
lake
Figure 16: Wetland habitat types within Noosa Shire
3.6.1 Wetlands of International Importance (RAMSAR sites)
The acidic and freshwater wetlands and streams of the Cooloola sand mass within Noosa are part of the
Noosa River catchment. The Great Sandy Strait region to the north of the Noosa Shire is recognised as
a wetland of international importance and is listed as a Ramsar site.
The Great Sandy Strait region is of significant value and importance to numerous fauna species. The
area provides feeding grounds that are frequently or occasionally used by six species of threatened
marine turtle, as well as the Dugong (Dugong dugong), Water Mouse (Xeromys myoides), Illidge's Ant
Blue Butterfly (Acrodipsas illidgei), and the Oxleyan Pygmy Perch (Department of Environment and
Energy (DoEE), 2016). Wetlands along Great Sandy Strait regularly support in excess of 20,000
migratory shorebirds, with 18 species listed under international migratory bird conservation agreements
(DoEE, 2016).
The Cooloola sand mass area of the Great Sandy Strait in particular, contains the only subtropical
representations in the world of patterned fens, which are a unique wetland type that supports an unusual
number of rare and threatened invertebrate species. In particular crayfish, earthworms and other
invertebrate species associated with this area exhibit a high degree of diversity and endemism (Lewis et
al., 2007).
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3.6.2 Nationally Important Wetlands
The wetland system of the Noosa River and Lake Weyba are both recognised as nationally important
wetlands that are protected by Commonwealth legislation (Figure 18). Combined, these areas cover
12,805 ha, comprise 16 different wetlands types (Lewis et al., 2007) and meet all six criteria for inclusion
as a nationally important wetland area. These are:
1. good example of a wetland type occurring within a biogeographic region in Australia.
2. wetland which plays an important ecological or hydrological role in the natural functioning of a
major wetland system/complex.
3. wetland which is important as the habitat for animal taxa at a vulnerable stage in their life cycles,
or provides a refuge when adverse conditions such as drought prevail.
4. wetland supports 1% or more of the national populations of any native plant or animal taxa.
5. wetland supports native plant or animal taxa or communities which are considered endangered
or vulnerable at the national level.
6. wetland is of outstanding historical or cultural significance
Lake Weyba in particular is recognised by the Queensland Government as a significant habitat for
migratory waders (Lewis et al., 2007), and provides habitat for the threatened Water Mouse, acid frog
species and numerous flora species including the Swamp Orchid (Phaius australis) (Lewis et al., 2007).
The habitats within the wetlands of the Noosa River include mangrove communities, salt flats and
saltmarshes, melaleuca and eucalyptus swamps, wet heath swamps, grass sedge and herb swamps,
window lakes on sand, riverine wetlands, and a small proportion of modified areas such as dams and
irrigation channels. The Noosa Wetlands are part of a series of coastal wetlands that provide intermediary
habitat for local and migratory fauna that are associated with two nearby Ramsar sites: the Great Sandy
Strait to the north, and Moreton Bay to the south.
3.6.3 State Significant Wetlands
The majority of Noosa’s wetland areas are recognised by the Queensland State Government as natural
wetlands that are of High Ecological Significance (Figure 18) or natural wetlands that occur in High
Ecological Value freshwater and estuarine areas as defined under the EPP (Water) (refer to Section 2.5).
These wetlands are considered to be of State significance and as such requiring statutory protection.
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report Figure 17: Wetland types within the Noosa Shire © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 50
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report Figure 18: Significant wetlands within Noosa Shire © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 51
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3.7 P rot ect ed R e se rv e s
Noosa’s system of protected reserves includes National Parks, Forest Reserves, Conservation Parks,
Nature Refuges and Resource Reserves (Figure 20). Although not legally an area dedicated for
conservation, State Forests and Land for Wildlife (LFW) also contribute to Noosa’s protection system.
Voluntary Conservation Agreements (VCA’s) have binding covenant protection attached to title. Overall,
36.5% of the Noosa Shire is covered by protected reserves with National Parks forming the highest
proportion of this area (Figure 19). Remnant vegetation is the predominant vegetation type (i.e.
approximately 85%) that is protected within the reserves with only minimal areas of other vegetation
categories including regrowth, contiguous remnant vegetation and scattered trees included within the
protection reserves. The exception to this is State Forest Parks, of which approximately 30% is plantation.
National Parks, 23.1
State Forest, 6.4
LFW / VA, 4.4
Resource
Forest
Nature Refuge, 1.9 Reserves, 0.3
Reserves, 0.1
Other, 0.7
Not protected, 63.5
Conservation Parks, 0.3
Figure 19: Proportion of protection reserves across Noosa Shire
The largest protected reserve within the Noosa Shire is the Great Sandy Strait National Park, which
protects the late Tertiary Cooloola Sandmass and its globally unique habitat, wetland types and
geomorphological forms. It is the largest remaining area of vegetated sand dunes in South–Eastern
Australia, and together with Fraser Island it represents the stronghold for the region’s distinctive flora and
fauna.
The distinctive assemblage of biota, includes invertebrates that exhibit a high degree of endemism. The
area has been refugia for lowland rainforest as the climate dried out during the Pleistocene period. These
areas also include both relictual Gondwanan flora such as Agathis and Araucaria and extensive
rainforests and descendants of the Gondwana flora all of which are growing on infertile sandy soils.
Elsewhere in eastern Australia such forests are mostly found on more fertile soils.
Noosa’s extensive protected reserves play a critical role in conservation management across the SEQ
region. The shire contains 16 REs represented within protected reserves that are poorly protected across
the remaining bioregion. However, 15 REs are noted to be poorly represented within both Noosa and
SEQ. A complete list of under-represented REs is provided in Appendix A.
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report Figure 20: Protected areas within Noosa Shire © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 53
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4 Biodiversity Threats
The Noosa Shire is a unique area that demonstrates a balanced relationship between humans and the
environment, promoting harmony between people and nature through education, conservation and
sustainable development. For this reason it is internationally recognised as a Biosphere Reserve and
has been able to retain significant environmental values whilst other areas across the SEQ region have
undergone significant development.
However, Noosa’s biodiversity values are under pressure from a variety of threatening processes. Due
to the significance of some of these biodiversity values, the potential consequence of these threatening
processes are considerable and important. The key relevant threats identified within the Noosa Shire
include:
• Climate change
• Invasive species incursion
• Vegetation clearing, particularly within rural areas (potential threat to landscape connectivity,
riverine wetlands, Lowland Rainforest TEC)
• Degrading processes such as erosion and sedimentation of waterways
• Inappropriate fire regimes
• Recreational use
• Habitat fragmentation and barrier effects to key habitat nodes and ecological corridors
• Conflicts between humans and wildlife, particularly in the more urbanised areas of the shire and
with increasing visitation.
4.1 Cl im at e ch a n g e
The SEQ region is one of two climate change vulnerability hot spots in Australia (Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change (IPCC), 2007). As a low-lying coastal area in SEQ, Noosa Shire has high exposure
and sensitivity to the impacts of climate change (Noosa Biosphere, 2012). These impacts will occur across
the Noosa Shire, but will be most prominent in coastal areas, wet lowland forests and riparian zones.
Whilst some of Noosa’s biodiversity values will be able to adapt to climate change through distribution
and behaviour changes, many species and ecosystems are particularly vulnerable because they are at
their distributional or physiological limits.
The Noosa region’s climate has already changed, with consistent trends that can be tracked over the last
100 years. The area is currently experiencing increases in temperature of 0.4-0.6oC every 10 years
(Steffen et al., 2009) with mean temperature anomalies increasing (Figure 21). Overall, Noosa’s mean
temperature has increased by around 10C since 1910 (CSIRO, 2015).
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report Figure 21: Annual mean temperature anomaly trends for Eastern Australia from 1910 - 2015 Whilst trends in rainfall are not as clear and defined as temperature, there is an apparent increasing occurrence of longer drier periods as well as heavier rainfall events (Figure 22). An average sea level rise of 1.2 – 1.4 mm per year has also been recorded for the area (CSIRO, 2015). © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 55
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Figure 22: Extreme climatic trends relevant to the Noosa region – heavy rain days (above) and consecutive
dry days (below)
Based on these current trends and the predicted future climate changes, the Noosa region is expected to
experience the following over the next 35 to 80 years:
• Mean annual temperature increase from 21oC to 22-23oC by 2050 (Noosa Biosphere, 2012)
• An increase in the frequency of extreme temperatures with the number of days over 350C
increasing by 30 days per annum by 2100 (CSIRO, 2015)
• Sea-level rise of 0.3 to 0.65m and 0.8m by 2100 (CSIRO, 2015)
• Southerly tracking cyclones (fewer but longer lived) (SCC, 2010)
• 140% increase in the number of severe storms by 2070 (SCC, 2010; Noosa Council, 2015a)
• Higher storm surges (Gilmore, 2008)
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• An increase in extreme rainfall events and rainfall events becoming more intense (CSIRO,
2015; SCC, 2010)
• Evapotranspiration rates 10-11% higher (Low, 2011)
• Increased bushfire risks (Noosa Council, 2015a)
• Increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere, leading to a decline in the nutritional quality of foliage
(Low, 2011)
The anticipated impacts of climate change that are most relevant to the biodiversity of the Noosa Region
include:
1. Increased coastal erosion, coastal hazards and extensive inundation from sea level rises,
storm surge, increased coastal winds, a southern shift and greater intensity of cyclones, and
increased storm intensity and/or frequency. Noosa shire has extensive stretches of low-lying
coastal and dune ecosystems, which are highly susceptible to coastal erosion and inundations.
Sea level rise will significantly impact coastal flora and fauna, particularly wetlands and
shorebirds, which feed and breed in low-lying wetland areas. Rising sea levels are likely to
result in a contraction of the saltmarsh zone as areas become more regularly or permanently
inundated.
2. More frequent mass die-off of vegetation and vulnerable flora and fauna due to higher
mean temperatures and an increased frequency of extremely hot days. Noosa Shire has
several vegetation communities, as well as species of flora and fauna that are susceptible to
mass die-off from hot conditions. Communities particularly susceptible to drought-related
deaths and die-backs include dune crests, ridgetops, sunny northern slopes, and rainforests
where shallow soils overly rock. Impacts to flora and fauna are species-specific, and depend
on the species ability to physiologically tolerate, or (for fauna) behaviourally adapt to extended
periods of hot conditions. The species most vulnerable to rising temperatures come from large
and thermally stable rainforest refugia where they have a limited physiological or behavioural
capacity to cool themselves. Flying foxes are one group of fauna that are particularly vulnerable
to mass die-offs caused by excessively hot conditions.
3. Loss of rainforest and expansion of eucalypt forests resulting in greater intensity,
spread and frequency of bushfires due to reduced soil moisture and increased potential
evapotranspiration, high temperatures, and more frequent and intense El Niño’s and La Niñas.
The lowland rainforests of Noosa are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of increased
bushfire activity. Fire is a more significant cause of rainforest death than drought, and a more
important determinant of rainforest distribution than rainfall. These impacts will be exacerbated
by invasive weeds such as lantana, which can increase ground and mid strata fire fuel loads
leading to hotter fires.
4. Loss of saltmarshes and swamps from encroachment by estuarine and coastal ecosystems
(especially mangroves) as sea levels rise. Noosa Shire contains low-lying ecosystems and
vegetation communities that are vulnerable to the projected impacts of a warming world.
Landward movement and encroachment of estuarine and coastal ecosystems (especially by
mangroves) may be at the expense of other communities such as saltmarsh, freshwater
wetlands and swamps. Although saltmarshes, swamps and wetlands have the potential to
relocate landwards in response to rising sea levels, they occupy higher land than mangroves
and their relocation will depend on their ability to migrate and the presence of any barriers to
such migration, such as roads and other development and infrastructure.
5. Reduction or loss of native folivores due to increased CO2 concentrations reducing leaf
palatability in areas with low soil fertility. Noosa Shire is home to both threatened and common
folivores that are likely to decline due to a reduction in leaf nutritional content as the amount of
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CO2 in the atmosphere increases. Plants supplied with extra CO2 usually produce foliage with a
reduced nitrogen content, thicker leaves, and more phenols and tannins. Koalas are particularly
susceptible to the impacts of lower nutrient and higher toxin content of foliage.
6. Increase frequency in flooding caused by more storm activity and heavier rainfall events. The
extensive riparian and wetland ecosystems of the Noosa Shire are expected to experience
more frequent damage in the future, due to heavier rainfall events and more extensive and
destructive flooding. Vegetation damage, particularly in eucalypt and rainforest communities,
may also occur due to hailstorm damage, with both of these ecosystem disturbances projected
to increase in frequency and intensity in the Noosa region in the future.
7. More frequent weed incursions caused by more frequent and severe flooding, and greater
natural ecosystem disturbance. Remnant and regrowth ecosystems within the Noosa Shire,
particularly those in urban, agricultural and riparian areas, will become more susceptible to
weed invasion in the future, due to increased storm damage. The increased damage to
rainforests in particular, provide ideal opportunities for invading weeds to alter ecosystem
dynamics and functioning.
The scientific basis of these impacts are detailed in Appendix D
4.2 Inv a siv e sp ec i es
Weeds and pest animals have been identified as one of the most significant biodiversity threats across
the shire (Noosa Council, 2015b). Weeds and pest animals outcompete and prey on native species,
smother and degrade natural ecosystems, alter fire regimes and can reduce or eliminate ecosystem
functions. Weed incursion is often a secondary impact following disturbances such as fire, grazing,
nutrient pollution and alterations to natural drainage patterns (Burrows, 2003). It should be noted that
some invasive species have become naturalised and in some areas have become an integral component
of some ecosystems, providing important function such as soil stabilisation and shelter habitat for fauna
species. Subsequent removal of such species in these areas should be carefully managed to ensure a
low risk of further impact.
Within the Noosa Shire the primary weed and pest threats can be categorised into five groups:
• Waterway pests – weeds species can dramatically alter environmental and physiochemical
conditions and interfere with ecological processes of waterways and waterbodies, and aquatic
pest animals can outcompete native species and predate on native aquatic reptiles, frogs, fish,
crustaceans and insects.
• Coastal ecosystem pests – residential and tourist development pressures resulting in garden
escapees of exotic species becoming prevalent in coastal environments and an increase in pest
animals preying on marine wildlife such as nesting marine turtles.
• Rural area pests – exotic weed and pest species can cause loss of production, degradation of
pasture, illness and injury to livestock and spread disease.
• Urban area pests – potential point source for weed incursions into neighbouring bushland
reserves as well as provide an environment suitable for harbouring certain introduced species.
• Pests within the hinterland– exotic vines are prevalent in areas can smother native vegetation
and impacting on fauna habitat.
A complete list of weed and pests species currently threatening Noosa’s biodiversity values is provided
in Table 5.
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Table 5: Priority pest weed and animal species in the Noosa Shire, and their impacts on biodiversity and
threatened species
Species Category1 Impacts Affected areas and species
Groundsel bush Replaces plants and destroys Saltmarsh, wetlands, moist gullies,
3
Baccharis wildlife habitat forests, disturbed agricultural areas
halimifolia
Poisonous, dominates the Shady and open woodlands,
Mother of millions 3
understorey coastal dunes, grasslands
Bryophyllum spp.
2,3,4,5, Weeds
Bitou bush of National Outcompetes and destroys native
Sandy coastal habitat
Chrysanthemoides Significance species
monilifera rotundata (WONS)
Water hyacinth Destroys habitat, kills fish and other Static or slow-moving water,
3, WONS
Eichhornia wildlife, depletes oxygen wetlands
crassipes
Outcompetes native water plants,
Glush weed 3 Creekbanks, freshwater wetlands
forms mats of dense vegetation
Hygrophila costata
Forms thick mats that degrade
Salvinia 3, WONS Slow-moving streams and ponds
water quality and destroy habitats
Salvinia molesta
Climbs and smothers native
Laurel clock vine Lowland rainforest, moist areas at
N/A understorey vegetation and mature
Thunbergia low elevations
trees
laurifolia
Smothers trees, shrubs,
Lowland rainforest edges,
understory, and ground layer
Madeira vine 3, WONS bushland, disturbed areas,
species, can cause canopy
Anredera cordifolia waterways
collapse
Basket asparagus
Lowland rainforest, coastal dunes
Asparagus 3, WONS Smothering ground cover
and headlands
aethiopicus cv.
sprengeri
Lowland rainforest, other
Climbing asparagus Smothers trees and damages
3, WONS rainforests and vine thickets,
Asparagus ecosystems
riparian areas, bushlands
africanus
Riparian areas: lowland rainforest,
Camphor laurel Dominates canopy and prevents
3 other rainforests and vine thickets,
Cinnamomum understorey growth
wet sclerophyll forests
camphora
Choke seedlings and smother
Morning glory N/A mature plants, including canopy Forest edges
Ipomoea indica plants
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Species Category1 Impacts Affected areas and species
Lantana Creates dense fire-prone thickets Lowland rainforest, other
Lantana camara 3, WONS dominating the understorey, rainforests and vine thickets,
var. camara smothers native vegetation eucalypt forest and woodlands
Smothers native vegetation,
Cats claw creeper
3, WONS including trees, changes soil Disturbed rainforest and waterways
Dolichandra unguis-
chemistry
cati
Broad leaf pepper Forms dense thickets and chokes Coastal dunes, wetlands,
3
Schinus out natives streambanks
terebinthifolius
Singapore daisy Smothers seedlings, ferns and
3 Bushland, disturbed areas
Sphagneticola shrubs
trilobata
Yellow bells Waterways, bushland, disturbed
3 Invasive
Tecoma stans areas, grasslands
Common Myna Aggressive competitor for nesting
N/A Hollow dependent native fauna
Acridotheres tristis hollows
Wild dog
Prey on native species and Koala, water mouse and most
Canis lupus 3,4,6
livestock ground dwelling native animals
familiaris
Feral cat Water mouse, ground parrot, native
3,4,6 Prey on native species
Felis catus birds and mammals
Destroy native vegetation, prey on Wetlands, wallum heaths, wallum
Feral pig
3,4,6 native species, soil disturbance & sedgefrog, wallum froglet, water
Sus scrofa
erosion, spread of diseases mouse, nesting turtles
Nesting turtles, water mouse,
European fox
3,4,5,6 Prey on native species ground parrot, small native
Vulpes vulpes
mammals
Cane toad Outcompete and prey on native Wallum sedgefrog & other native
N/A
Rhinella murinus species, toxic to wildlife frogs
1
Restricted matter under the Biosecurity Act 2014
The Pest Management Plan is soon to be reviewed through the Pest Management Working Group. Key
considerations in the revision will include a greater focus on high value biodiversity areas as identified in
the Biodiversity Conservation Plan as well as early intervention where there is practicable and achievable
controls with Noosa's identified priority pest species.
4.3 Land cl ea r ing
Noosa Shire has a long standing commitment to sustainable development outcomes as the foundation of
its growth and development. These sustainability philosophies are well supported by the Noosa
community and flow through all aspects of Noosa Council’s policies and operations.
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Historically, land clearing in Noosa was undertaken to support initial European settlement in the 1853,
which was closely followed by the establishment of the timber industry and further agricultural
development, particularly dairy farming. Land clearing increased during this period as the industries grew,
which further facilitated settlement and ongoing land clearing (Lewis et al., 2007).
In more modern times during the 1970’s to 1990’s land clearing in Noosa occurred predominantly (86%)
within freehold tenure to cater for the continuation of urban settlement (Burrows, 2003). With the majority
of productive agricultural land already cleared, clearing activities in rural areas were predominantly
associated with maintenance clearing of regrowth vegetation. This particularly occurred in areas west of
Cooroy and in the Kin Kin district were substantial areas of rainforest regrowth was regenerating (Burrows,
2003). Nonetheless, extensive clearing of heathland, Melaleuca and Eucalypt forest still occurred across
the shire for cattle grazing and sugar cane production (Burrows, 2003).
With the introduction of State and Local vegetation clearing laws in the late 1990’s, land clearing of
remnant vegetation over the last 20 years has reduced within the shire with a total of 584 ha of remnant
vegetation cleared post 1997 or 1% of the remnant vegetation extent. A further reduction has also
occurred in recent years with clearing rates of remnant vegetation decreasing by 48.7% post 2006.
Similar reductions have occurred across the greater SEQ bioregion and surrounding LGAs (Table 5). As
expected by the introduction of clearing laws, remnant vegetation communities with an endangered status
have undergone less clearing since 2006; however clearing rate reductions in the order of 22% have still
occurred for remnant vegetation communities with an of concern and least concern status within the shire
(Table 6).
To date 40,701 ha of Noosa’s remnant vegetation has been cleared following European settlement, which
accounts for approximately 50% of the original cover. Whilst land clearing has been extensive across the
shire since European settlement, the rate of land clearance compared to the greater SEQ bioregion and
surrounding LGAs is lower. This places Noosa in a unique position of containing a larger proportion of
existing remnant vegetation compared to other areas in SEQ (Table 6).
Table 6: Comparison of Noosa shire’s clearing statistics with SEQ bioregion and neighbouring LGAs
Sunshine
Gympie
SEQ Coast
Clearing statistic Noosa Shire Regional
bioregion Regional
Council
Council
Remnant cleared post European
50% 56% 58% 59%
settlement
Remnant cleared post 1997 1% 2% 1% 1%
Clearing rate reduction since 2006 48.7% 45.6% 45.8% 49.7%
Remnant cleared 2006 - 2013
Endangered 0.19%
Of Concern 0.31%
Least Concern 0.31%
Clearing rate reduction 2006 - 2013
Endangered 15%
Of Concern 22%
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Sunshine
Gympie
SEQ Coast
Clearing statistic Noosa Shire Regional
bioregion Regional
Council
Council
Least Concern 22%
Whilst the clearing of remnant vegetation has significantly reduced within the shire, the clearing of non-
remnant woody vegetation still occurs and is the main contributor of land clearing in Noosa (Figure 23).
This includes woody vegetation not currently mapped as remnant (contiguous remnant), regrowth
vegetation as well as scattered trees, which provides values such as landscape connectivity (refer to
Section 2.2), potential TEC (refer to Section 2.3), potential habitat trees and some threatened species
habitat (refer to Section 2.4.3). In 2009, the Queensland State Government introduced new laws to
regulate the clearing of non-remnant vegetation comprising of mature regrowth (High Value Regrowth)
across freehold and leasehold land. These laws, however have since been repealed and no protection
measures are currently in place to regulate clearing of non-remnant woody vegetation.
The majority of land clearing of non-remnant woody vegetation occurs within freehold tenure (Figure 24)
and primarily for pasture development (Figure 25). Clearing for settlement has gradually reduced as
Noosa reaches its planned population capacity, whereas peaks in clearing for infrastructure development
and forestry harvesting have occurred over the last 10 years (Figure 25). Yurol State Forest, West
Cooroy State Forest and Ringtail State Forest are currently identified as Defined Forestry Areas (DFAs)
and are actively managed and harvested by a privately owned company, HQPlantations Pty Ltd. All
harvesting is undertaken selectively and in accordance with all State and Commonwealth environmental
legislation as well as the Australian Standard 4780:2013: Sustainable Forest Management. This is to
ensure harvesting is undertaken in a sustainable manner and environmental and cultural vaues are
considered at all stages to minimise adverse impacts.
The following sections provide further details on the two main zoning designations where land clearing
predominantly occurs – urban and rural areas.
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350
300
250
CLEARING RATE / YEAR (HA)
200
150
100
50
0
2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013
Woody Remnant All Woody
Figure 23: Annual clearing rates of all woody vegetation across Noosa shire 2003 - 2013
250
200
Clearing rate / year (ha)
150
100
50
0
Leasehold other tenures other reserves Freehold
Figure 24: Annual clearing rates in the Noosa Shire by tenure 2003 - 2013
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250
200
Clearing rate / year (ha)
150
100
50
0
Mining Crop Thinning Infrastructure Settlement Forestry Pasture
Figure 25: Annual clearing rates in Noosa Shire by land use 2003 - 2013
4.3.1 Urban areas
Noosa has areas of concentrated urban development from Peregian north along the coastal dune strip
and along the Noosa River flood plain to Tewantin. Approximately 42.5 % of the Shire’s population lives
and works in this area (AEC group, 2015). In contrast, the coastal strip north of the Noosa River is very
sparsely settled and over 93% (9240 hectares) of land in the North Shore is managed for conservation,
and is either in public ownership or managed in trust (AEC group, 2015).
The Noosa Shire population is predicted to grow steadily over the next 10 years and beyond with
estimates in the order of 7,000 people entering the shire between 2016 and 2036. This is a 12% increase.
However, overall Noosa’s annual population growth is slowing (AEC group, 2015). During the 1980’s
population growth in Noosa was at 16.5%, which dropped down to 5.1% in the mid 1990’s. At present,
population growth has significantly slowed to 1.3% (AEC group, 2015).
In 2013 – 2014, the number of residential building approvals for the Noosa Shire was lower compared to
the broader SEQ region. Major planning approvals submitted in 2014 were associated with retail,
industrial and commercial development rather than large residential communities (AEC group, 2015).
At present, approximately 9% of the Noosa Shire has an urban zoning designation. Further residential
growth in Noosa will be sustained within existing urban areas, with the remaining future development to
be taken up as infill development within these areas. Whilst impacts on biodiversity can be significantly
high due to the intensity of development that occurs and legislative exemptions that apply to this zoning
designation, the coverage of the area is minimal across Noosa.
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4.3.1 Rural areas
Much of the hinterland area of the Shire are farming and forestry production areas, which are dotted with
small, well-defined towns and villages (Lewis et al., 2007). This comprises approximately 59% of the
Noosa Shire area. Rural zoned areas coincide with a number of key areas of biodiversity values and in
some case such values are confined within this area. A number of key landscape corridors occur within
the rural areas of Kin Kin, Cooran, Pomona, Cootharaba and Cooroy. Similarly, nearly all areas of
Lowland Rainforest TEC and potential Lowland Rainforest TEC are restricted to the rural areas of the
shire. The majority of riverine wetlands also occurs within rural areas of Noosa as well as waterways
within identified High Ecological Value areas.
Land clearing in Noosa primarily occurs for pasture development. The conversion of woodland areas to
pasture often requires ongoing control of native regrowth and shrubs through thinning, slashing and
burning. Whilst mature canopy trees may initially remain, the ongoing removal of recruiting species
eventually results in the complete conversion of areas to cleared grassland (Burrows, 2003). Within
Noosa this has particularly occurred across the Eucalypt woodland communities on the alluvial plains.
Heathland and Melaleuca wetlands have also been impacted by pasture conversion with large areas
slashed, fertilised and sown for exotic grasses (Burrows, 2003).
Based on the extensive coverage of productive agricultural land within the shire combined with the
presence of some key biodiversity values, the potential threat to biodiversity is of relevance. The planning
scheme can play an important role in helping to resolve land use conflict between prime agricultural land
and conservation. Recommended biodiversity conservation management actions should therefore
include protection of such values under the Planning Scheme to ensure a no-net loss approach to
protecting and maintaining biodiversity values. Vegetation controls for regrowth (i.e. non- remnant woody
vegetation) should also be maintained in the Planning Scheme to enable the expansion and protection of
biodiversity values associated with the vegetation.
4.4 Al t e red f ir e r eg im es
Altered fire regimes are a change in frequency or intensity of natural fires that native vegetation
communities are adapted to. It can be a result of a weed incursion that has altered the understorey fuel
loads of a native vegetation community or a deliberately lit un-natural fire event (Burrows, 2003). In both
cases the frequency and intensity of fires can be much greater than natural regimes; however a reduction
in frequency and intensity can also have a detrimental effect. Fire protection measures associated with
nearby urban development can reduce the events of natural fires and impact on communities that are
reliant on this process for seeding and recruitment (Burrows, 2003).
The greatest impact of altered fire regimes are on vegetation communities that are fire sensitive or fire
specific. Within Noosa this includes:
• Rainforest and dry vine thickets – destruction of communities, reduced recruitment of rainforest
seedlings and increased susceptibility to weed invasion due to the introduction of fire
• Wet sclerophyll forests (or ecotonal communities) – invasion by rainforest communities due to
the lack of fire and loss of breeding resources such as mature hollow-bearing Eucalypt trees
• Heathland communities – reduction of obligate seeders (plants with fire-activated seedbanks
that reproduce only via seed) or species shift to dominant obligate seeder species due to an
increase in fire frequency and intensity favouring species or removing species before reaching
reproductive maturity
• Melaleuca wetlands –reduced recruitment of native seedlings and increased susceptibility to
weed invasion due to the introduction of fire.
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report Altered fire regimes are an issue where weed incursion is a threat and is common in areas of concentrated development. Recommended biodiversity conservation management actions should therefore include educating the community on such issues as well as ensuring ecological fire regimes are taken into consideration in fire management planning and actions as part of the implementation of Council’s Bushfire Management Plan for Council bushland reserves. 4.5 Re c re at ion al U s e Disturbances to vegetation communities caused by off-road vehicles, horse riding, bike trails or boating can facilitate secondary impacts such as weed incursion, erosion and waterway sedimentation. Such impacts can lead to altered fire regimes, nutrient loading of waterways and the degradation of biodiversity values of habitats. Within Noosa, impacts from recreational use have been reported for montane heath communities, narrow riparian rainforest communities, foredune communities as well as mangroves and saltmarsh (Burrows, 2003). Recommended biodiversity conservation management actions should therefore include developing strategies to address disturbances to vegetation communities and fauna caused by recreational activities such as no-go zones and reduced speed limits, as well as maintaining signage and bollards, particularly for migratory bird exclusion zones. 4.6 Deg r ad at i on Ecosystems within the Noosa Shire are generally in good condition and the integrity of ecosystems are high, particularly in the northern upper catchments of the Noosa River (Mackenzie et al., 2012). However, there are areas where degrading processes have impacted on biodiversity values. Exotic plants and invasive species are considered a primary cause of degradation and a significant threat for the Noosa Shire (refer to Section 3.2). However, the risk of degradation that is associated with other processes such as drainage of wetlands, erosion, sedimentation and nutrient pollution of freshwater and marine waterways has varied over the years. At present, the overall health of the Noosa River catchment is considered to be excellent, with all water quality and aquatic habitat parameters meeting environmental values and water quality objectives as listed under the EPP (Water) (SEQ Waterways, 2016). Results from the recent Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program across SEQ indicate that overall all key processes are functional and habitats are considered in near pristine condition (SEQ Waterways, 2016). However, there are portions of the catchment, particularly in the lower reaches that in isolation show more degraded parameters. Furthermore, over the last six years the health of the Noosa River system has varied for both the marine and freshwater areas of the catchment. Various water quality and aquatic habitat attributes have showed signs in the past of potential degradation. In previous years for freshwater environments within the Noosa River catchment, health indicators relating to nutrient cycling, fish and invertebrates have shown evidence of moderate disturbance (Figure 25). A reduction in these indicates in the past suggests the input of elevated nutrient loads through either a point source or diffuse source as a result of vegetation removal. Increased nutrients and the subsequent invasion of weeds has been reported for a number of coastal creeks in Noosa, including Burgess Creek and sections of Marcus and Castaway Creeks (Burrows, 2003). © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 66
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1 Healthy with
minimal disturbance
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
Unhealthy and highly
0
disturbed
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Ecosystem processes Fish Invertebrates
Nutrient Cycling Physical Chemical Pollutant load
Riparian
Figure 26: Ecosystem health monitoring results for freshwater environments in the Noosa River catchment
Similarly for the marine environments in the Noosa River catchment, elevated turbidity levels have been
recorded in previous years suggesting an influx of sediment entering the waterways (Figure 26). This is
most likely attributed to erosion and runoff that has been accelerated by vegetation clearing and
catchment alterations.
Whilst overall the Noosa River catchment is considered to be in high ecological condition, recent
estimates indicate that 3,045 tonnes of sediment generated from all types of land use entered the
waterways within the Noosa catchment in 2015 (SEQ Waterways, 2016). The removal of vegetation
within the catchment as well as ongoing land management practices that result in an increase in sediment
laden runoff has been a previous threat and as such will require ongoing consideration.
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1
Healthy with minimal
disturbance
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0 Unhealthy and highly
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 disturbed
Habitat Turbidity TN TP
Dissolved Oxygen Chlorophyll A Algae Biological health
Figure 27: Ecosystem health monitoring results for marine environments in the Noosa River catchment
For the sub-catchment of the Mary River that occurs within the Noosa Shire, the threats of degradation
are again variable. Six Mile Creek is the main tributary within the catchment and condition monitoring
results in 2000 indicate the presence of moderate and major disturbances to some reaches of the creek
system. From the headwaters of Six Mile Creek to Lake MacDonald the in-stream health and riparian
habitat trajectory were assessed as degrading due to the low riparian vegetation cover, low macro-
invertebrate richness and elevated nutrient levels (Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee
(MRCCC), 2000). Whilst other parts of the Six Mile Creek show minimal to moderate signs of
disturbances, degradation processes have been evident in the upper portions of the sub-catchment,
particularly within the cleared rural areas of Cooroy.
Draining of wetland to facilitate urban development have historically impacted upon Noosa’s heathland
and Melaleuca wetland communities (Burrows, 2003). Where wetlands remained, the alteration of natural
drainage patterns due to urban developed have also impacted on wetland communities. However, since
2001 changes to the extent of wetland areas within the Noosa Shire have been minimal (Figure 27).
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180
160
140
120
100
Area (km2)
80 0.54%
Total wetland area
60 0.58%
Palustrine
0.72%
40 Riverine
-2.39%
20 0.15% Lacustrine
Estuarine
0
2001 2005 2009 2013 Overall
-20
Estuarine Lacustrine Riverine Palustrine Total wetland area
Figure 28: Changes in wetland areas across Noosa Shire from 2001 - 2013
4.7 Hab it at f r agm ent at io n
Noosa Shire’s long history of sustainable environmental management has resulted in a growth
management strategy that minimises fragmentation of habitats, and promotes the regeneration of native
vegetation to develop habitat corridors in previously disturbed areas. Nonetheless, the construction of
linear infrastructure such as roads, powerline easements and rail has been an integral component of the
Noosa Shire’s development to support the large coastal town and major tourist destination. As discussed
in Section 3.3, the clearing of vegetation for infrastructure has been one of the main contributors to recent
land clearing rates within the Noosa Shire.
Habitat fragmentation as a result of the construction and development of linear infrastructure can cause
an array of impacts including:
• Reduced core habitat
• Introduction of edge effects such as weed incursions
• Reduced carrying capacity of habitat patches i.e. the number of species able to be supported
• Genetic isolation and inbreeding depression
• Reduced dispersal abilities and an inability to respond to environmental changes
• Increased mortality rates associated with high risk dispersal options
• Reduced colonisation rates due to barrier effects
• Local extinction of fauna populations
The major linear features that have fragmented habitat areas within the Noosa Shire or are major barriers
to key landscape corridors are outlined in Table 7. These major linear features are supported by a
network of other local roads and tracks that are concentrated around the main settlement nodes within
the shire, namely Cooroy, Tewantin, Noosa Heads, Pomona and Cooran. The impacts of fragmentation
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are greatest within these concentrated settlement nodes whilst the northern half of the shire, particularly
along the eastern coast remains relatively intact. Key habitat nodes mostly impacted by fragmentation
within Noosa include Yurol State Forest, Tewantin National Park and Noosa National Park. The key
corridor impacted mostly by road barrier effects is Six Mile Creek.
Although fragmentation has occurred across the Noosa Shire, the landscape remains a highly connected
with only 2.7% of habitat areas consisting of isolated and linear fragments.
Table 7: Habitat areas impacted by fragmentation in the Noosa Shire
Major linear Impacted key
Location Fragmented habitat area
feature corridor
Six Mile Creek &
Bruce Highway / Federal, Black
South-west corner -
Old Bruce Yurol State Forest Mountain to
Cooroy
Highway Ridgewood
vegetation corridor
Cooroy Belli South-west corner - West Cooroy State Forest & vegetation
-
Creek Road Cooroy to the north
Yurol Forest South-west corner –
Yurol State Forest Six Mile Creek
Road Cooroy
Pomona South-west corner – Tuchekoi National Park & Yurol State
-
Connection Road Pomona Forest
North Coast Rail South-west corner –
Yurol State Forest Six Mile Creek
Line Cooroy to Cooran
Cooroy Noosa Southern - Cooroy to
Tewantin National Park -
Road Tewantin
Eumundi Noosa South-eastern corner –
Tewantin National Park -
Road Tewantin
South-eastern corner -
Walter Hay Drive Noosa National Park -
Tewantin
Eenie Creek South-eastern corner –
Noosa National Park -
Road Noosaville
South-eastern corner -
David Low Way Noosa National Park -
Peregian
Tewantin National Park, Ringtail State
McKinnon Drive Southern - Cooroibah Forest and Coolothin Conservation -
Park
Louis Bazzo
Central – Cootharaba Ringtail State Forest Six Mile Creek
Drive
Greenridge
Western – Cooran - Six Mile Creek
Pinbarren Road
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Major linear Impacted key
Location Fragmented habitat area
feature corridor
Kin Kin Creek &
Kin Kin,
Pomona Kin Kin Western – Pomona to Kin Cootharaba to
Vegetation east and west of the road
Drive Kin Pomona vegetated
corridor, Six Mile
Creek
4.8 Hum an- w il dl if e conf li ct
Increases in both local resident and visitor numbers to Noosa Shire has increased the incidence and risk
of conflict between humans and wildlife. As populations expand and humans encroach into wildlife habitat,
both direct and indirect risks are known to occur. Key example of such risks and negative interactions
that are relevant in the Noosa context include:
• Vehicle and boat strike
• Habitat disturbance from development and activities in close proximity to wildlife habitat
• Recreational activities such as four wheel driving, trail biking and fishing
• Illegal or uncontrolled activities such as arson and off-trail access to national parks
• Attacks on wildlife by domesticated pets (cats and dogs)
Within Noosa Shire, both Flying-Foxes and Koalas are currently experiencing challenges associated with
human-wildlife conflicts. Several Flying-Fox camps occur within the Noosa region and conflicts with
Noosa residents can arise due to high amplitude of noise, smell, droppings and perceived health risks
resulting from large colonies and dispersal and foraging nature of the species. Currently, the Wallace
Park Flying-fox roost is considered a high conflict camp and Council is actively managing the situation
under the guidance of a management options report. Koalas are also particularly vulnerable to negative
impacts from humans and dogs. Mortality from infectious diseases, car strike and dog attacks are
considered primary threats to this iconic species (refer to Section 1).
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5 Biodiversity Significance and Risk Analysis
The high levels of habitat diversity, condition and extent within the shire result in Noosa being a highly
important area for the long term preservation of the flora and fauna biodiversity in the SEQ region. Its
unique assemblage of landscapes and ecosystems that retain extensive coverage and viable connectivity
also makes Noosa an important area at both a regional and global scale. The Noosa Shire therefore
provides an excellent opportunity for biodiversity conservation.
However, a number of threatening processes do exist within Noosa, which have the potential to impact
and degrade its unique values. Biodiversity conservation planning that targets key values and addresses
the relevant threats is integral to the continued preservation and maintenance of biodiversity across the
Noosa Shire.
To produce sound ecological outcomes, the approach to biodiversity conservation planning should
involve:
1. Gaining a good understanding of the biodiversity values present
2. Prioritising biodiversity values that are of high conservation significance
3. Gaining thorough knowledge of the relevant threats that are impacting biodiversity values
4. Assessing the level of risk these threats pose to biodiversity values of high biodiversity
significance
5. Identifying gaps in current protection measures relating to significant biodiversity values at high
risk of impact to ensure a comprehensive system of conservation management
6. Identify specific policies, priorities and actions for implementation.
The biodiversity values present within the Noosa Shire and the relevant threats have been detailed in
Section 2.0 and Section 3.0. The following sections present the results of a series of in-depth analyses
that have been undertaken to identify and rank areas in terms of biodiversity significance and assess a
series of key risks to these areas including climate change and development. The cross analysis of
values and risks has identified areas of conservation significance or key conservation issues and
priorities.
5.1 Bio div e r sit y s ign if i c a nc e as s es s men t and map pin g
The Noosa Shire contains a range of biodiversity values and natural landscapes within a very confined
physical area. Many of the values and landscapes are of great significance and are globally unique. As
detailed in Section 2.0, Noosa’s key biodiversity values include remnant vegetation communities,
conservation significant REs, species and habitats, lowland rainforest and saltmarsh TECs, protection
reserve system, waterways and wetlands. As demonstrated in Section 2.0, the distribution of the values
varies across the Noosa Shire. In addition to this, each value presents varying degrees of biodiversity
significance with some values recognised to be of international importance whilst others are considered
to be locally important.
To gain an understanding of the spatial distribution and extent of values and their varying degrees of
biodiversity significance, all biodiversity values within Noosa have been ranked through a scoring system
and mapped across the shire.
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5.1.1 Methodology for biodiversity significance assessment
Previous fine scale vegetation desktop mapping and recent validated vegetation survey results were
integrated with the current Regulated Vegetation (remnant) and regrowth mapping to produce an
ecological condition GIS layer. This layer was further refined and validated utilising current (2016) LiDAR
data and detecting any recent changes in vegetation extent both from regeneration and clearing.
This ecological condition GIS layer served as a basis for assigning other biodiversity values and assessing
biodiversity significance. Latest RE and pre-clearing RE mapping (version 9.0) was used to attribute the
base layer with the RE types that occur across Noosa as well as their associated conservation status.
The RE and pre-clear RE mapping was also utilised as a surrogate to attribute the base layer with TEC
or potential TEC presence, regionally significant RE types and RE types that are under-represented
across Noosa’s protection reserves (determine through separate analyses). Other datasets utilised to
derive additional biodiversity values included records of significant species observations, and
Commonwealth and State wetland mapping.
Assessment of landscape connectivity was also undertaken as an additional biodiversity value by utilising
the ecological condition GIS layer and applying a modified version of the Queensland Offsets Policy –
Landscape Fragmentation tool. Landscape elements including habitat nodes, patches and corridors as
well as their degree of connectivity were identified and attributed in the ecological condition GIS layer.
The scoring of each biodiversity value within the base ecological condition layer was applied, with scores
attributed to each separately mapped polygon. Scoring was based on the value being present and the
degree of significance of the value at a local, regional or State scale. For example the scoring of
significant species habitat was based on the presence of a significant species and its level of conservation
significance i.e. Near Threatened, Vulnerable or Endangered. The scoring schema sought to maintain
similar numbers of classes, maximum values, and interval sizes between scores. This prevented a single
value becoming inherently weighted within the consolidated biodiversity layer.
A consolidated biodiversity significance value was developed by adding individual biodiversity value
scores at a location, using equal weighting for each value (refer to diagram below). This yielded a total
maximum score of 39, in which the highest score for actual locations was 38 and the medium score was
7 (n = 198,359). Scores were split into five intervals based on a percentile scoring system. The scoring
range of each interval was based on the assessment of 20th percentile values returned from the scored
data.
Minimum values rules were incorporated following the scoring to provide weighting to important values
such as TEC, remnant vegetation, riparian vegetation and threatened species habitat.
Further details on the data sources, analyses and scoring for all biodiversity values are provided in
Appendix F.
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Wetland value layer
Score 5
Significant species
layer Score 3
Conservation status
layer Score 2
Score 6
Ecological condition
layer
Overall biodiversity
Overall score 16
value layer
5.1.2 Results
The overall results of the biodiversity significance assessment are presented in Table 8 and Figure 29.
Table 8: Summary of biodiversity significance assessment
Biodiversity significance Total area (ha) % of LGA
80th percentile 35,259 43.8%
60th percentile 12,331 15.3%
40th percentile 5,639 7%
20th percentile 21,430 26.6%
5,753
Lower 20th percentile (including 1,769 ha or urban 7.1%
development)
Approximately 66% of the shire has been identified as having scored values that fall within the upper 60th
percentile range, with the majority of these areas located in the eastern, coastal parts of the shire. The
highest biodiversity values are associated with waterways (e.g. Kin Kin Creek, Sandy Creek, Pinbarren
Creek, Cooroora Creek, Ringtail Creek and Six Mile Creek), protection reserves and the scattered pockets
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report of remnant vegetation through the inland rural band of Noosa. In general, and as expected, disturbed and cleared rural areas fall within 20th percentile range with only small pockets of areas falling within the lower 20th percentile range. © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 75
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5.2 Bio div e r sit y r is k a s s es sm ent
The Noosa Shire is a unique example that demonstrates a balanced relationship between humans and
the environment. The shire has been able to retain significant environmental values whilst other areas
across the SEQ region have undergone significant development. However, Noosa’s biodiversity values
are still under pressure from a variety of threatening processes. As detailed in Section 3.0, key threats
to Noosa’s biodiversity are climate change, ongoing incursion of weed and invasive species, clearing of
non-remnant vegetation, erosion and sedimentation of waterways, inappropriate fire regimes, degradation
through recreational use, human-wildlife conflict, and habitat fragmentation and barrier effects to key
habitat nodes and ecological corridors.
The majority of these threats are a product of development across Noosa with the severity and magnitude
of these threats often much greater in urban and rural areas. Climate change on the other hand is a
global issue and will affect the entirety of Noosa and its biodiversity values to some degree depending on
the level of exposure and sensitivity of the values to change. The following spatial analyses have been
undertaken to further understand the risks from development and vulnerability to climate change.
5.2.1 Development risk assessment
A broadscale analysis of development risk was undertaken using Noosa Shire’s current land zoning and
protected areas mapping. Development risk was categorised as either high or low according to the
following:
• Low development risk – formally protected areas (e.g. national park), state forest, forest reserves,
areas under conservation agreements (VCAs), areas zoned open space conservation
• High development risk – all other areas
The results of this high level analysis indicate that 60% or ~52,000 ha of the shire has a land zoning that
puts it at a higher risk of development compared to surrounding land (Figure 30). This figure includes
land that has already been developed to some extent (e.g. existing urban areas) and where biodiversity
values may have already been lost or degraded. It is also important to note that within currently
undeveloped areas, there is not a suggestion that all parcels designated as ‘high development risk’ are
intended for development, but rather that the current zoning would more easily allow development to
occur.
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report Figure 30: Development risk (low to high) © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 78
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5.2.2 Climate vulnerability assessment
Climate change vulnerability is a function of exposure and sensitivity. The first step in understanding
vulnerability is to assess whether a biodiversity value is exposed to the effects of climate change (e.g.
low lying coastal areas are exposed to sea level rise and coastal erosion, whereas the hinterland areas
are not). For values that are exposed, an analysis of their sensitivity to climate change effects then
determines overall vulnerability, with those values that are both exposed and sensitive determined as
being vulnerable to climate change.
This assessment has been undertaken at a landscape scale for BVGs and is therefore somewhat general.
This was considered appropriate for this study to provide a ‘first pass’ of the general patterns of climate
change vulnerability within Noosa Shire and to provide direction to future in-depth studies that can be
undertaken.
For this assessment, three key features of climate change were considered – sea level rise, increased
bushfire risk and a hotter, drier climate (i.e. increased temperature and evaporation). These were chosen
as they were deemed to be the primary threats associated with a changing climate (see Section 4.1).
They were also the climate change effects for which spatial data analysis could be reliably undertaken.
Sea level rise
Exposure to sea level rise was based on the Indicative Erosion Prone Area mapping (Department of
Environment and Heritage Protection, 2015), which maps (among other factors) storm surges and erosion
risk incorporating future sea level rise prediction (0.8 m rise by 2100 based on 1990 sea levels). Figure
31 shows the spatial extent of sea level rise exposure within the Noosa Shire. Not surprisingly, these
areas are concentrated around the fringes of the coastal waterways of the Noosa River and its associated
low flow lagoon system and the Lakes Cootharaba, Cooriobah, Doonella and Weyba. As sea levels rise,
low lying vegetation will be inundated and fringing areas increasingly exposure to periodic saline
intrusions.
This mapping does not currently consider changes in the salinity profile of freshwater areas (due to lack
of reliable data), however this is also likely to be an issue.
Table 9 below provides a quantitative assessment of the total extent of each BVG type that is predicted
to be exposed to sea level rise. In terms of the proportional impact to overall BVG extents, the most
affected vegetation types are mangrove and saltmarshes, followed by paperbark woodlands. However,
BVG types most sensitive to sea level rise impacts are the saltmarshes and paperbark woodlands. Whilst
effecting a lower proportion of the BVG type, rainforests, wetlands and heath communities are
communities containing significant biodiversity values that would be significantly susceptible to saline
incursion and storm tide inundation as a result of sea level rise.
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Table 9: Sea level rise vulnerability
Area at risk from sea level % of total area of this
BVG 5M
rise (ha) vegetation type
Rainforest / scrubs 8 0%
Wet Eucalypt 37 0%
Eucalypt woodland 498 4%
Eucalypt woodland on floodplains 36 4%
Paperbark woodlands 2,973 41%
Heaths and other coastal communities 580 10%
Wetlands 42 18%
Mangroves and Saltmarsh 418 98%
TOTAL 4,592
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Bushfire risk
Exposure to increased bushfire risk was based on the state government bushfire prone area (2015)
mapping. Any areas that are currently mapped as very high, high or medium hazard (along with an impact
buffer) were considered to be at risk of future bushfires. Data is not currently available to predict ‘new’
areas i.e. those outside current hazard areas that may be at increased risk of bushfire threat. However,
current literature and prediction data does suggest that the extent of bushfire risk areas will expand across
the shire.
Table 10 below provides a quantitative assessment of the total extent of each BVG type that is predicted
to be exposed to bushfire. Most vegetation types have close to their entire extent exposed to future
bushfires. However, BVG types most sensitive to bushfire are rainforests, wet Eucalypt forest (ecotonal
communities), heathlands and wetlands. With exposure to the communities in the order of 84% - 100%,
implications have the potential to be significant. This is likely to be further exacerbated by other factors
that can cause altered fire regimes such as increased understorey fuel loads from weed incursion.
Combined analysis of bushfire exposure and sensitivity (i.e. vulnerability) is mapped in Figure 32.
Table 10: Bushfire exposure across BVGs
Area at increased bushfire risk % of total area of this vegetation
BVG 5M
(ha) type
Rainforest / scrubs 5,674 84%
Wet Eucalypt 10,556 100%
Eucalypt woodland 13,267 100%
Eucalypt woodland on floodplains 975 95%
Paperbark woodlands 7,306 100%
Heaths and other coastal
5,481
communities 93%
Wetlands 240 100%
Mangroves and Saltmarsh 199 47%
TOTAL 43,698
Hotter, drier climate
All areas of Noosa Shire will be affected by a hotter, drier climate due to increased temperatures and
evaporation. Similarly, all vegetation types will experience some degree of sensitivity to these effects,
although this is likely to be mitigated if communities are able to adapt. It is anticipated, however, that
‘wetter’ vegetation types such as rainforest, wet eucalypt forests and wetland areas will be most
vulnerable. More detailed future analysis could address potential microclimate differences across the
shire caused by topographical and other effects.
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5.3 Con se rv a t io n sig nif ic an ce a s se s sm ent
Areas and issues of conservation significance are considered to be biodiversity values that are of high
value and at high risk to threatening processes. Within the Noosa Shire an analysis of significant
biodiversity values within development prone and climate change vulnerable areas identified a number of
values that are of conservation significance. These are listed in the matrix below.
RISKS
Development risk Climate change vulnerability Weeds & pests
SIGNIFICANT BIODIVERSITY VALUES
• TEC • All values
• Remnant significant • Saltmarsh TEC
species habitat • Lowland Rainforest TEC
• Remnant wetlands & • Other rainforest communities
watercourses • Wetlands
• Remnant corridors & • Wet sclerophyll forests
linkages • Coastal headland and fore
• Remnant locally / dune heaths
regionally significant
species habitat
• ERE, Of concern, least
concern remnant
• Potential to be TEC
(regrowth)
• Regrowth
watercourses
• Regrowth significant
species habitat
potential
• Regrowth corridors &
linkages
• Regrowth under-
represented REs
• Endangered regrowth
Within the context of existing statutory and non-statutory mechanisms, a number of these conservation
values are already addressed under State and Commonwealth legislation and conservation initiatives.
However, others values are only partially protected and some are not addressed or have no level of
protection at all. These values are of relevance to planning and conservation management. For the
Noosa Shire this includes:
• Remnant vegetation
• Locally and regionally significant species habitat
• Endangered regrowth vegetation
• Regrowth vegetation with TEC, watercourse, corridor and significant species habitat values.
Climate change as well as weeds and pests are threats that occur across Noosa irrespective of the level
of protection. Nonetheless there are management actions that can be done at a local level to reduce
these threats and build adaptive capacity through healthy, well connected ecosystems, including:
• Taking a proactive risk management approach to weeds and bushfire risk in protected areas
• Maximise the condition and extent of protected areas
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• Build knowledge of values, their distribution, condition and threats for terrestrial and aquatic
environments
• Build knowledge of climate change risks and identify priority actions for adaptation for biodiversity.
• Improve connectivity for the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
• Strengthen partnerships.
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6 Noosa Shire Conservation Initiatives
There are a number of conservation management programs and initiatives that are currently underway
within Noosa Shire. These are focused on areas and species of key interest and importance to both the
local and the wider community. Some are founded in legislative requirement and are therefore driven
and overseen by Council. However, many initiatives are undertaken by the community and are reflective
of the unique relationship the residents of Noosa Shire have with their surrounding environment.
A summary of the key programs and initiatives is provided below, along with a series of case studies that
demonstrate how actions are being implemented on the ground.
6.1 Co u n ci l E n v i ro n m en t al Pl an s & O p e r at i o n s
Noosa Council has an open and transparent approach to developing operational plans. Draft plans are
posted online, where community members can have their say. A number of plans have been developed
recently that address biodiversity issues within the shire. They are focused on key environmental values
and espouse Noosa Shire’s commitment to sustainability. These plans include:
• Carbon Reduction and Energy Efficiency Plan
• Community Jury – Management of the Noosa River
• Noosa Biosphere® Reserve Management Review
• Noosa Shire Koala Conservation Plan 2016 (adopted)
• Noosa Shire Pest Management Plan 2015 (adopted)
• Noosa Shire Bushland Reserve Fire Management Plan (adopted)
One of the Council’s primary environmental operations is the management council parks and natural
reserves. Noosa Council’s Parks and Natural Areas team manages over 160 Bushland Reserves across
a range of BVGs from the coast to the hinterland. The reserve system is an essential part of the shire
vegetation network and provides habitat and refuge for a range of mammal, bird and reptile species. The
Bushland Reserves are managed for weeds, feral animals, fire and recreational use and are highly valued
by the Noosa community.
Koalas in Noosa Shire
Within Noosa Shire, the Koala lives in a diverse landscape of natural, rural and urban settings. Visitors
are often surprised to encounter koalas in close proximity to residential areas. Concerns have been
expressed about the plight of koalas which are now listed as a threatened species, both under
Queensland and Commonwealth legislation.
In 2016, Noosa Council developed a Koala Conservation Plan with the aim of conserving and protecting
this iconic species.
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Council engaged the University of the Sunshine Coast-Dog Detection Centre, to conduct surveys and
build on current knowledge of the distribution of koalas across the Shire. This information was then
used to update local Koala Habitat Maps and Koala Threat Maps. The Koala Threat Maps identify
areas of potential risk to koalas. This enables Council to consider planning and management actions
that may help mitigate threats to this important species and protect koalas in perpetuity. Through
funding from the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation®, the University has also commenced a Koala
Health Mapping research project which will further assist with informing Council and community
actions.
6.2 En v i ro n m en t L ev y L a nd Ac q u i sit io n P ro g r am
The Environment Levy Program provides an important funding source for a range of strategic
environmental initiatives. Key aims of the Levy are to:
• Protect environmentally significant areas through land acquisition.
• Support Council's VCA Program where such involvement adds to the protection and
enhancement of biodiversity and wildlife corridors on private rural properties throughout the shire.
• Provide funding to the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Trust so that Noosa Biosphere Reserve
Foundation Ltd may undertake projects that are in keeping with the purpose of the Levy.
Noosa’s Environment Levy secures significant riverside land parcel
Noosa Council has secured a significant riverside land parcel for conservation in a major environment
levy purchase. The 100-hectare property, off McKinnon Drive, contains remnant koala habitat, provides
an important linkage with the riparian corridor along the western side of Noosa River and will help
protect water quality. The land parcel, situated on the banks of Noosa River and Cooloothin Creek,
overlooks Lake Cootharaba.
Although much of the site was previously cleared, vegetation had substantially regrown, and this level
of protection will allow it to naturally regenerate. This is a significant strategic acquisition because it
provides an important link with the riparian and wildlife corridors along the western side of Noosa River
and complements the biodiversity values of nearby Cooloola National Park.
This purchase will also protect koala habitat from the threat of development and potentially provide a
favourable environment for this species.
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Noosa’s Environment Levy funded the land purchase.
6.3 Vo lu n t e er P ro g ra m s
Noosa Council supports many community volunteer programs including Landcare, LFW & VCA, and a
variety of bushland care groups. Together in partnership, Council and the community have and continue
to make significant contributions to maintaining and improving the local environment.
6.3.1 Landcare
Noosa & District Landcare (NDL) is a dynamic and proactive organisation committed to achieving long
term environmental outcomes. With over 20 years of experience in vegetation management and
horticulture, NDL provide a diverse range of services including carbon offsets, ecosystem restoration, and
native forest establishment. NDL provides training and community education, as well as managing and
implementing a range of nature conservation and restoration programs.
Coxen’s Fig Parrot Rainforest Restoration Project
The Upper Pinbarren Creek Catchment is home to the rare and elusive Coxen’s Fig Parrot Cyclopsitta
diophthalma coxeni, which is federally listed as Endangered. The few remaining populations are
declining due to food shortages and
fragmentation of habitat. The protection and
rehabilitation of habitat outside protected
areas is critical to the survival of this
species.
The Coxen’s Fig Parrot Rainforest
Restoration Project aims to restore the
valuable subtropical lowland rainforest
corridors throughout the Upper Pinbarren
Catchment, which is a known nesting site
for this species.
Landcare, in partnership with Dr Ian
Gynther is:
• Propagating and replanting Coxen’s Fig Parrot food trees
• Restoring subtropical lowland rainforest along Pinbarren Creek, including fencing from stock
and installation of off-stream watering points for stock
• Revegetating key Coxen’s Fig Parrot habitat corridor linkages between Woondum and
Pinbarren National Parks
• Maintaining the Coxen’s Fig Parrot Habitat Restoration Project on the Council Road Reserve
that has had several sightings of this species
• Treating cats claw creeper and other highly invasive transformer weeds
• Monitoring (audio and visual) the Coxen’s Fig Parrot
Recently, Noosa Landcare approved:
1) A major subtropical lowland rainforest habitat restoration and carbon sequestration project
involving the planting of 13 900 trees on over 3.5 hectares of potential habitat on five Land for
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Wildlife properties, three of which are in the target area for the restoration of Coxen’s fig parrot
habitat at Pinbarren. This is part of the 20 Million Tree Project
2) A project to propagate 1000 native preferred food trees for Coxen’s fig parrot, including local
endemic species. This is part of the Australian Bird Environment Foundation Grant and the
tubestock will be offered to landholders neighbouring the range of the established site at Upper
Pinbarren Creek. This will expand the habitat available beyond the established areas and
promotes connectivity.
6.3.2 LFW & VCA Program
Noosa Council provides two levels of landholder-based participation in voluntary conservation. The base
level is the LFW Program, which is not legally binding. The VCA program allows the landholder to enter
into agreements that are legally binding for current and successive landholders as a nature refuge under
Queensland State Government NC Act (Lewis et al. 2007), or, in the case of protective covenants,
permanent protection under the Land Titles Act 1994. The agreement establishes legal protection, along
with binding obligations on the property owner to actively manage, the conservation values of the land
(Lewis et al. 2007) and Council provides financial incentives to the landholder to protect and enhance
their land.
6.3.3 Bushcare and Coastcare groups
The Bushcare Program within the Noosa Biosphere® is managed by Noosa Council and supported by
hundreds of volunteers and many community groups. The aim of the program is to build the capacity of
the local community to maintain and care for Noosa’s bushland reserves. Currently 18 bushland care
groups are registered in the Program.
Heritage Park
Heritage Park Bushland Reserve is a riparian corridor of
remnant vegetation in Noosa Parklands, Tewantin. It
provides an important linkage with surrounding National
Park and is habitat for a number of threatened species
including koalas, frogs and the Richmond Birdwing
Butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia). Attractive pathways
meander through the park providing visitors with
recreational and nature based experiences.
The Heritage Park Bushland Care Group has been actively involved in protecting and enhancing the
bushland reserve since 2003. The focus of the group has been to restore the natural habitat of the site
through weed control and revegetation. A number of nest boxes for birds, possums and gliders have
been placed in trees throughout the park and educational signage provides park visitors with
information on the parks outstanding natural values.
6.4 Co m mu n it y G ra n t P a r t ne rs hip s
Noosa Council and the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation® actively works with community
organisations to develop and implement biodiversity conservation and restoration projects. Recent
examples of such partnerships include the Richmond Birdwing Conservation Network and the Glossy
Black Conservancy. The Richmond Birdwing Conservation project is a joint Noosa Council project with
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7 Future Conservation Priorities
The existing conservation initiatives at a local level demonstrate that there is good momentum across
Noosa Shire for undertaking positive environmental programs and activities. Going forward, there is a
need for a clear direction and integrated strategy that builds on the information available and the on-going
programs of both Council and the community.
Drawing from the overall results of this study, and in particular the relevant conservation issues for council,
the key conservation priorities that are emerging for biodiversity in Noosa are:
• Protecting local and regional values. Noosa has a large and significant suite of biodiversity values
that are important both locally and beyond. Many of these contribute to regional biodiversity
values across SEQ. All require and deserve protection.
• Building resilient ecosystems. Our climate is changing and the key way to mitigate risk and build
adaptive capacity is through having strongly resilient ecosystems.
• Maintaining and enhancing connectivity. Land clearing has resulted in fragmented landscapes
that are vulnerable to a suite of threats. Rebuilding connectivity will facilitate movement both at
a genetic level to the ecosystem level within and beyond Noosa Shire.
• Working together. Biodiversity conservation is everyone’s responsibility and together, we can
achieve great outcomes.
Utilising these key conservation priorities to develop conservation actions will ensure an effective and
targeted approach to future conservation management across the Noosa Shire.
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report References Allison, N.L. Bindoff, R.A. Bindschadler, P.M. Cox, N. de Noblet, M.H. England, J.E. Francis, N. Gruber, A.M. Haywood, D.J. Karoly, G. Kaser, C. Le Quéré, T.M. Lenton, M.E. Mann, B.I. McNeil, A.J. Pitman, S. Rahmstorf, E. Rignot, H.J. Schellnhuber, S.H. Schneider, S.C. Sherwood, R.C.J. Somerville, K. Steffen, E.J. Steig, M. Visbeck, A.J. (2009). The Copenhagen Diagnosis: Updating the World on the Latest Climate Science, Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC), Sydney, Australia. Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) (2016). Datasets, available from: http://www.ala.org.au/ AEC Group (2015). Community Profile, Noosa Shire Council – Final Report, available from: http://www.noosa.qld.gov.au/documents/40217326/40227843/AEC%20- %20Noosa%20Community%20Profile.pdf Barry, S.J. & G.T. Thomas (1994). Threatened Vascular Rainforest Plants of South-east Queensland: A Conservation Review. Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage. BirdLife International (2010). Datasets. Available on http://www.birdlife.org/ Brown, E. (2000). Cooloola Coast: Noosa to Fraser Island The Aboriginal and Settler’s Histories of a Unique Environment. University of Queensland Press: St. Lucia, QLD. Burrows, D. (2003). Vegetation of Noosa Shire – Edition 2. Prepared for Noosa Shire Council. Cato, N. (1979). The Noosa Story. The Jacaranda Press, Hong Kong. Clifton, I., Ellis, W., Melzer, A., Tucker, G. (2007). Water turnover and the northern range of the koala. Australian Mammalogy, vol.29, pp.85-88. Coxen's Fig-Parrot Recovery Team (2001). Coxen's fig-parrot Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni recovery plan 2001-2005. Report to Environment Australia, Canberra. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Brisbane. CSIRO (2015). Climate Change in Australia: Projections for NRM regions, available from: http://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/climate-projections/future-climate/regional-climate- change-explorer/sub-clusters/?current=ECNC&popup=true&tooltip=true Davies, S.J. Salmon M. (1995). An Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment of the eastern Portion of the Maroochy Shire. Department of Anthropology and Sociology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) (2016). Noosa local government area — facts and maps, WetlandInfo, Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Queensland, viewed 26 July 2016, <http://wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/wetlands/facts-maps/lga-noosa/>. EHP (2015). Erosion Prone Areas. Available from: https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/coastal/development/assessment/erosion_prone_areas.html Department of the Environment (DoE) (2016a). Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of the Environment, Canberra. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat. © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 92
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report DoE (2016b). Prostanthera spathulata in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of the Environment, Canberra. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat. Department of the Environment and Energy (DoEE) (2016). Australian Wetlands Database, available from - http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/wetlands/ramsardetails.pl?refcode=51 Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWA) (2009a). Ecosystem Services: Key Concepts and Applications, Occasional Paper No 1, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra. DEWA (2009b). Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Thickets of Eastern Australia: A nationally threatened ecological community policy statement 3.9, DEWA, Canberra. Department of Natural Resources (DNR), (2000). Strategic Guide to Natural Resource Management in South East Queensland, Department of Natural Resources, Queensland. Department of Primary Industries (DPI) (1981). Noosa Shire Handbook: An inventory of the Agricultural Reosurces and Production of Noosa Shire, Queensland, DPI, Brisbane. Easterling, DR., Meehl, GA., Parmesan, C., Changnon, SA., Karl, TR., Mearns, LO. (2000). Climate extremes: observations, modelling and impacts, Science, vol. 289, pp.2068-2074. Ecotone Environmental Services Pty Ltd (2003). Fauna and Its Associated Biodiversity Values in Noosa Shire. Prepared for the Noosa Shire Council. Gilmore M. (2008). Climate Change in Queensland: What the Science Is Telling Us. Office of Climate Change, Brisbane. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC (2007). Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing Team, Pachauri RK and Reisinger A (eds.)]. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland. IUCN (2009). Koalas and Climate Change. Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org. Leslie, LM., Karoly, DJ., Leplastrier, M., Buckley, BW. (2007). Variability of tropical cyclones over the southwest Pacific Ocean using high resolution climate model. Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics, vol.97, pp 171-180. Lewis I, Haslam T, Poole S, Fleming R, McMullen B and Nagle K. (2007). Noosa Biosphere Reserve Nomination: UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program. Prepared by the Noosa Council. Low T. (2011). Climate Change and Queensland Biodiversity. Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM), Queensland Government, Brisbane. Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee (MRCC) (2014). Annual Report. Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee (MRCC), (2000), Mary River and Tributaries Rehabilitation Plan, available from: http://mrccc.org.au/other/ Mackenzie J, Duke NC, Wood A & Burrows D (2012). MangroveWatch Noosa River – Baseline Data Report. MangroveWatch Science Hub, TropWATER, James Cook University, Townsville. © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 93
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Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report Meyer, E., Hero, J-M., Shoo, L. and Lewis, B. (2006). ‘National recovery plan for the wallum sedgefrog and other wallum-dependent frog species’. Report to Department of the Environment and Water Resources, Canberra. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service: Brisbane. Moss, P. (2014). A Peaty Archive: The patterned fens of the Great Sandy region. Wildlife Australia Vol. 51 (2): 20-23. Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (2010). Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010 – 2030. Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations and Community, Canberra. Noosa Biosphere Limited (2014). Noosa Biosphere Limited: Engagement, Community and Good Governance. Fact sheet available at: http://noosabiosphere.org.au/index.htm Noosa Biosphere (2012). Draft Noosa Climate Action Plan. Prepared in collaboration with SEQ Catchments and the University of the Sunshine Coast. Noosa Council (2016). Noosa Shire Draft Koala Conservation Plan, Noosa Council, Tewantin. Noosa Council (2015a). Climate Change. Available at: http://www.noosa.qld.gov.au/climate-change Noosa Council (2015b). Noosa Local Government Area Pest Management Plan 2015 - 2019. Available at: http://www.noosa.qld.gov.au/documents/40217326/40227890/Pest%20Management%20Plan Noosa Council (2004). The Noosa River Plan. Prepared in collaboration with DPI, NDRM, EPA and QT/MSQ. Noosa National Park Management Plan (1999). Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Brisbane. Rowland, J. (2013). Wallum sedgefrog, Litoria olongburensis. Targeted species survey guidelines. Queensland Herbarium, Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation, Brisbane. SEQ Catchments (2016). Saltmarsh for Life: ArcGIS – Saltmarsh. Available at: https://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=1dc5c95065e5450eba17a5a15e569ada& extent=151.9528,-28.1974,154.6445,-26.2806 SEQ Waterways (2016). Report Card Condition Summary. Available at: http://healthywaterways.org/reportcard#/overview/condition Accessed Jan 2016 Shields, P. (1995). Geology and soils of the Noosa Shire. Prepared for the Noosa Shire Council. Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) (2010) Sunshine Coast Climate Change and Peak Oil Strategy 2010- 2020. Available at: https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Council/Planning-and-Projects/Council- Strategies/Sunshine-Coast-Climate-Change-and-Peak-Oil-Strategy Steffen W, Burbidge AA, Hughes L, Kitching R, Lindenmayer D, Musgrave W, Smith MS, Werner PA. (2009). Australia's Biodiversity and Climate Change: a strategic assessment of the vulnerability of Australia's biodiversity to climate change. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne. Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC), (2013). Commonwealth Conservation Advice for Subtropical and Temperate Coastal Saltmarsh, Department of the Environment, Canberra. TSSC (2011). Commonwealth Listing Advice on Lowland Rainforest of Subtropical Australia, Department of the Environment, Canberra. © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 94
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Appendix A Noosa BVG & RE conservation statuses
1 = BVG description 5M; 2 = BVG description 1M; 3 = Least Concern (LC) REs <150ha extent in Noosa, LC REs <30% pre-clear extent remains in Noosa and
12.2.15a; 4 = <4% of pre-clear extent within protected reserves
VM BD TEC Regionally Under
Vegetation BVG
RE Description Class Status Significant Represented
Type1 2
3 4
Rainforest / 2a 12.11.10 Notophyll vine forest +/- Araucaria cunninghamii on metamorphics
L NC Lowland
scrubs +/- interbedded volcanics.
12.12.16 Notophyll vine forest on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks. L NC Lowland
3a 12.2.3 Araucarian microphyll/notophyll vine forest. Backhousia myrtifolia
common in understorey on Fraser Island and Cooloola and forms OC OC × - ×
low canopy in places. Occurs on parabolic dunes.
4a 12.2.1 Notophyll vine forest on parabolic high dunes. OC OC × - ×
12.11.1 Simple notophyll vine forest often with abundant Archontophoenix
cunninghamiana (gully vine forest) on metamorphics +/- L NC Lowland
interbedded volcanics.
12.12.1 Simple notophyll vine forest usually with abundant Archontophoenix
cunninghamiana (gully vine forest) on Mesozoic to Proterozoic OC OC Lowland - ×
igneous rocks.
4b 12.3.1 Gallery rainforest (notophyll vine forest) on alluvial plains. E E Lowland - ×
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VM BD TEC Regionally Under
Vegetation BVG
RE Description Class Status Significant Represented
Type1 2
3 4
5a 12.5.13a Microphyll to notophyll vine forest +/- Araucaria cunninghamii.
Characteristic species include Araucaria cunninghamii,
Cupaniopsis parvifolia, Dendrocnide photinophylla, Rhodosphaera
rhodanthema, Flindersia australis, F. schottiana, F. xanthoxyla,
Drypetes deplanchei, Olea paniculata, Diospyros geminata, Gossia E E Lowland - ×
bidwillii, Excoecaria dallachyana and Vitex lignum-vitae.
Argyrodendron trifoliolatum sometimes present especially in
subregion 6. Occurs on remnant Tertiary surfaces especially
lateritised basalt.
12.8.13 Araucarian complex microphyll vine forest on Cainozoic igneous
OC OC Lowland - ×
rocks.
12.9-10.16 Araucarian microphyll to notophyll vine forest on Cainozoic and
OC E × - ×
Mesozoic sediments.
Wet 8a 12.3.2 Eucalyptus grandis tall open forest on alluvial plains. OC OC × - ×
Eucalypt
12.8.9 Lophostemon confertus open forest on Cainozoic igneous rocks. L OC × ×
open forests
12.9-10.1 Tall open forest often with Eucalyptus resinifera, E. grandis, E.
OC OC × - ×
robusta, Corymbia intermedia on sedimentary rocks. Coastal.
12.11.2 Eucalyptus saligna subsp. saligna or E. grandis, E. microcorys,
Lophostemon confertus tall open forest on metamorphics +/- L NC ×
interbedded volcanics.
12.11.16x Eucalyptus cloeziana +/- E. propinqua, E. acmenoides, E.
1 microcorys and E. grandis tall open forest. Occurs on Cainozoic E E × - ×
and Mesozoic sediments.
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VM BD TEC Regionally Under
Vegetation BVG
RE Description Class Status Significant Represented
Type1 2
3 4
12.12.15a Eucalyptus grandis and/or E. saligna tall open forest +/- vine forest
understorey. Other canopy species include E. microcorys, E.
acmenoides, Lophostemon confertus, E. siderophloia, E. L NC × × ×
propinqua, Corymbia intermedia. Occurs in wet gullies on Mesozoic
to Proterozoic igneous rocks.
8b 12.2.8 Eucalyptus pilularis, E. microcorys, E. resinifera and Syncarpia hillii
L NC × × ×
open forest. Occurs on parabolic high dunes.
12.5.6c Eucalyptus pilularis open forest +/- E. siderophloia, E. propinqua,
Corymbia intermedia, E. microcorys, E. acmenoides, E. tereticornis,
E. biturbinata, Lophostemon confertus with E. saligna, E. E E × - ×
montivaga at higher altitudes. Occurs on remnant Tertiary surfaces.
Usually deep red soils.
12.9-10.14 Eucalyptus pilularis tall open forest on sedimentary rocks. L NC × × ×
12.11.16 Eucalyptus cloeziana +/- E. propinqua, E. acmenoides, E.
microcorys and E. grandis open forest. Understory is generally
shrubby +/- vine forest species. Occurs on Palaeozoic and older E E × - ×
moderately to strongly deformed and metamorphosed sediments
and interbedded volcanics, especially phyllite of the Kin Kin Beds.
12.12.2 Eucalyptus pilularis tall open forest on Mesozoic to Proterozoic
L NC × × ×
igneous rocks especially granite.
Eucalypt 9a 12.5.6a Eucalyptus saligna subsp. saligna or E. grandis open forest, often
woodlands with vine forest understorey. Occurs on remnant Tertiary surfaces. E E × - ×
Usually deep red soils.
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VM BD TEC Regionally Under
Vegetation BVG
RE Description Class Status Significant Represented
Type1 2
3 4
12.9-10.17 Eucalyptus acmenoides, E. major, E. siderophloia +/- Corymbia
L NC × × ×
citriodora subsp. variegata woodland on sedimentary rocks.
12.11.3 Eucalyptus siderophloia, E. propinqua +/- E. microcorys,
Lophostemon confertus, Corymbia intermedia, E. acmenoides open L NC × × ×
forest on metamorphics +/- interbedded volcanics.
12.12.15 Corymbia intermedia +/- Eucalyptus propinqua, E. siderophloia, E.
microcorys, Lophostemon confertus open forest on Mesozoic to L NC × ×
Proterozoic igneous rocks.
9f 12.2.5 Corymbia intermedia +/- Lophostemon confertus +/- Banksia spp.
+/- Callitris columellaris open forest on beach ridges usually in L OC × × ×
southern half of bioregion.
9g 12.2.6 Eucalyptus racemosa subsp. racemosa, Corymbia intermedia, C.
gummifera, Angophora leiocarpa and E. pilularis shrubby or grassy
L NC × × ×
woodland to open forest. Occurs on Quaternary coastal dunes and
beaches. Dunes with deeply leached soils.
12.3.14a Eucalyptus racemosa subsp. racemosa woodland to open forest.
Other canopy species may include Corymbia intermedia, C.
gummifera, Eucalyptus latisinensis, E. tindaliae and Melaleuca OC OC × - ×
quinquenervia. Occurs on Quaternary alluvial plains in near coastal
areas.
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VM BD TEC Regionally Under
Vegetation BVG
RE Description Class Status Significant Represented
Type1 2
3 4
12.5.2a Corymbia intermedia, Eucalyptus tereticornis woodland. Other
species can include Lophostemon suaveolens, Angophora
leiocarpa, Eucalyptus acmenoides or E. portuensis, E. siderophloia
or E. crebra, Corymbia tessellaris and Melaleuca quinquenervia
E E × - ×
(lower slopes). Eucalyptus exserta is usually present in northern
parts of bioregion. Occurs on complex of remnant Tertiary surfaces
+/- Cainozoic and Mesozoic sediments usually in coastal areas with
deep red soils.
12.5.3 Eucalyptus racemosa subsp. racemosa woodland on remnant
E E × - ×
Tertiary surfaces.
12.5.4 Eucalyptus latisinensis +/- Corymbia intermedia, C. trachyphloia
subsp. trachyphloia, Angophora leiocarpa, Eucalyptus exserta
L NC ×
woodland on complex of remnant Tertiary surfaces and Cainozoic
and Mesozoic sediments.
12.5.12 Eucalyptus racemosa subsp. racemosa, E. latisinensis +/-
Corymbia gummifera, C. intermedia, E. bancroftii woodland with OC OC × - ×
heathy understorey on remnant Tertiary surfaces.
12.8.25 Open forest with Eucalyptus acmenoides or E. helidonica on
OC OC × - ×
Cainozoic igneous rocks especially trachyte.
12.9-10.4 Eucalyptus racemosa subsp. racemosa woodland on sedimentary
L NC × × ×
rocks.
12.11.9 Eucalyptus tereticornis open forest on metamorphics +/-
OC OC × - ×
interbedded volcanics. Usually higher altitudes.
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VM BD TEC Regionally Under
Vegetation BVG
RE Description Class Status Significant Represented
Type1 2
3 4
12.12.12 Eucalyptus tereticornis, Corymbia intermedia, E. crebra +/-
Lophostemon suaveolens woodland on Mesozoic to Proterozoic OC OC × - ×
igneous rocks.
12.12.14 Eucalyptus racemosa subsp. racemosa +/- Lophostemon confertus,
Syncarpia glomulifera, Eucalyptus acmenoides woodland usually
OC OC × - ×
on rocky near coastal areas on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous
rocks.
9h 12.8.20 Shrubby woodland with Eucalyptus racemosa subsp. racemosa or
OC OC × - ×
E. dura on Cainozoic igneous rocks.
10b 12.8.24 Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata open forest on Cainozoic
E E × - ×
igneous rocks especially trachyte.
12.11.5e Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata woodland usually including
Eucalyptus siderophloia or E. crebra (sub coastal ranges), E.
propinqua and E. acmenoides or E. carnea. Lophostemon
confertus often present in gullies and as a sub-canopy or
L NC × × ×
understorey tree. Mixed understorey of grasses, shrubs and ferns.
Occurs on hills and ranges of Palaeozoic and older moderately to
strongly deformed and metamorphosed sediments and interbedded
volcanics.
12.12.3 Open forest complex with Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata,
Eucalyptus siderophloia or E. crebra or E. decolor, E. major and/or
L OC × ×
E. longirostrata, E. acmenoides or E. portuensis on Mesozoic to
Proterozoic igneous rocks.
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VM BD TEC Regionally Under
Vegetation BVG
RE Description Class Status Significant Represented
Type1 2
3 4
11a 12.8.14 Eucalyptus eugenioides, E. biturbinata, E. melliodora +/- E.
tereticornis, Corymbia intermedia woodland on Cainozoic igneous L NC × × ×
rocks.
12a 12.9-10.7a Eucalyptus siderophloia, Corymbia intermedia +/- E. tereticornis
and Lophostemon confertus open forest. Occurs on Cainozoic and OC OC × - ×
Mesozoic sediments in near coastal areas.
13c 12.9-10.7 Eucalyptus crebra +/- E. tereticornis, Corymbia tessellaris,
Angophora leiocarpa, E. melanophloia woodland. Occurs on OC OC × - ×
Cainozoic and Mesozoic sediments.
Eucalypt 16c 12.3.11 Eucalyptus tereticornis +/- Eucalyptus siderophloia, Corymbia
OC OC × - ×
woodlands intermedia open forest on alluvial plains usually near coast.
on
16d 12.3.7b Riverine wetland or fringing riverine wetland. Naturally occurring
floodplains
instream waterholes and lagoons, both permanent and intermittent.
L NC ×
Includes exposed stream bed and bars. Occurs in the bed of active
(may be intermittent) river channels.
Melaleuca 22a 12.2.7 Melaleuca quinquenervia or rarely M. dealbata open forest on sand
L OC × × ×
woodlands plains.
12.3.4 Melaleuca quinquenervia, Eucalyptus robusta woodland on coastal
OC OC × - ×
alluvium.
12.3.5 Melaleuca quinquenervia open forest on coastal alluvium. L OC × × ×
12.3.6 Melaleuca quinquenervia +/- Eucalyptus tereticornis, Lophostemon
L NC × ×
suaveolens open forest on coastal alluvial plains.
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VM BD TEC Regionally Under
Vegetation BVG
RE Description Class Status Significant Represented
Type1 2
3 4
Heaths and 28a 12.1.1 Casuarina glauca woodland on margins of marine clay plains. OC E × - ×
other
12.2.14 Strand and fore dune complex comprising Spinifex sericeus
coastal
grassland Casuarina equisetifolia subsp. incana woodland/open
communitie
forest and with Acacia leiocalyx, A. disparrima subsp. disparrima,
s
Banksia integrifolia subsp. integrifolia, Pandanus tectorius, L NC × × ×
Corymbia tessellaris, Cupaniopsis anacardioides, Acronychia
imperforata. Occurs mostly on frontal dunes and beaches but can
occur on exposed parts of dunes further inland.
28d 12.2.16 Sand blows largely devoid of vegetation. Sand blows on large sand
OC OC × - ×
islands.
29a 12.2.9 Banksia aemula low open woodland. Mallee eucalypts sometimes
present, e.g. Eucalyptus latisinensis. Occurs on Quaternary coastal L NC × × ×
dunes and sandplains with deeply leached soils.
12.2.12 Closed heath on seasonally waterlogged sand plains. L NC × ×
12.2.13 Open or dry heath. Characteristic shrubs include stunted Banksia
aemula and Allocasuarina littoralis as well as Xanthorrhoea
johnsonii, Leptospermum semibaccatum, Phebalium woombye, OC E × - ×
Dillwynia retorta and Caustis recurvata. Usually occurs on
Pleistocene dunes and beach ridges.
12.3.13 Closed heathland on seasonally waterlogged alluvial plains usually
L OC × × ×
near coast.
12.3.14 Banksia aemula low woodland on alluvial plains usually near coast. OC OC × - ×
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VM BD TEC Regionally Under
Vegetation BVG
RE Description Class Status Significant Represented
Type1 2
3 4
12.5.9 Sedgeland to heathland in low lying areas on complex of remnant
OC OC × - ×
Tertiary surface and Tertiary sedimentary rocks.
12.5.10 Eucalyptus latisinensis and/or Banksia aemula low open woodland
+/- Corymbia trachyphloia subsp. trachyphloia. Diverse understorey
L NC × ×
of heath species. Occurs on complex of remnant Tertiary surfaces
and Tertiary sedimentary rocks.
12.12.19 Vegetation complex of rocky headlands on Mesozoic to Proterozoic
OC OC × - ×
igneous rocks.
29b 12.8.19 Heath and rock pavement with scattered shrubs or open woodland.
OC OC × - ×
Occurs on Cainozoic igneous rocks especially rhyolite and trachyte.
Wetlands 34a 12.2.15a Lacustrine wetland (e.g. lake). Permanent and semi-permanent
window lakes. Occurs as a window into the water table on
Quaternary coastal dunes and beaches. Low part of coastal L NC ×
landscape where water collects from both overland flow and
infiltration from adjoining sand dunes.
34c 12.2.15 Gahnia sieberiana, Empodisma minus, Gleichenia spp. closed
L NC × × ×
sedgeland in coastal swamps.
34f 12.9-10.22 Closed sedgeland/shrubland on sedimentary rocks. Coastal parts. OC OC × - ×
Mangroves 35a 12.1.3 Mangrove shrubland to low closed forest on marine clay plains and
L NC × × ×
& estuaries.
saltmarshes
35b 12.1.2 Saltpan vegetation including grassland, herbland and sedgeland on
L NC Saltmarsh
marine clay plains.
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Appendix B Significant fauna and BVG associations
1 = Critically Endangered (CE); Endangered (E); Vulnerable (V); Near Threatened (NT); Regionally Significant in SEQ (Re); Locally Significant in Noosa (L); 2 = Restricted Distribution (RD); Northern Distribution Limit (NDL); Southern
Distribution Limit (SDL); Vulnerable to Disturbance (VDIS); 3 = BVG description 1M
BVGs3
Common Scientific Status
Justification2 Habitat Description
10b
16d
28d
29b
35b
11a
12a
13c
16c
22a
28a
29a
34a
34c
35a
34f
4b
8b
9g
9h
1
2a
3a
4a
5a
8a
9a
Name Name
9f
Amphibians
Adelotus Rainforest, wet to dry forest, farmland,
V NC Act x x x x x x x x x
Tusked Frog brevis woodland, vine forest
Wallum Crinia tinnula Swamps, heathland, flooded roadside
V NC Act x x x x x
Froglet ditches
Great Barred Mixophyes Rainforest, wet sclerophyll, riparian,
Re VDIS, RD x x x x x x x x x
Frog fasciolatus farmland
Green-thighed Litoria Wet sclerophyll, melaleuca swamps, open
Re Rare x x x x x x x x x
Frog brevipalmata woodlands, some disturbed areas
Cooloola Litoria Coastal: melaleuca woodlands, perched
NT NC Act x x x x x
Sedgefrog cooloolensis lakes, wallum swamp, dune creeks
Bleating Litoria dentata Swamps and woodlands, esp. wet
L NDL x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Treefrog sclerophyll, farms
Wallum Litoria Coastal: melaleuca woodlands, perched
V NC Act x x x x
Rocketfrog freycineti lakes, swamps, dune creeks
Wallum Litoria EPBC Act, NC Lowland sandy swamps, creeks and lakes
V x x x x
Sedgefrog olongburensis Act of wallum
Laughing Litoria tyleri
L NDL Coastal forest, mid-upland forest, farmland x x x x x x x x x
Treefrog
Red-eyed Litoria rothii
L NDL Forest, woodland, rural land, suburbs x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Treefrog
Stony-creek Litoria wilcoxii Rocky streams in rainforest or wet
Re RD/NDL x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Frog sclerophyll
Cascade Tree Litoria In or adjacent to rainforest and wet
V NC Act x x x x x
Frog pearsoniana sclerophyll forest
Whistling Litoria Woodland, forest, grassland, heath,
L NDL / RD x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Treefrog verreauxii disturbed areas
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BVGs3
Common Scientific Status
Justification2 Habitat Description
10b
16d
28d
29b
35b
11a
12a
13c
16c
22a
28a
29a
34a
34c
35a
34f
4b
8b
9g
9h
1
2a
3a
4a
5a
8a
9a
Name Name
9f
Giant barred Mixophyes EPBC Act, NC Riparian in wet sclerophyll & rainforest
E x x x x x x x x x
frog iteratus Act along coast and ranges
Reptiles
Acanthophis
NC Act Many x x x x x x x x x
Death Adder antarcticus V
Clouded Amalosia
Endemic to SEQ Dry eucalypt forest x x x x x x x
Gecko jacovae Re
Proximus Anilios
Endemic Well-timbered habitats x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Blind Snake proximus Re
Bellatorias
RD Forests, heaths x x x x x x x x x x
Major Skink frerei Re
Bellatorias
NDL / RD Rainforests and adj. wet sclerophyll forests x x x x x
Land Mullet major Re
Burrowing Calyptotis
Endemic / RD Rainforest, wet & dry sclerophyll, heath x x x x x x x x x
Skink lepidorostrum Re
Chlamydosaur
SDL / RD, VDIS Woodlands x x x x x x x x x x
Frilled Lizard us kingii Re
Three-toed Coeranoscinc
Snake-tooth us reticulatus EPBC Act Wet forests and sandy heathlands x x x x x x x x x
Skink V
Arcane Striped Ctenotus Montane forests, heathlands and swamps
Endemic / RD x x x x x x x x x x x x
Skink arcanus Re of SEQ
Leaden Delma Delma plebia Re VDIS Heath, dry coastal forest, disturbed areas x x x x x x x x x x
Collared Delma Dry eucalypt woodlands on stony soils or
NC Act x x x x x x x x x x
Delma torquata V rocky ridges
Southern Elseya Permanent flowing water habitats where
EPBC Act & NC
Snapping albagula there are suitable shelters and refuges N/A
Act
Turtle CE (e.g. fallen trees)
Mary River Elusor EPBC Act & NC Areas of clear, slow moving water within
N/A
Turtle macrurus E Act the Mary River and tributaries
Eroticoscincus Wet lowland forests from Fraser Island to
Rare x x x x x
Elf Skink graciloides Re Ipswich area
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