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

                                                 Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report




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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