2017-05-24 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                                24 MAY 2017


The zoning is rural and the land has a development approval for a camping ground with the
maximum number of campers per week not to exceed 1,470.

In 2011, the Sunshine Coast Regional Council placed an approval condition that all makeshift
dwellings, caravans and buses with the exception of three structures permitted to house the
permanent residents be removed. This has not occurred.

Gagaju Bush Camp also operates from the site offering overnight accommodation and kayaking
for backpackers and other travellers. The current arrangement between the operators of Gagaju
and Ben Johns is based on a handshake agreement.

3.    Biodiversity Values

Over 70% of the site comprises vegetation with significant environmental values - refer Noosa Plan
Biodiversity Overlay Environmental Protection and Riparian Buffer (see map below). Of this, 50%
of the land (mainly in the southern half of the parcel) is mapped as being endangered regional
ecosystem with a further 20% being identified as of concern. There is also significant regrowth in
areas mapped as non-remnant.




Figure 4 Noosa Plan Biodiversity Overlay

Johns Landing is also mapped as potential koala habitat.

The grassed area on the slope just before the house entry was formerly a ploughed area for crops.
This area could potentially be replanted as vegetation offsets for land clearing.

The foreshore of the Noosa River is eroded from indiscriminate access and boat wash but could
potentially be landscaped and revegetated in the future with provision of floating pontoons and
canoe launching facilities.

The lagoon to the west (which is the site of an old sand quarry) is infested with Salvinia molesta, a
water weed, but it is very contained and unlikely to spread.

                                                                                       Page 7 of 42