Attachment 3 - Regional Ecosystem Assessment

                                                                                       Native Foresters



4.0 METHODOLOGY
4.1      Desktop Assessment

Comprehensive desktop reviews of the ecological and vegetative attributes of the offset
areas were undertaken. The reviews consisted of searches of Local and State
Government planning instruments, mapping, and databases, as well as relevant academic
literature. Sources of information included:

            State-wide Regional ecosystem mapping and supporting information
             Queensland Government (des.qld.gov.au) or viewed online-
                 o Regulated Vegetation Management Map (DES, 2022)
                 o Pre-clear mapping
            Historical imagery- aerial photography
            QLD globe layers

All other relevant information relating to the offset receiving site was reviewed, where
available, including existing reports and relevant legislation. A field plan was devised
following desktop assessment to determine suitable locations for plot sites to survey the
vegetation.

4.2      Field Assessment

Field assessments were undertaken by qualified and experienced assessors. The Native
Foresters flora survey team consisted of: Pru McIntyre – lead botanist, Tim O’Reilly –
senior field botanist and Larissa Boundy – assistant field botanist. Field methods included
traversing OA’s by foot and accessing water-bound sites by kayak.

4.3      RE Kit Assessment Methodology

The Regional Ecosystem (RE) Assessment of the offset areas (OA) was undertaken
following the methods outlined in the Queensland Herbarium Regional Ecosystem
Assessment Kit Version 1.0, (DES, 2022) and in conjunction with the ‘Methodology for
surveying and mapping regional ecosystems and vegetation communities in Queensland’
(Neldner et al. 2022).

Remnant status was assessed by comparison of the vegetation condition against a local
remnant vegetation reference site, which DES (2022) states gives a more accurate
assessment of the vegetation due to the variation of structural and species characteristic
between regions within a single RE type.

Reference site benchmark data shown above in section 2.2.3 was obtained from table 2;
and Appendix 3 of the ORP report (NC, 2005) (Appendix A), which were originally
assessed in accordance with the Interim Policy for Vegetation Offset Management,
(Queensland Government, 2005) and in align with QLD Government RE Benchmark
values for South-east Queensland for Regional Ecosystems 12.3.1 (two reference sites),
12.3.2 and 12.3.11 as well as two regrowth sites.




Regional Ecosystem Assessment – Noosa Council Offset Site – Lake Macdonald Catchment                  12