RFI - Ecological Assessment Report

Ecological Assessment Report
3 - 7 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads


4.4 VEGETATION


4.4.1    METHODS


DESKTOP

A search of the Queensland DES Wildlife Online database was undertaken for threatened 7
plant species recorded within a 3 km radius of the site since 1980 (Appendix 3)
(Department of Environment and Science 2023).

FIELD INVESTIGATIONS

Botanical survey and assessment of threatening processes present were carried out on 20
April 2023 by two (2) tertiary-qualified ecologists according to tertiary and quaternary
methods described in Methodology for Survey and Mapping of Regional Ecosystems and
Vegetation Communities in Queensland (Neldner, Wilson et al. 2019). The assessment was
carried out generally in accordance with Noosa Council Planning Scheme Policy 3 -
Ecological assessment guidelines.

The purpose of the survey and assessment was to determine:

    ● The extent, type, diversity and integrity / condition of vegetation communities
        present;
    ● The presence of any threatened or conservation significant plant species;
    ● Regional Ecosystems; and,
    ● The presence of exotic species including weeds.

Where present, the actual extents (boundaries) of remnant vegetation communities were
identified using survey and/or GPS location for GIS rectification with existing vegetation
maps of the site.

Results of the botanical survey are described according to vegetation communities
(Vegetation Survey Units = VSUs) observed within the survey extent. Vegetation Survey
Units were established and classified on the basis of tertiary and quaternary methods
described in Neldner et al. (2019) and included such criteria as:

    ● Strata (canopy, mid-storey, shrub or understorey);
    ● Relative species abundance in observed strata (dominant, co-dominant, common or
        associated);
    ● Landform;
    ● Aspect;
    ● Geology; and,




7
 Extinct in the Wild (EX), Critically Endangered (CE), Endangered (E), Vulnerable (V) or Near Threatened (NT)
wildlife pursuant to the Nature Conservation (Plants) Regulation 2020 (Qld).



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