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

1.0 BACKGROUND, SITE PLANNING CONTEXT & PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT
11 Overview

PLACE Environmental was engaged by Blue Care Pty Ltd to prepare an Ecological Assessment Report to
address relevant Commonwealth, State and Local Government environmental planning policies in
regard to a proposed master plan and stage 1 construction of an aged care development at Grasstree
Court, Sunrise Beach. The total subject site is comprised of Lot 6 RP901384 and lot 1 $P177650. The
subject site is located in the Local Government Area of Noosa Shire and comprises a total area of
approximately 24.26 ha. The area potentially affected by development, hereon referred to as the
“Development Area”, includes Lot 6 RP901384 and proposed lot 9, which is currently part of lot 1
$P177650 and also Lot 5 RP890947 which is currently the owned by the Uniting Church and may be
purchased for development, totalling a development area of 6.61ha. Grasstree Court provides access to
the development area (Figure 1).

The aims of this assessment are to:

« Assess the validity of the various environmental protection designations applied to the Site;

« — Identify other items of ecological significance on the site or in the locality which may affect the
manner or extent to which the site is developed, and advise the design team of a suitable
development strategy;

* Suggest means of ameliorating development impacts; and

« Address relevant Commonwealth, State and Local Government planning policies, and ensure
compliance.

1.2 Existing Environment

The site is located in the west of Sunrise Beach between the existing residential area and Noosa National
Park. The Sunshine Beach State High School is located immediately to the north of the site while the
large southern lot is also bounded to the south by the national park. A small community shopping
centre is located adjacent to the north east corner of the site and a church is located at the western end
of Grasstree Court. The area slopes to the west towards Burgess Creek located within the Noosa
National Park. The geology of the site is coastal sand deposits.

Under the Noosa Shire Planning Scheme (2006) the majority of the southern half of the site is zoned as
Open Space Conservation (Figure 2). The overall outcomes of this zone are that existing natural values
are protected so that they can contribute to ecological sustainability—including the maintenance of
water quality and the provision of habitat and open space linkages. The Open Space Conservation Zone
also generally excludes development or the subdivision of freehold lots; however this zone occurs largely
outside of the development area (Figure 1).

The remainder of the site is zoned as Community Services in which the intent is to protect and manage
community infrastructure and uses; and provide for the infrastructure, indoor recreation, education,
social and safety needs of the loca! community, including people with special needs (Figure 2). The
development intent within this zone is consistent with the overall outcomes of the Community Services
zone, because an aged care facility qualifies as multiple housing Type 3 - Retirement and Special Needs,
according to the residential use and use classes (2.11.5).

The SEQ Regional Plan designates the two most northern parcels (Lot 6 RP901384 & Lot 7 RP890947) as
both within the urban footprint under the SEQ Regional Plan. Areas within the urban footprint have
been identified to accommodate urban growth to 2026. The northern portion of Lot 1 SP161942 is
also designated as urban footprint, with the balance of lot 1 classified as Regional Landscape and Rural
Production Area. Generally the Regional Landscape and rural production area identifies land with values
that should be protected from urban and rural residential development. No development will be
occurring within these areas.

 

Grasstree Court, Sunrise Beach Ecotagical Assessment Report (BCRO2) PLACE Environmental

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