Ecological Assessment

        habitat.
     5. The method of clearing is clear-
        felling.

 Box 2: Some characteristics that reduce
 adverse affects to habitat critical to the
 survival of the koala
     1. A smaller area of koala habitat is
          being cleared.
     2. The habitat score is lower.
     3. The density of koalas is lower (a
          low density is considered to be ≤
          0.01 koalas per ha).
     4. The clearing is occurring on the
          edge of a patch and causing
          minimal fragmentation.
     5. The method of clearing retains
          koala food trees.


 Will your action adversely affect habitat       Once a response to the characteristics of Box 1 and 2
 critical to the survival of the koala?          are considered the figure poses the question “Will your
                                                 action adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of
                                                 the koala?” Given the responses align with the
                                                 characteristics outlined in Box 2 it is fair to conclude that
                                                 the project will not adversely affect habitat critical to the
                                                 survival of the koala. Given this, the figure indicates that
                                                 “REFERRAL NOT RECOMMENDED FOR ADVERSELY
                                                 AFFECTING HABITAT CRITICAL TO THE SURVIVAL
                                                 OF THE KOALA PROCEED TO SECTION 9”

Section 9 poses the question “Could your action substantially interfere with the recovery of the
koala?”. A number of impacts are outlined that warrant mitigation where the habitat score is
>5. These impacts are considered in Table 1-3 below, which demonstrates that there will be no
impacts that could interfere with the recovery of the Koala:

Table 1-3        Response to Impacts that could interfere with the Recovery of the Koala
 Impacts                                         Response
 Introducing or increasing koala fatalities in   The project will not introduce Koala fatalities to the area
 an area due to vehicle-strikes to a level       owing to vehicle strike. As a shopping centre
 that is likely to result in multiple, ongoing   development, internal roads will be designed for mixed
 mortalities                                     pedestrian and traffic use and will therefore be low speed.
                                                 The speed on roads immediately surrounding the Study
                                                 Area (Walter Hay Drive and Eenie Creek Road) are
                                                 already moderated by the presence of several
                                                 roundabouts (Figure 1).

                                                 No residual impacts are identified.
 Introducing or increasing koala fatalities in   The development of a shopping centre is not likely to
 an area due to dog attacks to a level that      increase the number of dogs in the area. Measures to
 is likely to result in multiple, ongoing        prevent dogs being introduced to the area will include the
 mortalities                                     use of signs to raise awareness. As per the existing Noosa
                                                 Civic Fauna and Pest Management Plan, development
                                                 design will discourage domestic animals from entering
                                                 open space areas.

                                                 No residual impacts are identified.
 Creating a barrier to movement within or        As the project is located at the edge of a broader
 between habitat critical to the survival of     contiguous habitat area it will not fragment habitat.