2018-08-07 P&E Agenda - Attachment 1 to Item 3 - Noosa Biosphere Reserve 10 Year Periodic Review

                                                               Noosa Biosphere Reserve - Periodic Review 2018




Increasing species:

It is also noted that some species are becoming more common in urban areas where there is greater
food security. Some bird species in particular are now more common:
•       Rainbow Lorikeet [Trichoglossus moluccanus]
•       Masked Lapwing Plover [Vanellus miles]
•       Australian Magpie [Cracticus tibicen]
•       Butcherbird [Cracticus sp.]
•       Magpie Lark [Grallina cyanoleuca]
•       Scrub Turkeys [Alectura lathami]
•       Noisy Miners [Manorina melanocephala]

Some arboreal species are also more common in urban areas:
•    Brush-tailed Possum [Trichosurus vulpecula]
•    Ringtail Possum [Pseudocheirus peregrinus].

4.2   Conservation programs over past 10 years

The following list sets out the main agencies, tools and programs that have supported conservation in
the NBR over the past decade:

Local government activities:

The Noosa Plan

The 2006 Noosa Plan identifies the appropriate use of land across the shire and protects high
biodiversity areas from development. Strict controls apply to ecologically significant areas such as
remnant vegetation and riparian corridors along waterways.

Noosa Biodiversity Assessment Report (NBAR)

This environmental assessment is one of the most important studies that identified the biodiversity
values of the Shire, to help inform the review of the Noosa Plan. The assessment provides the basis for
the biodiversity overlay which limits development in areas of ecological significance in the NBR.

Pest Management program

Guided by the NSC’s Pest Management Plan 2015-2019, the program focuses on the management of
priority pest species such as feral deer, foxes, wild dogs and pigs. These activities are undertaken by
the Queensland Government, the NSC, private landholders and volunteers. Declared pest plants such
as Groundsel [Baccharis halimifolia] and Giant Rat’s Tail [Sporobolus pyramidalus and natalensis]
continue to be contained and reduced as required by Council and landholders. In addition, many other
weed eradication activities are undertaken on private land by landholders, and by volunteer bush carers
on council reserves.

Threatened species management

Noosa is known as a hotspot for Glossy-black Cockatoos. The Glossy-black Cockatoo is listed as a
‘Vulnerable’ species. Every year, volunteers undertake a survey to determine the distribution and
abundance of local populations. Koalas are also listed as Vulnerable. Council and environment groups
are refocusing their efforts to conserve koalas and their habitat in rural areas where there are fewer
risks such as car strike and dog attack.

Community Environmental Partnership Programs

Council works with the community to support conservation efforts on public and private land. The
Bushcare Program has up to 300 volunteers who are involved with conservation efforts in parks and
reserves. The Land for Wildlife Program has a strong membership of over 600 individual landholders
with an interest in the ecological restoration of their land. Some of these landholders have voluntarily
placed a protective vegetation covenant on their land to ensure that vegetation is protected forever.


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