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

                                                 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).




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