2020-05-13 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                               13 MAY 2020




                      Figure 3 – The Noosa Plan’s Biodiversity Overlay mapping

Parts of the site are also mapped by the Noosa Plan’s Natural Hazard Overly as having a very
high potential bushfire intensity. Some minor areas are also mapped as being flood affected
though these areas are not proposed to be subdivided. While not mapped by the Natural
Resources Overlay, large areas of the site have also been identified as good agricultural land by
Council’s agricultural scientist as part of the appeal process.
The proposed changes to the plans do result in some improvements in terms of environmental
and agricultural land outcomes and bushfire resolution, when compared with the current
approved plans.
   The proposed area of parkland has increased by approximately 6.6 hectares.
   The extent of intrusion into the site’s riparian buffer in the north has been reduced
     somewhat though proposed lots 36 to 39 still partly intrude into this riparian buffer as does
     the proposed associated fire trail for these lots contrary to the outcomes sought for the site.
   The proposed changes to the plans will still lead to the removal of koala habitat, including
     lots 3-5 and their associated fire trial. Many lots include large building envelopes which
     also result in the many of the lots being fully cleared of koala habitat trees.
   A number of the proposed lots still consume good quality agricultural land, including lots 1,
     4-13, 19-21, 37-39 and possibly lots 2, 3, 22 and 36 being adjacent to the good quality
     agricultural land. Lot 40 contains good quality agricultural land that will be fragmented from
     the other GQAL on the whole site.
   The removal of some lots, redesign of the road layout and increased fire trail widths has
     better addressed the site’s bushfire hazards, though some of the increased fire trail widths
     have pushed further into the riparian buffer such as adjacent lot 5.
   Lot 40 remains a concern being served by a long track through bushfire prone areas from
     Hollett Road. The proposed fire trail within lot 32 to protect lots 6, 13, 14, 20 and 21 also
     inappropriately burdens this private land owner, with other proposed fire trails burdening
     Council in the long term.
   The fire trail around proposed lots 1 and 2 also ends in a dead end and should return to
     Hollett Road. Emergency access to Walter Hay Drive is also proposed but no details have
     been provided demonstrating appropriate sight lines and while has merit from a bushfire
     resolution perspective is contrary to Council’s traffic planning for the shire.

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