Appendix F - Ecological Assessment Report

Ecological Assessment Report v1                                                                                                                                                                                                        NCES REF: J001050
Lot 3 on RP131369 – 96 Black Mountain Range Road, Black Mountain



 way that results in a net gain and enhancement of the overall habitat                                                                                                     AO3.2 – No significant habitat trees for native fauna were identified within the
 values of Noosa Shire.                                                   AO3.2                                                                                            development footprint.
                                                                          Habitat trees, recruitment habitat trees, and roosting, breeding and feeding areas are
                                                                          protected for native fauna habitat.
 PO4                                                                      AO4.1                                                                                            AO4.1 – Due to the limited amount of vegetation clearing required minimal
 Development provides for effective measures during construction          Vegetation is protected from disturbance or damage from construction and operation               disturbance and/or damage is expected as a result of the proposed
 and operation to protect ecological values including:                    activities by:                                                                                   development. However, if required, a Vegetation Management Plan that details,
 a) avoiding disturbance to or clearing of vegetation in and within the       a) clearly marking trees to be retained with flagging tape;                                  as a minimum, the protection measures listed in AO4.1 can be produced by the
 vicinity of the site;                                                        b) installing protective fencing around the dripline of the vegetation and avoid filling     applicant for the future Operational Works application and can be conditioned
 b) managing habitat disturbance and physical harm to fauna from                    and excavating in these fenced areas;                                                  by Council with an RoL approval.
 noise, vibration, dust, light, dewatering or excavating; and                 c) ensuring stockpiling, storage and vehicle parking occurs outside the identified
 c) avoiding clearing in areas where erosion or slippage could occur.               vegetation areas; and
                                                                              d) using low impact construction techniques around vegetation.

                                                                          AO4.2                                                                                            AO4.2 – All existing vegetation outside of the proposed development footprint
                                                                          Vegetation which is capable of forming or contributing to a buffer between different land        will continue to form a buffer between the site and adjacent land uses.
                                                                          uses or a buffer against pollution, light spillage or noise is retained.

                                                                          AO4.3
                                                                          Lighting associated with development:                                                            AO4.3 - Lighting associated with development shall comply with AO4.3 and can
                                                                              a) does not contribute an unacceptable level of illuminance (greater than 1 lux) for light   be conditioned with an approval.
                                                                                  sensitive species within or at the boundary of an ecologically important area; and
                                                                              b) does not contribute to an unacceptable level of illuminance on landward horizons          b) N/A
                                                                                  along coastal areas and known marine turtle nesting beaches.

                                                                          AO4.4                                                                                            AO4.4 – The proposed development areas are located upslope of the identified
                                                                          Clearing of vegetation does not involve clearing that may cause or contribute to hillslope       Ecologically Important Areas onsite. Appropriate erosion and sediment controls
                                                                          erosion, bank erosion, or slippage.                                                              works are expected to control the potential adverse impacts of hillslope erosion,
                                                                                                                                                                           bank erosion, or slippage on the identified Ecologically Important Areas. Civil
                                                                                                                                                                           engineering works will be designed to prevent erosion without the reliance on
                                                                                                                                                                           vegetation.
 Connectivity
 PO5                                                                      AO5                                                                                              The development does not propose a significant volume of vegetation clearing.
 Development is designed and operated to maintain and enhance             Development is designed and operated to maintain ecological linkages and maximise                The vegetation impacted as a result of the development is considered low
 connectivity between and across ecologically important areas and         opportunity for connectivity and the movement of fauna by:                                       ecological value and does not form part of a significant ecological linkage.
 connecting habitat and support unimpeded and safe movement of               a) ensuring protection of wildlife refuges;
 terrestrial and aquatic fauna.                                              b) maintaining vegetation in patches of the greatest possible size and within the             The proposed development will introduce a potential future exempt clearing
                                                                                 smallest possible edge-to-area ratio;                                                     opportunity impacting a small protruding unit (approx. 135m2) of VC1 located
                                                                             c) enhancing connectivity through planting and rehabilitation works, including across         external of the Vegetation Protection Covenant Area within Lot 1. Given the
                                                                                 property boundaries, to areas of national park, state forest or reserve;                  protruding nature and small area of this unit it is not expected to significantly
                                                                             d) avoiding the creation of physical barriers and safety hazards (such as roads,              impact connectivity between and across ecologically important areas and
                                                                                 pedestrian access and instream structures) along and within the ecological linkage;       connecting habitat and support unimpeded and safe movement of terrestrial
                                                                             e) providing mitigation measures such as wildlife movement infrastructure, fauna              and aquatic fauna.
                                                                                 exclusion and directional fencing, underpasses/overpasses and traffic calming
                                                                                 devices, signage and lighting; and                                                        Furthermore, the existing ecological linkage (i.e. VC1) will be secured within a
                                                                             f) where offsets are necessary, delivering offsets that support and enhance ecological        Vegetation Protection Covenant Area and rehabilitated through a Covenant
                                                                                 linkages.                                                                                 Area Management Plan.
 Waterways and Wetlands
 PO6                                                                      AO6.1                                                                                            AO6.1 The development does not represent potential to clear vegetation within
 The biodiversity and ecosystem values of waterways, drainage lines,      Development and clearing of vegetation does not occur within:                                    the following:
 wetlands and adjacent riparian zones are protected by:                      a) a riparian buffer area;                                                                        a) a riparian buffer area;
     a) avoiding any new development in a riparian buffer area and           b) a wetland area; or                                                                             b) a wetland area; or
        wetland area;                                                        c) 10 metres either side of the centre line of other waterways identified on a                    c) 10 metres either side of the centre line of other waterways identified
     b) retaining aquatic and terrestrial habitat in riparian zones;             Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Overlay Map.                                                  on a Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Overlay Map.
     c) maintaining and enhancing wildlife corridors and connectivity                                                                                                      Note the Lot 1 BLE has been located >20m setback from the centre line of the
        along watercourses and drainage lines for native fauna            AO6.2                                                                                            waterway onsite to avoid future exempt clearing impacts.
        movement;                                                         Development provides for the rehabilitation of land within:
     d) avoiding edge effects and damage from adjacent land uses;            a) a riparian buffer area;                                                                    AO6.2 – A Covenant Area Management Plan is proposed of which will provide
     e) maintaining stream integrity and bank stability by minimising        b) a wetland area; and                                                                        for rehabilitation of land within a and c of AO6.2.
        bank erosion and slumping;                                           c) 10 metres either side of the centre line of any other waterway identified on a
     f) maintaining water quality through filtering sediments,                   Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Overlay Map.
        nutrients and other pollutants; and




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