RFI - Ecological Assessment Report

Ecological Assessment Report
3 - 7 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads

FIELD INVESTIGATIONS

This section provides an overview of the observed vegetation communities based on the
results of the botanical survey. Field investigations indicated that:

   ● Parts of the site contained vegetation that was generally consistent with remnant RE
       12.2.5, however, the configuration differed and the overall area was less than what is
       mapped on Figure 11; and,
   ● The remainder of the site comprised cleared / disturbed areas, which correspond to
       the existing development footprint (refer to Section 2.1).

The location and extent of these areas can be seen in Figure 18. Photographs of the
observed vegetation can be seen in Figure 19 and Figure 20.

Areas generally consistent with remnant RE 12.2.5, comprised closed forest (8 – 20 m) of
Corymbia intermedia, Callitris columellaris, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Lophostemon
confertus. Mid-storey vegetation included a sub-canopy of predominantly native species,
particularly, Banksia aemula, Allocasuarina littoralis, Acronychia imperforata, Acacia
disparrima, Ricinocarpos pinifolius and Monotoca sp. (Fraser Island). The vegetation
contained tall shrub (4 – 8 m) and low shrub (1 – 4 m) strata comprised predominantly of
native vegetation. Understorey vegetation contained a mix of native and exotic species,
with some areas dominated by exotic species where adjacent to disturbance (i.e., car
parks, roads, recent urban development).

Based on botanical and tree survey, the observed patch of RE 12.2.5 was found to contain
hollow-bearing trees and areas supporting coarse woody debris, which are important
habitat features for locally endemic fauna species (Refer to Section 4.5.2 for full results of
the fauna assessment). Additionally, a significant number of dead or dying trees were
observed, particularly Allocasuarina littoralis and Banksia aemula, due to natural causes.
Widespread evidence of insect herbivory was also observed. Of the 17 Koala and Glossy
Black Cockatoo habitat trees approved for retention (DBI Design Pty Ltd, Drawing No. L-
SD-2.02, Rev. A, August 2009), eight (8) Glossy Black Cockatoo habitat trees were no
longer existing / present on site and three (3) habitat trees were in poor condition.

Cleared areas of the site are currently used for a sales office, construction site offices and
amenities and construction car parks for adjacent development sites in Serenity Close. The
existing development footprint occupies over 30% of the site area (Figure 2 and Figure
18).

In terms of disturbance, the existing development footprint contains patches of scattered
native trees as individuals or in clumps. Environmental weeds and restricted invasive
species, such as Megathyrsus maximus var. maximus and Asparagus aethiopicus,
comprised an estimated 95% of the total understorey biomass in these disturbed areas.
Due to the degradation of areas within the existing development footprint and
disturbance surrounding the site (i.e., buildings, roads and public pathways), the patch of
observed RE 12.2.5 is subject to edge effects, including weed invasion. Weeds are most
prevalent along the interface between cleared / disturbed areas on site and downslope
towards the public pathway and riparian areas adjacent to the site. Due to the relatively



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