Approved Document OPW18-0319 · OPW18/0319

                                                                               Consult Arborist

4 S ITE D ESCRIPTION AND D ETAI LS
The subject trees referred to in this report are located within a 10m vegetation Buffer Zone
that was created and conditioned for retention during the original development procedures for
this site. The aim of the Buffer Zone is to provide a wildlife and habitat for local fauna including
the endangered Koala and Glossy Black Cockatoos. This Buffer Zone is protected under the
development approval for the site and is included in the site's Approved Landscape Scheme.

On assessing the site, it was apparent that the forest floor in many places is bare of vegetation
and the soil condition is poor with little organic matter to form the required mulch/organic layer
essential to supporting young plants in the site's sandy soil. The Buffer Zone has received little
maintenance over the years and the poor sandy soils and a past weed management regime
may have contributed to the prevention of the natural understory regeneration of native trees
and plants; a few tube-stock had been planted, but with little success. These conditions are
also likely to have contributed to the general tree decline. RACV intends to increase the
maintenance to this area to improve the conditions throughout as part of the proposed general
habitat restoration program of works.

The treescape is a mix of Eucalyptus, Coastal Rainforest and a few weed species.
Predominantly, the important Eucalyptus are aged Swamp Mahogany and a few early-mature
Forest Red Gums.

The presence of overhead power lines running north-south along the eastern boundary/fence
line has resulted in the pruning of most of these trees with little canopy spread remaining to
the east. This has caused depleted canopies, additional sunlight penetrating to the forest floor
and little to no ground vegetation. On the western side of the Buffer Zone is the main resort
with holiday units constructed at the base of the 1-3m high retaining wall. It appears that as
part of the development the vegetation along the western side was all retained with pruning of
side branches where conflict with the build occurred. Over the past 10 years, this has resulted
in sections of dense vegetation directly encroaching and targeting constantly occupied holiday
Units. Some encroachment pruning has occurred as a necessary requirement but
predominantly the trees have been untouched since construction.

Due to the increasing encroachment of all the trees along the western boundary over the Units
they require some level of management and an assessment of this whole area is advised.

The weather at the time of the inspection was clear with a light breeze and ground conditions
underfoot were generally dry.

Fair - good access was available to the site and subject trees with only minor restriction.




19_01_24_TRA_RACV Resort _Noosa_V3                                                     Page 6 of 32