Attachment 4 - Terrestrial Ecology Report_RACV_2022 June

4. FAUNA & HABITATS
4.1 Introduction
This section summarises the survey methodology, presents the results of the field survey and provides
consideration of listed species. The objectives of the site assessment were to:

     •    complete targeted searches for threatened and other fauna species known from the locality
          and considered possible occurrences based on previous assessments and site habitats; and
     •    assessment of habitats and resources for fauna.

4.2 Survey Effort
Site assessments were undertaken by one experienced ecologist over 10 days. Weather for the survey
period was generally fine with warm conditions and periods of precipitation prior to and during the
survey.

Fauna records for the assessment are collected from the following surveys:

     •    19 December 2018 (0.25 day x 1 ecologist)
     •    17 April 2019 (1 day x 2 ecologists) – habitat assessment (subject land and surrounds)
     •    26 April – 30 April 2019 (5 days/4 nights x 1 ecologist) – comprehensive fauna survey of subject
          land, surrounds and broader area
     •    14-16 May 2019 (2 days/2 nights x 1 ecologist) – supplementary survey - active searches,
          spotlighting, bat detector, tree survey
     •    20 August 2019 (1 day x 1 ecologist) – supplementary habitat and tree survey
     •    2-3 February 2022 (day/night x 1 ecologist) – supplementary survey (and a day in April to
          confirm tree survey)

Site assessment methodology consisted of an initial site inspection and assessment of habitats,
followed by a systematic survey, designed for the target species. Two systematic sites were
established to cover a range of habitats and distribution throughout the subject area (site and Council
land). At each systematic site the following equipment was deployed: medium-sized cage traps, large
and small Elliott traps, drift fence and buckets and funnel (folding) traps, hair traps, bat detector and
two camera stations. Supplementary sites were established in habitat considered suitable for target
survey. Active searches (diurnal and nocturnal), call-playback and spotlighting were completed over
the 10-day period. Bat call analysis was completed by Greg Ford (Australian bat expert, Balance
Environmental) and hair analysis by Barbara Triggs (hair and scat expert, Victoria).

A description of survey effort, trap locations and weather conditions are provided in ATTACHMENT E,
with effort summarised in the Table 5 below.

Survey effort 21 (and area) included the landscaped areas and woodlands associated with the existing
RACV resort, the path to the east (along Noosa Drive), the area along Weyba Esplanade and associated
bushland (i.e. south of the site) and the area west of Weyba Creek associated with mangroves,
woodlands and parkland. Note – the survey area extends well beyond the subject land.

On site accommodation (i.e. adjacent RACV) allowed for additional survey effort. Local knowledge
(i.e. J.Watson, author) 22 and discussions with Council representative (Conor Neville) in 2019 has also
been incorporated into the analysis and assessment of ecological values.



21 Active searches, habitat assessment and spotlighting.
22 Local knowledge from ecological experience in the locality, including Settlers Cove project (since about 2004) and

residence in the Noosa Heads area.
Terrestrial Ecology Assessment – RACV Noosa                                                                             20