2018-08-07 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    7 AUGUST 2018


The vegetation proposed to be removed is a mix of ages, classes and the closed mature canopy
consists predominately of Melaleuca quinquenervia (Paperbarks) with occasional Eucalyptus
robusta (Swamp Mahoganies). The vegetation is mapped as non-remnant under the Vegetation
Management Act 1999, however the Noosa Plan identifies the vegetation as Environmental
Protection due to the presence of the waterway, the wetland vegetation and the habitat values it
supports.
A choked waterway drains through the site to the northeast from a culvert in Cooroy Noosa
Road. This waterway and the minor slope of the land gives rise to the wetland qualities evident
on site. The understory dominated by Gahnia clarkei (Sawsedge) and Blechnum indicum
(Bungwall) coupled with the Paperbarks, give rise to the classification of the site as a Palustrine
wetland. The applicant’s flora assessment states the Melaleuca wetland area exhibits the
characteristic structure and composition of Regional Ecosystem 12.3.5 – Palustrine wetland, with
tall Eucalypt emergents (Eucalyptus robusta and Corymbia intermedia) of significant height (20
metres) and girth (500 millimetres dbh) growing over a sub-canopy of Paperbark tea tree
(Melaleuca quinquenervia), Black she oak (Allocasuarina littoralis) and dense thickets of Tall saw
sedge (Gahnia clarkei), Bungwall (Blechnum indicum) and Harsh ground fern (Hypolepis
muelleri). During the flora survey, no threatened plant species were discovered. The important
wetland vegetation is generally contained to the area within the Q100 flood line and to the east of
the existing car park.
A fauna survey undertaken by the applicant did not identify Koalas as using the site despite the
presence of primary koala food trees. The survey concludes that the site may be used by
dispersing koalas occasionally, however due to the wetland nature and dense understory, it is
unlikely to be core habitat. Recent koala mapping by the University of the Sunshine Coast has
identified koalas as occurring adjacent to the site.
The fauna survey identifies that the Melaleuca wetland with sedge understorey is suitable
breeding habitat for Endangered, Vulnerable and Near Threatened (EVNT) listed Wallum frogs
(Crinia tinnula and Litoria freycineti), and the ponded water around the culverts is suitable
breeding habitat for Tusked frog (Adelotus brevis). However, no listed amphibians were found
during the fauna survey.
The fauna survey did identify Tenuibranchiurus glypticus (Swamp Crayfish) as occurring in the
wetland area of the site. The Swamp Crayfish is listed as an Endangered Species under the
Nature Conservation Act 1992 and internationally under the International Union for the
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
Little scientific knowledge exists regarding the lifecycle and habitat requirements of the Swamp
Crayfish however research has found the species presence is strongly associated with sedges
and dense understory. Its distribution is highly restricted, occurring only from Brisbane to the
Sunshine Coast. It can be distinguished from other species of crayfish in south east Queensland
by its narrow thorax and the vertical alignment of the fingers of the claws. It is often difficult to
detect as it burrows into the substrate in coastal wallum swamps and shallow drainage channels.
It is usually found among sedges rather than in open water. A large period of the year is spent
below ground in elaborate community burrows that may extend over 1.5 m below the surface.




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