Ecological Assessment Report

                                                                             Ecological Assessment Report



5.2   Offsets

Under the Noosa Plan 2020 , the site is mapped within the Biodiversity , Waterways and Wetlands
overlay (Area of Biodiversity Significance , MSES Environmental Values). The proposed dwelling and
shed has a footprint of around 863 m 2 , most of which is covered by the ‘Area of Biodiversity
Significance ’ overlay, but only around half this area is vegetated . In addition , the bushfire APZ has a
footprint of 5,823m2, consisting of an inner protection area of 1,905m2 (full vegetation clearing) and an
outer protection area of 3,918m2 (understorey clearing only, retention of canopy vegetation ). Most of
the bushfire APZ already has a managed mown grass understorey, so impacts for this will be minimal,
except for the canopy tree clearing within the inner protection area. The proposed clearing meets the
bushfire clearing exemptions under the Planning Regulation 2017, being less 1.5 time the height of the
tallest tree near the dwelling for bushfire purposes (45m). Environmental offsets can be provided for
vegetation loss on site if required by Council under PO3 of the Biodiversity , Waterways and Wetlands
Overlay Code.


5.3   Assessment against the Legislation

5.3.1 Council’s Legislation

The site is located in the Rural Zone. A Dwelling House in the Rural Zone under the Noosa Plan 2020
is considered an accepted development subject to requirements . The development footprint area is
mapped under the Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Overlay Map (MSES Environmental Values;
Area of Biodiversity Significance sub-categories , Figure 3 and Appendix 4). An assessment against
the relevant provisions of the Biodiversity , Waterways and Wetlands Overlay Code is required if
vegetation is to be cleared within the overlay . Accordingly , an assessment against this code is
provided in Table 5. The proposed dwelling complies with the Code.




Figure 3: Noosa Plan 2020 Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands overlay with development footprint




                                                        PR22116_EA_178 Davis Rd, Cootharaba       Page 28