RFI - Ecological Assessment Report

Ecological Assessment Report
3 - 7 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads

of Allocasuarina and Casuarina species and are found in woodland dominated by
Allocasuarina / Casuarina and in open forests where they form a substantial middle layer.
They feed almost exclusively on the seeds of these trees. Glossy Black Cockatoos are
often confined to remnant Allocasuarina patches surrounded by cleared farmlands and
have preferred trees that they will re-visit for foraging. They require tree hollows for
breeding. Allocasuarina littoralis (Black She‐oak) is one of the dominant species present on
site. Therefore, we consider the habitat to be potential Glossy Black Cockatoo habitat.

Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus): Endangered under the NC Act. Koalas inhabit a range of
temperate, sub-tropical and tropical forest, woodland and semi-arid communities
dominated by species from the genus Eucalyptus. The regional ecosystem comprising the
site (12.2.5) is known to provide suitable habitat for the koala. The site is dominated by
eucalypts including several large, well-established trees comprised of dominant species
Corymbia intermedia, Eucalyptus tereticornis, and Lophostemon confertus. In addition, the
Koala has been detected (93 sightings) within 3 km of the site since 1980 according to the
WildNet searches. Therefore, we consider the vegetation on site to provide potential
habitat for the Koala.

FIELD INVESTIGATIONS

The results of the Koala survey conducted by OWAD Environment indicated that no
naturally occurring Koala scats and no live Koala were detected during the survey. Based
on these results, OWAD Environment has stated that the site does not currently form part
of the home range of any individual Koala, nor has it been recently used by Koalas. Refer
to Appendix 5 for a full description of the survey findings and interpretation by OWAD
Environment. Additionally, no direct evidence of koala use (scat, sightings, Koala
scratches) was observed on site during botanical survey and tree survey.

The results of the targeted survey for the Glossy Black Cockatoo indicated that no
evidence of the species was observed within the site. Only a small number of substantial
hollows in established eucalypt trees were observed on site. All Allocasuarina cones were
intact providing no evidence the species had recently utilised these trees for feeding.
Based on these results, it is unlikely that the site is currently occupied by the species or
used for foraging. In addition, a significant number of Glossy Black Cockatoo feed trees
(Allocasuarina littorialis) were observed as dead or dying, due to natural causes.

Opportunistic field observations identified a total of eight (8) species, all of which were
ubiquitous urban-adapted species. Appendix 8 contains a list of all fauna species observed
on the site.

In addition to direct observations of fauna, habitat features and/or evidence of use of the
site by fauna were also observed, including:

   ● Two (2) large habitat trees containing hollows;
   ● Course woody debris;
   ● Ground hollow;
   ● Arboreal termitaria;
   ● Fauna scratches on trees; and,



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