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

                                                Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report



      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.




  © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD                                                                        49