Caboolture to Corridor Study Final Impact Assessment and Land Use Transport Strategy

5.6.1.4 Income visitors escaping the colder areas to areas with a perceived warmer climate- tourists are City has marginally lower incomes than the more likely to travel to the area to take advantage State average, within nearly all the income ranges, with of the warmer climate in the warmer seasons. a higher proportion of households with a gross income of less than $20,000 as a whole. Visitors by QLD Interstate Overseas Origin (000s) (000s) (000s) In comparison with the State rates, Maroochy Shire has Caloundra 108 44 13 a high proportion of households with low and medium Maroochy 423 192 40 income levels. This lower than State average income Source: QTTC Queensland profile is evenly distributed across Maroochy Shire. The Median weekly personal income level in Maroochy According to the QTTC, the is Shire is $252.50, which is lower than the state average currently ranked fourth in total domestic visitor volume of $286. Median weekly person income for Caloundra in the 1996/97 period behind the Gold Coast, city is $229, which again is significantly lower than the and Tropical . State Median. The QTTC also summarises the methods of travel used 5.6.1.5 Vehicle Ownership by tourists when travelling to and within the Sunshine Coast. ‘Private and rented vehicles are the main type of transport utilised by visitors to the Sunshine Coast In 1995, approximately 92,000 vehicles were owned by region. In the 1996/97 period 77% of intrastate visitors households on the Sunshine Coast. The breakdown of travelled to the region by private vehicle and 2% by vehicle ownership is as follows: coach. 55% of interstate visitors arrived by private vehicle, 15% by rented vehicle and 9% by air. 44% of q 9% of households do not own a vehicle; international visitors arrived by rented vehicle, 28% by q 48% of households own one vehicle; coach and 6% by air.” q 31% of households own two vehicles; q 6% of households own three vehicles; and 5.6.2 Community Resources q 2% of households own four or more vehicles.

These figures are comparable with the State averages. 5.6.2.1 Introduction

Maroochydore and Caloundra South have a noticeably Community Resources have been defined in the 1996 higher proportion of households with no vehicles, which Maroochy Shire Plan as “facilities for the provision of may be attributable to the relatively older age profiles in health, education, personal, community and family these areas. support measures provided by various governmental private and voluntary agencies”. (MSC 1996:45) 5.6.1.6 Tourism For the purpose of this assessment, the term The Sunshine Coast is a popular tourist destination, for “community resource” will be used to describe: visitors from Queensland, interstate and overseas, and can be broken down into the following: q Indoors and outdoors Recreational Areas q Public and State Owned Open Space q q Visitors from Queensland = 36% Churches q q Visitors from interstate = 52% Schools q q Visitors from overseas = 12% Hospitals q Parks Source: 1996 ABS Census Data q Meeting Places q Cultural Facilities In the 1996/97 QTTC snapshots, the intrastate tourist q Aged Care Facilities- Retirement Villages & Nursing volume represented 62%, and the interstate visitor Homes volume accounted for 38%. The differences between q Aerodrome, Airports the 1995 ABS Census figures and the 1996/97 QTTC visitor volume figures can be attributed to a number of The Community Centres for People – Maroochy factors: Community Centres and Facilities Studies states that “Queensland’s population particularly in the South East, q The ABS Census Data is collected for one day continues to grow very rapidly. New suburbs are only, whilst the QTTC data is an aggregate of a forming without the necessary infrastructure being put financial year; in place. Patterns of cultural and social developments th q The ABS data was collected on the 6 August in rapid urban growth areas are creating problems on a 1996, which is considered a “low” season for local level, which are starting to show through in key tourism, but could include a preference of interstate sites in cities like Maroochydore.”

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Some of the recognised problems in the local areas Recreational facilities are examined in greater detail in include residential areas being distant form service following sections. provision areas and the clustering of infrastructure along the coastal strip. (NORSROC 1995). 5.6.3 Beerwah to Caloundra Road- Social Characteristics and Conditions Community facilities are described in more detail in sections 5.6.3 to 5.6.8. Social conditions and community resources are be grouped into two discrete localities within the Beerwah 5.6.2.2 Education to Caloundra Road Assessment Area: Beerwah Town, and Pelican Waters / Golden Beach. Figures 5.6.3a & In the 1996 ABS Census data, 1% of the population b shows the location of these focal areas. were recorded as attending preschools, 11% primary schools, 6% secondary schools, 2% TAFE and other Between these areas lies the Beerwah State Forest to tertiary institutions, 1% attending university, less than the west of the , and privately owned 1% have indicating attendance at other educational plantation forest to the east. These areas do not institutions, leaving 1% of overseas visitors, 4% who contain any community facilities. have not stated and 74% of the population on the Sunshine Coast not attending an educational institution. 5.6.3.1 Beerwah

The total number of persons undertaking Tertiary Beerwah is a railway town on the North Coast Railway education on the Sunshine Coast in 1996 was 3%, less Line. Beerwah has a relatively young population profile. than the state figure of 5.2%. It is gaining a reputation as a ‘commuter town’.

Educational facilities are described in more detail in The railway line traverses the centre of the town, with sections 5.6.3 to 5.6.8. only 1 major east-west vehicle crossing in the centre of the town, a pedestrian bridge over the railway line, and 5.6.2.3 Recreation and Leisure Opportunities a small vehicle underpass at the end of Thompson Road connecting to Glasshouse Mountains Road. There are a wide range of recreational and leisure Residential areas are located on both sides of the opportunities on the Sunshine Coast, both active and railway, schools are located to the west of the railway, passive. Both Caloundra City and Maroochy Shire the industrial node is on the eastern side, and the residents have access to beaches, for activities such as commercial facilities are mainly on the western side of surfing, swimming, fishing and other water based the railway line. Existing severance is something that recreation. The following is an indication of the range the town has grown up with, as the town located there of facilities available on the coast: are a result of the development of the railway q Bowls Clubs; The catchment for Beerwah High School extends to q Golf Clubs; Beerburrum, Glasshouse Mountains, Beerwah, q Croquet Clubs; Peachester, Landsborough, Mooloolah and Glenview, q Indoor Sports Centres; and to a lesser extent, students living in , q Boating Clubs; , Caloundra and Caboolture. It is assumed that q Race Course; the catchment for Beerwah Primary School would be q Gocarts; similar, but more centralised. q Skating; q Squash; Access to the Schools from the eastern side of the q Tennis; railway would be via the at grade Mawhinney Street q Netball; railway crossing, or for pedestrians via the rail bridge. q Football, Soccer; q Swimming Pools; Figure 5.6.3a locates and provides details of those q Ten Pin Bowling; community facilities that are located within 1km of the q Water skiing. existing North Coast Rail Line or the proposed route alignment. Other recreational opportunities on the coast include surfing, swimming, water sports, bushwalking. There 5.6.3.2 Pelican Waters/Golden Beach are a number of bike paths throughout the area. (see transport and access sections). The Pelican Waters / Golden Beach area falls into the Caloundra South SLA, which has a noticeably older Recreational opportunities, both active and passive, are age distribution, potentially indicating that the lifestyle in often named as contributing factors drawing people to this area is desirable to retirees. There is also a the region. significantly lower proportion of people under the age of

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25 in this area. The Golden Beach Primary School either by travelling through residential areas of Aroona, catchment covers Golden Beach, Pelican Waters, Little or going back to Caloundra Road and then travelling Mountain, Currimundi and Caloundra. along the .

Golden Beach and Pelican Waters are located at the There do not seem to be any defined major north and southern end of the Sunshine Coast, and are south access routes through Aroona, with east west connected to the rest of the coast only via two north access via Sugarbag Road/ Seagull Avenue, or Kalana south access routes. Road and Beerburrum Street. The unconstructed link between Sunset Drive and Kalana Road force Pelican Waters is a developing residential area, southbound traffic to either travel through the whereas Golden Beach is an older part of the Sunshine residential streets, or back to the Nicklin way via Kalana Coast. Road.

Located on the eastern side of this section is land used Figure 5.6.4 locates and provides details of the primarily for residential, with interspersed parks and community facilities described above that are located recreational facilities. Figure 5.6.3b locates and within 1km of the proposed route alignment. provides details of those community facilities that are located within 1km of the proposed route alignment. 5.6.5 Currimundi Creek to

5.6.4 Caloundra Road to Currimundi Creek The area between Currimundi Creek and the Mooloolah River includes the existing Kawana developments and The following section focuses on the area between land upon which further development is planned. Caloundra Road in the South, to the Mooloolah River in the north. This section has been split up into two The Nicklin Way forms a major spine through the areas, according to the location of community Currimundi to Mooloolah River area, and all existing resources and development along the corridor route. access is located east of the corridor area, apart from See Figure 5.6.4 for an illustration of these areas, and the industrial/commercial area in the vicinity of Main the community facilities described in the following Drive. section. Between Currimundi Creek and through to the 5.6.4.1 Caloundra West/Aroona Mooloolah River, there are few community facilities. All existing development occurs to the east of the area, The Caloundra West to Aroona area is comprised of a with a high proportion of residential development, and combination of industrial estate, in the south, a large with some community facilities that are located and tract of undeveloped bushland, south of Sugarbag described on Figure 5.6.5. Road, and some large lot residential development, with more recent smaller lot residential development to the 5.6.6 Mooloolah River to Maroochydore Centre north of this area. The following section focuses on a small area between There are a number of Schools in the area, catering for the Mooloolah River and the Maroochydore Centre. the school aged population. The Mountain Creek / area is bounded by the Mooloolah River and the Buderim Mooloolaba Caloundra High School has a catchment area including Road. The Maroochydore area is located between Caloundra, Little Mountain and the Kawana Strip. Mooloolaba Buderim Road and the Maroochydore Talara Primary College has an ‘enrolment management Centre. Through this section, there are three route zone’ limiting the numbers of students so that the options, the west (red) option, the centre (blue) option school growth rate is not detrimental to the school. The and the east (green) option. Enrolment Management Zone is bounded in the south by Caloundra Road, Sugarbag Road and Seagull 5.6.6.1 Mooloolaba/Mountain Creek Avenue, and the North by Currimundi Creek. The Nicklin Way forms the eastern boundary. Caloundra This area comprises three discrete residential areas, Christian College forms the western boundary. the suburb of Mountain Creek, the Mooloolaba and the Marra Court areas. The separates There are severance and access issues within the these three communities. existing Caloundra West Industrial Estate and Residential areas. The industrial estate can only be On the eastern side of the Motorway, the residential accessed at three points from Caloundra Road, and the population is relatively stable, and likely to decline as Caloundra West residential areas are only accessible the demand for tourist facilities increases. On the from Sugarbag Road, Latcham Drive and Stradbroke western side of the Motorway, Mountain Creek, is a Drive. There is no direct access north from residential relatively quickly growing residential area. A large areas of Caloundra West, which can only be reached portion of parkland (Emerald Woods Environmental

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Park) is located adjacent to the motorway, between west of the Sunshine Motorway, west of the Goonawarra Drive, Parkland Drive, Ocean Drive and Maroochydore Centre to Maroochy River area. Brentwood Avenue. Figure 5.6.7 locates and describes community facilities Access is limited between the Mooloolaba and within this section. Mountain Creek areas, as the Sunshine Motorway severs this area completely. Access between these 5.6.8 Maroochy River to areas is forced to the north and south interchanges of the Sunshine Motorway and Mooloolaba – Buderim The Maroochy River is accessed for recreational uses Road, and the interchange at Brisbane Road. such as water skiing, fishing and boating.

The Sunshine Motorway obstructs access between the Between the Maroochy River and the Sunshine Coast western residential areas and the eastern residential, Airport lie a number of agricultural (sugarcane) commercial and recreational areas of Maroochydore. properties, and the residential community of Pacific There is however a pedestrian / cyclist underpass Paradise / Mudjimba. under the Motorway between Goonawarra Drive and Lady Musgrave Park / the rubbish tip. This is not The Sunshine Motorway has severed access to the however a highly visible crossing. east and west, north of the Maroochy River. There are access roads in place to alleviate this severance. The There are a number of community facilities in this area access severed is mainly access between agricultural that are located and described on Figure 5.6.6. blocks.

Maroochydore has been identified in planning schemes No other severance / access issues have been as a key regional centre, and as such is an area of identified for this section, although the entire suburbs of concentration of commercial and community activity. Mudjimba, Marcoola and Pacific Paradise are spatially Residential areas are located around the fringe of the isolated from urban centres, and need to travel commercial hub, along the foreshore and the banks of predominantly south to access a variety of community the Maroochy River. facilities.

There are a number of schools located within this area Community facilities located within 1km of this section including: Immanuel Luthern College, Maroochydore of the alignment are located and described on Figure High School, Maroochydore Primary School and Stella 5.6.7. Maris School. 5.7 Geology and Soils Existing access into the centre of Maroochydore has been subject to much study, the proposed Southern 5.7.1 Beerwah to Caloundra Road Access Road is one of the potential solutions being investigated by Council. is currently undergoing major upgrading. The area between Beerwah and the Bruce Highway is located within the foothills of the . The Between Mooloolaba Buderim Road and Plaza Parade, average ground level throughout this area is about there are a number of community facilities that are RL25m to RL30m with occasional small rises to about located and described on Figure 5.6.6. 40m. Within this area, the proposed corridor is intersected by Mellum Creek (see Figure 5.7.1).

5.6.7 Maroochydore Centre to Maroochy River Colluvium deposits have accumulated around Mellum Creek and its tributary streams. The colluvium is underlain by the Landsborough Sandstone group, This area includes a large expanse of undeveloped which also outcrops at ground surface towards the farmland, which is currently under investigation for upstream end of the catchment. The colluvium may major development. There are also a number of comprise sand, silt and clay. Some of this material may retirement units, and residential properties adjoining the have been laid down as alluvial deposits. The motorway. Landsborough Sandstone group may comprise sandstone, siltstone, minor shale, conglomerate and Once again, the Sunshine Motorway acts as a barrier to coal. east west access, however there are three major access points across the Motorway, including the This area is mostly covered by parcels of pine Maroochydore Road interchange, the Commercial plantation and is traversed by small uncharted natural Road/Main Road Overpass and the Bradman Avenue drainage gullies which connect to Mellum Creek. The underpass. small gullies are lined with pockets of melaleuca swamp. The access tracks through the plantation pine The Kuluin residential and industrial areas are located are unsealed and have a dense sandy surface. The

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sand material in the tracks is believed to be bricks and bitumen road surface. representative of the near surface materials in this area. The tracks occasionally become boggy in the Council has carried out testing of surface water at lower swampy areas. upstream and downstream water sources. Testing for gas emissions has not yet been carried out. There are also large areas between the parcels of pine plantation which comprise natural vegetation, such as 5.7.2 Caloundra Road to the Mooloolah River melaleuca. These areas generally surround Mellum Creek and its larger tributaries. It is likely that at least To the north of Caloundra Road, the corridor intersects some of this land would be quite swampy. Little Mountain, which is a large outcrop of the Landsborough Sandstone Group. Little Mountain rises The area between the Bruce Highway and Caloundra from the surrounding coastal lowlands (approximately Road may be described as coastal lowlands. The RL15m) to a maximum height of about RL65m. The ground level reduces towards the coast from a change in elevation in many areas occurs over a maximum of about RL15m at the highway to about relatively short distance creating steep side slopes. A RL1m just south of the Caloundra Aerodrome. meandering ridge line which is aligned roughly in the east / west direction traces out the top of the mountain. The near surface soils comprise alluvial deposits of the Steep sided gullies have been carved into the side Pleistocene to Holocene era. The alluvial deposits may slopes on either side of this ridge. Sugarbag Road comprise clay, mud and minor sand in old estuarine currently runs along most of the ridge’s length. and lagoonal deposits. There are occasional outcrops of the Landsborough Sandstone group which also The subsurface geology and weathering profile can be forms the underlying bedrock. Melaleuca type observed in numerous road cuttings and outcrops along vegetation covers most of the area and below about Sugarbag Road. There is generally a surface covering RL5m, the land is generally very swampy. of sandy clay residual soil and extremely weathered rock over intact but jointed, distinctly to slightly The Duck Holes Creek Refuse Site is located to the weathered sandstone. Towards the lower part of the east of the Caloundra Aerodrome and south of the gullies, the soil profile would most likely comprise roundabout at the end of Nicklin Way. The site is said deposits of sandy slopewash and scree. Large to have been operated from 1975 until 1989. sandstone boulders, measuring over 1m in size, lay strewn over some areas of the gully side slopes. It is It is expected that this area was probably cleared unknown as to whether these boulders have been initially to form the dump. This is evident as the placed here of if they have been transported by gravity southern end of the site is now overgrown with tall or water runoff. The surface soils appear to become grasses which are dissimilar to the type of natural saturated following prolonged rainfall and the vegetation which would be expected in this area. The slopewash materials, in particular, become soft under treeline surrounding the site probably defines the limit foot. The soil profile appears to be highly erodible as of the cleared area and also the extent of the dumping. may be observed by rilling in cuttings and roadside drains, and deep erosion ruts carved out in cleared Trench fill operations were used as the method of areas within the gully side slopes. Apart from this refuse disposal. As such, it is difficult to estimate the erosion, however, the slopes generally appear to be overall depth of waste. The dumping appears to have stable in their natural condition. The sandstone taken place progressively towards the northern end of exposed in the cuttings also becomes soaked following the site. The site may have been filled in layers with a prolonged rainfall and water may be seen seeping from series of fill mounds stepping up towards the north. The rock mass joints. mounds are said to have a clay soil capping of minimum 600mm depth. The mounds have become There is notable variation in the composition, overgrown in places with tall grasses and weed weathering and strength of the sandstone rock. Both species. fine grained sandstone and coarse grained cemented sand and conglomerate may be observed in the various The main categories of waste types said to have been cuttings. The near surface rock has been softened by dumped on the site include all domestic waste, green weathering to the extent that small blocks may be waste, construction and demolition waste. No data is dislodged from the rock mass by hand and crumbled to available as to the proportion of each waste type a soil material. However it is expected that with depth, contained on the site. The site was the main refuse site the rock would be mostly slightly weathered and very for the Caloundra area so other materials may have high strength. This may be observed in the near vertical been disposed of by Council. Several types of waste cuttings in a disused quarry on the south side of are visible at the surface of the fill mounds including Sugarbag Road and in the road deep cutting at the fuel drums, vehicle parts, car bodies, general domestic point where the Sugarbag Road bridge crosses over waste, tyres, scrap metal, mounds of soil and rock and Nicklin Way. construction waste including concrete, clay pipes,

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The disused quarry is located along Sugarbag Road 5.7.4 Acid Sulphate Soils between Lawman Street and Alexander Street. Minor dumping of construction waste has been carried out at During the earliest stages of CAMCOS, constraints the site. Waste materials include masonry rubble, metal mapping was carried out to assist in determining the scrap and several large diametre circular metal pipe most appropriate corridor. It was noted that acid sulfate sections. soils occurred intermittently along large portions of the various corridor options. Acid sulphate soils were To the north of Little Mountain, the corridor once again considered to be an important issue with the potential passes through the coastal lowland areas between to have large impacts on all stages of the project, from Currimundi to Parrearra. The average ground surface planning through to design and construction. However, level within this area is about RL2.5m. Two depositional the fact that acid sulphate soils have been effectively environments have been mapped within this area. Tidal managed on similar projects, in the same general area, Delta deposits of the Pleistocene age extend inland for meant that they were not considered as a factor which a distance of about 1.5km. The deposits comprise would determine the choice of corridor, or the actual mostly sand with minor clay and mud. This may be corridor alignment. The ability to treat acid sulphate observed in the numerous excavations currently being soils effectively ruled out the option of avoiding made in the developmental sites throughout the potential problem areas. In fact, for a project such as a Bokarina and Birtinya areas. Further inland, the near transportation corridor, which is effectively a continuous surface soils are derived from old estuarine and structure over a large area, is not considered lagoonal deposits of the Pleistocene to Holocene age. appropriate to attempt to avoid problem areas. Instead, These deposits may comprise clay, mud and minor it was decided at the early stages of CAMCOS that the sand. The interface between the two deposits is a most suitable approach would be to plan for detailed meandering line which runs approximately north south investigation over the project area and the design of and it is likely that the corridor will intersect both suitable management principles. deposits. At this Stage of the CAMCOS project, it is difficult to The corridor crosses the Mooloolah River to the south categorise the potential for impact associated with ASS of the existing Sunshine Motorway Interchange at and discuss possible management strategies, without Mountain Creek. The river banks in this area have the necessary sampling and testing being carried out. It wide, tidal mud flats which are heavy vegetated with is possible to estimate the areas likely to be influenced mangroves. The banks appear to be stable in their by ASS. However, according to the Queensland natural state. Road embankments have been Department of Natural Resources, it is not possible to successfully constructed over the mud flats requiring make decisions about ASS management simply on the only standard scour protection measures including rock basis of its presence (Smith et al. 1999). It is revetments and geofabric channel liners. considered more appropriate, at this stage, to indicate the importance of undertaking a detailed investigation 5.7.3 Mooloolah River to Sunshine Coast Airport of acid sulfate soils.

Immediately north of the Mooloolah River, the surface The proportion of the route potentially affected by acid soils comprise sand as tidal delta deposits. The ground sulphate soils may be estimated from the 1:100 000 level varies between RL2.5m and RL5m. The Buderim map of Acid Sulphate Soils, Redcliffe to Teewah, Map 2 Landfill site is currently operated to the west of The (The State of Queensland, Department of Natural Sunshine Motorway in this area. Several large fill Resources, 1999) which is reproduced in Figure 5.7.4. mounds are currently visible on the site. It is likely that The affected proportions comprise areas designated as the landfill has been constructed on the edge of an S, DLUs and DLUc on the map. The use of the maps in outcrop of Landsborough Sandstone which forms the this context should be as a mechanism to signal the flanks of the Buderim Plateaux. Also associated with need for further assessment. It should also be noted the Buderim Plateaux are outcrops of Tertiary basalt that within areas mapped as low or no risk, lenses of and tuff as well as shale, siltstone, conglomerate and pyritic material may still occur due to local variability. In sediments, which occur around the intersection of The general, however, it would not be considered Sunshine Motorway and Mooloolaba Road. The natural appropriate to prohibit an activity based solely on ground surface level along the corridor alignment rises 1:100,000 mapping. Instead, for a development such as to a level of RL25m at this intersection before sloping CAMCOS potentially involving substantial disturbance back down to RL2.5m to the north of Mooloolaba Road. of ASS, additional sampling and mapping at about Between Mooloolaba Road, Maroochydore Centre and 1:5,000 scale may be required (Smith et al. 1999). the Maroochy River, the corridor passes over tidal delta deposits, apart from an outcrop of Landsborough It is recommended that for all future investigation, Sandstone where the corridor crosses Maroochydore testing and assessment of risk should be carried out in Road. The banks of the Maroochy River have wide tidal accordance with the Guidelines for Sampling and mud flats which are heavily vegetated with mangroves. Analysis of Lowland Acid Sulfate Soils in Queensland (QASSIT).

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5.8 Groundwater Regime in terms of potential yield to bores, but is important for the local environment. 5.8.1 Definition of Study Area and Topography Around Portion 480 there are Holocene coastal swamp The groundwater regime has been considered for the deposits of quartz and peaty quartz sand and estuarine proposed transportation corridor between Beerwah and swamps of sandy mud, muddy sand and minor gravel. Caloundra, but is concerned with the section adjacent These are flanked on the east by sandy beach ridge to Portion 480. deposits. There are minor estuarine deposits of sandy mud and muddy sand around the tidal portions of Bells The study area for this assessment generally lies in Creek and Lamerough Creek. From the geotechnical relatively flat terrain at elevations between one and data, it is apparent that the aquifer is mainly a silty sand three metres above sea level. Slight topographic above sea level with an average saturated thickness of variations can been seen on air photographs which one to two metres. reveal palaeo channels and meanders of Lamerough Creek and subtle beach sand ridges to the east (see All of the Quaternary sediments and the weathered Figure 5.8.1). portion of the Landsborough Sandstone are considered in this study as a contiguous aquifer system. The The transportation corridor in the study area is in aquifer system is considered minor in terms of an relatively undisturbed wetlands with dense vegetation exploitable resource, but is locally important for the of melaleuca and eucalypt species. Immediately to the ecosystem of the wetlands. east and south-east, the area has been grossly disturbed through clearing, earthworks and excavation 5.8.4 Water Levels of canals and lakes for the urbanisation of Golden Beach and Pelican Waters. Groundwater levels are generally quite shallow, and at times reach the surface, therefore interacting with To the west of the study area the catchments of surface water. Geotechnical test holes drilled on the Lamerough and Bells Creek have been altered by proposed Bells Creek Arterial Route (Geotechnics, 1 plantations of pine forests and installation of extensive 1994) identified shallow groundwater levels between drainage of low-lying areas. 0.8 and 1.8m depth. It is likely that the groundwater level throughout the area will be between 2m and the 5.8.2 Geology surface depending on the season and climatic conditions. Locally the groundwater may be considered The conceptual model of the groundwater regime is perched where indurated layers exist in podsolic soils. based on the geology obtained from the Nambour However, perching is likely to be an ephemeral Special 1:100,000 Geological Sheet 9444 and Part phenomenon. 9544 (Queensland Department of Mines and Energy 1999), (Figure 5.7.1), geotechnical borehole logs from 5.8.5 Recharge the proposed arterial road (Geotechnics 1994)1, Pelican Waters Estate (Cardno & Davies Pty Ltd, 1997)2 and a Recharge to the aquifer is mostly direct from rainfall site inspection. which is offset by evapotranspiration and to a lesser extent, runoff. Recharge is most likely to occur during The geology of this section of the route has been the wetter months from December through to May. The described in detail in section 5.7.1. mean monthly rainfall for the Caloundra signal station (26.80S 153.15E) and estimated (Bureau of 5.8.3 Aquifers Meteorology) mean monthly pan evaporation data are provided in the following Table 5.8.5. The Landsborough Sandstone comprises lithofelspathic labile and quartzose sandstone, siltstone, shale and minor coal seams. Both the weathered and fractured sections of the sandstone form a minor aquifer which provide small water supplies of good quality to bores generally yielding less than 1L/s. Water quality is usually fresh and suitable for domestic consumption, stock and very limited irrigation.

The flood plain alluvium associated with creeks in the pine forest areas is composed of clay, silt and gravel. It is likely to be relatively thin, of the order of several meters and containing water of a similar quality to the creeks. It is considered a minor groundwater resource

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Table 5.8.5: Mean Monthly Rainfall and Pan Evaporation Data JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC YEAR Rain 176.6 202.4 208.0 172.9 170.3 102.4 89.9 60.8 54.0 81.1 113.3 143.6 1575.3 Evap. 205 170 165 125 105 85 90 120 150 185 200 215 1815 Note: all values in mm

5.8.6 Discharge 5.8.7 Quality

Groundwater discharge is currently into Bells Creek, Groundwater quality is considered to be very good Lamerough Creek and their associated drains, as well overall. The total dissolved salts are very low; however, as the Golden Beach and Pelican Waters canals. pH is generally acidic, which is typical of coastal Groundwater discharge into the creeks is likely to be wetlands. Table 5.8.7 provides limited analyses from only a small component of the total stream flow. three groundwater bores, south of Bells Creek.

Table 5.8.7: Water Quality Data

Borehole Number ANZECC Recommendations Parameter 79637 79538 79537 Human Livestock Irrigation Consumption Watering of Crops PH 5.8 5.4 5.4 6.5-8.5 - 4.5-9 Total Hardness 13.5 30 5.4 500 - - TDS (Salinity) 15 120 62 1000 3000 * Sodium 15 23 15.5 300 - * Chloride 24 28 21.5 400 30-700 Sulphate 2.2 <2 <2 400 - - Aluminium <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 0.2 -5 5 Iron 0.07 <0.02 <0.02 0.3 - 1 Manganese 0.04 0.02 0.02 0.1 - 2 Notes: All values in mg/L except pH Arm of Bells Creek and the Portion 480. Most of the land will be cleared and an extensive system of 5.8.8 Surface Water Interaction interconnecting fresh water lakes will be excavated. This will have a major impact on the groundwater Groundwater interacts with the creek, drains and canals system, but the lake system proposed along the through a small volume of discharge. During intense western side of the development will hydraulically rainfall, the groundwater is likely to reach the surface isolate groundwater in the Pelican Waters development and contribute to water logging and overland flow in from groundwater within Portion 480. sloping situations. 5.9 Ecology Overview 5.8.9 Groundwater Utilisation 5.9.1 Terrestrial Ecology Overview There is no known use of groundwater in the study area. To the south, between Bells Creek and the Bells The coastal lowlands and ranges of the Caloundra to Creek Road, a number of houses and vegetable farms Maroochy region lie within the northern part of use small volumes of groundwater. Extensive use is Southeast Queensland, one of the most species rich made of groundwater in the Golden Beach and Pelican bioregions in Australia (Young, in prep.). Waters area using spear points for garden watering. However, groundwater there is hydraulically isolated The eucalypt and paperbark forest, wet and dry from the study area by the canals. heathland, sedgeland and littoral communities present in this area provide habitat for a highly diverse flora and 5.8.10 Existing and Proposed Development fauna assemblage. Some 707 flora species have been Impacts recorded in the study area, with nine of those being listed under the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulations as being rare, vulnerable or endangered. The concept plan for Pelican Waters shows the ultimate 386 species of terrestrial vertebrate fauna (51 mammal, development occupying the area bounded by the North

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40 reptile, 19 amphibian and 276 bird species) have q Riparian Vegetation; been recorded within the region (see Appendices). q Significant Vegetation Types; These include 37 rare, threatened or otherwise q Areas of Regional and/or Local Fauna Habitat significant species. This assemblage includes a range Value; of species more typically associated with tropical or q Bushland/Wildlife Corridors; temperate areas. For many of these, the region forms q Broad Nature Conservation Areas; and part of the northern/southern limit of the species’ q Local Council Protected Areas. distribution. A number of significant fauna species are now presumed to be locally extinct (eg. Death Adder Each of these features are discussed below. The (Acanthopsis antarticticus)). relative values of each, in terms of their rankings within this study, are discussed below, and their occurrences A number of areas are considered to be essential to the within each section of the study area are discussed in maintenance and protection of biodiversity within the sections 5.9.1.3 to 5.9.1.6 and mapped in Figures study area and have been identified as very high 5.9.1 g-l. priority for nature conservation (Watt, 1995). These include the Mooloolah River National Park, wallum National Parks habitat adjacent to the Sunshine Coast Airport and melaleuca wetland and heathland associated with Bells National Parks aim to conserve representative and Lamerough Creeks to the immediate west of ecosystems large enough to be self-perpetuating. Golden Beach. Extensive parts of the latter two areas Ultimately, National Parks are intended for conserving are currently the subject of proposals to create National and preserving biodiversity. For the purposes of this Parks (E. King, EPA, pers. comm.). assessment, areas proposed to become National Parks are considered to have the conservation value level of A range of threatening processes have impacted, and existing National Parks (NP), namely National/State continue to impact upon the abundance and species level significance. composition of the region’s flora and fauna assemblage. These include habitat clearing and One existing National Park, Mooloolah River NP occurs fragmentation of remnants, urban encroachment, in the study area to the west of the Mooloolah River invasion of exotic flora and fauna, changes to fire and south of the Sunshine Motorway. Two additional regimes and hydrology. In their study of remnant areas are proposed as National Parks (E. King, EPA habitat in Southeast Queensland, Catterall et al. (1996) pers. comm), namely: identified significant losses of native vegetation cover from the region, with part of the area sustaining the q Parts of Lot 878, near the Sunshine Coast Airport; highest rate of habitat clearing of any of the local and government areas studied in Southeast Queensland. q Lot 480, in the Bells Creek-Lamerough Creek area.

The study area itself (ie. that land occurring within Rare and Threatened Species and/or in the vicinity of the proposed railway corridor) is primarily a disturbed landscape containing a mosaic of A number of flora and fauna species have been remnant vegetation fragments, some of which form identified as being rare or threatened (vulnerable or larger, more intact habitat systems (such as those endangered) within the region, and those species are mentioned above). Figures 5.9.1a-f contain the protected by legislation at both state and national vegetation maps for each section of the study area over levels1. The rare and threatened flora species known to a cadastral base, indicating the mixture of cleared occur within the study area are listed in Table 5.9.1a, areas and vegetation remnants present in the vicinity of along with the broad vegetation types in which they are each section of the proposed route. Descriptions of known to occur (mostly Rainforest, Heathland and each mapped type are shown in the Appendices. Eucalypt Forest).

Significant Features Turnbull and Olsen (1992) also identify some eighty- four (84) plant species considered to be noteworthy A broad range of features of ecological significance within the Maroochy Shire (listing statements of the have been identified within the study area, including: significant values identified for each species), drawn from a range of sources. These species are mostly q National Parks; found within rainforests, ecotonal forests and q Rare and Threatened Species; heathlands, with a few from eucalypt open forests and q Marine Plants; woodlands and Melaleuca forests and woodlands within q Critical Nature Conservation Areas; the area (see Turnbull & Olsen (1992) for details). q State Forest Scientific Areas; q Endangered and Of Concern Regional Ecosystem Types; 1 q Significant Wetland Areas; Legislation: State - Nature Conservation Act (1992); National - Endangered Species Protection Act (1992)

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Species of particular note occurring within the study (Crinia tinnula), Cotton Pygmy Goose (Nettapus area include: coromandelianus), Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus), Grey Goshawk (Accipiter q Pararistolochia praevenosa - rainforest vine, rare in novaehollandiae), Lewin’s Rail (Rallus pectoralis), Southeast Queensland , and habitat for Richmond Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis), Glossy Birdwing Butterfly; Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami), Ground q Lepidosperma quadrangulata - heathland sedge, Parrot (Pezoporus wallicus), Powerful Owl (Ninox uncommon; strenua) and Richmond Birdwing (Ornithoptera q Livistona australis - palm of ecotonal and rainforest richmondia). communities, particularly associated with Melaleuca - rainforest associations in the study Fauna species, known or likely to occur within habitats area; and affected by the corridor, which are considered to have q Podocarpus spinulosus - heathland shrub or small high conservation significance within the sunshine tree, known from Scientific Area 24 near Beerwah. coast region, though not listed as rare or threatened under state legislation include, the Eastern Chestnut Both the survey findings of this study and existing Mouse (Pseudomys gracilicaudatus), Tree Skink information resources provide records for twenty-three (Egernia striolata), the skink (Lampropholis guichenoti), rare, threatened or otherwise significant fauna species Eastern Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus), Swamp known or likely to occur within habitats affected by this Crayfish (Tenuibranchiurus glypticus), Sword-grass section of the corridor. Species which are listed under Brown (Tisiphone abeona rawnsleyi) and the Painted the Nature Conservation Act 1992 as rare or threatened Skipper (Hesperilla picta). (endangered or vulnerable) are the False Water-rat (Xeromys myoides), Elf Skink (Erotoscincus A summary account for each of these species is graciloides), Death Adder (Acanthophis antarticticus), provided in the Appendices and includes information on Green-thighed Frog (Litoria brevipalmata), Wallum conservation status, habitat requirements, local Rocketfrog (Limnodynastes freycineti), Wallum occurrence and threats. Sedgefrog (Litoria olongburensis), Wallum Froglet

Table 5.9.1a: Rare and Threatened Plant Species Species Name Conservation Data Habitat Code2 Source3 Acacia attenuata 3VC B, D, L, Heathlands and ecotones with eucalypt open M, T forests and woodlands Acacia baueri V D, M, T Heathlands Allocasuarina emuina 2E D, L Heathlands Alyxia ilicifolia ssp. Magnifolia R L, M Rainforest Blandfordia grandiflora R B, M, O Wet Heathlands Eucalyptus conglomerata 2VC B, D, M, Heathlands and ecotonal communities with T woodlands Phaius spp. 3VC O, L, M Melaleuca Schoenus scabripes 3RC D, O, T Coastal heathlands Marine Plants

2 Conservation Codes : (after Thomas & McDonald, 1989) 2 Species with a very restricted distribution in Australia (range less than 100 km) 3 Species with a range greater than 100km in Australia E Endangered V Vulnerable R Rare C Species known to occur within a National Park or other proclaimed reserve + Species with a distribution extending beyond the Australian continent. 3 (Data Sources: B = Birbeck, pers. comm; D = Drake 199_; H = HERBRECS 1997; L = Low, pers. comm; M = Moran, pers. comm; O = Olsen, pers. comm; T = Thomas, pers. comm)

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The littoral communities identified within the estuarine q SA24 (Bluegum Scientific Area) - “established for portions of the study area include mangrove the preservation of unique (sic) vegetation types communities, saltmarsh, herbfield and Casuarina and associations which have obtained exceptional glauca communities, and contain some of the most development due to the long-term exclusion of fire. species-rich mangrove communities in Southeast Some areas have possibly been unburnt since Queensland (Olsen & Drane, 1993). These plants are 1927 allowing closed heath to develop”; and protected under the Queensland Fisheries Act (1994), q SA59 (Soils Reference Scientific Area) - “purpose and are of considerable ecological value to the is to provide a soils vegetation datum taking productivity of the associated estuaries and the long advantage of already described soils”. term stability of the coastal systems in which they are found. Both these SAs are known to contain populations of E.conglomerata (a vulnerable species), and SA24 is Mangroves and saltmarshes provide important habitat also known to contain Podocarpus spinulosus and for a wide variety of fauna, particularly fish, crustaceans Leptospermum speciosum, considered to be of and birds. The richness of the aquatic faunal particular interest in the area (DPI Management Plans, communities which move into the mangroves on undated a and b). flooding tides reflects the high productivity of such areas. SAs are generally managed for the conservation of the features they contain, in terms of significant species as A substantial area of mangroves (approx. 346ha) well as representative vegetation types. occurs along the Maroochy River while the Mooloolah River contains relatively few. Bells Creek also contains Endangered and Of Concern Regional Ecosystem a few patches of mangroves at the mouth of the creek. Types The mangrove and adjoining wetland communities in the study area have recently been mapped in some Regional Ecosystem (RE) types have been identified detail (Chenoweth EPLA, 1999), and their locations and and mapped (at a scale of 1:100 000) for the entire extents are shown in Figures 5.9.1a-f. Southeast Queensland bioregion (Young, in prep), and classified as “Endangered4”, “Of Concern5” or “No Critical Nature Conservation Areas Concern At Present6”, according to the proportion of each type remaining at the time of assessment and the Areas which have been identified as being of a very degree of threat posed to each. As discussed in high priority for nature conservation, that is, those section 4.6.9 above, the scale of this mapping has which are essential to the maintenance and protection meant that it is not directly applicable at the scale of the of biodiversity within the NORSROC Subregion (Watt, present study. Instead, the vegetation types 1995), have been mapped as Critical Nature corresponding most nearly to Endangered and Of Conservation Areas. Critical Nature Conservation Concern RE’s were identified, and the conservation Areas in the vicinity of the study area include (in order status of each was considered to be equivalent to that of occurrence, north to south): of the corresponding RE. The relevant RE’s are listed in Table 5.9.1b below, together with their nearest q Marcoola Wallum - a wallum/coastal heath area corresponding vegetation type and current conservation near the Sunshine Coast Airport; status. q Moreton Mill Land & Mooloolah River NP - the combined areas of the large, unfragmented area of heathland, lowland eucalypt forest and melaleuca forest just north of the Mooloolah River NP, and the National Park itself; and q Bells Creek - a once extensive area of melaleuca forest and heathland associated with Bells and Lamerough Creeks, to the immediate west of Golden Beach. However, the eastern and southern portions of this area have been cleared as part of the development of Pelican Waters Estate, leaving considerably less than half. 4 Endangered: <5% pre-European extent remains in an State Forest Scientific Areas intact condition in the region, and is poorly represented within protected areas 5 State Forest Scientific Areas (SAs) are areas of State Of Concern: 5-30% pre-European extent remains in Forest land with a range of conservation-related an intact condition in the region, or is a naturally purposes. Two SAs have been declared in the study restricted type subject to an active threatening process 6 area: No Concern At Present: >30% pre-European extent remains in an intact condition in the region.

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Table 5.9.1b: Relevant Regional Ecosystems Regional Ecosystem (RE) Equivalent Vegetation Type(s) Status 12.1.3 – Mangrove shrubland to low closed forest on Littoral Communities, 1A(i), 1B(i), 1B(ii)a, No concern at present marine clay plains and estuaries 1B(ii)b, 1B(iii), 1C(i), 1C(ii), 1D(i), 1D(ii), 1E(i), 1F(i), 1F(ii), 1F(iii) 12.2.7 – Melaleuca quinquenervia or M. viridiflora open Melaleuca Forest & Woodland (in part), No concern at present forest to woodland on sand plains 7A(ii)a, 7A(ii)b, 7C(ii), 7C(iii) 12.2.12 – Closed heath on seasonally waterlogged Heathland, Heath No concern at present plains 12.3.1 – Gallery rainforest (notophyll rainforest) on Rainforest (riparian), Remnant Riverine Of Concern alluvial plains Communities 12.3.2 – Eucalyptus grandis tall open forest on alluvial Eucalypt Open Forest & Woodland (riparian) No concern at present plains and associated with lower slopes 12.3.5 – Melaleuca quinquenervia tall open forest near Melaleuca Forest & Woodland (in part), 7A(I), Of Concern coastal alluvial plains 7B(i), Ecotonal Forest (in part) 12.3.14 - Banksia aemula woodland on alluvial plains Eucalypt Open Forest & Woodland (in part) No concern at present near coast 12.5.3 – Eucalyptus tindaliae + E. racemosa woodland Eucalypt Open Forest & Woodland (in part) Of Concern on remnant Tertiary surfaces 12.9/10.14 - Eucalyptus pilularis tall open forest on Eucalypt Open Forest & Woodland (in part) No concern at present sedimentary rocks 12.9/10.17 - Mixed forest of Corymbia citriodora, Eucalypt Open Forest & Woodland (in part) No concern at present Eucalyptus siderophloia, E. major, E. acmenoides on sedimentary rocks 12.9/10.22 - Closed sedgeland/shrubland on Heathland No concern at present sedimentary rocks. Coastal parts. Both of these wetland significance categories are Following advice from EPA officers, Endangered and recommended in that report for inclusion in control Of Concern REs are considered here to be of State, districts, and are considered here to be at a regional level significance. (rather than National or State), non-statutory level of significance. Significant Wetland Areas Riparian Vegetation The recent (draft) Conservation Assessment of Coastal Wetlands (Chenoweth EPLA, 1999) identified a number Riparian vegetation along waterways can contain of wetland areas as being Regionally Significant and of important flora species and form important refuge areas Major Habitat importance, based on a range of factors, for fauna. When these riparian strips are surrounded including “Diagnostic” criteria such as: by clear and/or disturbed land, they are often classed as biological sinks. That is, riparian vegetation often q representativeness; contains remnant species usually associated with more q size; dense vegetation types such as rainforest and ecotonal q diversity; habitats. In association with the vegetation, the fauna q boundaries; diversity is often higher than in surrounding habitats. q connectivity to water; q connectivity (measure of wetland fragmentation); The riparian vegetation along waterways also provides and value to wildlife as a movement corridor, thus allowing q adjoining habitat. mobile species such as birds and bats to move between different habitat patches. and “Modifying” criteria such as: Riparian vegetation acts also as a buffer to retard the q significant species; passage of litter and pollutants from urban development q wader habitat; which may enter the waterway where riparian q connectivity with seagrass, mudbanks /sandbanks; vegetation is absent. q ACMS database; and q expert knowledge. Significant Vegetation Types

Full details of methodology used in this process should A range of vegetation types have been identified in be sought from the original report (Chenoweth EPLA, local/regional studies (Olsen & Drane 1993, Watt 1995) 1999). as being of particular ecological significance (Priority 1) within the region, namely:

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Local Council Protected Areas q Rainforest; q Melaleuca Forest and Woodland; A range of areas are protected under various local q Heathland and associated communities; council provisions, including: q Ecotonal/Wet Sclerophyll Forest; q Littoral Vegetation/Buffer communities; and q Conservation zonings on Strategic Plans; q Some of the Eucalypt Open Forest and Woodland q Vegetation Protection Areas (protected by Local types (mostly those dominated by E. racemosa). Laws); q 10 metre “Prohibited Zones” along creeks in Rural Broad Nature Conservation Areas Zoned lands; q Areas of ecological interest to Council (eg. around Areas which have been identified as being of a high to ) to which stringent moderate priority for nature conservation, that is, those environmental controls would be applied in the which are important to the maintenance and protection event of any impact being proposed; and of biodiversity in the NORSROC Subregion (Watt, q Areas to which non-clearance conditions have 1995), have been mapped as Broad Nature been applied through the town planning process Conservation Areas. These are multiple use areas, in (eg. near Sugarbag Rd). which it is essential that conservation be adopted into land management practices, and attempts are made to 5.9.1.1 Assignment of Significance to Ecological maintain biodiversity and the functioning of natural Features systems. Their intended purposes include: Each of the ecological features described above were q providing buffers around Critical Nature assigned a significance ranking using the following four Conservation Areas; categories: q providing linkages between natural landscape features and thus opportunities for fauna Very High National / State level features movement and flora dispersal; High Regional level features q protecting water catchment values; and Moderate Local level features q maintaining landscape values and biodiversity. Low No features of a local or higher level of significance Bushland/Wildlife Corridors The features and their relevant ranking are given in Corridors through which fauna species can move and Table 5.9.1c below. flora species can disperse are of considerable ecological significance. They allow the mixing and Table 5.9.1c: Ecological Features and their spread of genetic material, and the natural re- Significance Ranking introduction of species following localised extinctions Feature Significance within individual remnants. Such corridors typically occur between existing areas of remnant vegetation, National Parks VERY HIGH and along the waterways (rivers, creeks, etc) of the Rare and/or Threatened Species VERY HIGH region, including: Marine Plants VERY HIGH Critical Nature Conservation Areas VERY HIGH q Bellbird Creek; Endangered and/or Of Concern RE q Mountain Creek; VERY HIGH Types q Sippy Creek; State Forest Scientific Areas HIGH q Blue Gum Creek; q Lamerough Creek Significant Wetland Areas HIGH q Bells Creek; Areas of regional and/or local fauna HIGH q Mellum Creek; habitat value q Currimundi Creek; Bushland/Wildlife Corridors MODERATE q Sippy Creek; Riparian vegetation MODERATE q ; Significant Vegetation Types MODERATE q Mooloolah River; and q Maroochy River. Broad Nature Conservation Areas MODERATE Local Council Protected Areas MODERATE The value to wildlife of these corridors is diminished by (native vegetation not included above) LOW disturbance, fragmentation and invasion by exotic species.

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5.9.1.2 Beerwah to Caloundra Road Bluegum Creek in the south, lies Bluegum Scientific Area (SA24). This SA is known to contain E. The ecological features present within this section conglomerata, as is the nearby Bluegum NP (to the include: west of the existing railway line). q Proposed National Park (Lot 480); Further east towards the highway, the section includes q Rare and Threatened Species; predominantly pine plantation areas, except for a q Marine Plants; relatively large dam, a forested area at Mt Alpha/Alf’s q Critical Nature Conservation Area (a small Hill (names for the site seem to vary from source to remaining portion of the Bells Creek Area); source) and the adjacent Scientific Area (SA59) which q Bushland/Wildlife Corridors (Coochin, Mellum, is linked to the forested areas associated with the Hill Bluegum, Bells & Lamerough Creeks); by a narrow band of heathland. The dam is lined with q State Forest Scientific Areas; melaleuca woodland backed by a fringe of remnant q Endangered and Of Concern RE Types; eucalypt forest, while the Hill and SA contain a mosaic q Significant Wetlands Areas; of eucalypt forest types grading into heathland in the q Riparian vegetation; lower-lying areas closest to the highway. SA59 is q Significant Vegetation Types; known to contain a small population of E. conglomerata q Broad Nature Conservation Area (west of the (DPI undated, b). Highway and surrounding portions of the Bells Creek Critical Nature Conservation Area); and To the immediate east of the Highway, this section q Local Council Protected Areas (including a 10m passes through privately-owned land containing Prohibited Zone along Bellbird Creek and over predominantly pine plantations. These pine forests are parts of the remaining Bells/Lamerough Creek interlaced (particularly towards the east) with the wetland area). melaleuca-lined branches and tributaries of Bells Creek, which in some areas are backed by remnant Figure 5.9.1g indicates the locations of each of these patches of eucalypt forest. A sparse littoral fringe lines significant features. The nature of each is discussed the lower portions of this creek system, containing a below, and the overall values identified in this section of mixture of mangrove species and occasional claypan the study area are summarised in Table 5.9.1d. patches. A drain has been cut along the eastern margin of the pine planted area, connecting with the Terrestrial Flora north branch of Bells Creek, and this drain has become lined with mangroves also. To the west of the Bruce Highway, this area covers mostly pine plantation and cleared areas, but also To the east of the pine plantations lie the remnants of includes three creeklines and a number of areas of the Bells Creek wetland area, dominated by melaleuca remnant vegetation (see Figure 5.9.1a & b). forest types with occasional heath patches. A range of rare, threatened and otherwise significant plant species The creeklines in this section, in order of crossing from are likely to occur in this area, including christmas bells west to east, are Bluegum Creek (a tributary of Mellum (Blandfordia grandiflora), ground orchids (Phaias spp.) Creek), Bellbird Creek (a tributary of Bluegum Creek), and Lepidosperma quadrangulata each of which tend to an unnamed tributary of Bluegum Creek, Mellum Creek occur in wetland areas such as this, away from and an unnamed tributary of Mellum Creek. developed areas.

The native vegetation along these creeklines has been Some of the north-eastern tributaries of Bells Creek much reduced by past land clearing practices in appear to have a common source with the upper surrounding areas (for both plantation forestry and reaches of Lamerough creek in the wetland area on Lot agriculture). The remaining vegetation is somewhat 480, which contains the bulk of the original Bells Creek disturbed in places, having been invaded by weeds and Critical Conservation Area, and which is proposed to be crossed by occasional roads and access tracks. declared as a National Park (E. King, EPA pers. Nevertheless, there are melaleuca forest, rainforest, comm.). heathland, eucalypt forest and ecotonal forest remnants along the creeklines which provide some fauna habitat On the south-eastern margin of this section, between and forms wildlife movement corridors linking larger Bells and Lamerough Creeks, extensive clearing of remnant areas. The ecotonal forest along Mellum native vegetation has been undertaken on the Pelican Creek in particular, is likely to contain Pararistolochia Waters development site, with the result that large praevenosa, a noteworthy vine species. The areas (extending almost to the banks of Bells Creek rainforest/melaleuca (Ecotonal) patches on Bellbird and into the once extensive wetland areas of the Bells Creek contain Livistona australis palms, and one of the Creek Critical Conservation Area) are now effectively types which equates to RE 12.3.5 (an of concern RE). unvegetated.

To the south of Bellbird Creek, and extending to To the north of the Pelican Waters site lies the portion

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of the wetland system directly associated with rare and/or threatened plant species, including Acacia Lamerough Creek. This area contains melaleuca forest attenuata, Acacia baueri, Alyxia ilicifolia ssp. which borders onto eucalypt forest towards the tip site magnifolia, Blandfordia grandiflora and Schoenus to the north. Acacia attenuata is known to occur scabripes. around the margins of the eucalypt forest in this area. The remnant vegetation patch between the Rotary To the west of the old tip site lies the Caloundra Park, Aerodrome and old tip sites contains both Aerodrome, the vegetation around which includes eucalypt and melaleuca forest elements in a relatively extensive heathland, melaleuca and eucalypt forest narrow, track-laced strip. areas. These areas are known to contain at least five

Table 5.9.1d: Beerwah - Caloundra Road Area - Summary of Flora Feature Values Area Features4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 SA 24 E. conglomerata Yes Heathland yes Bellbird Ck 12.3.5 yes Melaleuca, yes Rainforest Bluegum Ck trib. Melaleuca, yes Heathland Mellum Ck yes Ecotonal yes Mellum Ck trib. 12.5.3 yes Eucalypt (E. yes racemosa dominant) Dam Melaleuca Yes Mt Alpha/Alf’s hill Eucalypt (E. racemosa dominant) SA59 Yes Heathland, Yes Eucalypt (E. racemosa dominant) Bells Ck Sth. 140 yes Melaleuca yes Branch Bells Ck N Branch yes 139 yes Melaleuca Yes yes trib. Bells Ck wetlands yes B. grandiflora yes yes 138 yes Melaleuca, yes (likely) Heathland Lamerough Ck yes A. attenuata yes 138 yes Melaleuca, yes wetlands Heathland Caloundra yes A. attenuata, yes Melaleuca, Yes yes Aerodrome A. baueri Heathland A. ilicifolia ssp. Magnifolia, B. grandiflora, S. scabripes Rotary Park – tip Melaleuca yes

4Features: 1: National Parks 2: Rare and/or Threatened Species 3: Marine Plants 4: Critical Nature Conservation Areas 5: State Forest Scientific Areas 6: Endangered and/or Of Concern RE Types 7: Significant Wetland Areas 8: Riparian vegetation 9: Significant Vegetation Types 10: Broad Nature Conservation Areas 11: Local Council Protected Areas

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