080620 BCR02_EcoAssess_20071109_Final_MT.pdf [As Published] · 132008.1128

1.0       BACKGROUND, SITE PLANNING CONTEXT & PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT

1.1       Overview

PLACE Environmental was engaged by Blue Care Pty Ltd to prepare an Ecological Assessment Report to
address relevant Commonwealth, State and Local Government environmental planning policies in
regard to a proposed master plan and stage 1 construction of an aged care development at Grasstree
Court, Sunrise Beach. The total subject site is comprised of Lot 6 RP901384 and Lot 1 SP177650. The
subject site is located in the Local Government Area of Sunshine Coast Regional Council (specifically the
former Noosa Council) and comprises a total area of approximately 5.53 ha. The area affected by
development, hereon referred to as the “Development Area”, includes Lot 6 RP901384 and proposed
lot 9, which is currently part of Lot 1 SP177650. Grasstree Court provides access to the development
area (Figure 1).

The aims of this assessment are to:

x     Assess the validity of the various environmental protection designations applied to the Site;
x     Identify other items of ecological significance on the site or in the locality which may affect the
      manner or extent to which the site is developed, and advise the design team of a suitable
      development strategy;
x     Suggest means of ameliorating development impacts; and
x     Address relevant Commonwealth, State and Local Government planning policies, and ensure
      compliance.


1.2       Existing Environment

The site is located in the west of Sunrise Beach between the existing residential area and Noosa National
Park. The Sunshine Beach State High School is located immediately to the north of the site while the
large southern lot is also bounded to the south by the national park. A small community shopping
centre is located adjacent to the north east corner of the site and a church is located at the western end
of Grasstree Court. The area slopes to the west towards Burgess Creek located within the Noosa
National Park. The geology of the site is coastal sand deposits.

Under the Sunshine Coast Regional Council’s Plan (2008) the majority of the southern half of the site is
zoned as Open Space Conservation (Figure 2). The overall outcomes of this zone are that existing
natural values are protected so that they can contribute to ecological sustainability—including the
maintenance of water quality and the provision of habitat and open space linkages. The Open Space
Conservation Zone also generally excludes development or the subdivision of freehold lots; however this
zone occurs largely outside of the development area (Figure 1).

The remainder of the site is zoned as Community Services in which the intent is to protect and manage
community infrastructure and uses; and provide for the infrastructure, indoor recreation, education,
social and safety needs of the local community, including people with special needs (Figure 2). The
development intent within this zone is consistent with the overall outcomes of the Community Services
zone, because an aged care facility qualifies as multiple housing Type 3 - Retirement and Special Needs,
according to the residential use and use classes (s2.11.5).

The SEQ Regional Plan designates Lot 6 RP901384 as both within the Urban Footprint under the SEQ
Regional Plan. Areas within the Urban Footprint have been identified to accommodate urban growth to
2026. The northern portion of Lot 1 SP177650 is also designated as Urban Footprint, with the balance
of Lot 1 classified as Regional Landscape and Rural Production Area. Generally the Regional Landscape
and Rural Production Area identifies land with values that should be protected from urban and rural
residential development. No development will be occurring within these areas zoned as Regional
Landscape and Rural Production Areas.




Grasstree Court, Sunrise Beach        Ecological Assessment Report (BCR02)               PLACE Environmental

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