08/0176 - EPA Information Request [As Published] · 132008.176

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A response to the information request should be posted to Hilary MacDonald, the Project Manager, at the
address below. Please do not hesitate to contact Hilary MacDonald, via email or the telephone number listed
below if you wish to discuss any of these issues or if you require any further information.

Yours sincerely

David Baker Enquiries:

Manager Hilary MacDonald

Koala Conservation Unit Koala Conservation Unit
Threatened Species Level 8, 160 Ann Street
Sustainable Communities . . ‘ ot + CITY EAST QtD' 4002
Environmental Protection Agency Phone: (07) 3404 3353

Fax: (07) 3227 6386
Email:hilary. [email protected]

11 JUNE 2008

Attachment - Information Request

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Information Request

EPA Project Reference Number: 324907

Date of Request: 11 JUNE 2008

Permit Type: Concurrence Response for Development in a Koala Habitat Area

Act: Integrated Planning Act 1997

Activity: Material Change of Use in a Koala Conservation Area resulting in clearing more than 2500m2 of
native vegetation and additional traffic between 6pm and 6am

Location: 1 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads (proposed lots 10 & 11 SP188270) -

Information Request:

Background

EPA’s concurrence response in relation to the application is subject to the requirements of the Nature
Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2006 and Management Program 2006-2016 (the Koala Plan). Please
refer to the EPA website for a copy of the Koala Plan:

www.epa.qid.gov.au/nature_conservation/wildlife/koala_plan/.

For the purposes of assessing the application against the Koala Plan, EPA has made an initial determination,
based on information provided, that the application is for general committed development within an Urban
Koala Area. The subject site is mapped as containing both Koala Conservation Area (KCA) and Urban Koala
Area (UKA). As proposed lots 10 and 11 are wholly contained within the UKA, the application will be assessed
against Table 12 (p39). The EPA is assessing the application as a concurrence agency due to the site containing
KCA, however, intends on providing advice only to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council as the development
footprint is located within the Urban Koala Area.

Terms and definitions are contained in Annex 2 — Glossary (p54) of the Koala Plan.
To enable a complete assessment of the application, EPA requires the following information:

Information required

1. Conduct a vegetation survey of the subject site (proposed lots 10 & 11 on SP188270) to map koala
habitat trees as per the following:

> Identify and map all koala habitat trees including details of tree size, species and condition.
> Provide a description (map) of the extent to which koala habitat trees will be disrupted by the
proposed development, together with an estimate of the total fragmentation or isolation of significant

stands of koala habitat trees.

Koala habitat trees are defined in the Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2006. They
include Angophora, Corymbia, Eucalyptus, Lophostemon and Melaleuca genera.

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2. A koala survey should be conducted on the subject land (proposed lots 10 & 11 on SP188270), in

accordance with Policy 4: koala survey methodology for site assessment and as per requirements
below:

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Koala habitat use can be determined through direct observation of animals and supplemented with
indirect means using signs of past koala occupation (scratches or faecal pellets);

» As the total site area is less than SOha, the entire area should be searched for koalas;

information should be provided on the number of actual koala sightings, age class, reproductive

status, health status, tree species any koala has been sighted within, and the location of the sighted
koala shown on a map; and

* The reproductive status and health of koalas must be ascertained by sight; therefore the presence
of pouch young will only be assessable if the young is old enough to be seen outside of the pouch.

3. Once requests 1 and 2 are complete, the results should be outlined in schematic format and overlayed

with the proposed ‘development envelope’ to clearly demonstrate the extent of development on koala
habitat. :

4. Demonstrate how the proposed resort hotel and ancillary facilities will minimize the extent of
disturbance to koala habitat and provide for koala movement across the landscape.

In particular provide further details for the proposed development including:

* how the proposed development will maintain koala habitat linkages within the site itself and to
adjacent habitat areas;

« what koala sensitive design measures are to be implemented, such as koala friendly fencing, road
design, traffic calming, and signage;

Refer to Policy 1: Koala sensitive development for further guidance on meeting request 4.

5. Describe the intended final use of the area outlined as Park (page 21 of the DBI Design Development
Application Booklet, dated January 2008), addressing the following points:

* proposed uses within the area;

¢ identify and map any proposed infrastructure including pathways, lighting, recreation facilities and
any additional park infrastructure, including their dimensions;

* land tenure; will the land be dedicated to Council or will it remain as private land; and

* proposed management of the area.

6. Further to the plantings and species list provided (page 65 of the DBI Design Development Application
Booklet, dated January 2008), demonstrate how the proposed landscaping intent of the site complies
with koala conservation criterion that requires at least 70% Australian plants, of which 50% are native to
the area and include koala habitat trees.

7. Provide an assessment of expected additional traffic to be generated between 6pm and 6am the
following morning and how impacts to koalas by vehicle strikes will be minimised.

8. Outline the potential impacts to koalas during both construction and ongoing operation of the proposed
development and how impacts will be mitigated or minimised.

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Definitions:

“Koala habitat trees” are defined in the Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2006. They include
Angophora, Corymbia, Eucalyptus, Lophostemon and Melaleuca genera.

“Koala friendly fencing” is defined as a fence that:

a. allows koalas to easily climb through or over the fence by choosing materials such as post and rail and
leaving at least a 30 cm gap between ground level and the first rail or strand; or
b. Provide a means for koalas to get over a fence that cannot be easily climbed by:
i. installing a timber post leaning against the fence at a 45 degree angle on either side;
ii. planting vegetation within close proximity on either side of the fence to provide a natural ladder;
iii. installing planks or panels horizontally along the top of the fence to provide a walkway; and
iv. building the fence around existing trees and vegetation

Advice to-Council:

EPA would like to advise that as the proposed development is within an Urban Koala Area, the EPA
recommends that Sunshine Coast Regional Council carefully review the above information request. The South
East Queensland Regional Plan requires that for particular types of development (outlined in Table 3 of the
Koala Plan) the relevant local government is required to assess the development against the koala conservation
criteria (outlined in Table 12 of the Koala Plan).

EPA encourages you to make contact with the project manager, Hilary MacDonald on (07) 3404 3353, to discuss
the Koala Plan requirements further.

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4 4 A ,
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o a“, Enquiries:

David Baker Hilary MacDonald
Manager Koala Conservation Unit
Koala Conservation Unit Level 8, 160 Ann Street
Threatened Species CITY EAST QLD 4002
Sustainable Communities Phone: (07) 3404 3353
Environmental Protection Agency , Fax: (07) 3227 6386

Email:[email protected]

11 JUNE 2008