06/0823 - Applicant's Response to Information Request including Attachments [As Published] · 132006.823

53.

In its natural condition (prior to farming), the watercourse would have been shaded by tall
trees along its north-eastem side. Although this buffering forest was removed decades ago,
exposing this side of the riparian zone to sunlight and other edge effects (such as weed
invasion), the native vegetation adjacent to the watercourse remains a shade-tolerant mixture
of species. The existing canopy trees, vines, ferns and other understorey species are
adapted to germination and growth in shade, as are the proposed species to be used for
revegetation in existing gaps. The proposed buildings will provide additional shade during the
morning, but to no greater extent than the original natural conditions of the valley.

Noise and lighting impacts on fauna

In its natural condition, the narrow intermittent watercourse and its associated vegetation
probably provided habitat and movement corridor route for a range of fauna, although not as
many as a wide permanent stream. Some of the species originally present may have been
sensitive to construction noise, night-time lighting and human activity. However decades of
clearing, grazing and rural activity in the valley appear to have reduced the faunal diversity of
the watercourse area, and the species which currently use the corridor are generally tolerant
of nearby disturbance.

There will be no high-intensity street lights or security lighting shining into this area, and
although there will be some low-level light spill from the adjacent unit windows and balconies,
there is no evidence that any of the fauna using the corridor will be affected. The 20 to 50
metre forested corridor along the watercourse will still allow a wide dark band of habitat at
night-time.

Water harvestin

Most of the flows in the watercourse are from the upstream catchment, with only a minor
proportion from overland flows and runoff across the valley floor. While the proposed
development will intercept flows from the hillslope and from within the developed area, these
will be redirected to discharge to the watercourse at controlled outfall points. The watercourse
is naturally adapted to variability in flows, and the hydrological inputs to the watercourse will
not be changed to any significant degree likely to affect riparian ecology.

Construction activity and bank stability

All construction activity will be excluded from the riparian buffer zone, the banks will be
retained with their current landform and vegetation (plus additional rehabilitation planting) and
no uncontrolled stormwater discharge will take place.

Please refer to Items 70 and 71 of this Response for further detail regarding the impact of
construction activity.

. Please provide confirmation that the Cryptocarya foetida protection area on Fig. 1- Habitat

Protection Area is not to be impacted on by the adjacent development.

The proposed Villa accommodation units are no closer to the Cryptocarya habitat area than
those in the CAS, which included buffers to protect this species. Areas likely to be affected
by the proposed gabion wall extension and new roads along the north-western edge of the
subject site have been surveyed and no additional Cryptocarya have been found.

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