Biodiversity Strategy 2012–2022 - Cairns Regional Council ...

Table of ContentsEXECUTIVE SUMMARY...........................................................51 INTRODUCTION..................................................................71.1 WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY?.........................................................71.2 WHY PROTECT BIODIVERSITY?............................................81.3 HOW CAN COUNCIL PROTECT BIODIVERSITY?..............92 THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY IN THE CAIRNS REGION.....112.1 POPULATION GROWTH AND URBAN EXPANSION.... 112.2 CLIMATE CHANGE................................................................. 112.2.1 Climate change projections for the Cairns region.... 112.2.2 Climate change impacts on biodiversity............ 122.2.3 How species are likely to respond toclimate change......................................................... 142.3 HABITAT FRAGMENTATION,DEGRADATION AND LOSS.................................................. 182.4 DECREASED WATER QUALITY, ALTERED FLOWREGIMES AND LOSS OF RIPARIAN ANDCOASTAL VEGETATION........................................................ 282.5 INVASIVE SPECIES AND BIOSECURITY RISKS................ 282.6 ALTERED FIRE REGIMES....................................................... 293 POLITICAL AND PLANNING CONTEXT............................313.1 FEDERAL................................................................................... 323.2 STATE - QUEENSLAND.......................................................... 323.3 REGIONAL................................................................................ 323.4 LOCAL ........................................................................................ 334 THE STRATEGY.................................................................354.1 VISION....................................................................................... 354.2 SCOPE ........................................................................................ 354.3 INTENT....................................................................................... 354.4 OBJECTIVES............................................................................. 354.5 KEY STRATEGIES..................................................................... 354.6 STRATEGIC OUTCOMES....................................................... 364.7 IMPLEMENTATION AND ACTION...................................... 364.7.1 Financial requirements........................................... 364.7.2 Review and accountability.................................... 364.7.3 Partnerships.............................................................. 364.7.4 Implementation plan.............................................. 365 A PROFILE OF BIODIVERSITY IN THE CAIRNS REGION.....455.1 OVERVIEW OF BIODIVERSITY............................................ 455.2 ABOUT THE WET TROPICS BIOREGION.......................... 525.3 BIODIVERSITY CASE STUDIES............................................ 545.3.1 Littoral Rainforest and coastal vine thicket....... 545.3.2 Great Barrier Reef..................................................... 545.3.3 Daintree Rainforest.................................................. 555.3.4 Bartle Frere and Bellenden Ker.............................. 555.4 ICONIC FAUNA........................................................................ 565.4.1 Cassowary.................................................................. 565.4.2 Bennett’s and Lumholtz’s tree kangaroos.......... 575.4.3 Spotted-tailed quoll and northern quoll............ 575.4.4 Golden bower bird................................................... 585.4.5 Beach stone-curlew................................................. 585.4.6 Dugong....................................................................... 595.4.7 Waterfall frog............................................................ 595.4.8 Freshwater moray.................................................... 605.4.9 Opal cling goby........................................................ 605.4.10 Barramundi............................................................... 605.5 ICONIC FLORA......................................................................... 615.5.1 Fan palm.................................................................... 615.5.2 Daintree pine............................................................. 615.5.3 Stockwellia................................................................. 625.5.4 Noahdendron............................................................ 625.5.5 Tropical Pitcher Plant.............................................. 625.5.6 Idiot Fruit.................................................................... 635.5.7 Seagrasses................................................................. 636 CURRENT COUNCIL INITIATIVES TO RESTOREOR PROTECT BIODIVERSITY............................................656.1 WEED MANAGEMENT.......................................................... 656.2 TREE PLANTING AND SEED PROPAGATION.................. 656.3 FERAL ANIMAL CONTROL PROGRAM – FERAL PIGS.... 656.4 SPECIES MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS............................. 666.5 CATTANA WETLANDS.......................................................... 666.6 STRATEGIC BUY-BACK OF LAND...................................... 666.7 RATES INCENTIVES FOR CONSERVATION POLICY............ 666.8 CLEANER SEAS PROJECT - WASTEWATERTREATMENT PLANT UPGRADES....................................... 667 ADDITIONAL MAPPING...................................................67GLOSSARY.............................................................................73REFERENCES..........................................................................75PHOTO CREDITS....................................................................79

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1 IntroductionThe Cairns region (the region) is renownedfor its exceptional biodiversity, andreceives visitors from all over the worldwho come to experience the rich arrayof ecosystems the area offers. The regioncovers an area of 4,135 square kilometres,from Bloomfield in the North, toMirriwinni in the South, extending about190km from its northern to southernboundaries. Within this area Councilmanages parks, gardens, wetlands andconservation areas which cover an areaof 622 hectares. To the east of the regionis the Coral Sea coastline includingthe World Heritage listed Great BarrierReef Marine Park. To the west is themountainous Wet Tropics World HeritageArea – containing some of the oldestcontinuously present tracts of tropicalrainforests on earth.The region is one of the fastest growingin Australia, with more than 3% annualgrowth experienced over the last 10years. Growth has slowed in recentyears to 1.9% p.a. in response toeconomic circumstances. The estimatedresidential population at 30 June 2011was 170, 586. 1Major threats to the biodiversity of theregion include habitat fragmentation,invasion by exotic pests and diseases,climate change, altered water qualityand flow regimes, urban developmentand population expansion and alteredfire regimes. Climate change in particularposes a serious risk to the biodiversityof the region and researchers havepredicted a decline in plant and animalspecies, loss of habitat, increased bushfirerisk, increased intensity of cyclones andspread of noxious weeds as some of thepotential impacts.It is vital that we protect the biodiversityof our unique region and strive toenhance the natural values on which ourregional economy and lifestyle depend.In the past the biodiversity of the regionhas been compromised for development,agriculture and other human activities.Preserving biodiversity given theincreasing population and competingdemands on ecosystems is a global issuewith local solutions. The Cairns RegionalCouncil Biodiversity Strategy (theStrategy) will assist Council to identifyand prioritise strategic actions to protectand restore the region’s biodiversity andto encourage and support communityinitiatives for biodiversity protection.The strategy aims to improve theway Council manages the region’sbiodiversity. While this is a Councildocument, many of the actions willrequire strong partnerships betweenvarious stakeholders to achieve longterm outcomes.1.1 What is biodiversity?Biodiversity is an abbreviation of“biological diversity” and refers to thevariety of all life forms. This includesthe different animals, plants, microorganismsand fungi, their geneticdiversity and the marine, terrestrial andfreshwater ecosystems that they form.Australia’s Biodiversity ConservationStrategy 2010 – 2030 defines biodiversityas “the variability among living organismsfrom all sources (including terrestrial,aquatic, marine and other ecosystemsand the ecological complexes of whichthey are part), at all levels of organisation,including genetic diversity, speciesdiversity and ecosystem diversity”.Queensland’s biodiversity is definedin the Nature Conservation Act 1992as “the natural diversity of wildlife(including plants and animals), togetherwith the environmental conditions fortheir survival”.Biodiversity can be described as havingfour levels, which all combine to createthe diversity of life of earth.1. Regional diversity – the variety oflandscape, or bioregion, types withina large region;2. Ecosystem diversity – the diversityof plant and animal communitiesin an area;3. Species diversity – the number ofspecies of plants, animals and otherlife forms with consideration to thenumber of individuals of eachspecies; and4. Genetic diversity – the variety ofgenes within and between species.The region is one ofthe fastest growingin Australia, withmore than 3%annual growthexperienced overthe last 10 years.1Australian Bureau of Statistics 2012Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 7

1.2 Why protect biodiversity?Biodiversity is essential to the maintenance of life on earth.Maintaining and restoring biodiversity is important for many reasons. Biodiversity provides the basis for our economic prosperityand social wellbeing, as well as providing ecosystem services such as clean air and water. Biodiversity is critical to our survival, butalso has value in its own right, and should be protected and maintained to allow the survival of species.Ecosystem services and social wellbeingEcosystems provide ‘ecosystem services’ such as oxygen production, water purification, pollination, and soil formation, erosioncontrol, and decomposition - without which our life on earth would not be possible. Maintaining healthy biodiversity meansmaintaining healthy functional ecosystems, which provide us with benefits beyond simple economic returns and healthy lifestyles.Table 1 lists and categorises some examples of the range of benefits ecosystems provide for human wellbeing. Natural areas arealso sanctuaries from urban pressures, places for exploration and provide the community with a sense of place, cultural identityand spiritual nourishment. Although placing a financial value on these services is complex and contentious, they are neverthelessof enormous value to the Cairns economy, to human health and wellbeing of residents and visitors to the region.Table 1. Examples of ecosystem services provided by the natural environment (Wet Tropics Management Authority 2009)Environmental valuesand processesEnvironmental regulation Community services Community enrichment• biodiversity• habitats and refugia• soil formation and fertility• carbon sequestration• biomass production• pollination• nutrient recycling• nitrogen fixing• water cycles• genetic resources• regulation of regionaland micro climates• flood mitigation• water purification• erosion control• pest control• groundwater recharge• clean water supply• energy (hydroelectricity)• shade and shelter• pharmaceutical andbiological products• horticultural products• art and craft materials• tourism• recreation and leisureactivities• spiritual values andenjoyment• scenic and aesthetic values• cultural and historical values• awareness and education• scientific discovery• sense of place and identity• fire regimesCultural heritageFor the traditional Aboriginal peoples in the Far North, the natural environment is inseparable from cultural, social and spiritualwellbeing. The term ‘Country’ means more than just the land, and can include the people, areas of the sea, animals, plants and culturethat are all linked to a particular clan or language group. Over the past 40,000 years plus, ‘first peoples’ lives and spirituality, theircustodial roles and responsibilities have been closely tied to Country. The greater Cairns region is home to the Eastern Kuku Yalanjipeople of the north, and the Djabugay, Yirrganydji and the Yidindji peoples from the central to the southern boundary ofthe local government area.Resources and economyMost human activities in one way or another depend on the region’s natural environment, whether it be the environmental valuesthat attracts and supports a major ecotourism industry; or whether it is the climate that supports tropical agriculture. In the Cairnsregion, biodiversity is the basis of the tourism industry which is a major source of revenue for the region. 2 Total visitor expenditurelevels exceed $2 billion annually. 3 Each year nearly two million domestic visitors and one million international visitors come to theregion, directly supporting tourism businesses, and indirectly supporting a substantial part of the regional economy.The region is a popular destination for domestic and international tourists because of its distinct natural beauty and biodiversityvalues. There is a key link between valuing and protecting our biodiversity and ensuring a strong economic future for thetourism industry.2Prideax and Falco-Mammone 20073Gillespie Economics 20088 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

1.3 How can Council protect biodiversity?Council’s key strategies for protecting biodiversity in the region are:• Protect and restore ecological integrity and habitat connectivity;• Protect and restore waterway health and aquatic biodiversity;• Minimise the impacts of urban development on biodiversity;• Minimise negative downstream impacts on the Great Barrier Reef; and• Encourage Council staff and community members to value, protect and restore biodiversity.Council has the capacity to influence biodiversity conservation in the region in a number of ways. Council can directly influencebiodiversity conservation by:• Managing Council’s natural areas to protect and restore biodiversity, restore connectivity and minimise the impacts ofpest species;• Encouraging urban biodiversity through use of native species in streetscapes and open spaces;• Promoting waterway health in urban, rural and natural areas by protecting or restoring riparian vegetation, managingstormwater and grey water, reducing sediment and chemical loads in run-off, and protecting coastal vegetation; and• Using planning provisions or local laws to minimise ecological impacts of urban development.Council can indirectly influence biodiversity conservation by:• Influencing land management practices on private land through rates incentives, education and other schemes;• Advocating to State and Federal government for improved biodiversity outcomes;• Encouraging and supporting community actions that protect and enhance biodiversity; and• Raising community awareness and encouraging appreciation of the region’s biodiversity values.Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 9

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2 threats to biodiversityin the cairns regionBiodiversity is vulnerable to habitatdegradation, species population declineand potential extinction from threateningprocesses such as habitat fragmentation,changes in fire regimes and introducedspecies. 4 The major threats to biodiversityin the Cairns region are:• Population growth andurban expansion;• Climate change;• Habitat degradation,fragmentation and loss;• Decreased water quality, alteredflow regimes and loss of riparianand coastal vegetation;• Invasive species; and• Altered fire regimes.2.1 Population growthand urban expansionPopulation growth and urban expansionhave the potential to be a significantthreat to the biodiversity of the region.In June 2010 the population was 168,252 5with the greatest concentration nearthe coast. The Cairns region has beenexperiencing continued growth, andover the next 20 years around 70,000new residents are expected to arrivein the region. 6The impacts of populationgrowth include:• Increased demand for land, water,food, energy and other resources;• Increased demand for communityinfrastructure;• Land clearing;• Increased air and water pollution;• Increased likelihood ofintroduction and movement ofdisease and invasive species;7Suppiah et al. 20108Crimp et al. 20049Suppiah et al. 201010Suppiah et al. 201011Short and Woodroffe 200912Suppiah et al. 2010• A change in annual average rainfall• Increased numbers of domesticto 41 days by 2070. 8animals predating native wildlife;andof between -8 to +6% by 2030 andbetween -26 to +18% by 2070. 9• Increased traffic.• Inter-annual rainfall variability isexpected to increase, and rainfall isThe Far North Queensland Regional Planexpected to increase slightly in the2009-2031 specifies the urban footprintwet season and to decreasefor the region. Despite the low currentmarkedly in the late dry season.growth rate of 1.9% p.a., growth will needto be carefully managed and planned• Estimates of total sea-level risefor to maximise efficiency of land useremain uncertain due to unknownand infrastructure while protecting therates of polar ice cap melting.natural environment.However, there is growingconsensus among scientists thatGiven the limited land areas availablefor further urban development in theCairns region, future growth will need tobe carefully managed to avoid furthernegative impacts on biodiversity.sea-level rise of 0.5 to 1.0 metres(compared to 1990 level) isplausible by 2100, and that a riseof 1.5 metres or more cannot beruled out. 10Accessing water for a growing populationcould also have negative impacts on theAs carbon dioxide dissolves intonatural environment and the region’sseawater, it increases the acidity of thebiodiversity. Long and short term impactsocean by formation of carbonic acid.on biodiversity must be consideredThis acidification of the oceans hasthroughout the planning stages toadverse impacts on marine life,minimise the impacts of urban sprawlparticularly corals, and presents a majorand reduce growth pressures in sensitivethreat to the health of the Great Barrierand high risk coastal areas.Reef. While projections of tropicalcyclones in the Australian region are2.2 Climate changeuncertain, available studies suggestthat there may be an increase in thenumber of tropical cyclones in the more2.2.1 Climate changeprojections forthe Cairns regionintense categories (categories 3–5), buta possible decrease in the total numberof cyclones. 11 A recent review of tropicalcyclone characteristics simulated byClimate change is recognised as amajor threat to terrestrial and marinebiodiversity and ecosystem function.models suggests an increase in globallyaveraged tropical cyclone intensity of2-11% by the year 2100. 12The projected climate change impactsfor the Cairns region are listed below: In managing the natural environmentwe need to encourage ecosystem• An increase in annual averageresilience to the impacts of climatetemperature of between 0.6 andchange. Greenhouse gas mitigation and1.1°C by 2030 and between 0.9°Cadaptation strategies are also an integraland 3.5°C by 2070 (compared topart of managing the effects of climate1990 temperatures). 7change upon biodiversity.• An increase in the number ofdays above 35°C from the currentannual average of three days to upBiodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 11

2.2.2 Climate change impacts on biodiversityChanging temperatures, rainfall patterns and cloud height are predicted to have negative impacts on plant and animal species in theWet Tropics. Research shows that the biodiversity of the Wet Tropics is highly sensitive to climate change and high levels of speciesextinctions are predicted with warming beyond 2°C. 13 The location and extent of rainforests, in particular, is largely determinedby rainfall and its seasonality, while the type of rainforest and many of the organisms found within them depend upon narrowtemperature ranges. Climate change impacts upon biodiversity at all its levels of organisation, ranging from biological, ecosystemand ecological impacts through to population level impacts.These impacts result either directly from climate change or indirectly through interactions with other species that are affectedby climate change which leads to changes in competition, food, habitat and predation patterns and processes. For some speciesthese indirect impacts may be stronger than direct impacts. This cascade of climate change impacts also interacts with otherhuman pressures on biodiversity such as habitat degradation and loss, water extraction, pollution and introduction and spreadof pest species. Not only do climate change impacts add to these other pressures, they also interact, altering the way species andecosystems would otherwise respond and adapt.The golden bowerbird and the lemuroid ringtail possum are species that will be seriously affected by climate change due to theirrestricted habitat requirements at higher altitudes. For example, the lemuroid ringtail possum cannot survive above temperaturesof 30°C for longer than 5 hours. Increasing temperatures will reduce already restricted habitat and affect their ability to maintaintheir ideal body temperature, placing even more pressure on this Wet Tropics species.Biological impacts include the direct changes to organisms such as physiological and behavioural changes, including:• Changes in timing of species’ life-cycles (e.g. flowering, fruiting, breeding).Changes will also occur to the composition, structure, function and services of ecosystems including:• Changes in nutrient cycling and natural resource supply (e.g. water);• Changes in predator-prey, parasite-host, plant-pollinator and plant-disperser relationships; and• Changes in ecosystem services such as water supply, pest control and pollination.The golden bowerbird and thelemuroid ringtail possum arespecies that will be seriouslyaffected by climate changedue to their restricted habitatrequirements at higher altitudes.13Still et al. 1999, Krockenberger et al. 2003, Hilbert et al. 2001, Williams et al. 200312 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

Ecological impacts include those that result from changed interactions between organisms and their environment thereby affectingcommunity composition, including:• Changes in breeding, establishment, growth, competition and mortality;• Changes in the location of species’ habitats resulting in range shifts and/or losses due to range expansions, contractionsand eliminations;• Increased opportunity for range expansion of invasive pest species including weeds, feral animals, pathogens and parasites;• Increased opportunity for range expansion of native species with extensive, non-patchy ranges, long-range dispersalmechanisms;• Changes in the structure and composition of ecological communities; and• Formation of novel communities based on new species assemblages.Population impacts refer to changes in species abundance and distribution, including:• Changes in presence/absence and relative/absolute abundances;• Differential individual species’ responses to changing conditions; and• Increases in the risk of extinction for species with limited climatic ranges, limited dispersal ability, specialised habitatrequirements, small populations and/or low genetic diversity.Interactions with other natural and artificial factors including:• Changes in the intensity, frequency and seasonality of extreme events such as cyclones, floods, droughts and fires; and• Changes in human land-use pressures (synergies with changes to land use and other population pressures onthe environment).Figure 1. Diagrams showing heat stress threat zones in the Cairns region (threat zones are shaded orange, with darkest orangebeing highest threat). Numbers to the left represent metres above sea level. Based on projections by Suppiah et al. (2007).Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 13

2.2.3 How species are likely to respond to climate changeIndividual species can exhibit two basic responses to climate change. They can adapt to new conditions within their existing range;or they can migrate to locations where suitable climatic conditions persist. The capacity of individual species to adopt either of thesestrategies will vary.a. Species responses likely to be observed• Shifts in species’ ranges (e.g. to higher, cooler altitudes); 14• Changes in species’ abundances; 15• Changes in the length of a plant species’ growing season;• Earlier flowering in plants, earlier emergence in insects and earlier egg laying in birds; 16• Changes to the timing and sequencing of flowering, fruiting and leaf flush of plants causing many flow-on impacts tospecies dependent upon these plants.b. Ecological responses likely to be observed• A reduction in the nutritional value and an increase in the toughness of most foliage due to increased CO2 levels affectingfolivore abundance (e.g. endemic ringtail possums and many insects); 17• Raised cloud bases will affect species requiring high and consistent moisture levels. 18c. Plant and animal invasionsAlthough many species are likely to be negatively affected by climate change, the greatest community and ecosystem impactsmay come from those native or exotic species that are favoured by changed conditions. Climate change is predicted tosignificantly increase the vulnerability of ecosystems to invasion by feral animals, weeds and pathogens and native climatechange-favoured colonist species.Climate change ispredicted tosignificantly increasethe vulnerability ofecosystems to invasionby feral animals,weeds and pathogensand native climatechange-favouredcolonist species.14Hilbert et al. 2001, Williams et al. 200315Krockenberger 200214 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 202216Root et al. 200317Kanowski 200118Krockenberger et al. 200319Walther et al. 2002, Dukes 2003

d. Changes in fire regimes 20Fire controls much of the boundary between rainforest and sclerophyll forests. 21 Increases in the frequency of droughtsassociated with more El Niño events will increase the frequency and severity of unusual fire years and may lead to large changesin the distribution of rainforest and sclerophyll communities. The Cairns region can expect more fires, and more intense fires, forthe following reasons:• Hotter temperatures;• More droughts;• Less rainfall in winter/spring;• Longer periods of low humidity;• CO2-induced increases in biomass;• Smaller windows of opportunity for prescribed burns.Figure 2. The decline in species richness of regionally endemic rainforest vertebrates with increasing temperature(the darker the shade of red the greater the species richness) from Williams et al. 2003. Copyright S. Williams.Summary1. Climate change will have severe adverse impacts on wildlife and their habitats as well as on ecosystems and the services theyprovide the local community and visitors to the region.2. In general, all native species will be more vulnerable, even those able to tolerate climatic changes per se, as they will all have todeal with a variety of new competitors, predators, diseases and introduced species for which they may have no natural defence.3. It is predicted that existing ecosystems will undergo major changes; with some likely to disappear entirely; some totally new ornovel ecosystems may appear, while others will experience dramatic changes in species composition and geographic extent.20Dukes 2003, Williams et al. 200121Hopkins et al. 1993Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 15

Figure 3. Vegetation transitions in a changing climateThe following images demonstrate several scenarios for how vegetation of theWet Tropics region may respond to changing temperature and rainfall regimesunder climate change. Current vegetation classificiations (figure 3A) of the WetTropics are diverse and range from high altitude cloud forests to fire dominateddry sclerophyll and specialist mangrove ecosystems. Under modelled climatechange predictions based on a 70 year outlook it is anticipated that certainvegetation classes will decline, transition or shift in response to climatewarming and changing precipitation patterns. 22 Figures 3B and 3C indicateprojected changes in vegetation type under a ‘high dry’ climate scenariowith warmer climate with overall decrease in rainfall (figure 3B) and ‘highwet’ scenario with warmer climate and overall increase in rainfall (figure 3C).The most significant changes are anticipated in higher altitude and montanehabitats and vegetation classes. 23Current vegetationclassificiations ofthe Wet Tropics arediverse and rangefrom high altitudecloud forests tofire dominated drysclerophyll andspecialist mangroveecosystems.Figure 3A. Current broad vegetation classification across the Cairns region.22Suppiah et al. 200723Metcalfe, Hilbert, Lawson16 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

Figure 3B. ‘High dry’ climate scenario showing vegetationtransitions in a warming climate with overall decreasein rainfall.Figure 3C. ‘High wet’ climate scenario showing vegetationtransitions in a warming climate with an overall increasein rainfall.Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 17

A wildlife corridorrefers to a tractof land or awatercourse intendedto allow passageby wildlife speciesbetween two or moreforested areas.2.3 Habitat fragmentation,degradation and lossHabitat loss and fragmentationoccurs when vegetation is cleared forurban development, farming or otherinfrastructure, or as a result of a cycloneor flood event. Fragmentation of habitatcan occur when vegetation clearingcauses habitat to be broken into smaller,disconnected areas. For example theclearing of long, linear strips for theconstruction of roads or powerlinesresults in smaller patches of habitatthat are separated by cleared areas.These cleared areas create barriers tothe movement of species, and increasethe risk of invasion by exotic pest andweed species. In the Cairns region,historic land clearing has resulted ina heavily fragmented landscape, andcontinued pressures are leading tofurther fragmentation.Fragmented habitat will cause areduction in the mobility of species andtheir ability to forage. The increasedisolation of small populations leadsto decreased availability of breedingpartners and can cause genetic isolationof populations. The long term survivalof native species can be negativelyaffected, even if they can move betweenfragmented habitat, as they will still beat greater risk from predators, car strikesand dog attacks.Research suggests that naturalecosystems can be seriously affectedfor some distance from the edge wherelinear clearings for infrastructure occur. 24Sunlight and wind can penetrate theseedges, drying out the interior of theforest close to the edge and encouraginggrowth of opportunistic species whichcan displace native vegetation. 25These edge effects further reduce thearea of suitable habitat available formany native species.In the Cairns region, lowland habitatsare the most fragmented due to theconcentration of towns and infrastructurein these areas. Protection of lowlandhabitats by minimising further clearing,fragmentation and degradation andincreasing connectivity will improvethe likelihood of the survival of lowlandfauna species such as the cassowary.The mapping in the following pagesgives an indication of the level of habitatfragmentation in the region and theopportunities for restoring connectivity.Figure 5 illustrates the fragmentationcorridors running through the region.Many of these follow major transportroutes. Figure 6 shows the current habitatconnectivity in the region, and Figure 7indicates the potential connectivityvalue of land areas.Landscape connectivity“Connectivity” refers to the maintenanceor restoration of key, large-scaleecological phenomena, flows, andprocesses critical to the long-termconservation of biodiversity. This mayrange from large-scale ecologicalprocesses such as water cycles and flowregimes to the transfer of genes fromlowland areas to upland areas.Ecological corridorsA wildlife corridor refers to a tract ofland or a watercourse intended to allowpassage by wildlife species between twoor more forested areas. Their primarypurpose is to link otherwise separatedpopulations and for mitigating otherimpacts of habitat fragmentation onwildlife populations. Although the mostimportant corridors are those that runlong distances or which capture analtitudinal gradient; all corridors promotegenetic exchange and link populations.Strengthening and extending networksof corridors by planting trees will alsoprovide a carbon sink.24Goosem and Turton 200625McFadyen 200018 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

A regional corridor network will benefitand increase the resilience of manyspecies of wildlife and vegetationcommunities by:• Mitigating some of the detrimentalecological impacts arising fromsurrounding land-uses; and• Providing conduits through which:− wildlife can disperse from areaswhich have reached maximumcarrying capacity and/orcompetition, and recoloniseother favourable habitats,potentially improving theresilience of a populationto stress;− wildlife can follow or escapelocal or longer-term seasonalchanges in environmentalconditions;− wildlife can access previouslyseparated populations withwhich breeding may take place,better maintaining and possiblyimproving genetic variability.Types of corridorsA useful way to look at corridors focuseson the ecological functions they canprovide. In the broad view, corridorsprovide pathways for the flow of genesover time. Gene flow is important tomaintain the vigour of populationsand their ability to adapt to changingenvironments. In a closer view, corridorsprovide potential pathways for individualanimals moving between populations.On yet a finer scale, corridors mayprovide access to resources that anindividual may need to survive andreproduce on a yearly or even daily basis.MobilityThe requirements of habitat vary fromspecies to species and sometimesaccording to the different life stageswithin a species. Reasonably mobileanimals like the Wompoo Pigeon cancover large tracts (20 ha) of forest intheir daily search for food, sometimesrelocating to areas over ten kilometresaway in response to fruiting trees. Otheranimals like the Boyd’s Forest Dragonare largely sedentary and may only movearound in comparatively small area (0.1ha) of forest in their hunt for insects andthe odd rainforest fruit.Figure 4. Common causes of habitat fragmentation in the landscape.Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 19

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A brief history of vegetation clearing inthe Wet Tropics (from Kemp et al. 2007)From the 1840s Europeans were cuttingtimber from the Wet Tropics. From about1870, small areas of land were taken upfor sugarcane plantations and the areaunder sugarcane rapidly expanded duringthe 1880s. By this time, most of the usefulred cedar timber (Toona ciliata) had beenharvested from the lowland forests. Withsupport of a South Sea Islander workforce,agricultural expansion accelerated againin the 1890s and early 1900s. A state landdevelopment policy in the first decade ofthe 20th century saw large areas surveyedfor cattle farming, and between Tully andCooktown, large areas were subdividedand cleared in the 1920s.In the late 1980s and early 1990s largeareas of lowlands vegetation were clearfelledon State lands for the establishmentof pine plantations, particularly in theCardwell area and the Herbert floodplain(Abergowrie, Broadwater and LannercostState Forests). At about this time (1989)a rare marsupial, the mahogany glider(Petaurus gracilis) previously not recordedsince its original description in 1883, wasre-discovered, clinging to the remnants ofhabitat confined to the Herbert and Tullylowlands, and critically endangered byclearing). A subsequent development rushwas triggered, amid fears of impendingclearing restrictions, and a largeproportion of the remaining arable land inthe Herbert and Tully lowlands (within therange of the mahogany glider) was clearedof vegetation.Shortly before the introduction of Statetree clearing laws in 2000 (VegetationManagement Act 1999), another minorclearing surge was initiated, but by thistime most of the available land hadbeen cleared, with the remainder eitherwithin reserves, or too swampy or salineto clear. The remnant native vegetationon the floodplain of the wet tropics istoday (except for estuarine areas) severelydepleted, with many of the remnantsexisting in various stages of weed invasionand structural alteration due to cessationof burning, timber harvesting and otheractivities.Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 21

Figure 5. Fragmentation index - habitat fragmentation in the Cairns region.Interactive Biodiversity Assessment and Planning Framework (IBAPF), FNQROC, 2011.22 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

Fragmentation IndexThe fragmentation index is a measure of the extent to which land use hasfragmented the landscape. In order to plan for and respond to the threatsposed by fragmentation, it is important to understand how threats interactat the landscape scale.The fragmenation index is a combination of three key data layers:a) Non remnant vegetation – parts of the landscape where pre-europeanvegetation has been removed for settlement, industry and agriculture;b) Non remnant and disturbed land use network –the main corridors ofhuman activty in the lansdcape;c) Roads –A combination of road density, road class and proximty.Roads and other linear infrastructure are a major barrier to mobiltyof fauna and continuity in vegetation communities.Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 23

Figure 6. Current habitat connectivity index - existing connectivity between habitat areas.Interactive Biodiversity Assessment and Planning Framework (IBAPF), FNQROC, 2011.24 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

Current habitat connectivity indexThis index identifies the landscape scale connectivity between areas ofhigh biodiversity value. The resulting network output can be used to guidewhere landscape scale linkages and values are most important.The current habitat connectivity network index is the result of a networkThe current habitat connectivity network index is the result of a networkanalysis based on the biodiversity index (see figure 6 for a more detailedexplanation). The analysis assigns a network score to each 20 hectare cellwithin the model based on its individual biodiversity index score (h) aswell as its contribution to the connectivity of the entire network (i).Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 25

Figure 7. Potential connectivity index – potential habitat connectivity for mobility.Interactive Biodiversity Assessment and Planning Framework (IBAPF), FNQROC, 2011.26 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

Potential connectivity indexPotential for habitat connectivity on a local scale can be identified throughtwo key mechanisms: habitat linkages and habitat expansion. Ideallyplanning for mobility for fauna delivers both. The connectivity index isa measure of the potential for areas to provide important links betweenexisting remnant vegetation.The connectivity index is derived from an analysis of remnant vegetationcover (a) and the distance and direction of the nearest possible link (b).The final output is essentially a conditional buffer identifying gaps betweenexisting vegetation (c). This first step in identifying potential landscapelinkages can be used alongside fragmentation and functional connectivitydata to determine where activities like restoration and fauna crossings willbe most effective.Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 27

2.4 Decreased water quality, altered flow regimes and loss of riparian and coastal vegetationIn addition to its renowned terrestrial biodiversity, the region is also home to many unique aquatic plant and animal speciesincluding freshwater species such as eel, frogs and fish as well as marine species including seagrass, dugong and crocodiles.These aquatic species depend on water quality for their survival and are affected by changes in water quality, riparian and coastalvegetation cover and water flow regimes.In recent history, wetland, streams and other freshwater environments have been adversely affected by changes in land use andremoval of riparian vegetation. These ecosystems have experienced increased sediment and nutrient loads, inflow of pesticides andrubbish. Marine biodiversity, in particular inshore reefs, is also suffering from pollution as sediments and nutrients wash into the seafrom both urban and agricultural areas.2.5 Invasive species and biosecurity risksInvasive plant and animal species (pest species) often compete with, or directly prey on, native species. Pest plants and animals cansignificantly alter essential habitats and effect ecosystem processes to the detriment of native biodiversity. Pathogens such as Myrtlerust also present a real and direct threat to the survival of native flora and fauna.Invasive plants out-compete and smother native flora leading to dominant monocultures that prevent the establishment andmaintenance of diverse forests or interrupt aquatic flows. Invasive animals can out-compete native fauna and become the dominantpredator preying on native species and competing for resources such as nesting hollows.Established pest species require a large amount of resources for control and eradication. In the Cairns region there are many pestsand weeds and their management and control is one of the most important areas for the protection of biodiversity in the region.Refer to Council’s draft Pest Management Plan for a full list of priority pest species.Table 2. Significant pest species in the Cairns region.Pest Animals Pest Plants Other biosecurity risksFeral pigs (Sus scrofa)Fire ants (Solenopsis invicta)Electric ants (Wasmannia auropunctata)Yellow crazy ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes)Pond apple (Annona glabra)Miconia (Miconia calvescens)Hiptage (Hiptage benghalensis)Cecropia (Cecropia peltata)Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata)Sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia)Thunbergia (Thunbergia laurifolia)Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)Brillantasia (Brillantasia lamium)Myrtle rust (Puccinia psidii s.l.)Phytophthora (Phytophthora cinnamomi)The impacts of vertebrate pests like feral pigs may increase over time with changes to the climate, particularly in upland rainforests.Feral pigs cause many problems, including degradation of upland microhylid frog habitat, a species already threatened by climatechange. Feral pigs are also linked to the spreading of pathogens like phytophthora – causing rainforest dieback on Bartle Frere andBellenden Ker. 2626Low 201128 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

Figure 8 below illustrates hotspots in theregion for occurrence of priority pest species only.Figure 8. Frequency of occurrence of prioritypest species in the Cairns region as identified in theDraft Cairns Regional Council Pest Management Plan.Interactive Biodiversity Assessmentand Planning Framework (IBAPF), FNQROC, 2011.Note: this map displays occurrence of priority pest species onlyand is not an accurate representation of overall pest species occurrence.For further information on the distribution of other invasive species refer toCouncil’s Pest Management Plan and the Department of Primary Industrieswebsite: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au2.6 Altered fire regimesFire managed by humans has been partof the wet tropics landscape for tensof thousands of years and has played asignificant role in shaping the forests weare familiar with today.Depending on the vegetation type, firemay promote or adversely impact onbiodiversity. Some vegetation typessuch as rainforests and wet sclerophyllforests are more fire sensitive than others(such as savannah woodlands) and forthis reason the issue of fire regimesand impact on biodiversity needs to beconsidered for the breadth of vegetationtypes within the region. The open forestsand woodlands of the Cairns region havebeen subjected to less frequent fires inrecent European history due to rainforestexpansion) while dry and wet sclerophyllforests occurring on the rain shadowside of the coastal ranges are naturallyassociated with rainforest boundaries.European disturbances in these areas(clearing, logging) have changedvegetation structure and increased firesusceptibility to rainforests which aresensitive to fire.The projected climate change impacts forthe region will influence the frequencyand intensity of fires (see section 3.3.3).These projected impacts may also reducethe number of days suitable for hazardreduction burning. Managing fire regimesto reduce risk to property, people andbiodiversity in the predicted changingclimate change will be increasinglychallenging.Climate change may alter fire regimes,affecting species that are sensitive tofire frequency or intensity. Fire sensitiveecosystems (including rainforests andwet sclerophyll forests) and species willbe at greater risk with increases in fireweather. Climate change will also havedirect impacts on biodiversity by causingshifts in the distributions of species.Climate-induced changes to biodiversitywill also drive fire regimes by changingthe amount and composition of fuels.Hence climate change, fire regimes andbiodiversity have complex feedbackinteractions (positive and negative)with different potential outcomes fordifferent biomes. 27Management actions will need to adaptto improve ecosystem resilience, reducefire risk and mitigate species loss. 28There is no easy solution to reducingthe impact of changed fire regimesresultant from changes in climate. It willbe important to develop and enhancemonitoring strategies that track theimpact of climate change on biodiversity,evolution of altered fire regimes andbiodiversity response to interactingdrivers of change at landscape scales. 29Buffering fire sensitive vegetation typesand species habitats from fire risk will beof increased importance.27Williams et al. 200928Dunlop and Brown 200829Williams et al. 2009Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 29

26Low 201130 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

3 Political and Planning ContextThere is a substantial legislative and policy framework for biodiversity conservation from the national to the local level. Figure 9illustrates statutory (legally binding) and non-statutory frameworks for biodiversity conservation from the federal to the local level.FederalStatutoryEnvironmental Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 2000Non-statutoryAustralia’s Biodiversity Strategy 2010-2030State – QueenslandStatutoryNature Conservation Act 1992Vegetation Management Act 1999Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route) Management Act 2002Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993Non-statutoryWet Tropics Management Plan 1998Building Nature’s Resilience: A Biodiversity Strategy for Queensland 2011Back on Track – Species Prioritisation FrameworkWet Tropics Conservation Strategy: the conservation, rehabilitation andtransmission to future generations of the Wet Tropics World Heritage AreaRegionalStatutoryFar North Queensland Regional Plan 2009 – 2031Non-statutoryBack on Track – Actions for Biodiversity ‘Wet Tropics Region’Regional Pest Management StrategyLocalStatutoryCairnsPlan 2009Douglas Shire Planning Scheme 2008Cairns Regional Council Community Plan 2011-2031Non-statutoryCairns Regional Council Corporate Plan 2009-2014Cairns Regional Council Biodiversity StrategyFigure 9. Key legislation and documents influencing biodiversity.Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 31

The AustralianGovernment iscommitted to theinternationallyagreed ‘Convention onBiological Diversity’.3.1 FederalConventionsThe Australian Government is committedto the internationally agreed ‘Conventionon Biological Diversity’ which has threekey goals:- Conservation of biological diversity;- Sustainable use of its components;- Fair and equitable sharing ofthe benefits from the use ofgenetic resources.LegislationThe Environment Protection andBiodiversity Conservation Act 1999 wasestablished to protect species or areasof national environmental significance.’Matters of national significance’ relevantto Cairns Regional Council include:• EPBC listed threatened speciesand communities;• EPBC listed migratory species;• Commonwealth marineenvironment;• World heritage properties;• National heritage places;• The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.StrategiesThe Australian Government has alsodeveloped a national policy document toguide how governments, the community,industry and scientists will manage andprotect biodiversity over the next 20years. The vision of Australia’s BiodiversityConservation Strategy 2010-2020 is that‘Australia’s biodiversity is healthy andresilient to threats, and valued bothin its own right and for its essentialcontribution to our existence.’3.2 State - QueenslandLegislationThe principle legislation for theconservation and protection ofbiodiversity in Queensland is TheNature Conservation Act 1992. It createsa framework for identifying, gazettingand managing protected areas, as wellas protecting native plants and animals.The Land Protection (Pest and StockRoute Management) Act 2002 providesthe framework for controlling declaredplants and animal pests. The VegetationManagement Act 1999 forms the mainlegislative framework for the protectionof vegetation in Queensland and relieson mapping to identify areas of highconservation value, areas vulnerableto land degradation and areas ofremanent vegetation.StrategiesBuilding Nature’s Resilience: A BiodiversityStrategy for Queensland was finalisedin 2011 and has the vision of ‘Buildingresilience to the anticipated effectsof climate change and reversingbiodiversity decline’.3.3 RegionalStatutoryThe Far North Queensland Regional Plan2009-2031 (FNQ2031 Plan) documentsthe biodiversity policies which havebeen developed for the region. The newCairns Regional Council Planning Schemewill need to implement the biodiversitypolicies of the FNQ2031 Plan ensuringthat the Regional Planning outcomes areachieved at a local level.The biodiversity conservation objectiveof the FNQ2031 Plan is:Protect, manage and enhance the extent,diversity, condition and connectivity ofthe region’s natural areas to maintainecological integrity and processes,reverse biodiversity decline and increaseresilience to the expected impacts ofclimate change.Non-statutoryThe Wet Tropics ConservationStrategy (2004) provides guidancefor the protection of the Wet TropicsWorld Heritage Area values and themanagement of threats.32 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

3.4 LocalCouncil policies, plans and strategiesCouncil’s Corporate Plan 2009-2014identifies the vision for the region andinforms Council’s annual OperationalPlan. One of the four elements of theCouncil’s vision is to be Australia’sgreenest region.The Biodiversity Strategy is alignedwith Council’s Protection of theNatural Environment Policy, CorporateSustainability Policy and Carbon EmissionsReduction Policy.Council has a number of other plansand strategies that will support theBiodiversity Strategy as follows:- Cairns Regional Council ClimateChange Strategy 2010-2015- Cairns Regional Council MarinePlant Management Strategy 2010- Cairns City Council PestManagement Plan 2005/DouglasShire Council Pest ManagementPlan 2004- Cairns Regional Council FaunaManagement PlanPlanning SchemesDouglas Shire Planning Scheme (2008)The Douglas Shire Planning Schemeincludes a Conservation Planning Area(CPA) which encompasses the majorityof the areas of the Daintree lowlandsthat are not part of the Wet Tropics WorldHeritage Area. The CPA aims to protectthe biodiversity values of the area. Landwithin this CPA is categorised as one offour precincts: Rainforest Conservation;Rainforest Residential; RainforestCommercial/Community; or RainforestTourism Precinct.All proposed land use changes withinthe CPA trigger assessment by Council,and in some precincts certain land usesare not permitted depending. Withinthe Conservation Precinct, the only usepermitted is for a house, provided thata building pad had been legally clearedand that that it has been maintained.In addition to the CPA, vegetation isprotected through the Natural Areasand Scenic Amenity Code which applieswhen the Designated DevelopmentArea is within or partially within an areacontaining remnant vegetation or iswithin 50 metres of remnant vegetationor an identified waterway. This Codeaims at maintaining and protectingbiodiversity and scenic amenity bypreventing the removal or damage ofvegetation and riparian corridors.CairnsPlanCairnsPlan is the planning scheme forthe area that was previously ‘CairnsCity Council’. CairnsPlan includesConservation Planning Areas in variousPlanning Districts in the region. Inthese Conservation Planning Areas,any kind of development requires anapproval and most land uses are eitherImpact Assessable (requiring publicnotification) or Impact Inconsistent –unlikely to be approved and requiringPublic Notification. The CairnsPlan alsoincludes the Vegetation Conservationand Waterway Significance Overlay thataims to maintain and protect biodiversityby preventing the removal or damage ofvegetation and riparian corridors.Council’s CorporatePlan 2009-2014identifies the visionfor the region andinforms Council’sannual OperationalPlan. One of thefour elements ofthe Council’s visionis to be Australia’sgreenest region.Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 33

34 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

4 the strategyA large portion of land in the Cairnsregion is protected in national andmarine parks, however there arealso considerable areas of valuablebiodiversity outside of these protectedareas. It is in these areas where Councilcan most effectively act to protectbiodiversity values from threats andimpacts.Historically the focus of biodiversityconservation has been on protectedareas. Today there is general agreementthat a whole of landscape approach forbiodiversity conservation provides betteroutcomes and more resilient species,ecosystems and ecological processes.This whole of landscape approach aimsto connect areas of important habitatthrough corridors, reduce threats, andfocus on rehabilitation and restorationof landscapes. The importance of urban‘green spaces’ for protecting biodiversityis also increasingly being acknowledgedas important both for biodiversityconservation and community wellbeing.Council is committed to protecting andrestoring the significant biodiversity ofthis region. By adopting this strategyCouncil acknowledges the improvementsit can make in its day to day activities toprotect, restore and value biodiversity.4.1 VisionThe vision of the strategy is that:The biodiversity of the Cairns Region isprotected and the resilience of speciesand ecosystems is enhanced throughimproved processes, planning andland management.4.2 ScopeThe strategy aims to produce outcomesthat are within Council’s sphere ofinfluence, including land and waterwaymanagement, urban planning,community engagement and staffeducation. The strategy includes animplementation plan to guide howCouncil achieves these outcomes inpartnership with the community and keystakeholders over the next 10 years.4.3 IntentThe strategy will guide Council’splanning and operational activitiesand the prioritisation of projectsaccording to biodiversity outcomes.Mapping is provided to identify keyareas of biodiversity value, threats andconnectivity corridors.4.4 ObjectivesThe objectives of the strategy are to:• Provide a clear plan for howCouncil can protect biodiversity;• Build the capacity of Council andthe community to value andprotect biodiversity;• Ensure Council acts strategicallyto protect the region’s uniquebiodiversity;• Reduce negative impacts of humanactivities on terrestrial and aquaticbiodiversity;• Ensure Council’s approach to landmanagement, urban planning andgeneral operations is informed bythe latest scientific research;• Encourage greater awarenessof the region’s unique biodiversityto encourage Council staff andcommunity members to valueand protect biodiversity.4.5 Key strategiesCouncil’s key strategies for protectingbiodiversity in the region are:• Protect and restore ecologicalintegrity and habitat connectivity;• Protect and restore waterwayhealth and aquatic biodiversity;• Minimise the impacts of urbandevelopment on biodiversity;• Minimise negative downstreamimpacts on the Great Barrier Reef;• Encourage Council staff andcommunity members to value,protect and restore biodiversity.By adopting thisstrategy Councilacknowledges theimprovements itcan make in its dayto day activities toprotect, restore andvalue biodiversity.Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 35

4.6 Strategic outcomesThe strategic outcomes of the strategyhave been divided into seven categoriesand are listed below.Valuing biodiversity anddemonstrating leadership:• Council works in partnershipwith community, researchorganisations, traditional owners,industry stakeholders and otherlocal organisations to protectbiodiversity and demonstrateleadership to communityand industry;• Council staff and communitymembers are well informedabout the biodiversity values ofour region and how to minimisenegative impacts on ecologicalvalues.Managing invasive species andbiosecurity risks:• The impacts of pests and weedsin the region are managed,reduced and minimised.Protecting and restoring ecologicalintegrity and habitat connectivity:• Biodiversity loss and generalspecies decline are preventedor minimised;• Habitat connectivity and ecologicalfunction of natural areas is restoredand maintained, particularlyin corridors of local and regionalsignificance;• Listed threatened species aremanaged to reduce further stresson populations and efforts aremade to reverse their decline.Responding to climate change:• Areas and species consideredat risk from climate change areidentified and managed topromote species survival andminimise additional negativeimpacts.Managing the impacts of developmentand population expansion:• Urban areas are planned tominimise negative impactson ecological values.Reducing the risks of alteredfire regimes:• Council’s fire managementpractices are informed by currentresearch and consider the compleximplications for local biodiversity.Protecting and restoring riparian andcoastal vegetation and improvingwater quality:• Riparian vegetation is restoredand water quality in waterwaysis improved;• Coastal biodiversity is protectedand enhanced.4.7 Implementationand actionAn implementation plan has beendeveloped to guide how Councilachieves the strategy objectives inpartnership with the community and keystakeholders over the next 10 years. It willguide Council’s planning and operationalactivities and the prioritisation of projectsaccording to biodiversity outcomes.4.7.1 Financial requirementsThis strategy is to provide a high leveldirection for managing our biodiversityacross Council. Departments will needto undertake further detailed analysis ofthe key strategies particularly for newinitiatives. Council has an annual budgetcycle in which implementation of newprograms can be approved. Externalfunding and grants will need to besourced from Commonwealth andState programs.4.7.2 Review and accountabilityThe strategy will need to be monitoredand reviewed to determine its successand areas of improvement required.The strategy will be reviewed annuallyand implementation will be overseenby Council’s Environmental SustainabilityFramework (Environmental SustainabilityCommittee and the Natural EnvironmentWorking Group).4.7.3 PartnershipsCouncil will need to work with theFederal, State, other Local Governments,Natural Resource Management Groups,landholders, industry and the communityto deliver the Strategy. Managingbiodiversity crosses Local Governmentboundaries and jurisdictions, andeffective working in partnerships arecritical. Working to better engage, learnfrom and empower the local communityis also a vital element of achieving thevision of the strategy.Specific agencies that Council willcontinue to work with include;Commonwealth Department ofSustainability, Environment, Water,Population and Communities, TheCommonwealth Scientific and IndustrialResearch Organisation (CSIRO),Queensland Department of Environmentand Resource Management, Departmentof Planning and Infrastructure, WetTropics Management Authority,Biosecurity Queensland, Terrain NaturalResource Management, Far NorthQueensland Regional Organisation ofCouncils, James Cook University theCairns and Far North Environment Centreand community groups.4.7.4 Implementation planStrategy implementation will be guidedby the strategic actions in the followingimplementation plans.36 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

VALUING BIODIVERSITY & DEMONSTRATING LEADERSHIPStrategic outcomes:• Council works in partnership with community, research organisations, traditional owners, industry stakeholders and other localorganisations to protect biodiversity and demonstrate leadership to industry and the community;• Council staff and community members are well informed about the biodiversity values of our region and how to minimisenegative impacts on biodiversity values.Impacts of biodiversity not being understood and valued:• Council not leading by example in protecting natural values which may cause damage to the internationally significantecosystems of the region;• Council staff and contractors may be unaware of the significance of species and ecosystems therefore not act to protect them;• Community members may be unaware of local biodiversity values and therefore not act to protect native plants and animalsfrom their own impacts (e.g. pets) or other factors.Strategic outcome:• Council works in partnership with community, research organisations, traditional owners , industry stakeholders and other localorganisations to protect biodiversity and demonstrate leadership to industry and the communityACTIONS: RESPONSIBILITY: FUNDING REQUIRED: TIMEFRAME:1 Dedicate a staff position to guide Council’sstrategic biodiversity decisions and practices2 Develop and implement a vegetation offsetguideline for Council works and projects3 Explore the development and implementation ofan environmental levy4 Ensure landscape and land use planningencourage greater biodiversity in urbanenvironments5 Work with NRM bodies to assist in delivering NRMplans and encouraging community support ofbiodiversity conservation outcomes6 Review current policies, constraints anddisincentives for private land conservation anddevelop tools to address theseExecutive team,Planning StrategiesPlanning Strategies,Systems Support$100,000/year (or 2013-onwardsembedded cost ifexisting position isredefined)Low or embedded cost 2013-2014Planning Strategies Low or embedded cost 2014-2016Planning Strategies,InfrastructureManagement,Technical SupportServices, Natural AreasManagementPlanning Strategies,Natural AreasManagement,Terrain NRMPlanning Strategies,DevelopmentAssessmentLow or embedded costLow or embedded costOngoingOngoingLow or embedded cost 2013Strategic outcome:• Council staff and community members are well informed about the biodiversity values of our region and how to minimisenegative impacts on biodiversity values7 Provide clear information to landholders to ensurebetter understanding of obligations to complywith clearing controls and planning schemeprovisions8 Deliver a biodiversity education campaignproviding information on local biodiversity valuesand how to encourage backyard biodiversity,and identify new opportunities for communityengagementDevelopmentAssessment,Planning StrategiesLow or embedded cost2015-onwardsPlanning Strategies,Natural AreasManagement, GBRMPA,DERM, Terrain NRMLow or embedded cost2013-onwardsBiodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 37

MANAGING INVASIVE SPECIES & BIOSECURITY RISKSStrategic outcome:• The impacts of pests and weeds in the region are managed and minimised.Impacts of invasive species:• Native species face competition for resources;• Invasive species prey on native species;• Habitat is altered by invasive species, resulting in changes to ecosystem type and function.Strategic outcome:• The impacts of pests and weeds in the region are managed and minimised.ACTIONS: RESPONSIBILITY: FUNDING REQUIRED: TIMEFRAME:9 Develop and implement a Myrtle rust responseand adaptation plan10 Seek additional funding to expand Council’s pestmanagement programsSystems Support,Natural AreasManagement,Water & WasteNatural AreasManagementLow or embedded cost 2012-2013Low or embedded cost 2012-201511 Develop and implement a staff and contractortraining program for early detection andmanagement of pests, weeds and biosecurity risksNatural AreasManagement,Systems SupportLow or embedded cost2012-onwards12 Work with the nursery industry to promoteawareness of weeds and encourage sale of localnative speciesNatural AreasManagement,Planning StrategiesLow or embedded cost2013-onwards13 Provide information to the community aboutgardening with native species (includingpublishing a native plant list)Planning Strategies Low or embedded cost 2012-onwards14 Ensure at least 75% of plants used in landscapeand streetscape plantings are local native species(excluding the northern and southern “citygateway” plantings)Natural AreasManagement,Technical SupportServicesLow or embedded cost2012-onwards15 Update and implement Council’s PestManagement Plan and develop property pestmanagement plans for Council assetsNatural AreasManagement, FNQROCLow or embedded cost 2012-201316 Implement Feral Pig Control program Natural AreasManagement, QPWS,land ownersRefer to PestManagement StrategyOngoing17 Provide clear information to landholders to ensurebetter understanding of obligations to complywith clearing controls and planning schemeprovisionsNatural AreasManagement, DERM,Terrain NRM, FNQROC,DEEDI, Biosecurity QldLow or embedded costOngoing18 Develop a planning scheme policy which listsnative plants that are recommended for use inlandscape plans and those that are prohibited,invasive or undesirablePlanning Strategies,Natural AreasManagement,IntegratedDevelopmentAssessment, WTMALow or embedded cost 2013-201438 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

PROTECTING AND RESTORING ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND HABITAT CONNECTIVITYStrategic outcomes:• Biodiversity loss and general species decline are prevented or minimised;• Habitat connectivity and ecological function of natural areas is restored and maintained, particularly in corridors of local andregional significance;• Listed threatened species are managed to reduce further stresses on populations and efforts are made to reverse their decline.Impacts of habitat fragmentation and loss:• Decline or loss of native plant and animal species;• Decreased species mobility and genetic diversity;• Increased vulnerability of species to human impacts and invasive species.Strategic outcome:• Biodiversity loss and general species decline are prevented or minimised.ACTIONS: RESPONSIBILITY: FUNDING REQUIRED: TIMEFRAME:19 Establish a biodiversity monitoring frameworkincluding appropriate indicators, and builda baseline dataset to measure biodiversitycondition and trendsNatural AreasManagement,FNQROC,Planning StrategiesCosts dependanton partnerships2012-201420 Prepare a Natural Asset Management Plan for theregionFNQROC, Natural AreasManagementLow or embedded cost 201321 Ensure biodiversity impacts are considered andminimised for all Council worksSystems Support Low or embedded cost Ongoing22 Work in partnership with the Department ofTransport and Main Roads to encourage faunasensitiveroad design in high value areasFNQROC, SystemsSupport, Natural AreasManagementLow or embedded costOngoingStrategic outcome:• Habitat connectivity and ecological function of natural areas is restored and maintained, particularly in corridors of local andregional significance.23 Identify and map key biodiversity hotspots andrehabilitation corridors/buffers at the local andregional level and develop a plan to restore theseareas24 Assess roadside vegetation management anddesign a process for protecting and/or restoringsignificant roadside vegetationNatural AreasManagement,FNQROC,Planning StrategiesSystems Support,Natural AreasManagementLow or embedded cost 2012Low or embedded cost 2013Strategic outcome:• Threatened species are managed to reduce further stresses on populations and efforts are made to reverse their decline.25 Develop a Fauna and Flora Risk ManagementMatrix (including threatened species mapping)Natural AreasManagement,Systems Support$20,000 2012-201426 Develop a community species mapping project Natural AreasManagement,Systems Support$20,000 2013-2016Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 39

RESPONDING TO CLIMATE CHANGEStrategic outcome:• Areas and species considered at risk from climate change are identified and managed to promote species survival and minimiseadditional negative impacts.Impacts of climate change on biodiversity:• Loss of suitable habitat for high-altitude species;• Altered rainfall patterns resulting in changes species composition;• Increased cyclone disturbance of forests may favour invasive species and result in changes to vegetation type.Strategic outcome:• Areas and species considered at risk from climate change are identified and managed to promote species survival and minimiseadditional negative impacts.ACTIONS: RESPONSIBILITY: FUNDING REQUIRED: TIMEFRAME:27 Identify and map the distribution of speciespredicted to be at risk from climate changeimpacts28 Develop a plan for protecting critical habitat of‘at risk’ species identified in action 18 and outlinemethods for avoiding or minimising additionalnegative impacts (as for action 57 in Council’sClimate Change Strategy)Natural AreasManagement, PlanningStrategies, FNQROC,JCU, CSIRONatural AreasManagement,Planning Strategies,Systems SupportLow or embedded cost 2013Low or embedded cost 201329 Protect high altitude habitat (e.g. by encouragingappropriate location of telecommunicationtowers)Planning Strategies,Corporate GovernanceLow or embedded costOngoing30 Utilise biodiversity-rich solutions for mitigatingclimate change impacts on infrastructure wherepossible (i.e. wetland/beach restoration formanaging erosion and inundation)Technical SupportServices, NaturalAreas ManagementLow or embedded costOngoingA large portion of landin the Cairns region isprotected in nationaland marine parks.40 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

MANAGING THE IMPACTS OF DEVELOPMENT & POPULATION EXPANSIONStrategic outcomes:• Urban areas are planned to minimise negative impacts on ecological values;• Council staff and community members are well informed about the biodiversity values of our region and how to minimiseimpacts on local flora and fauna (see ‘Valuing biodiversity and demonstrating leadership’).Impacts of development and population expansion:• Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation;• Increased infrastructure such as roads and powerlines create barriers to species movement;• Invasive species introduced to the area from gardens and soil movement;• Increased traffic on roads;• Increased numbers of dogs and cats in the area preying on native animals;• Increased pressure on natural resources such as water, land, and food;• Increased pollution enters waterways, air and landfills (nutrients, emissions, air pollutants and waste).Strategic outcome:• Urban areas are planned to minimise negative impacts on ecological values.ACTIONS: RESPONSIBILITY: FUNDING REQUIRED: TIMEFRAME:31 Include comprehensive terrestrial biodiversityhabitat mapping (showing areas of High andGeneral ecological significance) in the newplanning scheme32 Develop covenants to protect significant plantspecies33 Investigate the development of covenants to limitownership of domestic animals in areas of highecological significancePlanning Strategies,FNQROCPlanning &EnvironmentPlanning &EnvironmentLow or embedded cost 2012Low or embedded cost 2013-2015Low or embedded cost 2014-201634 Integrate the Far North Queensland Regional Plan2009-2031 Regional Plan Policies for the naturalenvironment into the new planning scheme35 Investigate the possibility of introducing locallaws to restrict domestic animal ownership inconservation zones36 Design codes/assessment triggers for biodiversityprotectionPlanning Strategies Low or embedded cost 2012-2014Planning Strategies Low or embedded cost 2012-2013Planning Strategies Low or embedded cost 2013-2014Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 41

REDUCING THE RISK OF ALTERED FIRE REGIMESStrategic outcome:• Council’s fire management practices are informed by current research and consider the complex implications forlocal biodiversity.Impacts of altered fire regimes:• Changes to fire regimes alter species composition and may result in local loss of species and/or vegetation types.Strategic outcome:• Council’s fire management practices are informed by current research and consider the complex implications forlocal biodiversityACTIONS: RESPONSIBILITY: FUNDING REQUIRED: TIMEFRAME:37 Review current fire management practices andidentify alternative management strategies takinginto account projected climate changesNatural AreasManagement,Planning StrategiesLow or embedded cost 2013-201438 Ensure fire risk is included in education programsand pest management strategiesNatural AreasManagement,Systems SupportLow or embedded costOngoing39 Identify plant species at risk from altered fireregimes and propagate at Council nurseriesEnvironmentalAssessment, NaturalAreas ManagementLow or embedded costOngoingPROTECTING AND RESTORING WATERWAYS AND COASTAL AREAS AND IMPROVING WATER QUALITYStrategic outcomes:• Riparian vegetation is restored and water quality in waterways is improved;• Coastal biodiversity is protected and enhanced.Impacts of decreased water quality and loss of riparian and coastal vegetation:• Increased sediment and nutrient loads in waterways leads to decreased biodiversity, increased abundance of pest species andcauses negative downstream effects on the marine environment;• Increased soil erosion;• Reduced habitat available for aquatic, semi-aquatic and coastal species;• Vulnerability of coastal areas to erosion and inundation.Strategic outcome:• Riparian vegetation is restored and water quality in waterways is improved.ACTIONS: RESPONSIBILITY: FUNDING REQUIRED: TIMEFRAME:40 Establish water quality monitoring stations andundertake regular monitoring41 Develop comprehensive freshwater biodiversityhabitat mapping to inform the new planningscheme42 Formulate a waterways and wetlandsmanagement plan to protect and restorefreshwater biodiversity, seeking input fromregional expertsTechnical SupportServicesPlanning Strategies,FNQROC, TerrainNatural AreasManagement, CSIRONatural AreasManagement, PlanningStrategies, FNQROC,Terrain NRM, CSIRO$10,000 2013-onwards$10,000 2013-2014Low or embedded cost 2014-201542 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

43 Identify and protect key wetlands, riparianecosystems and other “at risk” habitats in the newplanning schemePlanning Strategies Low or embedded cost 2012-201444 Identify water quality objectives for waterwaysand establish a plan for achieving thesePartnership withGBRMPALow or embedded cost 2013-201545 Ensure water cycle management is considered inland use planning, Council policies and decisionmakingPlanning &Environment,Water & WasteLow or embedded costOngoing46 Encourage the use of greywater in newdevelopmentsPlanning &Environment,Water & WasteLow or embedded costOngoingStrategic outcome:Coastal biodiversity is protected and enhanced47 Review Council’s policies and develop amanagement plan to ensure coastal vegetationis protectedNatural AreasManagement,Systems Support,Planning Strategies$5,000 201348 Map dynamic coastal areas as a baseline forongoing monitoringPartnerships withexternal organisationsLow or embedded costor external funding201549 Restrict vehicle use on beaches, dunes and coastalparks50 Develop and upgrade shoreline erosionmanagement plans for vulnerable areas51 Raise community awareness (through signs andeducation) of the importance of coastal areas asnesting sites for turtles and stopover points formigratory birdsEnvironmentalAssessmentInfrastructureManagementPlanning &Environment, NaturalAreas ManagementLow or embedded cost 2014$80,000 2013-2016$10,000 2014-onwardsThe importance ofurban ‘green spaces’ forprotecting biodiversityis also increasinglybeing acknowledgedas important both forbiodiversity conservationand community wellbeing.Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 43

44 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

5 A profile ofbiodiversity inthe Cairns Region5.1 Overview of biodiversityThe Cairns Regional Council area covers4,135 square kilometres of land that isinternationally recognised for its scenicbeauty and high biodiversity. The regioncontains two World Heritage listedareas: the rainforests of the Wet Tropicsand the reefs and waters of the GreatBarrier Reef. The regional economy, localcommunities and local culture all relyon the internationally significant naturalenvironment of the region.A vast array of organisms, ranging fromsingle celled organisms to the giantStockwellia trees of the East MulgraveRiver Valley, are supported by the variousecosystems, communities and habitats ofthe region. An abundance of migratoryspecies depend on the wetlands,waterways, coastal waters and terrestrialhabitats – from mangrove edges tomountain tops – for food and shelterduring their stopover in the region.The Cairns region contains 144 regionalecosystems in two bioregions: the WetTropics and the Einasleigh Uplandsbioregions. The majority of the land areais within the Wet Tropics bioregion, withonly a very small portion in the northwestclassified as part of the EinasleighUplands bioregion (see figure 10). UnderThe Vegetation Management Act 1999(VMA), 15 of the 144 regional ecosystemsfound in the Cairns Region have anEndangered status; 91 have an OfConcern status and 38 have an Of LeastConcern status. 30Approximately 252 plant species nativeto the Cairns Region are regarded as rareand threatened and 14 plant speciesare regarded as extinct in the wild. It ispossible that populations of some ofthese extinct plants still exist as limitedsurvey work has been undertaken inmany areas of suitable habitat.A vast array oforganisms, rangingfrom single celledorganisms to thegiant Stockwelliatrees of the EastMulgrave RiverValley, aresupported by thevarious ecosystems,communities andhabitats of theregion.30Cairns Regional Council 2010Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 45

Figure 10. Map of bioregions in northern Australia showing the Cairns Regional Council area.46 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

Figure 11. Vegetation index – a measure of the value of existing vegetation.Interactive Biodiversity Assessment and Planning Framework (IBAPF), FNQROC, 2011.48 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

Vegetation indexThe vegation index is a measure of the compound value of the biodiversitystatus of remnant vegetation as classified in regional ecosystem mapping(DERM).The vegetation index is derived from the biodiversity status of remnantvegetation as classified in the regional ecosystem mapping (DERM).a) Endangeredb) Of Concernc) Of Least Concernd) Vegetation index summarises the value of biodiversity status ofvegetation from (a, b & c)Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 49

Figure 12. Biodiversity index – a measure of biodiversity in the Cairns region.Interactive Biodiversity Assessment and Planning Framework (IBAPF), FNQROC, 2011.50 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

Biodiversity IndexThe biodiveristy index is a meaure of the compound value of both thebiodiversity status of remnant vegetation and the maximum number ofunique flora and fauna which utilise those vegetation types.The index is comprised two key compnents:1. A vegetation index (d) which is derived from the biodiversity statusof remnant vegetation as classified in the regional ecosystem mapping(DERM) (a, b and c);2. The number of plants and vertebrates listed under the CommonwealthEPBC Act which utilise each regional ecosystem as primary habitat (e).Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 51

More than halfof Australia’sfreshwater fishspecies are found inQueensland (around200 species) andthe Wet Tropicsalone contains67 species based onrecent discoveries.5.2 About theWet Tropics BioregionQueensland’s Wet Tropics bioregionis unusual in the Australian contextbecause of its high rainfall; however, it isalso renowned for its biological diversity,spectacular scenery, Aboriginal culturesand economic productivity. Because ofthese features, the region is seen as adesirable place to live, visit and invest in.As a result, human activity is increasing,which in turn places increasing pressureson the natural environment.The Wet Tropics Bioregion (WetTropics) occupies 0.26% of Australiancontinent’s land surface yet contains anextraordinarily high level of biodiversity.It has 26% of Australia’s vascular plantspecies and 41% of all of Queensland’svascular plant species. 31 The region isconsidered to be a biodiversity ‘hot spot’of global significance. 32About 3,000 vascular plant speciesfrom 210 families are found in the WetTropics. Sixteen of the world’s 28 familiesof primitive flowering plants are presentin this bioregion including the familyAustrobaileya which is endemic to theWet Tropics. 33 Many of the plant speciesin the rainforest have been around formillions of years, and the area providesa living record of the ecological andevolutionary processes that have shapedthe flora and fauna of Australia over thepast 415 million years.More than half of Australia’s freshwaterfish species are found in Queensland(around 200 species) 34 and the WetTropics alone contains 67 species basedon recent discoveries. 35Large areas of the Wet Tropics that areprotected in national parks and stateforests fall within the Wet Tropics WorldHeritage Area (WTWHA). The WTWHAspreads over 450 kilometres betweenCooktown and Townsville and covers894,420 hectares. The Wet Tropics coversthree different landscape types which arethe uplands and tablelands of the GreatDividing Range, the immediate easternescarpment and the lowland coastalplain. The lowland coastal plain containsthe Herbert, North and South Johnstone,Tully, Russell-Mulgrave, Barron, Daintreeand Bloomfield Rivers.The Wet Tropics is dominated by largeareas of rainforest and vine thickets witheucalypt open forests. Around 24% ofthe land area in the Wet Tropics has beencleared for dairy, sugar cane and irrigatedcropping, while 40% is protected forconservation. 36 Prior to protection ofthese areas, much of the forest wasselectively logged, and the majority oflowland forest was cleared for agriculture.Vegetation loss is most extensive in thelowlands were 81% of native vegetationhas been cleared. 37 A recent evaluation ofvegetation loss through clearing on thecoastal lowlands of the Wet Tropics sinceEuropean settlement revealed severalnear extinct vegetation communities andregional ecosystems, and many othersthat are drastically reduced in area. 38Australia is recognised by the WorldConservation Monitoring Centre asone of the world’s 17 mega-diversecountries, which collectively harbour75 percent of the earth’s total biologicaldiversity. 39 Queensland’s Wet Tropicsitself, is a megadiverse region, and isrepresented on The Global 200 list 40which is a collection of the Earth’s200 most outstanding, important anddiverse terrestrial, freshwater and marinehabitats.31Weston and Goosem 200432Davis et al. 199552 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 202233Metcalfe and Ford 2008 & 200934Allen et al. 200235Thuesen et al. 201136Department of Environmentand Resource Management 201037Weston and Goosem 200438Kemp et al. 200739Australia State of theEnvironment Committee 200140Olson et al. 2000

The Wet Tropics of Queensland was inscribed on the World Heritage list in December 1988. At the time of its inscription, the WetTropics was one of only 13 natural World Heritage properties to fulfil all four natural World Heritage criteria and is recognised asan outstanding example of:i) Earth’s evolutionary history;ii) On-going biological evolution;iii) Exceptional natural beauty; andiv) Habitat for threatened species.Figure 13. A stylised cross section from Mt Bellenden Ker to the Coral Sea giving an indication of the possible diversity ofhabitat types encountered in the Cairns region.Human activity isincreasing, which inturn places increasingpressures on thenatural environment.Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 53

5.3 Biodiversity case studies5.3.1 Littoral Rainforest andcoastal vine thicketThe Littoral Rainforest and coastal vinethickets of eastern Australia (Littoralrainforest) is a highly fragmentedand critically endangered ecologicalcommunity listed under the AustralianGovernment’s EPBC Act. The ecologicalcommunity provides habitat for over70 threatened plants and animals andprovides an important buffer to coastalerosion and wind damage.Littoral Rainforest occurs close to thecoast in scattered patches all the wayfrom northern Queensland southwardsto eastern Victoria and on offshoreislands. It occurs on a range of landformswhich have been influenced by coastalprocesses including dunes and flats,headlands and sea-cliffs.This ecological community is a complexof rainforest and vine thickets. Thevegetation generally is structurallydiverse, with native trees, shrubs, vinesand ground layers all usually beingpresent. The vegetation typically has aclosed canopy, and the structure includesa closed canopy of trees, although thecanopy can be patchy when in exposedsituations or after storm events. In theCairns region this ecological communityis present in coastal areas throughoutthe region, mainly on soils derived fromHolocene beach ridge sand depositsthat have accumulated over the past6,000 years and on older beach ridgedeposits which accumulated duringthe Pleistocene high sea level standapproximately 120,000 years ago.Regional ecosystems within the CairnsRegion that support Littoral Rainforestand coastal vine thickets occur on oldbeach ridge deposits and coastalheadlands. These are:• Mesophyll vine forest on beachridges and sand plains of beach5.3.2 Great Barrier ReefWhile located outside of Cairns Region,the Great Barrier Reef is a key feature ofthe surrounding natural landscape and isaffected by policies and practices withinthe region.The Great Barrier Reef is one of therichest, most complex and diverseecosystems in the world. The GreatBarrier Reef Marine Park begins at thetip of Cape York in Queensland andextends south almost to Bundaberg.The area is larger than Victoria andTasmania combined and stretchesmore than 2,300 kilometres alongthe north-east coast of Australia. 41The Great Barrier Reef is internationallyrenowned for its biodiversity. Its networkof approximately 2,900 reefs is home tothousands of species. Extensive areas oforigin, mainly in small patches inthe lee of coastal beach ridges invery high rainfall areas (RE 7.2.1);• Notophyll to microphyll vine foreston beach ridges and sand Plains ofbeach origin (RE 7.2.2);• Mesophyll/notophyll vine forestsof Syzygium forte subsp. forte onbeach ridges and sand plains ofbeach origin (RE 7.2.5a);• Evergreen notophyll vine thicketswith Acacia crassicarpa,Elaeodendrum melanocarpum,Aglaia elaeagnoidea and Drypetesdeplanchei on aeolian dunes(RE 7.2.6b);• Terminalia arenicola and Acaciapolystachya low closed forest ofcoastal metamorphic headlands(RE 7.11.3b);• Low notophyll vine thickets onexposed rocky coastal headlands(RE 7.12.11d).The larger areas that support Littoralrainforest and coastal vine thicketsare mapped in the 1: 50,000 regionalecosystem mapping, numerous smallareas of this critically endangeredecologically community are howevernot able to be mapped at this scale.seagrass meadows, mangrove stands,saltmarshes, mud flats and beachesalso provide a diverse range of habitatsfor many species. The diversity andsize of the Great Barrier Reef makes itinternationally significant, and it remainsone of the world’s healthiest coral reefecosystems. 42Climate change, continued decliningwater quality from catchment runoff,loss of coastal habitats due to coastaldevelopment and impacts from fishingare identified as the priority threatsreducing the resilience the Great BarrierReef. Land management practices in theregion have direct impacts on the reef byaffecting water quality. Managing landfor minimal sediment and nutrient runoffimproves the water quality entering thereef lagoon and helps to protect thebiodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef.41Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority 201042Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority 201054 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

5.3.3 Daintree RainforestThe Daintree Rainforest (the Daintree)encompasses an area of approximately1,200 square kilometres representing thesingle largest block of tropical rainforestin Australia. The Daintree is one of themost ecologically diverse ecosystemsin the world and high a very high levelof species endemism, containing manyplant species that are found nowhereelse on earth. The area extends fromthe Daintree River north to Cooktownand west to the Great Dividing Range.The majority of this area was protectedin 1987 with the creation of DaintreeNational Park which is now part ofthe Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.However there are lowland areas of theDaintree that remain unprotected, andsignificant areas have been cleared forrural residential development following asubdivision in the 1980’s.The Daintree is an area of exceptionalbiodiversity. It represents slightly over1% of the State’s land area, yet contains30% of Australia’s frog, marsupial andreptile species, 65% of Australia’s bat andbutterfly species and 20% of Australia’sbird species.The vegetation of the area is the mostdiverse in Australia both floristically andstructurally. There have been 13 differentrainforest types identified, from the tallforests of the coastal plains with curlinglianas and buttress roots, to the montaneforests and areas of heath-like growth onthe mountain tops.As Australia became more arid, therewere fewer and fewer places rainforestswere able to survive. In the Daintreeregion, however, the climate andtopography remained suitable, sothe area became a last remainingrefuge for rainforest species. Due tothis, the region is home to many relict,or ancient, species, some dating back110 million years. 435.3.4 Bartle Frere andBellenden KerLocated approximately 70 kilometressouth of Cairns are the highestmountains in Queensland, Mount BartleFrere (1,622 m) and Mount BellendenKer (1593 m). The meteorological stationon Mt Bellenden Ker is the wettest inAustralia, with an average annual rainfallof 8.3 metres and a record annual rainfallof 12.4 metres recorded in 2010. 44 MountBellenden Ker is located within sectionsof the Wooroonooran National Park.The vegetation on the summits of MtBellenden Ker and Mt Bartle Frere ismontane tropical rainforest. Both thespecies composition and the structureof the rainforest change with altitude.At mid to high altitudes species havesmaller leaves and a lower canopy thanlowland forest. On the mountain tops(above 1,500 m) the canopy is lower still,with a dense, wind-swept canopy coveras a result of frequent high winds. 45A species of tea tree, Leptospermumwooroonooran, is endemic to theWet Tropics and in only found on theBellender Ker range, the summits northwestof Mossman, Mt Lewis and MtSpurgeon. Bellenden Ker Range and thehills behind Mossman, meaning that isdoes not occur naturally anywhere elsein the world. This species only occurs ataltitudes of 1,100 -1,550 metres. It growsto around 13 metres and forms twisted,branching trees, with some individualsestimated to be up to 1,000 years old. 4643Goosem 200244Bureau of Meterology 200145Department of Environment andResource Management 2011a46Department of Environment andResource Management 2011aBiodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 55

5.4 Iconic Fauna5.4.1 CassowaryThe southern cassowary (Casuariuscasuarius johnsonii) is the second largestbird in Australia, and is an iconic symbolof the Wet Tropics. It is also of interestbecause unlike the majority of other birdspecies, it is the male cassowary that isthe sole incubator and parental carer ofthe young. 47The southern cassowary (cassowary) isconsidered a “keystone species”, meaningthat it is critical to the functioning of theecosystem due to its role in dispersingthese rainforest plant seeds. 48 Fruitsfrom over 230 native Wet Tropics plantspecies have been recorded in thecassowary diet. 49 Cassowaries are oneof only a very few Wet Tropics frugivoresthat can disperse large rainforest seedsover long distances. Cassowaries arealso a key disperser of over 150 speciesof plants which may be toxic to otherspecies, and the sole disperser of dozensof endemic species. The combination oflong distance seed dispersal ability andlandscape-scale movement patternsmeans that cassowaries play a significantrole in moving seeds (particularly oflarge seeded rainforest species) betweenpopulations that are spread across thelandscapes of the Wet Tropics. This roleassumes even greater importance asrainforest becomes more fragmented andisolated as a result of human land uses.Before European settlement, thecassowary lived in rainforests stretchingfrom Paluma near Townsville to the tipof Cape York Peninsula. The cassowaryis now listed as endangered under bothstate and federal legislation and it isone of the most threatened vertebratespecies in the country. It currently existsin two isolated populations in Cape Yorkand in the Wet Topics. The populationin the Wet Tropics area is approximately1,500 birds. 50The cassowary is important to therainforest traditional owners who havecustoms, stories, songs and dancesabout the cassowary. 51 The species hasbecome the iconic species for the WetTropics and cassowary conservation is anissue of strong public opinion. 52 Severallocal communities connect strongly withthe cassowary and some commercialenterprises derive economic benefit fromcassowaries through various tourismenterprises, promotion and advertising.Consequently, cassowary conservationand welfare is held in high public regardand is a focus of several communityorganisations.Queensland’s Wet Tropics cassowarypopulation is in decline. In particular,cassowaries are suffering from theimpacts of urban development andhabitat clearing. The greatest threatsto their survival are the destructionand fragmentation of their habitat,car strikes, dog attacks and possiblydisease. With population growth andits associated development poised tocontinue into the foreseeable future,the need for an integrated landscapestrategy to maintain importantcassowary habitat is vital, as is theneed to provide for more compatibledevelopment where it does proceed.Prime habitat for the cassowary islowland tropical rainforest, generallybelow 100m altitude, 53 althoughcassowaries also inhabit uplandrainforest, and can therefore make use ofthe national and state park network thatis predominantly mountainous.The vast majority of this lowlandrainforest has been cleared over thepast 200 years, leaving a vastly reducedand heavily fragmented habitat rangefor the species.Another significant impact on cassowaryhabitat is storm and cyclone damage.Impacts from Cyclone Larry in 2006and Cyclone Yasi in 2011 includedreduced canopy cover resulting in highertemperatures and reduced shelter on theforest floor, and food shortages (as plantswere not fruiting in areas worst hit by thecyclone). In the months following cycloneYasi feeding stations were established toprevent cassowary deaths by starvation.The larger remnant coastal cassowaryhabitat blocks are generally confinedto steep slopes and poorly drainedlowland sites where agriculture andsettlement has been unsuitable. It istypically these areas that have beenprotected within either the nationalpark estate or within the WTWHA.These secure protected areas aretherefore generally ‘foothills-upland’islands surrounded by cleared andfragmented coastal lowlands. The mostimportant ‘lowland’ cassowary habitattypes are, on the other hand, generallyoutside of the protected area estate,hugely reduced in areal extent bypast clearing, extremely fragmentedand subject to ongoing land usechange and its associated range ofdevelopment pressures.Urbanisation and residentialdevelopment continue to threaten theviability of cassowary populations ashabitat continues to be incrementallycleared or severely modified. In areaswhere habitat is severely fragmented,small incremental losses over time mayeventually lead to a landscape matrixnot able to support a viable localcassowary population.47Pizzey and Knight 199748Weston and Goosem 200456 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 202249Westcott et al. 200550Garnett and Crowley 200051Wet Tropics Management Authority 200452Weston and Goosem 200453Goosem 1992

5.4.2 Bennett’s and Lumholtz’s tree kangaroosThere are two species of tree kangaroo’s found in the Wet Tropics Bioregion.These are the Bennett’s tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus bennettianus) and theLumholtz’s tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi). Both species are listed asNear Threatened under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.The Bennett’s tree kangaroo (Bennett’s) is found in rainforest between Cooktown andthe Daintree. The Lumholtz’s tree kangaroo (Lumholtz’s) is found from the DaintreeRiver to the Herbert River gorge. Lumholtz’s is now most commonly seen on theAtherton Tablelands between 750-1100 metres in altitude. Tree kangaroos have a longtail, strong claws and very strong forelimbs which enable them to balance and climb. 54Threats to both species include habitat degradation, habitat loss, cars, dogs,and natural predation. Approximately 12% of the Lumholtz’s habitat is located withinprotected areas. The highest densities of Lumholtz’s occur on the Atherton Tablelandson private land. In these locations their habitat is prone to alteration, fragmentation ordestruction for commercial purposes, such as agriculture, dairy farming and loggingfor timber. 555.4.3 Spotted-tailed quolland northern quollNorth Queensland is the only placeon the Australian mainland where twospecies of quolls occur. The largest of thequolls, the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurusmaculatus gracilis), is found in large intacttracts of tropical rainforests mainly above900 metres in altitude. The spottedtailedquoll (northern subspecies) islisted as Endangered both under theNature Conservation Act 1992 and theEnvironment Protection and BiodiversityConservation Act 1999. It is ranked as acritical priority under the Department ofEnvironment and Resource Management‘Back on Track’ species prioritisationframework.The spotted-tailed quoll is completelycarnivorous and eats bandicoots, rats,mice, possums, carrion and takes downprey as large as wallabies. It requireslarge areas of intact rainforest andtherefore has disappeared from settledareas and is now found only in largerprotected areas. 56The northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus)is the smallest of the quolls and is foundacross northern Australia; however ithas declined severely in areas wherecane toads have spread. Northern quollsare found in drier open savannah andwoodland country and are commonnear Townsville, Atherton Tablelands,Mareeba, Lamb Range, Mt Molloyand Cooktown. Northern quolls areomnivores and eat smaller prey includinginsects, reptiles and mice.The northern quoll is listed asEndangered under the EnvironmentProtection and Biodiversity ConservationAct 1999 and is ranked as a mediumpriority under the QueenslandGovernment’s Back on Track speciesprioritisation framework.The main threats to both quoll species innorth Queensland include loss of habitat,competition with introduced animalsincluding cats and foxes, ingestion ofcane toads and road fatalities.54Tree Kangaroo Mammal Group 200455Tree Kangaroo Mammal Group 200456Department of Sustainability, Environment,Water, Population and CommunitiesBiodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 57

5.4.4 Golden bower birdThe golden bowerbird (Prionodura newtoniana) is the smallest of the seven species ofAustralian bowerbirds and also the smallest in the world. Endemic to the Wet Tropics,it is found only in high altitude rainforest over 900 metres above sea level. 57 Despite itssize, it builds the largest bower of all the world’s bowerbirds – up to 2 metres tall - andthe average period of occupancy for a bower is approximately seven years.Due to the species’ narrow temperature range, it is under serious threat from climatechange. Cited as being one of a group of indicator species that ranges from leopardsto frogs, it will be one of the first species pushed toward extinction should thetemperatures rise by as little as one degree Celsius. 585.4.5 Beach stone-curlewThe beach stone-curlew or bush thickknee(Esacus magnirostris) is a large,thick-set wader which is usually foundon open, undisturbed beaches, islands,reefs, and estuarine intertidal sandand mudflats, preferring beaches withestuaries or mangroves nearby butalso frequents river mouths, offshoresandbars, reefs and coastal lagoons.The beach stone-curlew is listed asVulnerable under the Nature ConservationAct 1992 (Qld) and it is ranked as ahigh priority under the Department ofEnvironment and Resource ManagementBack on Track species prioritisationframework. The stronghold for thisspecies in Queensland is on the GreatBarrier Reef, where threatening processesfor these birds are very few (Milton1998). On the mainland, threateningprocesses for beach stone-curlewsinclude pollution due to residentialand industrial development. Feral cats,dogs and pigs are also a threat due topredation of adults, chicks and eggs.Human disturbance from activities suchas walking dogs off their leashes, boating,off-road vehicles and beach-combingcan also severely impact on the naturalbehaviour of these birds.Beach stone-curlews breed fromSeptember and February. Their nestscan often be located on sandbanks,sandpits, or islands in estuaries, coralridges, among mangroves or in the sandsurrounded by short grass and scatteredCasuarinas. Avoiding use of vehicleson beaches and mudflats and keepingdogs under control and well away fromnesting and feeding sites is important forensuring the survival of this species.57Pizzey and Knight 199758Williams 2007, Hilbert et al. 200458 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

5.4.6 DugongDugongs (Dugong dugon) are largemarine mammals that occur in tropicaland subtropical waters around theworld. They can grow to three metres inlength and weigh up to 400 kilograms.The dugong is a remarkable animal(elephants are considered to be theirclosest relatives), with an expanded,trunk-like upper lip, two nostrils andno dorsal fin. 59In Australia, dugongs occur in the shallowand protected coastal waters from theQueensland/New South Wales borderacross northern Australia to Shark Bayin Western Australia. The Great BarrierReef is an important area of habitatfor the species as this is one of the fewmarine protected areas in the worldwhere they protected.The main source of food for dugongsis seagrass, although they sometimessupplement their diet with sea squirtsthat also live on the seagrass beds.These seagrass beds grow in shallow,sandy areas and require good qualitywater, with low sediment and nutrientload, to survive.Female dugongs give birth underwaterto a single calf at three to seven yearintervals. The calf stays with its mother,drinking milk from her teats andfollowing close by until one or twoyears of age. Dugongs reach adult sizebetween 4 and 17 years of age. These lowbreeding rates, long-term care of theircalves, long time between calves, as wellas their dependence on seagrass, makedugongs vulnerable to human threats.Dugongs are subject to a range ofhuman threats throughout their globaldistribution, including entanglementin shark nets for bather protection,entanglement in fishing nets,entanglement in marine debris, lossand degradation of important habitatsuch as seagrass meadows, hunting andcollisions with boats (also known asboat strikes).In recent decades there has been aserious decline in dugong numbers inthe Great Barrier Reef Marine Parkbetween Cooktown and Hervey Bay.Between Dunk Island and Bundabergnumbers declined from around 3,500 in1992 to around 1,700 by 1994. In HerveyBay they declined from 2,200 in 1988 to800 by 1994. 60Worldwide, the dugong is listed underthe IUCN - the World ConservationUnion - Red List of Threatened Animalsas being vulnerable to extinction.In Australia, dugong are listed as amarine and migratory species under theCommonwealth Environment Protectionand Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999and are listed as vulnerable under theNature Conservation (Wildlife)Regulation 2006.There have been some measures putin place to reverse the decline of thisspecies. Set mesh nets have recentlybeen banned in certain areas ofcritical dugong habitat in the southernGreat Barrier Reef Marine Park.Many Aboriginal Community Councilssouth of Cooktown have decidedto suspend dugong hunting. TheQueensland Shark Protection Programhas been reviewed to address theproblem of dugongs being caught inshark nets, and catchment managementis being improved in many areas in aneffort to minimise inflows of silt andherbicides from water catchments.5.4.7 Waterfall frogThe waterfall frog (Litoria nannotis) is oneof seven endangered frog species in theWet Tropics. Previously this species had alarge range from Paluma to Cooktown ataltitudes between 180 and 1300 metres,however the only currently known stablepopulations occur at lowland sites. 61The waterfall frog has specialist habitatrequirements: where most streambreedingfrogs live in adjacent forestand only use the stream to breed, thewaterfall frog solely resides in the rockystreams, making the protection of thesestreams vital for its survival. 62 It isnot found further than 15 metres fromthe stream that it lives in. The tadpolesare also well adapted physically toliving in fast-flowing water with largesuctorial mouthparts, muscular tail anda streamlined body shape. They breedall year around and are both diurnaland nocturnal.Like most stream-dwelling rainforestfrogs, the waterfall frog will be animportant indicator species of climatechange as it relies solely on thecontinued existence of fast-flowing,permanent streams.59Queensland Museum 201160Queensland Museum 201161North Queensland Threatened Frogs Recovery Team 200162North Queensland Threatened Frogs Recovery Team 2001Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 59

5.4.8 Freshwater morayThe freshwater moray (Gymnothoraxpolyuranodon) is an elusive andmysterious eel that has rarely beenencountered even by scientists studyingthe species. It grows to at least one metrein length and has an orange, yellow orbrown body marked with black spotsand black facial stripes. The freshwatermoray has occasionally been found instreams on Pacific Islands includingPapua New Guinea, the SolomonIslands and Fiji. Australian records of thefreshwater moray show that the speciesis confined to the Wet Tropics Region.This shy creature is found in lowlandrainforest streams and represents theonly moray species known to live infreshwaters anywhere in the world (theother 200 moray species are marine).There is growing scientific interest inthe freshwater moray, particularly in theCape Tribulation area, and it is poisedto become one of the icons of our rivercatchments. 635.4.9 Opal cling gobyThe opal cling goby (Stiphodon semoni) is a stunningly coloured fish of just threeto five centimeters in length, inhabiting our small pristine rainforest streams nearCape Tribulation, and Yarrabah. 64 This species is widespread on Pacific Islands but isessentially confined to the Wet Tropics in Australia. 65 The males are largely solitary andduring the wet season display a neon-blue stripe on their black body to compete withneighbouring males. The females live in small groups and are white with a brownstripedbody. 66 Because this species actively grazes on algae-covered boulders,it is easily observed by snorkeling or can even be seen from the stream edge. 67The opal cling goby is listed as critically endangered under the EPBC Act due to itsvery small distribution in Australia and its vulnerability to collections by aquarists.Experts recommend those interested in keeping such gobies as pets should consideran alternative species, the rabbit-headed cling goby (Sicyopterus lagocephalus), as itis also colourful but locally more abundant and widespread than is the opal cling gobyin the Australian Wet Tropics. 685.4.10 BarramundiThe barramundi (Lates calcarifer) is amajor icon of freshwater and estuarineecosystems across northern Australia.It grows to 180cm in length and is animportant commercial and recreationalangling species and the stocked fisheryin Lake Tinaroo is world renowned.The barramundi is found throughoutmuch of the Indo-West-Pacific Region.Barramundi begin life as males andswitch to being females at aboutthree years of age. 6963Ebner et al. 201164Ebner and Thuesen 2010, Ebner et al. (in publication)60 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 202265Ebner et al. (in publication), Thuesen et al. 201166Ebner and Thuesen 2010, Ebner et al. (in publication)67Ebner and Thuesen 201068Ebner et al. (in publication)69Pusey et al. 2004

5.5 Iconic Flora5.5.1 Fan palmThe iconic fan palm (Licuala ramsayi var. ramsayi) is a well-known feature of the tropical rainforests of our region, standing outbecause of its large, fan-like leaves. Fan palms grow to around 10 metres in height and occur between Cooktown and Inghamfrom sea level to 1100 metres in altitude.5.5.2 Daintree pineThe primitive Daintree pine(Gymnostoma australianum) is a pineliketree which is the only remainingGymnostoma species in Australia.The genus was once widespreadthroughout Gondwana, and itsrelatives are still found in parts of thePacific region and south-east Asia.Fossil records of this plant can betraced back 50 million years. 70The Daintree pine is endemic tonorth east Queensland and isrestricted to Thornton Peak and thesurrounding area. It has an altitudinalrange from near sea level to 1350metres in altitude, and is so restrictedin its distribution that can be difficultto find. 7170Department of Environment and Resource Management 2011b71Beasley 2006Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 61

5.5.4 NoahdendronNoahdendron (Noahdendron nicholasii) is aprimitive flowering plant endemic to far northQueensland and restricted to the Noah Creekarea between the Daintree River and CapeTribulation.Noahdendron is one of a collection of primitiveflowering plants found in this area that providedrefuge from climate change, sea level fluctuation,volcanism and other impacts over millionsof years.Noahdendron can be recognized by the leaf-likestipules where the leaf stalks join the thin stems.The fruits are bundles of brown capsules eachtwo lobed, woody and covered with rusty hairs.5.5.5 Tropical Pitcher Plant5.5.3 StockwelliaStockwellia (Stockwellia quadrifida) is endemic to north east Queenslandand restricted to the south-eastern edge of the Atherton Tableland andthe Bellenden Ker Range. It is a large, buttressed tree which grows in welldevelopedupland rainforest from 600-750 metres in altitude. Stockwelliais believed to be an ancestor of the Eucalypt genus and a close relative ofthe turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera).The carnivorous tropical pitcher plant (Nepenthesmirabilis) is a climbing vine found in the coastallowlands of the Wet Tropics and in Cape York inareas up to 300 metres above sea level. It usuallygrows in swampy open forest or heath andoccasionally in the margins of swampy rainforest.This species is also found in various locations inMalesia. 72 The “pitcher” is a long thin receptaclewhich is full of fluid used to digest any insect orother small animal that it captures.72CSIRO 201062 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

5.5.6 Idiot FruitThe idiot fruit (Idiospermum australiense)is endemic to north east Queenslandand occurs between Hutchinson Creekand the Daintree River as well as in thefoothills of the Bellenden Ker Range andMt Bartle Frere. It grows from near sealevel to 200 metres above sea level andis usually found in well-developedlowland rainforest.An isolated stand of this ancient tree wasre-discovered in 1971 after the specieswas believed to be extinct, and has sincebeen found in only a few other areas inthe Wet Tropics. It is the only species inthe genus and is one of the world’s mostprimitive flowering plants. The namerefers to its strange fruit (idio – “unusual”,spermum – “seed”), which has four oreven five cotyledons (the first leaves ofseedlings) where most plants have onlyone or two. 73The heavy, tennis ball-sized fruit is toxicto most animals and it is believed thatthe seed dispersal could have been aidedin the past by a Diptotodon (marsupialmegafauna). The successful continuanceof most rainforest species depends ontheir seeds being dispersed away fromthe parent plant. The plant no longer hasany seed dispersal agent besides gravity,which explains its distribution in smallpatches or groves in only a few very wetlowland locations in the Wet Tropics.5.5.7 Seagrasses 74Seagrasses are a collection of differentflowering plants that are mainly foundin bays, estuaries and sheltered coastalwaters. Of some 60 seagrass speciesfound worldwide, 30 species are foundin Australia and 15 species are foundin the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.These plants are called ‘seagrasses’because most (though not all) ofthem have ribbon-like, grassy leaves,however none of these species is atrue grass. Like most other plants,seagrasses have roots, stems and leaves.They also form tiny flowers, fruits andseeds. Most seagrasses reproduce bypollination - the pollen is transportedto other plants by water – and they canalso reproduce vegetatively.The seagrass meadows of north-easternQueensland are the most diverseseagrass communities in Australia, andare productive and dynamic ecosystemsthat stabilise substrate and providehabitat and nursery grounds for manymarine animals. These seagrass meadowsprovide important refuges and feedingareas for prawns and juvenile fish andin some areas, entire fisheries maydepend on the productivity of theseseagrass beds.Seagrass meadows are a major foodsource for a number of grazing animalsin the Great Barrier Reef region includingthe dugong (Dugong dugon) and thegreen turtle (Cheloniamydas). An adultgreen turtle eats about two kilogramsof seagrass a day while an adult dugongeats about 28 kilograms a day. Survivalof seagrass meadows is crucial for thecontinued survival of these iconic species.A number of problems face the longtermsurvival and health of seagrasspopulations in our coastal zone.Human pollution has contributed mostto seagrass declines around the world.The greatest pollution threat to seagrasspopulations is from increased levels ofnutrients. High nutrient levels, often dueto agricultural and urban run-off causealgal blooms that shade the seagrass.Reduction in light decreases seagrassgrowth and can kill whole populations.Suspended sediments also reduce light.This sediment can come from landdevelopment run off and throughdrains. Boating activity may also stirup sediment, reducing light levels.Other threats to seagrass include damageto the leaves, stems and roots by boatpropellers, trawlers’ nets, and dredging.73CSIRO 201074Australian Institute of Marine Science 2012Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 63

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6 Current Council Initiatives torestore or protect biodiversity6.1 Weed managementManaging weeds in the Cairns Regionis a critical element of protecting andrestoring biodiversity, and is one ofthe most important land managementpractices that Council undertakes.Weeds can out-compete native plants,resulting in reduced species diversity andpotentially the loss of local populationsof native species.Council currently manages parks,gardens, wetlands and conservationareas which cover an area of 622hectares. There are 200 known weedspecies in the Cairns region, the mostproblematic of which include: PondApple, Miconia, Hiptage, Cecropia, SiamWeed, Sicklepod, Thunbergia, Kudzu, andBrillantasia (see section 2.5).A land management database is currentlybeing trialled which incorporates priorityweed mapping with revegetationprojects and weed control programs,with the aim of linking revegetationprojects with the weed control program.To manage weeds, Council works inpartnership with key stakeholdersincluding: land holders, Far NorthQueensland Regional Organisationof Councils, Terrain Natural ResourceManagement, Biosecurity Queensland,Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service,Department of Environment andResource Management, Wet TropicsManagement Authority, Great BarrierReef Marine Park Authority, JamesCook University, the CSIRO andIndustry Groups.6.2 Tree planting andseed propagationThe Natural Resource Management unitmanages two native plant nurseries -one in Stratford and one in Mossman.These nurseries contribute to increasedspecies diversity in the region as well hashelping to protect and propagate rareand threatened species.On average over 70,000 native plantsare grown each year at these nurseriesand over 40,000 of these are planted byCouncil. These native plants are used forrevegetation projects across the regionas well as being supplied to school andcommunity groups.The benefits of growing native plants inthese nurseries (rather than purchasingfrom retail nurseries) include the ability to:• Control the quality of the nativetrees from seed collection throughto planting;• Select species and encouragespecies diversity (up to 200different species are grown atthe nurseries);• Ensure seeds are collected locally,keeping a record of where seedswhere collected and ensuringlocal provenance;• Maintain and develop localexpertise in native plantpropagation.6.3 Feral animal controlprogram – feral pigsCouncil has a feral pig trapping programacross the region in a diverse range ofhabitat types. Feral pigs dig up patchesof wet soil, often near waterways,resulting in reduced water quality locallywith downstream impacts on the reef.Feral pigs uproot riparian vegetation,damaging creek banks and causingerosion. They degrade the habitatof microhylid frogs and can spreadphytophthora – a fungal infectioncausing rainforest dieback.Council aims to use its resourcesefficiently and effectively by formingpartnerships and providing capacitywhere it is needed. In the Daintree –Bloomfield area conservation values areprotected by a community pig trappingprogram. Feral pigs on agricultural landare managed by a trap loan servicewhere Council works directly with landholders by providing support, adviceand the loan of pig traps. In urban areasCouncil provides a full service of traps,destruction and disposal of pigs. To helpprotect water quality permanent pigtraps are in place at drinking waterintake points.On average over70,000 native plantsare grown each yearat these nurseriesand over 40,000of these are plantedby Council.Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 65

6.4 Species managementprogramsDuring 2009/10 Council initiated two‘Species Management Programs’ (SMP)for three local species; the rufus owl,spectacled flying fox and little red flyingfox. These SMP’s were developed toavoid or minimise impacts of Counciloperations on these species. The SMP’shave been approved by the Departmentof Environment and ResourceManagement, making Council thefirst local government in Australia tohave approved SMP’s in place.Rufus owls (Ninox rufa queenslandica)are large tropical owls that live inrainforest, monsoon forest, vine scruband gallery forest. They are classified asVulnerable under the Queensland NatureConservation Act (Wildlife) Regulations(2006). In October-November of 2009a pair of Rufus Owls nested in a deeptree hollow in a large Melaleuca treenear Saltwater Creek within CentenaryLakes park. The rufus owl ManagementProgram was created to assess whetherremoval of mangroves adjacent toSaltwater Creek would affect these owls.Spectacled flying fox (Pteropusconspicillatus) is listed as Vulnerableunder the Environment Protection andBiodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBCAct). The little red flying fox (Pteropusscapulatus) is listed as Least Concern inQueensland (Nature Conservation Act1992) and is ranked as a low priorityunder the Department of Environmentand Resource Management ‘Back onTrack’ species prioritisation framework.The SMP’s were created to avoid orminimise the impacts of tree pruning andtree removal on these species.6.5 Cattana WetlandsLocated 13 kilometres north of theCairns CBD in Smithfield are the CattanaWetlands. The Cattana Wetlands inSmithfield were originally a sugarcanefarm owned by Franco Cattana. The sitewas previously used as a sand miningquarry resulting in several fresh andsaltwater man-made lakes.The land was purchased by the thenMulgrave Shire Council in 1993 to protectthe 30 hectares of lowland rainforeston the western end of the site whichrepresent an integral component ofthe region’s lowland forests. This forest,described as the Feather Palm Forest,is a remnant of a once extensive foresttype that is now confined to only a fewremnant patches in the Cairns region.Since this time, Council has planted over10,000 native plants and undertakenextensive weed removal enablingexisting water bird populations toflourish. Council and the QueenslandGovernment each committed $1.5million to the rehabilitation of the site.6.6 Strategic buy-backof landCouncil purchases parcels of land aspart of its strategic acquisition of land.In 2011, 21.5 hectares of land at WhitfieldHill overlooking Bel Air Drive waspurchased for $1.5 million. This land waspurchased to protect the scenic amenityof the area and will help to enhance localhabitat linkages.6.7 Rates incentives forconservation policyCouncil has a rates incentive forconservation policy which provides fora reduction in rates for landowners thathave a dedicated nature refuge on theirproperty. Nature refuges can be appliedfor at the Department of Environmentand Resource Management and onceapproved qualifies land owners for arates reduction.6.8 Cleaner seas project -wastewater treatmentplant upgradesAs part of the Cleaner Seas Project,Council has conducted significantupgrades at four major wastewatertreatment plants. The Northern,Southern, Edmonton and MarlinCoast wastewater treatment plantshave undergone upgrades not only toincrease capacity, but also to include abiological nutrient removal processes.This has greatly improved the qualityof outflow released into the oceanfrom the treatment plants. The improvedtreatment capabilities of theseplants have resulted in a reductionof nutrients entering the GreatBarrier Reef ecological system.Located 13 kilometresnorth of the CairnsCBD in Smithfield arethe Cattana Wetlands.66 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

7 Additional mappingBiodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 67

7.1 Wetlands and waterways68 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

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7.2 Protected areas70 // Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022

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glossaryAquaticBioregionBiodiversityBiodiversity ValuesBiosequestrationCarbon OffsetClimate ChangeEcosystem ServicesFaunaIn this document aquatic refers to plants and animals that are living or growing in, on, or near thewater, or ecosystems consisting of aquatic species.An area based on broad landscape patterns that reflect the major structural geologies, climaticpatterns and major changes in plant and animal communities.Biodiversity is the variety of all life forms (plants, animals, micro-organisms, the genes they containand the ecosystems they form part of).In this document the term biodiversity values refers to both the intrinsic values and theanthropocentric (social, recreational, aesthetic, economic).Carbon sequestration is the process of removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in‘sinks’ as a method of reducing greenhouse gas pollution. The emerging national and internationalmarkets for carbon have created considerable interest in sequestration in planted forests, oftenreferred to as biosequestration. Biosequestration provides opportunities to restore tree coverto previously cleared lands whilst creating tradable carbon offsets for voluntary or mandatorymarkets.A carbon offset is an investment in a project or activity that reduces greenhouse gas emissions orsequesters carbon from the atmosphere; this is used to compensate for greenhouse gas emissionsof your own activities.Is the change in climate attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters thecomposition of the global atmosphere, and that is, in addition to natural climate variability overcomparable time periods.Ecosystem Services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems. These include provisioningservices such as food, water, timber and fibre, regulating services that affect climate, floods, disease,wastes and water quality, cultural services that provide recreational, aesthetic and spiritual benefitsand supporting services such as soil formation, photosynthesis and nutrient cycling.Animal life.Fire regimesFloraFire regimes refer to the characteristics of fires in an ecosystem, including frequency, intensity,seasonality, variability, ignitions etc.Plant life.RefugiaRegional EcosystemTerrestrialAn area that has escaped ecological changes occurring elsewhere and so provides a suitablehabitat for species/ an area significant enough to support a sustainable population of a targetorganism.A vegetation community in a bioregion that is consistently associated with a particularcombination of geology, landform and soil.Growing or living on land rather than in water, in the air or above the ground.Vegetation OffsetA vegetation offset is an investment in a project or activity that is put in place to counterbalance(offset) the development impacts on vegetation.Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 73

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PHOTO CREDITSFront cover: Tropical rainforest, photographerColyn Huber, Lovegreen Photography. Inset imageson front cover: Lesser swamp-orchid (Phaiusaustralis), photographer Bob Jago; SouthernCassowary, photographer Martin Cohen; Wild AboutAustralia.; Feather star (Himerometra robustipinna)on coral, Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA).Inside cover: Hawkesbill turtle, Commonwealth ofAustralia (GBRMPA).Page 4: Mangrove, Commonwealth of Australia(GBRMPA).Page 5: Above right - Vine palm forest on theMulgrave River, photographer Campbell Clarke;Below right - White-lipped tree frog, Department ofEnvironment and Resource Management (DERM).Page 6: Feather star (Himerometra robustipinna) oncoral, Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA).Page 7: View towards Cape Tribulation showing themouth of Myall Creek and fringing reef along thecoast, Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA).Page 9: Left - Noah Creek in the Daintree, Wet TropicsManagement Authority (WTMA); Above right -Babinda Creek, photographer Campbell Clarke;Below right - Kauri pine (Agathis robusta),photographer Bob Jago.Page 10: Great Barrier Reef, Commonwealth ofAustralia (GBRMPA).Page 12: Golden bowerbird, photographerMike Trenerry.Page 14: Little Mulgrave River, photographerCampbell Clarke.Page 16: Above left - Rainbow lorikeets; Belowleft - Mangroves on Woody Island at Low Isles,Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA).Page 18: View from Smithfield looking towards theRedlynch Valley and the Barron River, photographerDaryl Jones.Page 20: Kauri pine log, 1930’s, Cairns HistoricalSociety.Page 21: Above - Clearing land for farming, BartleFrere from Babinda c 1915, Cairns Historical Society;Centre - Kuranda Railway timber train from Athertonc1913, Cairns Historical Society; Below - Logs beingloaded at Cairns wharf from rail to ship 1930’s, CairnsHistorical Society.Page 23: Above - Abundant flowers of the white oaktree (Grevillea baileyana), photographer Bob Jago;Centre - Broad-leaved cumbungi (Typha orientalis),photographer Bob Jago; Below - Aerial view ofoffshore reefs, Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA).Page 25: Above - A large Stockwellia tree (Stockwelliaquadrifida), photographer Jeremy Little; Centre- Flowers of the Golden penda (Xanthostemonchrysanthus), photographer Bob Jago; Below -The vulnerable ant plant (Myrmecodia beccarii) isa tuberous epiphyte which houses a species of antin its swollen stems in a symbiotic relationship,photographer Bob Jago.Page 27: Above - Bennetts tree kangaroo,(Mungumby Lodge); Centre - Leichhardt tree(Nauclea orientalis), photographer Bob Jago; Below- Mistletoe (Amyema quaternifolia), photographerBob Jago.Page 30: White-lipped tree frog, Department ofEnvironment and Resource Management (DERM).Page 32: Above left - Hanging walkway overMossman Gorge; Below left - Wax flower or commonhoya (Hoya australis), photographer Bob Jago.Page 33: Above right - View over Craiglie (south ofPort Douglas) looking north, photographer DarylJones; Below right - View from Babinda Creek,photographer Craig Harriss.Page 34: Babinda Creek, photographerCampbell Clarke.Page 35: Palm Forest Swamp along the MulgraveRiver, photographer Campbell Clarke.Page 40: Nudibranch (Chromodoris magnifica),Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA).Page 41: Mangrove roots provide shelter for manyspecies, Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA).Page 43: View over Craiglie (south of Port Douglas)looking north, photographer Daryl Jones.Page 44: View over Port Douglas, photographerDaryl Jones.Page 45: Above - Tropical pitcher plant (Nepenthesmirabilis), photographer Bob Jago; Below - Butressroots of a Stockwellia tree (Stockwellia quadrifida),photographer Jeremy Little.Page 46: Above - Green turtle hatchling,Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA); Centre -Booroogum or pleated ginger (Alpinia arctiflora),photographer Bob Jago; Below - Woodland withgrass trees, photographer Campbell Clarke.Page 51: Above - Cadaga tree (Corymbia torelliana)in flower, photographer Bob Jago; Centre - Corals;Below - Flowers of Idiospermum australiense,photographer Bob Jago.Page 52: Little Mulgrave River, photographerCampbell Clarke.Page 53: Aerial view of offshore reefs, Commonwealthof Australia (GBRMPA).Page 54: Above - Littoral rainforest at EmmagenCreek, Daintree; Below - Great Barrier Reef,Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA).Page 55: Left - Noah Creek in the Daintree, WetTropics Management Authority (WTMA); Right- Branches of Leptospermum wooroonooran,photographer Maree Grenfell.Page 56: Southern cassowary with two chicks,photographer David Cook.Page 57: Above - Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo,photographer Martin Cohen, Wild About Australia;Below - Spotted-tailed quoll, DERM.Page 58: Above - Golden bowerbird, photographerMike Trenerry; Below - Beach stone-curlew,Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA).Page 59: Below left - Dugong (Dugong dugon),Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA); Above right -Waterfall Frog (Litoria nannotis), photographerMartin Cohen, Wild About Australia.Page 60: Above - Opal cling goby, photographerBrendan Ebner, CSIRO and TropWATER; Centre -Freshwater Moray, photographer Brendan Ebner,CSIRO and TropWATER; Below: Angler Tina Lawsonwith a freshly caught barramundi, photographerMichael Coob.Page 61: Above - Fan palm (Licuala ramsayi var.ramsayi); Below - Flower of the Gymnostoma,photographer Bob Jago.Page 62: Left - A large Stockwellia tree (Stockwelliaquadrifida), photographer Jeremy Little; Above right -Flower of the Noahdendron, photographer Bob Jago;Below right - Tropical pitcher plant, photographerBob Jago.Page 63: Above left - Flowers of Idiospermumaustraliense, photographer Bob Jago; Below -Seagrass (Halodule uninervis - narrow leaf morph)with male flowers, Commonwealth of Australia(GBRMPA).Page 64: School students help at Cattana wetlands.Page 65: Woodland with grass trees, photographerCampbell Clarke.Page 66: Cattana wetlands, Cairns Regional Council.Page 67: Fruit of the small-leaved lilly pilly (Syzygiumluehmannii), photographer Bob Jago.Page 72: Gorgonian coral, Commonwealth ofAustralia (GBRMPA).Page 74: Vine palm forest on the Mulgrave River,photographer Campbell Clarke.Page 79: Southern Cassowary, photographerMartin Cohen, Wild About Australia.Back cover: Main image - Great Barrier Reef,Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA); Insetimages left to right - Woodland with grass trees,photographer Campbell Clarke; Golden bowerbird,photographer MikeTrenerry; Little MulgraveRiver, photographer Campbell Clarke; Goat’s-footConvolvulus (Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis)Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA).Biodiversity Strategy 2012 - 2022 // 79

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