Attachment 3b - Ecological Assessment Report v2- 111 Lake Weyba Drive, NOOSAVILLE

Ecological Assessment Report v2                                                        NCES Ref: J000618
Lot 4 RP36729 – 111 Lake Weyba Drive, Noosaville




6.2      State Government

6.2.1     DNRME Remnant Regional Ecosystems
DNRME’s Vegetation Management Supporting Map identifies that remnant vegetation is present
within the site. Schedule 10, Part 3, Division 4, Table 2 of the Planning Regulation 2017 requires
any reconfiguration of a lot application that is assessable development under section 21, which
includes an allotment which is 5ha or larger, to be referred for assessment against SDAP State Code
16. The total allotment size measures approximately 2ha and therefore referral to SARA for
assessment against State Code 16 is deemed unnecessary.

6.2.2     Conservation and Other Legislation (Koala Protection)
Vegetation within the site is mapped as Koala Habitat Area (core) and occurs outside of the Koala
Priority Area. The proposal requires the removal of <500m² of vegetation situated in the core koala
habitat area hence such impacts can be carried out under the ‘exempted development’ definition of
Schedule 24 of the Planning Regulation 2017. Where interfering with core koala habitat areas
outside of the koala priority area is considered exempted development, the development does not
require referral to SARA for assessable development under Schedule 10, Part 10.

6.2.3     Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2017 (Koala Conservation Plan).
Irrespective of the planning controls and any exemptions offered under the Planning Act 2016 (or
another Act), there are independent clearing requirements that must be met under Part 3 of the
Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2017 (Koala Conservation Plan). Unlike the
planning controls in the Planning Regulation 2017 that are in place to protect koala habitat, the Koala
Conservation Plan clearing requirements are in place to reduce the risk of injury and death of koalas
during clearing.
Sequential clearing requirements
Under Section 10 of the Koala Conservation Plan, clearing of koala habitat trees in koala district A
or koala district B must comply with the prescribed sequential clearing conditions. The site is located
in koala district B hence this requirement is applicable to the project.
Koala spotter requirements
Under Section 10 of the Koala Conservation Plan, any clearing of koala habitat trees, in a koala
habitat area, that have a trunk with a diameter of more than 10cm at 1.3m above the ground must
be carried out in the presence of a koala spotter who has the primary role of locating koalas in the
trees. At least 3 koala habitat trees are proposed to be cleared from the fringe of the mapped core
koala habitat area hence this requirement is applicable to the project.

6.2.4     Nature Conservation Act 1992
6.2.4.1 Protected Plants Flora Survey Trigger Map
The Protected Plants Flora Survey Trigger Map identifies that a ‘high risk area’ prescribed under the
Nature Conservation (Wildlife Management) Regulation 2006 occurs outside of the site to the east
in association with Weyba Creek.
The flora survey carried out on 23rd June 2020 was undertaken in accordance with the flora survey
guidelines and no conservation significant flora species were identified during the site survey. No
vegetation clearing is proposed within the mapped High risk area therefore an exempt clearing
notification and/or clearing permit is not required under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
6.2.4.2 Fauna
A fauna spotter/catcher will be required to be present during any future clearing activities. Where
active breeding habitat for least concern native fauna is observed, the applicant will be required to
comply with DES’s Species Management Program – low risk of impacts. Where active breeding




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