2016-12-12 General Committee - Attachment 1 to Item 6 - Biodiversity Assessment Report

                                                Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report




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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