Pre-Request Response application 132008.176.02

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Our Ref: = J1113401 : -~ Email: [email protected]
Date: 13/08/2012

Conor Neville

Senior Environment Officer Engineering & Environment Assessment Branch

Regional Planning and Strategy

Sunshine Coast Regional Council

Locked Bag 72

Sunshine Coast Mail Centre Qld 4560

Dear Mr Neville,
SETTLER’S COVE —~ CONSIDERATION OF STATE KOALA PROVISIONS

Background

As you may be aware, | have been involved in this project for 10 years and worked with Council to
determine an acceptable development / conservation outcome. Following this, | implemented the fauna
management plan (FMP) and ecological restoration and specifications plan (ERSP) for the site, which
were endorsed by Council. These plans reflected fundamental ecological principles and best
environmental practice, identifying the need to provide habitat linkages and feed trees for koalas (and
other fauna) in lots dedicated to conservation and open space, to offset losses of these values through
the selective clearing of the approved residential lots.

The restoration exercise has been successful in reinstating floristic values and creating habitat for a range
of fauna, including threatened species such as the koala. In addition, the development provided the
opportunity to establish extensive parklands (Lots 600, 602 & 604) and public use land (Lots 605 & 606).

Proposed development and recent legislation

The proposed development on Lots 10 & 11 Serenity Close for a 109 short-stay apartments and
associated facilities was approved by Council in April 2010. The approved development requires a
number of trees considered to be of primary and secondary habitat value to koalas to be removed, which
is now under scrutiny due to the legislative changes aimed at preserving koala habitat, namely:

s The offsets for Net Gain of Koala Habitat in South East Queensland Habitat Policy, and

s The South East Queensland Koala Conservation State Planning Regulatory Provisions (SPRP)

In keeping with this legislation, the developer is seeking to carry out offset planting within the Settler's
Cover site at a ratio of 1:5.

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