Attachment 3 - Koala Impact Assesssment

recently been mapped as core koala habitat. It lies outside of a Koala Priority
Area.
With Eucalyptus robusta, a known koala food tree, common across the subject
site, its value to koalas lies in both food and shelter resources. However,
encroachment of weeds, particularly frangipani vine (Chonemorpha fragrans)
threatens the habitat quality for koalas, strangling the canopy and hindering on -
ground movement of koalas.
The site is mapped as Melaleuca dominated palustrine wetlands (seasonally
inundated open forests and woodlands) joining Eucalyptus open forest to the
north along Noosa Drive and heathlands and associated scrubs behind the
current RACV resort site. The potential connections (with respect to koala
habitat) are narrow beyond the site boundaries to the north and south,
consistent with the regulated vegetation mapping, indicating a narrow band of
appropriate vegetation extending north, with some southern connection to
Leslie Park and Weyba Bridge Park, fringing the mangrove and heathlands. As
a result, the site forms part of a bisected patch of habitat that could provide
refuge for in-transit koalas moving between the larger patches associated with
Noosa National Park to the north and bushland to the south of Eenie Creek Rd
(Figure 1).
The tenuous links notwithstanding, the management of patches of habitat such
as this site are vital for the persistence of koalas around Noosa. If this site
continues to degrade because of tree death caused by engulfing vines, the
north-south avenue for movement of koalas will be further diminished or lost. A
careful approach to the development of the site, however, could ensure the
quality and quantum of koala habitat is improved.
Acting together, the subject site, council reserve and Leslie Park (across the
busy Noosa Drive) constitute a significant node of koala habitat for the local
area.




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                     Lot 3 on SP 126203 Report prepared for Aspect Architects June 2022