08/1128 - Information Response to Biodiversity Items & Ecological Impact Items - Place Designs [As Published] · 132008.1128

BCROS RFI Response to Council 20081126 Page 16 of 28

“Edge effects” that may occur as a result of the proposed development to the adjacent Noosa
National Park may be mitigated by retaining a “buffer zone” of native vegetation between the
development and the national park. The buffer zone will also provide some small corridor values for
north/south fauna movement between areas of more extensive habitat, and may also provide
forage, shelter and breeding habitat for fauna occurring in the adjacent national park areas.

It is unlikely that removal of vegetation from the proposed development footprint will result in any
significant impacts on fauna species that occur throughout similar habitat within the site and in the
wider locality. Much of this vegetation type will remain in the southern area of the site following
development, and this area will continue to function as a “stepping stone" of habitat for mobile
species such as birds and bats.”

Conservation Buffer

The proposed development provides for a 20m wide conservation buffer along the western boundary with
the Noosa National Park (FIGURE 3). The width of the buffer was determined in consultation with the
Environmental Protection Agency in meetings in 2006, to facilitate the visual and physical buffering of the
development from the National Park through the retention of existing vegetation balanced with the
requirement to provide protection for the proposed development from bushfires that regularly impact on
the site.

The buffering of stormwater impacts on the closed wet heath within the National Park was also a large
consideration in the provision of a buffer. Stormwater will be treated using best environmental practice
Water Sensitive Urban Design bio-floatation basins that will discharge as sheet flow from at the 20m
setback on the western boundary with the Noosa National Park. The discharge from the northern bio-
retention basin is closer but reflects adjoining development and discharge into an already compromised
drainage reserve.

It is considered the 20m wide conservation buffer satisfies the intent of the revised zonings identified in
Girraween Master Plan 2006. The buffer area provides an adequate separation between the development
footprint and the adjacent Noosa National Park.

It is recommended a Vegetation Management Plan be prepared for the Conservation buffer for
construction and operational phases. The VMP should aim to maintain values of the buffer including
significant numbers of rare and threatened plants (Gompholobium virgata v. emarginatum) and habitat for
other s known to be present in the immediate area. The ongoing management of the buffer’s ecological
values will ensure that potential edge effects such as weed invasion and sediments and nutrients from
stormwater discharge can be filtered and treated prior to creating any impact in the Noosa National Park.