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Attachment D - Riparian
Attached to the e-mail MCU14/0039 Response to information request Stormwater & Riparian reports email 2 of 3.
Riparian Buffer Area Assessment 305 Lake Macdonald Drive CLIENT: D’VINERIPE STATUS: Draft REPORT NUMBER: R003372 Important Note This report and all its components (including images, audio, video, text) is ISSUE DATE: copyright. Apart from fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, June 2015 O2 ECOLOGY PTY LTD | Level 1 100 Brunswick St Fortitude Valley QLD 4006| ABN 98 153 475 382 | www.o2ecology.com.au
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Important Note This report and all its components (including images, audio, video, text) is copyright. Apart from fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copied, transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical or graphic) without the prior written permission of O2 Ecology. This report has been prepared for the sole use of the D’VINERIPE (herein, ‘the client’), for a specific site (herein ‘the site’, the specific purpose specified in Section 1 of this report (herein ‘the purpose’). This report is strictly limited for use by the client, to the purpose and site and may not be used for any other purposes. Third parties, excluding regulatory agencies assessing an application in relation to the purpose, may not rely on this report. O2 Ecology waives all liability to any third party loss, damage, liability or claim arising out of or incidental to a third party publishing, using or relying on the facts, content, opinions or subject matter contained in this report. O2 Ecology waives all responsibility for loss or damage where the accuracy and effectiveness of information provided by the Client or other third parties was inaccurate or not up to date and was relied upon, wholly or in part in reporting. Riparian Buffer Area Assessment Page ii D’VINERIPE R003372
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O2 Ecology Pty Ltd t/as O2 Ecology ABN 98 153 475 382
Originating Office – Brisbane
Level 1 100 Brunswick St
Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
T 61 7 3339 7900 | F 61 7 3339 7922 | [email protected]
Version Register
Version Status Author Reviewer Change from Authorised for Release
Previous Version
Signature Date
0 Draft AJ Franks M. Ng
25/06/2015
Transmission Register
Controlled copies of this document are issued to the persons/companies listed below. Any copy of this
report held by persons not listed in this register is deemed uncontrolled. Updated versions of this report if
issued will be released to all parties listed below via the email address listed.
Name Email Address
Byron Mason [email protected]
Nadine Gorton [email protected]
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction 1
1.1. Site Description 1
2. Methods 2
2.1. Coordinate System and Mapping Data 2
3. Results 3
4. Discussion 6
Figures
Figure 1. The rock sediment basin located north of the greenhouse. 4
Figure 2 Drainage channel established within the riparian buffer area along the south-eastern aspect of the
greenhouse. 4
Figure 3 Earthen bund wall towards the south of the greenhouse. 5
Figure 4 The riparian buffer area along the north-eastern side of the greenhouse. 5
Tables
Table 1 Specific outcomes and probable solutions for development within a riparian buffer area as per the Noosa Plan
Biodiversity Overlay Code. 6
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1. Introduction
O2 Ecology was engaged by Como Glasshouse No.2 Pty Ltd to undertake an assessment of the development
of 305 Lake Macdonald Drive, Lake Macdonald in relation to impacts associated with the construction of a
greenhouse, bund wall and rock sediment basin in proximity to a riparian buffer area identified on the
Noosa Plan Biodiversity Overlay Map.
1.1. Site Description
The site comprises an existing irregular shaped lot, located at 305 Lake Macdonald Drive (lot 1 on
SP108094), Lake Macdonald, Noosa Shire Council. The site is an almost level parcel of land that is bounded
by on three sides by tributaries of Six Mile Creek. The area directly surrounding the creek contains riparian
vegetation while the remainder of the site is cleared which reflects the previous turf farm activities.
The site covers some 33.4 ha and is currently used for agricultural activities including the growing of
tomatoes (trading as D’VINERIPE) in a greenhouse on the site. Access to the site is from an access track that
extends from Lake Macdonald Drive.
The site is located in an area that contains a mixture of rural activities (existing turf farm, rural paddocks),
industrial uses (CSR Brick Works) as well as rural residential lots along Lake Macdonald Drive and the Noosa
Botanic Gardens to the east.
1.2. Objectives
The objective of this report is to address parts of the Show Cause Notice issued by Noosa Shire Council on
April 29, 2015 and Point 5 of Information Request (IR) issued by Noosa Shire Council on June 25, 2014. The
IR, application number: MCU14/0039, is in response to the proposal for a development permit for Material
Change of Use – Cultivation Type 2 (Intensive Greenhouses).
The IR issued by Noosa Shire Council has the following points in relation to the mapped riparian buffer
area:
Provide an assessment of the proposal against the provisions of the Biodiversity Overlay Code Outcomes,
including:
a) Detailing all proposed and existing infrastructure, including drainage features, to be located within
the mapped Riparian Buffer Area;
b) Provide an assessment of the proposed and existing infrastructure with relation to the specific
outcomes of the Biodiversity Overlay Code;
c) Provide an assessment of the impacts of the proposed works on the vegetation located within the
Environmental Protection Overlay, including all earthworks that impact upon the root zones of the
protected vegetation;
d) Provide information on how the potential impacts of the development will be avoided, minimised
or offset through the provision of suitable environmental measures on the site. Minimisation and
offset measures must be suitably justified and qualified in the context of the requirements of the
code.
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2. Methods A flora field survey was conducted over the site on 17 June 2015. The site was fully accessible at the time of the survey. Photographs and GPS points were taken during the field inspection. The GPS points were imported into a GIS environment for mapping. Areas of impact were traversed with field notes taken particularly in relation to flora species present and evidence of disturbance. A brief inspection of the nearby riparian vegetation was also undertaken. 2.1. Coordinate System and Mapping Data Positional data was collected using a handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) unit, with accuracy between 4 and 8 m. Locations were recorded using a Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinate system with a GDA94 datum. All locations presented in this report are within UTM zone 56J. Riparian Buffer Area Assessment Page 2 D’VINERIPE R003372
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3. Results The constructed greenhouse does not intersect any mapped riparian buffer areas. However, a rock sediment basin (see Figure 1) has been constructed to the north of the greenhouse within the mapped riparian buffer area. Furthermore, a drainage channel (see Figure 2) has been constructed along the south- east section of the greenhouse, extending into the riparian buffer area. The watercourse in this section of the lot is a third order tributary of Six Mile Creek. Presently, the watercourse supports a gallery rainforest vegetation community analogous to Regional Ecosystem 12.3.1. However, the vegetation associated with this watercourse is not mapped as remnant vegetation as defined under the Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999. A number of camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora) were recorded within the riparian vegetation. The waterway is an unnamed third order tributary of Six Mile Creek. A 50 m riparian buffer area has been mapped under the Noosa Plan Biodiversity Overlay Map. The total area of disturbance within the riparian buffer area is approximately 2400 m² with the majority of this being associated with the constructed rock sediment basin (approximately 2160 m²). The rock sediment basin includes a drain into the nearby waterway. An earthen bund wall (Figure 3) has been installed between the south-eastern to southern part of the greenhouse, the associated sheds and riparian vegetation of a waterway which feeds into the third order stream. This bund does not occur within the riparian buffer area. The riparian buffer area on the lot consisted of a mix of former turf cultivation and areas of largely weeds. The area appears well maintained (see Figure 4). The buffer area also includes riparian vegetation associated with the watercourse. Riparian Buffer Area Assessment Page 3 D’VINERIPE R003372
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Figure 1. The rock sediment basin located north of the greenhouse. Figure 2 Drainage channel established within the riparian buffer area along the south-eastern aspect of the greenhouse. Riparian Buffer Area Assessment Page 4 D’VINERIPE R003372
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Figure 3 Earthen bund wall towards the south of the greenhouse. Figure 4 The riparian buffer area along the north-eastern side of the greenhouse. Riparian Buffer Area Assessment Page 5 D’VINERIPE R003372
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4. Discussion
The installation of a rock sediment basin and drainage channel has disturbed an area of approximately
2400 m² within the riparian buffer area identified on the Noosa Plan Biodiversity Overlay Map. The rock
sediment basin was constructed in an area that supported non-native vegetation and there appears to be
minimal disturbance of nearby riparian vegetation. However, it is acknowledged that regardless of the
vegetation present, that disturbance has occurred in the riparian buffer area.
The specific outcomes sought for the Biodiversity Overlay Code are included in the first column of Table 1.
Probable solutions for code assessable development are included in the second column of Table 1.
Table 1 Specific outcomes and probable solutions for development within a riparian buffer area as per the Noosa Plan
Biodiversity Overlay Code.
Specific outcomes Probable solutions (if code assessable)
Riparian Buffer Area S5.1 No new development occurs on, or partly on, premises
O5 The biodiversity and ecosystem values of watercourses, indicated as Riparian Buffer Area on Biodiversity Overlay
drainage lines, wetlands and adjacent riparian zones are Maps OM1.1 to OM9.1, except for—
protected by— a) temporary use of the land; or
a) avoiding any new development in the riparian buffer b) infrastructure which provides access to a watercourse for
area; recreational purposes;
b) retaining aquatic and terrestrial habitat in riparian zones;
c) maintaining wildlife corridors along watercourses and OR
drainage lines for native fauna movement;
d) avoiding edge effects and incompatible uses in riparian S5.2 Where constructing a Detached house or Community
zones; residence and on an allotment situated wholly within the
e) maintaining bank stability by minimising bank erosion Riparian Buffer Area,
and slumping; a) fronting the Noosa River – development is setback a
f) maintaining water quality by filtering sediments, nutrients minimum of 40m from mean high water spring or as
and other pollutants; and otherwise prescribed by the Environmental Protection
g) removing undesirable plant species and replacing them Agency’s Erosion Prone Area Maps;
with vegetation of local origin; b) not fronting the Noosa River – development is located
outside the riparian zone and setback a suitable distance
from the watercourse having regard to the development
constraints of the property and the need to protect
environmental and riparian values;
OR
S5.3 For Animal husbandry on premises in the Rural Zone—
a) stock proof fencing is installed along watercourses at a
distance of no less than 10m from the top of the bank;
b) stock watering points are located no less than 15m away
from the top of the bank of watercourses; and
c) stock crossing points across watercourses are defined
and controlled with stock proof fencing, to prevent stock
from damaging riparian vegetation or banks to
watercourses;
OR
S5.4 Recreational facilities (including playgrounds, pergolas,
barbeques etc) are setback a minimum of 30m from the top
of the bank of a watercourse and 10m from the top of the
bank of a drainage line;
OR
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Specific outcomes Probable solutions (if code assessable)
S5.5 For Forestry uses the cultivated area is separated from
watercourses by a distance not less than the distances
identified below, measured from high water mark or the
top of the bank, whichever is the greater distance—
Feature Distance
Stream order 1 or 2 5m
Stream order 3 or 4 10m
Stream order greater than 4 20m
AND
S5.6 Where Forestry is carried out on that part of premises
indicated as Riparian Buffer Area and outside the
separation distances specified in S5.5—
a) species planted are of local origin and are harvested
through sustainable harvesting;
and
b) any undesirable plant species are replaced by vegetation
of local origin.
The construction of the rock sediment basin and drainage channel has impacted on the minimum amount
of area required for this infrastructure. As can been seen in Table 1, construction of the drainage channel
and rock sediment basin does not meet any of the probable solutions. However, an alternate solution to
the disturbance could be proposed. The residual impact associated with construction of the rock sediment
basin and drainage channel on the riparian buffer can be offset. The alternate solution could include all or
part of the following:
Removal and control of camphor laurel along the portion of the waterway that occurs on the lot.
Any weed control would need to consider the type and application of herbicide that could be used
in proximity the waterway and surrounding native vegetation.
Removal and control of other environmental weeds in proximity to the riparian vegetation and
within the riparian buffer area.
Undertake revegetation programs within the riparian buffer area by planting of species that would
have originally occurred in this area as determined by the pre-clear Regional Ecosystems mapped
over the lot.
Undertake regular water quality monitoring in the waterway
By actively managing the riparian buffer area and the riparian vegetation of the lot through a combination
of weed control and revegetation programs, the disturbance associated with the construction of the
drainage channel and rock sediment basin should be adequately offset. This may require the preparation of
a riparian vegetation management plan highlighting objectives, key tasks and approaches to adequately
manage the riparian buffer area and riparian vegetation to a standard accepted by the Noosa Shire Council.
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