Ecological Assessment

State and Local Government Ecological Assessment
Noosa Civic Expansion




6                  Regulatory compliance
6.1                State Government Regulatory Requirements
The proposed Noosa Civic expansion will necessitate the clearing of approximately 7.2ha of Medium Value
Bushland and Medium Value Rehabilitation koala habitat that supports approximately 3,118 KHTs. In
accordance with the requirements of the Koala SPRP the loss of koala habitat will require the provision of an
offset. Under the Queensland Environmental Offset Policy 2014 either a land-based offset or a financial
settlement may be used. A land-based offset (replacement of lost koala food trees at a ratio of 3:1) or a
financial settlement based on the offsetable impact of 7.2ha. The financial settlement for the 7.2ha has been
calculated using the State online calculator and is presented in Appendix R.
The proposed Noosa Civic expansion will also result in the removal of MSES Wildlife Habitat within the
Coastal Protection Zone consisting of koala medium value bushland habitat. The provision of an offset in
accordance with the requirements of the Koala SPRP will also address any offset liabilities that may arise in
complying with the requirements of Module 10 of the SDAPs.
The Nature Conservation (Wildlife Management) Regulation 2006, subordinate to the NC Act, specifies that
“a person must not, without a reasonable excuse, tamper with an animal breeding place that is being used by
a protected animal to incubate or rear the animal's offspring”. With respect to all native fauna species it is
noted that under Section 332 of the NCA, approval from DEHP is required to tamper with a protected
animal’s breeding place. Should disturbance to animal breeding places be required, a Species Management
Plan (SMP) which addresses the potential impacts and includes mitigation measures to protect the animals
requires approval from DEHP prior to the commencement of Operational Works. In this regard, a follow-up
survey for animal breeding places should be undertaken closer to the time of Operational Works to ensure
any newly established breeding places are detected. During Operational Works, a fauna Spotter Catcher
(who holds a current Permit) would be required to be present to direct habitat clearing/draining activities.

6.2                Local Government Regulatory Requirements
The Noosaville Biodiversity Overlay (Map OM8.1) indicates ‘koala habitat area’, ‘environmental enhancement
area’ and ‘environmental protection areas’ within the proposed development area thereby triggering the
Biodiversity Overlay Code. A response demonstrating compliance with the Specific Outcomes of the Code is
provided in Appendix S.
The Shire Business Centre (Map Sbc) identifies an area along the western boundary of the Study Area as
‘OS7’ Open Space (Environmental Drainage). The Specific Outcomes and Probable Solutions for the Open
Space Conservation Zone in Part 11 ‘Noosaville Locality Plan’ of the Planning Scheme indicate that ‘all uses’
are inconsistent with the zoning. Further it is noted that:
            O221 Precincts OS4 and OS7 comprise a substantial part of the existing natural drainage lines
            through the Shire Business Centre site and are either retained in their natural state or ecologically
            improved to ensure final polishing of runoff waters before they enter Eenie Creek.
An existing covenant is positioned in much the same location as OS7. OS7 and the covenant area occupy
the same total area (1.3ha), but the latter follows the alignment of a minor drainage line. Given this, the
covenant area better reflects the ‘environmental drainage’ purpose of OS7 and effectively aligns with
ecological values associated with the minor ephemeral drainage line. The edge of the drainage line largely
supported plant species consistent with the surrounding vegetation, however, some sedges and rushes were
found at the southernmost extent of the line.
Field investigations within the areas of OS7 not aligning with the covenant found:
> vegetation associations that are consistent with the surrounding area. Specifically it supports regrowth
  Syncarpia glomulifera, Eucalyptus resinifera, E. grandis & Corymbia intermedia forest. The northern most
  extent includes some Melaleuca quinquenervia as a mid-canopy element; and
> no threatened plant or fauna species although koala habitat trees are present.


QIC Noosa Civic Pty Ltd                                  Version 1                                5 December 2014
J13041_Ecological Assessment State Local_V1.docx   Commercial in Confidence                              Page 31