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Ecology Response Letter
Our Ref: PR22098
Date: 19 September 2022
Lisa Pienaar
Development Planner
Noosa Council
Email: [email protected]
Dear Lisa
RE: Information Request for 36 Riverpark Drive, Ringtail Creek
Green Tape Solutions has been engaged to provide ecological advice in relation to proposed residential
dwelling development at 36 Riverpark Drive, Ringtail Creek (Council reference MCU22/0099). Please
find herewith our response to the ecological issues raised in the Information Request letter dated 28
June 2022. Please note that we have also updated the ecological report for the site to include this
additional information.
Item 15.
Issue
The plans indicate the pool is to be located on the Noosa River side of the dwelling. No detail has been
provided regarding where the overflow and backwash is to be directed and any potential impacts to the
Noosa River and the Riparian Buffer Area.
Information Required
Provide the following detail:
a. Location and direction of the overflow and backwash.
b. Potential impacts and mitigation measures for discharging of pool water in the direct of the
Noosa River and into the Riparian Buffer Area.
Response:
The pool overflow and pool backwash from filter cleaning will be directed into a rubble pit that will then
run into stormwater drainage pipes, across the grass swale and into the existing dam on site. This multi-
stage treatment train will be a suitable treatment method for filtering and cleaning the pool water.
Green Tape Solutions / ABN 20 162 130 627
PO BOX 282, Morayfield, QLD, 4506 / PO BOX 416 Rockhampton, QLD, 4700
Telephone: 07 5428 6372 / Email: [email protected]
www.greentapesolutions.com.au
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Items 16 and 17
Issue
The effluent disposal area is described within the Effluent Disposal Report as being located 150m uphill
of the Noosa River. No detail has been included within the Ecological Assessment Report regarding the
effluent disposal area and impacts to the environment specifically the riparian buffer area and Noosa
River.
Information Required
Amend the Ecological Assessment Report to detail any potential impacts the effluent disposal system
and area may have on the Riparian Buffer Area and Noosa River.
Provide mitigation measures to eliminate or minimise any impacts included.
Response:
The effluent disposal area is proposed to be located within the existing vegetation area to the east of
the dwelling site (see image 1 below, pink polygon). The system will use fixed surface sprinkler irrigation,
about 40m from the eastern edge of the dwelling, 130m from the edge of the mapped Riparian Buffer
area overlay and 330m to the edge of the Noosa River. The system will be 15m wide x 24m long,
covering an area of 360m2 with 35 sprinkler plumes (image 1 and 2 below).
The system does not require vegetation removal for installation, nor does it impact the ground as the
irrigation pipes and sprinklers are placed on top of the ground (no excavation). The most that may be
required would be some minor understorey vegetation pruning. The rainforest understorey vegetation
in this location would be well suited to the additional moisture that would be released in this area.
The proposed effluent disposal system is unlikely to have any negative impacts upon the Noosa River /
riparian zone, in terms of water quality or ecology. This is due to the large setback to the river and
riparian buffer area, and the fact that the system is located in a heavily vegetated, elevated area. The
amount of filtration that will occur as water percolates through the soil will be highly likely to eliminate
any excessive nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) and pollutants (metals, suspended solids etc) from the
waste-water before it gets to the riparian zone. Nutrient uptake from plant roots will also assist in this
process.
PR22098_36 Riverpark Drive, Ringtail Creek 2
Page 3
Image 1: Location of effluent disposal area (pink polygon)
Image 2: Effluent disposal area details
PR22098_36 Riverpark Drive, Ringtail Creek 3
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Items 18 and 19
Issue
Condition 12 of the higher order approval 152006.862.02 details that an environmental
covenant within 50 metres of the north-eastern property boundary to the Noosa River is
required for protection of the Coastal Management District. Aerial mapping indicates there is
an access track around the dam and towards the northern corner of the lot to the water’s edge
of the Noosa River and vegetation is scarce in the riparian buffer area. In addition, it appears
that the area within the Riparian Buffer is slashed. Rehabilitation of this access track and the
riparian buffer area is expected to minimise the potential for sediment entering the Noosa River
and eliminating access and impacts to the natural vegetation will assist in regenerating the
riparian buffer area. Refer to Acceptable outcome AO6.2 of the Biodiversity Waterways and
Wetlands Code.
Information Required
Amend the Ecological Assessment Report to include the riparian buffer area (including access
track to the Noosa River) within the proposed rehabilitation areas. Specifically address
Performance outcome PO6 (c), (e) and (f) of the Biodiversity Waterways and Wetlands Code.
Eliminate access and impacts i.e. slashing to the riparian buffer area and identify the riparian
buffer area as an additional rehabilitation area with at a minimum, assisted natural
regeneration techniques.
Response:
The riparian buffer area was specifically excluded from the rehabilitation plan due to difficulties that can
be encountered when rehabilitating tidal areas. In addition, rehabilitation of this area is not considered
to be necessary for a dwelling house application that is not located within this area and will not impact
upon this area.
The owner has agreed to avoid any slashing in the riparian buffer area/tidal zone. Therefore, it is
expected that natural regeneration will now occur in this area over time. See the updated Ecological
Report for a response to PO6 of the Code.
Item 20
Issue
The proposed rehabilitation area 1 is located on the edge of tidal wetland. The species may
need to be reviewed to ensure they are able to endure the environmental conditions. Species
suggestions include Banksia robur, Melaleuca pachyphylla and other shrubs that may endure
those conditions.
Information Required
Review species selection to ensure the species are appropriate for the location, soil types and
environmental conditions i.e. tidal wetland within each of the rehabilitation areas.
PR22098_36 Riverpark Drive, Ringtail Creek 4
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Response:
Rehabilitation area 1 is located on the batter slope below the proposed dwelling location, where the
elevated ground runs down to the edge of the low-lying, tidal land (see image 3 below). This
rehabilitation area is not intended to include any tidal/saline areas and therefore the listed species are
considered to be appropriate. Some additional plant species (tolerant of water logged environments)
have nonetheless been added to the species list as requested, for the very base of the batter slope.
Image 3: Batter slope below dwelling location where rehabilitation area 1 will be located
I trust that the above information and supporting documentation addressed all matters outlined by
Council in their information request.
Yours sincerely
Richard Hanson
Senior Ecologist
PR22098_36 Riverpark Drive, Ringtail Creek 5
Page 6
Updated Ecological Assessment Report
PR22098_36 Riverpark Drive, Ringtail Creek 6
[OCR of page images]
Green Tape
SOLUTIONS
Updated Ecological Assessment Report
PR22098_ 36 Riverpark Drive, Ringtail Creek 6