Decision Notice - Concurrence Agency - EPA [As Published] · 142008.252

    2008/252




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[OCR of page images]
2008/252

 

ecoaccess

environmental licences and permits
Response

Concurrence Agency Response

*  Palustrine referable wetland consisting of regional ecosystem (RE) 12.3.4, Melaleuca quinquenervia,
Eucalyptus robusta open forest on or near coastal alluvial plains, located immediately to the west of the
pontoon site. This is considered an ‘of concern’ remnant vegetation community. It is core habitat for the
acid frogs Crinia tinnula and Litoria freycineta and non-core for Litoria olongburensis; and core habitat
for koala, Phascolarclos cinereus under the SEQ Threatened Species Habitat layer. It is of State
biodiversity significance for Endangered, Vulnerable and Rare (EVR) taxa.

« RE12.2.1/12.2.5, containing palustrine wetland, described as 70/30 notophyll/evergreen notophyll vine
forest and; open-forest to low closed forest. This complex is located within the development footprint
along the foreshore. This RE is described as of ‘very high’ conservation value and poorly conserved
within the subregion. It contains ‘special biodiversity values’ consisting of a riparian bioregional corridor.
It is core habitat for the acid frogs Crinia tinnula, Litoria freycineta and Litoria olongburensis and non-
core for Litoria cooloolensis, and non-core habitat for koala, Phascolarctos cinereus.

« RE 12.2.5 comprises the bulk of the site and is listed as a referable wetland (51 -80% wetland
vegetation).

« A South East Queensland (SEQ) riparian corridor of State biodiversity significance traverses the site.

« The site is classified as both Regional Landscape and Rural Production Area and Urban Footprint under
the SEQ Regional Plan, 2005- 2026. The location of works appears to be on the boundary however
should be entirely within the urban footprint.

* The western portion of the site is designated as Koala Conservation Area under the Nature
Conservation (Koala) Conservation Pian, 2006. The tocation of the pontoon appears to be very close to
this boundary.

Advice relating to Biodiversity Matters:

Policy 2.1.5, Maritime Infrastructure, of the State Coastal Management Plan — Queensland's Coastal Policy
2001 (SCMP) does appear to allow the construction of new pontoons connected to State land under (e) such
facilities were clearly identified as being intended as part of an assessment for new urban development on
adjacent land and the facilities are connected to that land. The original development application approved by the
Noosa Council on 13 July 2005 including plan 1128 RHD OA, Amendment A indicates the proposed pontoon
and catwalk (Refer to Environment & Planning Committee Reports 30/11/07, pg. 2).

The EPA acknowledges that the pontoon is to be designated as a public facility once constructed, as stated in
Noosa Council correspondence to the Department of Natural Resources and Water dated 11 December 2007.
This outcome appears to be supported by Policy 2.1.5, Maritime Infrastructure of the SCMP, which states that a
public facility would be the most appropriate arrangement for a pontoon connected to State fand on the coast.

Based on the significant environmental attributes identified on Lot 603 Plan SP188270, an ecological
assessment of the site should have been provided to demonstrate that there are to be no adverse impacts on
the ecological values and functioning of the area. Additionally, information on how the pontoon will be:
constructed and accessed was not provided.

The referable wetland is described as a ‘significant coastal wetland’ under the criteria of Policy 2.8.1 Areas of
state significance (natural resources) (a) (vi) State and Regional Coastal Management Plans — Queensland's
Coastal Policy — Implementation Guideline for Development Assessment November 2007. A policy outcome
against which development is to be assessed is that “Future land uses are located outside areas of state
significance”. Only existing urban, maritime and rural land uses can expand provided that there will be no
adverse impacts on coastal resources. Significant coastal wetlands may need a buffer area greater than 200m
(refer to Regional Vegetation Management Code for SEQ Bioregion, 2006: Part P, PR P.2 Wetlands for RE
12.3.4; does not apply if pontoon is located in RE 12.2.1/ 12.2.5).

Construction of proposed pontoon

The construction of the maritime infrastructure may involve the clearing of riparian vegetation which would
trigger Policy 2.8.2 Coastal Wetlands of the SCMP. Should this occur the applicant would need to demonstrate
how the development maintains coastal wetland functions to provide habitat for threatened species (including
acid frogs and koalas). Similarly, Policy 2.8.3 Biodiversity requires the retention of riparian vegetation along
waterways of sufficient width to provide for a self-sustainable, linked network (i.e. maintenance of aquatic and
terrestrial habitats and movement corridors for native animals).

 

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