2015-08-18 Planning and Organisation Committee Agenda Koal offset contr · 132008.176

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PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                               18 AUGUST 2015


as high value or medium value suitable for rehabilitation habitat on the regulatory maps. All
offset plantings are required to be permanently secured for conservation purposes.
A total of 300 new koala habitat trees are proposed to be planted to meet the required 5:1
offset ratio for each tree cleared. This also includes approximately 20% extra planting
contingency to account for potential tree failures.
The land surrounding the Settlers Cove resort site was investigated for the purpose of
providing the offsets as close as possible to where the koala habitat is to be cleared. This
area was determined to be unsuitable as there is insufficient area to plant 300 koala trees
and the current land tenure does not provide suitable conservation protection. It is also
preferable to ensure koala habitat trees immediately adjacent to the area of impact are
protected and retained with the additional provision of successional koala habitat trees by
planting. However, the area around the Settlers Cove development could not successfully
accommodate the required planting due to the previously mentioned constraints.
The closest and most suitable offset planting site has been identified in Girraween Nature
Refuge (Attachment 1). The selection of the site has been made in consultation with
Environmental Services and the Natural Areas team and is located east of the sewerage
treatment plant. The site is used by koalas and the proposed plantings will augment and
expand upon existing koala habitat as well as providing additional biodiversity values. The
Girraween Nature Refuge is a legally secured site by virtue of its Nature Refuge status under
the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the provision of koala habitat trees aligns with the
management intent of the refuge.
The proposed planting area meets the requirements of the State’s Offsets for Net Gain of
Koala Habitat in SEQ policy. The proposed plantings are in an area identified as medium
value suitable for rehabilitation habitat on the regulatory maps, provide a minimum offset
ratio of 5:1 and the land is legally secured by virtue of its Nature Refuge status.
The planting of koala habitat also accords with the recently adopted Council Policy Koala
Conservation by identifying public land suitable for offsets and through the protection and
conservation of koala populations and habitat.

2.   Koala Habitat Offset Site Costing
The Natural Areas team has obtained an estimate of the costs associated with the provision
of the koala offset plantings, which include the site preparation, planting and a 5 year
maintenance period. The estimate is $30,000 which averages out to $100/tree.
A residual amount of approximately $14,000 remains, noting the $920/tree offset contribution
amount includes a land cost component. A number of options are available to Council which
can be used to advance koala conservation in the shire. These options include, but are not
limited to;
1.   Increasing the amount of tree plantings in the Girraween Nature Refuge by 140 trees
     and maintaining them for a minimum period of 5 years; or
2.   Implementing an enhanced program of bushland rehabilitation on public lands that
     surround the impact site, Serenity Close, Noosa Heads to ensure continued availability
     of Koala food trees through weed control and supplementary plantings; or
3.   Engaging a researcher to assess the health of the koala population(s) of Noosa
     Heads/Weyba Creek; or
4.   Improving koala road crossing safety by addressing koala mortality hotspots through
     the provision of additional fencing, speed reduction, and/or provision of koala furniture
     to culverts.




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PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                  18 AUGUST 2015


The provision of the additional trees and funds to the Girraween Nature Refuge area
(Option 1) is recommended as this increases the amount of available koala habitat area,
provides additional biodiversity values to the Nature Refuge Area, reduces general
maintenance costs of the area over time, and reduces weed mass and spread.
The planting of the koala offset habitat trees is proposed to commence in the 2015 growing
season (spring-summer) subject to Council approval.
Previous Council Consideration
Ordinary Meeting 2 July 2015, Item 2, Page 5
That Council note the report by the Environment Officer to the Planning & Organisation
Committee Meeting dated 23 June 2015 and;
A.      Note the Department of Transport and Main Road’s agreement to enter into
        discussions with Noosa Council in regard to finding a suitable koala habitat offset
        location within Noosa Shire and request staff to investigate suitable offset locations
        and report the matter back to a future Council meeting; and
B.      Request the Environmental staff:
        1.     Identify potential Strategic Offset Investment Corridors in Noosa Shire for
               inclusion into the new planning scheme;
        2.     Develop a register of landholder interest;
        3.     Investigate options for securing land for the purpose of providing advanced
               offsets in conjunction with the Environment Levy Working Group;
        4.     Investigate incorporating Matters of Local Environmental Significance into the
               new planning scheme; and
        5.     Present recommendations to a future meeting of Council.
Finance & Risk
This report considers the expenditure of koala offset funds in line with the original policy
intent. The offset plantings are fully funded by the development approval condition. There
are no other risks associated with the koala offset plantings.
Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Nil
Internal Consultation
Natural Areas, Planning, Environmental Health and Environmental Services.
Departments/Sections Consulted:

x     Community Services                      x   Planning & Infrastructure
      Disaster Management & Public Order          Building & Plumbing Services
x     Waste & Environmental Health                DA Planning
      Community Facilities                        Strategic Land Use Planning
      Cultural Facilities                         Asset Design & Investigations
                                                  Asset Planning
                                              x   Civil Operations
                                                  Environment
                                              x
      Executive Office                        x   Corporate Services
      Community Engagement                    x   Finance
      Customer Service                            ICT
      Executive Support                           Procurement & Fleet
      Governance                                  Property & Facilities
      Human Resources                             Revenue Services




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PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   18 AUGUST 2015     ATTACHMENT 1




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