Ecology Response Letter

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