2021-06-08 P&E Agenda - Item 6 - Attachment 1 - Noosa Bushland Reserve Strategic Management Plan 2021-2026

5. Pressures on the Bushland Reserve
   Network
5.1     Invasive Species
The Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2019 has identified invasive
species, a large number of which have their origin as
garden escapees, and management actions across the
Shire. Similar to other areas of SEQ, a large number of
invasive plants are threatening biodiversity values and the
bushland reserve network, with those reserves in peri-
urban/urban areas generally more impacted from escaped
garden plants.

This plan has prioritised a number of key invasive plant
species that are considered to be “transformer weeds”.
These species have the capacity to alter and dominate
native vegetation strata, whether it be Cats Claw Creeper
(Dolichandra unguis–cati) destroying the canopy of
mature rainforest or Singapore Daisy (Sphagneticola
trilobata) dominating the ground strata and preventing
recruitment and establishment of native plants.

Figure 11 lists transformer weeds and their impact
potential. This list was developed by an Internal
Stakeholder Group based on their long-term local
operational experience in the Noosa area.



                                                                    Figure 9- Cats Claw Creeper Vine is a high impact
                                                                    'transformer weed' present on several Council Reserves


                                                                Less visually obvious but equally as
                                                                damaging is the impact of pest animals on
                                                                native fauna populations, with listed species
                                                                such as Ground Parrots (Pezoporus
                                                                wallicus) being impacted by foxes and feral
                                                                cats. Similarly wild dog predation on Koalas
                                                                (Phascolarctos cinereus) is considered a
                                                                key threat to Koala populations in SE Qld.

Figure 10 - Singapore Daisy is existent in a large percentage
of Noosa's bushland reserves and has its local origin as a
garden escapee.




Noosa Bushland Reserves Strategic Management Plan 2021 – 2026                                            Page 19