Ecological Assessment Report

                                                                            Ecological Assessment Report




4     Ecological Values Assessment
4.1 Ground-truthed Vegetation Communities

The site assessment determined that the proposed development site supports four (4) vegetation
communities, as outlined below.


4.1.1 Vegetation Community 1: Cleared grassland

Vegetation within this community consists of cleared grassland. This northern cleared grassland area
used to be vegetated but was cleared by the previous property owner. This community is mapped as
Category B remnant vegetation, regional ecosystem 12.3.2, under the DOR mapping. The proposed
dwelling and required bushfire management buffers are to be located entirely within this northern cleared
grassland area.




                                       Plate 1: Cleared grassland

4.1.2 Vegetation Community 2: Eucalypt forest with rainforest understorey

Vegetation within this community consists of a remnant eucalypt forest. Species present include pink
bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia), Queensland blue gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), grey ironbark
(Eucalyptus siderophloia), brush box (Lophostemon confertus) and swamp box (Lophostemon
suaveolens). The midstory consists of rainforest species such cabbage palm (Livistona australis),
umbrella cheese tree (Glochidion sumatranum), cheese tree (Glochidion ferdinandi), native tamarind
(Diploglottis australis) red kamala (Mallotus philippensis), soap tree (Alphitonia excelsa) and juvenile
canopy species. This community has a low level of weed incursion. The site slope is roughly flat. Most
canopy trees are between 200-500mm DBH, although there are some larger trees scattered throughout.
Arboreal hollows are sparse. The canopy height is up to 25m with an estimated canopy cover of 80%.
This community is mapped as Category B (remnant) regional ecosystem 12.3.2 under the DOR




                                                 PR22098_EA_36 Riverpark Drive, Ringtail Creek   Page 18