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Attachment 7A - Impact Assessment Report
IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR
MATTERS OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE
(MNES)
&
MATTERS OF STATE ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE
(MSES)
Noosa Landfill & RRC Expansion
561 Eumundi-Noosa Road, Doonan
Prepared by Native Foresters
Natural Resource Management Consultants
Email: [email protected]
Mob: 0407 757 872
Document No: 220716-MNES/MSES-Rev1
Date: 16th July 2022
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DISCLAIMER The authors do not accept any form of liability, be it contractual, tortious, or otherwise, for the contents of this document or for any consequences arising from its use or any reliance placed upon it. This report has been compiled based on existing literature, information, and a targeted survey. Native Foresters does not undertake responsibility arising in any way to any persons in respect of the data, errors, or omissions arising, through misinterpretation of information, negligence or otherwise, however caused. Native Foresters is an independent consulting company undertaking projects in Natural Resource Management.
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CONTENTS
CONTENTS .......................................................................................................................... 3
1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Background............................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Objectives ............................................................................................................... 1
1.3 Legislation............................................................................................................... 2
1.3.1 Federal Legislation........................................................................................... 2
1.3.2 State Legislation .............................................................................................. 2
1.4 Site Description ....................................................................................................... 3
2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESCRIBED ACTIVITY .................................................... 4
3.0 MATTERS OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE (MNES)................... 6
3.1 Noosa Landfill MNES .............................................................................................. 6
3.2 MNES Significant Impact (SI) Criteria and Assessment .......................................... 7
3.2.1 Threatened Species – Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) .................................... 7
3.3 Summary of SI Assessment for MNES.................................................................. 11
4.0 MATTERS OF STATE ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE (MSES) ...................... 12
4.1 Relevant MSES – Noosa Landfill Impact Area ...................................................... 12
4.2 IMPACT AVOIDANCE ........................................................................................... 16
4.2.1 Impact Avoidance Framework ........................................................................ 16
4.2.2 Alternative Sites ............................................................................................. 16
4.2.3 Avoidance of Impacts..................................................................................... 16
4.3 IMPACT MITIGATION ............................................................................................ 16
5.0 MSES - SIGNIFICANT RESIDUAL IMPACT (SRI) ASSESSMENT ............................. 19
5.1 SRI criteria under the Planning Act ....................................................................... 19
5.2 SRI criteria under the Environmental Offsets Policy .............................................. 21
5.2.1 Criteria – Regulated Vegetation ..................................................................... 21
5.2.2 Criteria – Landscape Connectivity................................................................. 22
5.2.3 Criteria – Animals - Protected wildlife habitat (habitat for an animal that is
‘endangered’ or ‘vulnerable’ wildlife or a special least concern animal) ........................ 22
5.2.4 Criteria – Animals- Protected wildlife habitat (koala habitat under the Koala
SPRP) 27
5.3 Summary of SRI Assessment for MSES ............................................................... 29
6.0 SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................. 30
7.0 REFERENCES ......................................................................................................... 31
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APPENDIX A – Significant Residual Impact Guideline (for MSES and prescribed activities assessable under SPA)....................................................................................................... 32 APPENDIX B – Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy Significant Residual Impact Guideline............................................................................................................................. 32 APPENDIX C – Wildlife Online Results (WildNET) .............................................................. 33 APPENDIX D – MSES ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT LOT 77 SP298776 ........................... 34 APPENDIX E – PROPOSED REVEGETATION AREAS WITHIN LOT 77 TO MITIGATE IMPACTS TO MSES ........................................................................................................... 40 APPENDIX F - LOG FILE LANDSCAPE FRAGMENTATION AND CONNECTIVITY TOOL 41 FIGURES Figure 1: Noosa Landfill & RRC proposed expansion impact area ........................................ 5 Figure 2: Location of mapped MSES within proposed landfill expansion area ..................... 15 TABLES Table 1: Summary of MNES in Noosa LRRC expansion area ............................................... 7 Table 2: Significant Impact (SI) Assessment for MNES (Threatened Species- Koala) ........... 8 Table 3: Summary of MSES in Noosa Landfill Expansion Areas ......................................... 13 Table 4: SRI criteria for prescribed activities under Planning Act – Regulated Vegetation ... 19 Table 5: SRI criteria for prescribed activities under Planning Act – Protected wildlife habitat ........................................................................................................................................... 20 Table 6: SRI criteria – Regulated Vegetation (From Section 2.1 of the SRI Guidelines (DEHP, 2014) – criteria Table 1) ......................................................................................... 21 Table 7: SRI Assessment for Protected Wildlife Habitat in Landfill Expansion Area ............ 24 Table 8: SRI Assessment for Koala Habitat in Noosa Landfill Expansion Area.................... 28
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
This information has been prepared for the Noosa Council, to support relevant applications for
the proposed expansion of the Noosa Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre (RRC), located
at 561 Eumundi-Noosa Road, Doonan. This report provides information on potential Matters
of National Environmental Significance (MNES) and Matters of State Environmental
Significance (MSES), relevant to the proposed works.
1.1 Background
The Noosa Council’s Waste and Resource Management Division is proposing to expand the
existing resource and recovery centre at 561 Eumundi-Noosa Road, Doonan situated on Lot
77 SP298776. The proposed development will include a small section in the southwest of the
lot which adjoins existing landfill area and infrastructure (Figure 1). This will allow for the
continued provision of waste disposal and secure long-term containment of general waste for
the Sunshine Coast community.
As part of the application process, Council has undertaken ecological assessments to identify
risks associated with the construction and operation of a landfill in the Landfill Expansion Area.
Flora and Fauna Assessments have been undertaken both within the proposed landfill
expansion site which constitutes the impact area and adjacent to the existing landfill site.
These ecological assessments were conducted between 2019 and 2022 and included:
1. A Flora and Fauna Assessment of Noosa Landfill northern expansion area undertaken
by Native Foresters in January 2021, Document No. 200112-FF-Rev2.
2. A Flora and Fauna Assessment and Assessment of impacts on adjoining ecosystems
of the Noosa Landfill and RRC expansion (Lot 77 SP298776). This was undertaken by
Native Foresters in 2019 and revised in 2021. Document No. 190330-Rev3.
3. Impact Assessment and Management Plan (IMP) – EVNT Species Breeding Places –
Noosa Landfill Expansion. Prepared by Native Foresters January 2021. Document No.
200112-Rev2.
This report follows the recommendations of the ecological assessment and includes self-
assessments to determine if the following may occur:
1. Significant Impacts (SI) to prescribed environmental matters for Matters of National
Environmental Significance (MNES), and
2. Significant Residual Impacts (SRI) to Matters of State Environmental Significance
(MSES).
1.2 Objectives
The purpose of this document is to provide a determination of whether the prescribed activity
will, or is likely to have a significant impact on Matters of State Environmental Significance
(MSES) or Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) identified as occurring or
potentially occurring within proximity to the proposed Noosa landfill expansion.
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Specifically, the objective for this report is
i. To assess if the proposed works will, or are likely to have a significant impact on
any MNES:
• To determine whether adequate measures to avoid or reduce impacts on
MNES are proposed.
• To determine whether a Referral under the EPBC Act 1999 to the
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
(DCCEEW) is required.
ii. To assess the potential for impacts on MSES:
• Determine whether the ‘avoid, mitigate, offset’ obligation can be met in
accordance with the Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014, using the
Significant Residual Impact Guideline (DEHP, 2014) and the Significant
Residual Impact Guideline (DSDLP, 2014),
• Identify potential offset requirements under the guidelines and the Offsets
Act, Offsets Regulation and Offsets Policy.
1.3 Legislation
1.3.1 Federal Legislation
Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act),
assessment of the presence of potential significant impact (SI) on Matters of National
Environmental Significance (MNES) is required for the prescribed activity, which includes for
the Noosa landfill expansion:
• Nationally threatened species and ecological communities - Koala (Phascolarctos
cinereus) listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act.
The SI Assessment contained within this report is based on the relevant criteria contained in
the Matters of National Environmental Significance, Significant impact guidelines 1.1, which
defines significant impacts as important, notable, or of consequence, having regard to their
context or intensity (Commonwealth of Australia, 2013).
A referral to the Federal Government Minister of Environment may be required under the
EPBC Act, if an action will, or is considered likely to have a Significant Impact (SI) on a Matter
of National Environmental Significance (MNES).
1.3.2 State Legislation
Matters of state environmental significance (MSES) are a component of the biodiversity state
interest that is defined under the State Planning Policy (SPP) and defined under the
Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014 (Offset Regulation). MSES include certain
environmental values that are protected under Queensland legislation as follows:
• Environmental Offsets Act 2014 and Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014
• Environmental Protection Act 1994
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• Fisheries Act 1994
• Marine Parks Act 2004
• Nature Conservation Act 1992
• Regional Interests Planning Act 2014
• Vegetation Management Act 1999
The Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy - Significant Residual Impact Guideline (DEHP,
2014) is used for consideration of all potential offset requirements for Matters of State
Environmental Significance, for applications made under the Environmental Protection Act
1994, Nature Conservation Act 1992 and Marine Parks Act 2004. For applications made under
the Planning Act 2016 refer to the Significant Residual Impact Guideline (DSDIP, 2014).
The proposed works at Noosa landfill expansion involves the following prescribed activities:
• Clearing of Regulated Vegetation-
- Endangered Regional Ecosystem (RE) 12.5.3, and
- Essential habitat for EVNT wildlife species listed in the MSES report
under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NCA).
• Impacts to Threatened (Endangered or Vulnerable) Wildlife.
• Clearing of Koala Habitat Area-
▪ Core (SEQ) Habitat, and
▪ Locally Refined (SEQ) Habitat for Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) listed
as Endangered under the NCA 1992;
An environmental offset condition may be imposed under the Planning Act 2016 and/or EPA
1994 for an activity prescribed under the Environmental Offsets Act 2014 (EO Act) (QLD
Government, 2020), if the activity will, or is considered likely to have a significant residual
impact (SRI) on a matter of state environmental significance (MSES).
The SRI Assessment contained within this report is based on the relevant criteria contained
in the Significant Residual Impact Guidelines (DSDIP, 2014 and DEHP, 2014). The guidelines
apply to prescribed activities listed in the Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014 that require
an approval in relation to MSES, under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, Marine Parks Act
2004, or Environment Protection Act 1994.
1.4 Site Description
Noosa Landfill & RRC is located approximately 5km south-west of Noosaville at 561 Eumundi-
Noosa Road, Doonan (latitude -26.43614, longitude 153.02617), and is described as Lot 77
SP298776 (Lot 77). The Noosa Landfill & RRC covers an area of approximately 49ha within
Lot 77 which has a total area of 322.13ha. The majority of the southern section of Lot 77 is
cleared with the existing landfill operating in this area.
The entire northern section of the lot, and directly north of the proposed works contains
remnant vegetation which covers an approximate area of 200ha and forms a continuous patch
to the northern boundary of the lot. East of the landfill site is Walter Hay Drive with smaller
parts of Lot 77 on the eastern and southern side of the road mapped as state conservation
areas (Weyba Nature Refuge). The size of the Nature Refuge has increased with retained
remnant vegetation from the site now added to the conservation area.
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Within the proposed impact area, the vegetation is composed of open woodland which
contains large eucalypts over an understorey of native shrubs associated with heathland
ecosystems, and some weed incursions. Broad-leaved paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia)
is dominant in low-lying areas, forming dense patches.
Landscape connectivity is relatively good, with the impact area forming part of a large
contiguous patch of approximately 200ha of remnant heath and woodland which has moderate
connectivity to National Park to the east across Walter Hay Drive and north-west across
Eumundi-Noosa Road. Refer to Figure 1 for a site map.
2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESCRIBED ACTIVITY
The total works impact footprint for the Noosa Landfill & RRC expansion area is 1.02ha, with
all the works occurring in the southwest section of the lot.
Development of the landfill is required to provide for the continued convenient and safe storage
and collection of waste into separate waste streams for recyclables, non-recyclables,
vegetative waste and hazardous material (NC, 2020). Based on advice from Council, waste
types targeted for acceptance at the facility include:
• General (putrescible) waste and non-putrescible wastes;
• Construction and Demolition waste;
• Commercial and Industrial waste;
• Green waste (for segregation and reuse); and
• Some Regulated Waste
The vegetation within the impact area that is proposed to be cleared is mapped as:
• Category B vegetation, Endangered RE12.5.3,
• Essential Habitat,
• Animals-Threatened Species, and
• Koala Habitat Area – Core & Locally refined (SEQ) and Priority Koala Habitat Area.
It is noted that the proposed clearing is:
• not Exempt clearing work under the Planning Regulation 2017, Schedule 21,
Under the Planning Regulation 2017, Schedule 10, the following triggers are applicable:
• Schedule 10, Part 3, Division 2, Item 5 – Clearing native vegetation on prescribed land
As such an Operational Works application may need to be submitted by Council for these
works. Clearing within the Noosa Landfill & RRC for the prescribed activity will be undertaken
in 2023-2024 once development approval has been granted.
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Figure 1: Noosa Landfill & RRC proposed expansion impact area
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3.0 MATTERS OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE
(MNES)
Under the federal Environmental Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC), an
action will require approval from the Minister for Environment if the action has, will have, or is
likely to have, a significant impact on a MNES. The EPBC Act 1999 defines a ‘significant
impact’ within the Matters of National Environmental Significance Significant impact guidelines
1.1 (Commonwealth of Australia, 2013), as an impact which is important, notable, or of
consequence, having regard to its context or intensity. Whether or not an action is likely to
have a significant impact depends upon the sensitivity, value and quality of the environment
that is impacted, and upon the intensity, duration, magnitude and geographic extent of the
impacts.
The precautionary principle is relevant when deciding whether or not a proposed action is
likely to have a significant impact on a MNES. Accordingly, where there is a risk of serious or
irreversible damage, a lack of scientific certainty about the potential impacts of an action will
not itself justify a decision that the action is not likely to have a significant impact on a MNES.
If, after undertaking a self-assessment as outlined in the Matters of National Environmental
Significance Significant impact guidelines 1.1 (Commonwealth of Australia, 2013), it is
concluded that the proposed action is likely to have a significant impact on a MNES, or if it is
uncertain, the action should be referred to the Australian Government environment minister.
The impact avoidance and mitigation measures that have been implemented during the initial
design phase are likely to reduce the significance of the impacts on MNES. In accordance with
the MNES Significant impact guidelines 1.1, an assessment for each MNES present within the
survey area has been completed.
3.1 Noosa Landfill MNES
The following Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) within the impact area
were identified during desktop research, field surveys and site assessments conducted by
Native Foresters between 2019 and 2022:
i) Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), which is listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act is
known to inhabit vegetation surrounding the impact area within Lot 77 SP298776. This
area is considered high quality habitat for koala, and there are 11 records of koala listed
on WildNET since 1980 (DES, 2022), within 1km of the impact area.
A Summary of the MNES that occur within the Lot is shown in Table 1 and the location of
the MNES within in the Noosa Landfill & RRC expansion area is shown in Figure 2.
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Table 1: Summary of MNES in Noosa LRRC expansion area
MNES DESCRIPTION TOTAL KOALA HABITAT TOTAL KHA in Impact
GROUP AREA (KHA) Area
Lot 77 SP298776 (322.13 ha) Impact Area (1.02 ha)
Nationally Koala located adjacent to
threatened species the impact area (11 records
and ecological on WildNET), and Habitat
communities – Area- Core (SEQ) and
Locally Refined (SEQ) ≈235ha Core (SEQ) 0.21ha Core
Koala (Endangered) present ≈31ha Locally refined 0.81ha Locally refined
TOTAL ≈266ha Koala habitat 1.02ha Koala habitat
3.2 MNES Significant Impact (SI) Criteria and Assessment
As defined in the Matters of National Environmental Significance Significant impact guidelines
1.1, EPBC ACT 1999 (Commonwealth of Australia, 2013):
An action is likely to have a significant impact on an endangered species if there is a real
chance or possibility that it will:
• lead to a long-term decrease in the size of an important population of a species,
• reduce the area of occupancy of an important population,
• fragment an existing important population into two or more populations,
• adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of a species,
• disrupt the breeding cycle of an important population,
• modify, destroy, remove or isolate or decrease the availability or quality of habitat to
the extent that the species is likely to decline,
• result in invasive species that are harmful to a vulnerable species becoming
established in the vulnerable species’ habitat,
• introduce disease that may cause the species to decline, or
• interfere substantially with the recovery of the species.
The relevant MNES that are likely to be impacted by the expansion of the landfill are discussed
below.
3.2.1 Threatened Species – Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
A review of the Significant Impact (SI) Assessment for MNES- Threatened Species is shown
below in Table 2.
The EPBC Act Referral Guidelines for the Vulnerable koala (combined populations of
Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory) (Commonwealth of
Australia, 2014) which ran concurrent to EPBC Act Guidelines was previously used in
determining the sensitivity, value, and quality of the impact area and, therefore, whether it
contains habitat critical to the survival of the koala.
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In light of the change of the EPBC listing advice for koala from Vulnerable to Endangered in
February 2022, this guideline is no longer current, and assessment has been based solely on
the Matters of National Environmental Significance - Significant impact guidelines 1.1, EPBC
ACT 1999 (Commonwealth of Australia, 2013).
Table 2: Significant Impact (SI) Assessment for MNES (Threatened Species- Koala)
CRITERIA AVOIDANCE OF IMPACT MITIGATION LIKELIHOOD
IMPACT OF
SIGNIFICANT
IMPACT (SI)
An action is likely to have a significant impact on an Endangered species if there is a real
chance or possibility that it will:
Lead to a long-term The expansion area is Vegetation clearing will Unlikely – removal
decrease in the size of considered to be less be conducted under of 1.02 ha whilst
an important valuable as koala supervision of a Fauna retaining 266ha of
population of a habitat as it is: spotter catcher and for habitat.
species - Adjacent existing koala following
cleared areas sequential clearing
- A section of vegetation requirements outlined in
that "sticks" into the the NC Act 1992.
existing landfill areas
- likely to have less use
by koala populations in
the area due to the
proximity of active
landfill areas to this
vegetation
- existing edge impacts
from light, wind, weeds,
etc.
Presence of koala
within this area is likely
transient.
Reduce the area of Disturbance will be Workers will not enter Unlikely, some
occupancy of an restricted to the patch of the adjoining remnant area to be cleared
important population vegetation to be cleared vegetation adjacent to but not considered
(1.02ha), and thus is not the proposed clearing a significant
likely to significantly area unless strictly amount when
reduce the area of necessary, with the work compared to area
occupancy for area clearly delineated to retained on site.
threatened species. minimise further
The 1.02ha is: disturbance.
- 0.21 ha of Core
habitat, and Suitable Koala fencing to
- 0.81 ha of Locally stop individuals entering
refined habitat the cleared impact area
Remaining habitat on and/or landfill area will
Lot 77 is: be used to reduce
- Approx. 235 ha of impacts from potential
Core habitat, and vehicle strike, exposure
- 31 ha of Locally and stress.
refined habitat
Therefore, the impact
area is removing 0.4%
of habitat on site.
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CRITERIA AVOIDANCE OF IMPACT MITIGATION LIKELIHOOD
IMPACT OF
SIGNIFICANT
IMPACT (SI)
An action is likely to have a significant impact on an Endangered species if there is a real
chance or possibility that it will:
Fragment an existing Landfill expansion Workers will not enter Unlikely – the
important population works propose to clear the retained surrounding proposed clearing
into two or more a small outcrop of remnant vegetation does not result in
populations vegetation at the north- unless strictly necessary, removal of an
western extent of the with the work area existing corridor or
existing cleared landfill clearly delineated to link to other
area and as such have minimise further vegetation.
avoided fragmenting disturbance.
populations of
threatened species.
Adversely affect Impacts to the Before works within and Unlikely
habitat critical to the vegetation which around the impact area There is unlikely to
survival of a species constitutes suitable commences, a Fauna be a significant
koala habitat will be spotter catcher will be impact on critical
permanent, however the present to investigate the habitat for the
vegetation patch is area for fauna. The survival of koala.
unlikely to be works area will be clearly
considered critical to the delineated to ensure
survival of the species. minimal disturbance.
The Noosa Landfill If works require any
expansion is necessary coarse woody debris to
for ongoing be moved, it will be
management of waste moved beyond the
and cannot be avoided. impact area into a similar
undisturbed area.
Disrupt the breeding The most active If possible, works should Unlikely, as koalas
cycle of an important breeding period for the occur outside of breeding generally don’t
population species is from July to season. utilise a specific
January. If possible, A Fauna spotter catcher breeding location.
works should be will be present to
undertaken outside of conduct a pre-clear
this period to avoid survey and clearing will
impacts. follow guideline
recommendations.
Modify, destroy, The impact area is The work area will be Unlikely
remove, or isolate or limited to 1.02ha of clearly delineated to Removal of 1.02ha
decrease the disturbed vegetation ensure workers do not is 0.4% of the
availability or quality of which forms a small enter vegetation beyond remaining
habitat to the extent outcrop on the edge of the disturbance area and vegetation on the
that the species is the existing landfill, will only enter these site. This amount
likely to decline avoiding the higher areas when strictly of disturbance to
quality surrounding necessary. the vegetation is
habitat patch. not likely to
Edge effects may decrease the
impact the cleared edge availability of
of remaining vegetation habitat or quality of
however, this is unlikely habitat to the
to lead to species extent that the
decline. species are likely
to decline.
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CRITERIA AVOIDANCE OF IMPACT MITIGATION LIKELIHOOD
IMPACT OF
SIGNIFICANT
IMPACT (SI)
An action is likely to have a significant impact on an Endangered species if there is a real
chance or possibility that it will:
Result in invasive Weeds- avoiding the Strict machinery hygiene Unlikely
species that are risk of introduction or protocols will be Weed control may
harmful to an spread of weeds by enforced during clearing be necessary to
endangered species minimising area of and construction to avoid reduce species
becoming established impact, careful clearing introduction or spread of becoming
in the endangered protocols, buffers to weeds, to be detailed in established in
species’ habitat landfill green waste CEMP for works and remnant
areas not to be adjacent operational management vegetation
significant vegetation, plan for the landfill site.
etc. Weed control may be
Feral dogs- occupy a necessary to manage
broad range of areas in encroachment of
south-east Queensland invasive species into
and can survive a wide adjoining remnant
range of conditions. vegetation.
Feral species
population control Appropriate Koala
programs operate within friendly fencing used to
the region. Feral dogs reduce accessibility from
were not detected feral dogs and pests to
during the survey. the site in open areas
such as along Eumundi-
Noosa Road and Walter
Hay Drive.
Introduce disease that Chlamydia is a known If required any koala Unlikely
may cause the species threat to the koala and located on site will only
to decline is known to be present be handled by trained
in South East professionals or qualified
Queensland. It is ecologist. Sightings of
unknown if the disease sickly koala should be
is currently present in reported to wildlife carers
the koala population and wildlife authorities.
surrounding Noosa
Landfill.
The level of threat from
disease at the site is
uncertain and total
avoidance may not be
realistic.
Interfere substantially The impacts to the The combined mitigation Unlikely,
with the recovery of koala habitat are not methods outlined above considering the
the species avoidable. will ensure the recovery lack of large trees
of threatened species is and the remaining
Removal of 1.02ha is not impacted 266ha of suitable
required, however, substantially. habitat
median tree Diameter at surrounding the
Breast Height (DBH) is impact area, there
100mm and there are is unlikely to be a
no large trees (i.e., significant impact
>500mm DBH) within on species
the impact area. recovery.
The result of the self-assessment process of the MNES Significant Impact criteria for a
threatened species indicates a Significant Impact is UNLIKELY.
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3.3 Summary of SI Assessment for MNES
It is considered that the proposed action is not a controlled action, i.e., the impacts to koala
habitat identified within the landfill expansion area will not be significant. As Noosa Landfill
and RRC is proposing to clear a relatively small area (less than 2 ha) of habitat containing
known koala food trees, a referral to the Australian Government Minister for the Environment
is not recommended for adversely affecting habitat critical to the survival of the koala.
Under the Matters of National Environmental Significance Significant impact guidelines 1.1
EPBC Act 1999 (Commonwealth of Australia, 2013) it is considered unlikely that the
prescribed activity will have a SI on Habitat for Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) within the
Noosa Landfill and RRC expansion area for the following reasons:
• Although the area of interest contains suitable koala habitat, and the area does contain
koala food and habitat tree species (Eucalyptus robusta, Melaleuca quinquenervia),
the total area to be cleared of 1.02ha is not considered likely to significantly reduce the
area of occupancy, fragment or decrease the local population of koala,
• Clearing of an area of koala habitat smaller that 2ha which is bounded on three sides
by existing landfill area and already moderately disturbed will not significantly impact
the quality of the remaining habitat, and is not likely to adversely affect habitat critical
to the survival of the koala,
• Breeding cycle and essential life processes are unlikely to be significantly impacted by
the proposed clearing works, and
• Clearing the impact area is considered unlikely to interfere substantially with the
recovery of the koala through the introduction or exacerbation of key threats in areas
of habitat critical to the survival of the koala as the proposed clearing is considered
small enough that threats including edge effects and invasive species encroachment
to adjoining suitable habitat will be relatively minimal and mitigated through appropriate
management.
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4.0 MATTERS OF STATE ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE
(MSES)
Under the State Environmental Offsets Act 2014 (Offsets Act), if a prescribed activity will, or
is likely to have a Significant Residual Impact (SRI) on a Matter of State Environmental
Significance (MSES), an environmental offset condition may be imposed under certain
Queensland legislation.
An SRI is defined under the Offsets Act, section 8 and includes:
“An adverse impact, whether direct or indirect, of a prescribed activity on all or part of
a prescribed environmental matter that:
a) remains, or will or is likely to remain, (whether temporarily or permanently)
despite on-site avoidance and mitigation measures for the prescribed activity;
and
b) is, or will or is likely to be, significant.” (QLD Government, 2020).
The Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy - Significant Residual Impact Guideline (QLD
Gov, 2014) and Significant Residual Impact Guideline (for MSES and prescribed activities
assessable under SPA) (DSDIP, 2014) outline criteria for determining when an impact on
prescribed environmental matters (i.e., Matters of State Environmental Significance) may be
significant and an offset should be considered. (Refer Appendix A and B).
4.1 Relevant MSES – Noosa Landfill Impact Area
The results of Queensland Government online environmental report for WildNET records
(DES 2022) (Appendix C), MSES (DES 2022) (Appendix D), and the results of ground-
truthing ecological surveys conducted by Native Foresters in 2019 to 2022, confirm the
presence of the following MSES within the proposed Noosa Landfill Expansion impact area:
(i) Regulated Vegetation
o One Endangered Regional Ecosystem (RE 12.5.3) - Eucalyptus racemosa
subsp. racemosa woodland on remnant Tertiary surfaces occurs around the
periphery of the proposed clearing area.
o Essential habitat is mapped over the impact area within Lot 77 (Refer Table 3).
(ii) Threatened (Endangered or Vulnerable) Wildlife –
o EVNT species have been located within the impact area by Native Foresters
during 2019 to 2022 surveys:
• Swamp crayfish (Tenuibranchiurus glypticus) – Endangered,
• Wallum froglet (Crinia tinnula) – Vulnerable, and
• Wallum rocketfrog (Litoria freycineti) – Vulnerable.
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o Potential EVNT species:
• Wallum sedgefrog (Litoria olongburensis) – Vulnerable and Sand yabby
(Cherax robustus) - Vulnerable, have been located adjacent to the
impact area in Lot 77 by Native Foresters during 2019 to 2022 surveys.
• Endangered Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) has 11 sightings recorded
on WildNET in a 1km radius of the impact area (DES 2022).
(iii) Koala Habitat Area –
o Core (SEQ) Koala Habitat Area (KHA) is present within the Noosa Landfill
expansion area, including 0.21ha within the impact area which will be cleared
of all vegetation including mature trees to provide for expansion of the landfill
operations. The core Koala Habitat Area (KHA) within the impact area of Lot
77 SP298776 contains 0.21ha of remnant Endangered Regional Ecosystem
(RE) 12.5.3 - Eucalyptus racemosa subsp. racemosa woodland on remnant
Tertiary surfaces (Figure 2).
o Locally Refined (SEQ) KHA is present within the Noosa Landfill expansion
area, including 0.81ha within the centre of the impact area which will be cleared
of all vegetation including mature trees to provide for expansion of the landfill
operations. The locally refined KHA vegetation contains 0.81ha of Least
Concern RE 12.3.13- Closed heathland on seasonally waterlogged alluvial
plains usually near coast. This section of mapped closed heathland is
dominated by known Koala food trees including Swamp mahogany (Eucalyptus
robusta), and Broad-leaved paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia), and
provides core habitat for koala, which is listed as Endangered under the NCA
Act and Endangered under the EPBC Act.
o The impact area is mapped as Koala Priority Area
A Summary of the MSES that occur within the Noosa Landfill Expansion impact area is
shown in Table 3 and the location of the MSES in the impact area is shown in Figure 2.
Table 3: Summary of MSES in Noosa Landfill Expansion Areas
MSES DESCRIPTION TOTAL AREA IN TOTAL IMPACT
GROUP Lot 77 SP298776 AREA (ha)
(ha)
322.13 1.02
Category B vegetation that is
an ‘Endangered’ Regional 170.11 0.21
Ecosystem
REGULATED
VEGETATION
Vegetation that is mapped as
‘Essential Habitat’ for wildlife 270.53 1.02
species
ANIMALS- EVNT Species habitat-
THREATENED (Swamp crayfish, Wallum 259.98 1.02
SPECIES froglet, Wallum rocketfrog)
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MSES DESCRIPTION TOTAL AREA IN TOTAL IMPACT
GROUP Lot 77 SP298776 AREA (ha)
(ha)
322.13 1.02
Koala (Endangered)
Habitat Area-
234.52 0.21
-Core (SEQ)
KOALA (RE 12.5.3)
HABITAT IN -Locally Refined
SOUTH EAST 31.52 0.81
(RE12.3.13)
QUEENSLAND
Total KHA 266.04 1.02
Notes:
i) Total areas per Lot extracted from DES online Environmental Reports - MSES for Lot 77 SP298776.
Refer to Appendix D.
ii) Total Impact Area calculated based on area of mapped MSES within extent of works in Noosa Landfill Expansion
Area.
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Figure 2: Location of mapped MSES within proposed landfill expansion area
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4.2 IMPACT AVOIDANCE
4.2.1 Impact Avoidance Framework
The ‘avoid, mitigate, offset’ assessment framework requires, in the first instance, that impacts
on prescribed environmental matters (MSES) be avoided. If avoidance cannot be achieved, it
must be demonstrated that impacts have been carefully managed and minimised (mitigated).
If after all reasonable avoidance and mitigation measures have been taken, there is still a
residual impact on a prescribed environmental matter, an offset may be required where the
impact is, or is likely, to be ‘significant’ (DSDIP, 2014).
4.2.2 Alternative Sites
A range of alternative landfill expansion sites were considered within Lot 77 SP298776
however it was found that there were no suitable alternatives, and as such avoidance of impact
cannot be achieved, due to:
i) the occurrence of mapped remnant vegetation areas throughout the remainder of
undeveloped areas within Lot 77, much of which are in better ecological condition
than the proposed expansion site.
ii) the requirement to meet the long-term infrastructure needs of the growing Noosa
region community in accordance with the local Planning Scheme and the
importance of landfill industries for future sustainable waste management;
iii) the requirement to integrate the existing services and facilities;
iv) the unsuitable geology or flooding issues associated with alternative sites.
4.2.3 Avoidance of Impacts
A number of measures to avoid and/or minimise disturbance to and/or interference with MSES
have been considered. This occurred through consultation with the project Ecologists (Native
Foresters) during project design phase. This process resulted in the following:
• The proposed clearing footprint has been chosen to ensure no fragmentation of
vegetation occurs along the northern boundary of the existing landfill area. This aims
to minimise impacts such as edge effects and avoid impacts to surrounding
undisturbed koala habitat (RE 12.5.3) including the clearing of Koala Food Tree (KFT)
species to the northeast and northwest of the proposed impact area.
• Only the area currently required for expansion for the construction of landfill
infrastructure is proposed to be cleared.
• Remnant vegetation onsite that is not required for Waste Management Purposes has
been dedicated to conservation within the adjoining Weyba Nature Reserve.
4.3 IMPACT MITIGATION
The Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy Significant Residual Impact Guideline (QLD
Gov, 2014) states that if a proposed development can successfully demonstrate that in-situ
rehabilitation works can mitigate an impact to the extent that it would not be considered to be
significant, an offset may not be required.
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Detailed information on impact mitigation measures applicable to each of the SRI criteria is
provided below in Section 5. However, a list of general impact mitigation and avoidance
measures is provided below:
i. Establishment of a total rehabilitation area of 1.02ha to mitigate the combined impacts
to Koala Habitat and Endangered RE 12.5.3, which is designed to include the
following:
➢ Provision of a dedicated Koala Tree Offset planting for Lot 77 which will
nominate an offset area in comparable size to the koala habitat to be cleared
of 1.02ha. The rehabilitation area is to be designed to improve and or create
vegetated Koala movement corridors and provide for the 3:1 offset of koala
trees where 3 trees are planted for each 1 cleared.
➢ Within the Koala rehabilitation works a minimum of 0.21ha of designated
revegetation aimed to achieve RE 12.5.3 (Eucalyptus racemosa subsp.
racemosa woodland on remnant Tertiary surfaces (DES, 2022), to mitigate the
impacts to Endangered RE.
A nominated comparative area of 1.02ha suitable for proposed Koala Tree Offset
and Endangered RE revegetation works is shown in Appendix E.
ii. Preparation and implementation of a Site Weed Management Plan which includes
weed management in areas of retained vegetation onsite, and within the landfill site
where weeds are likely to start encroaching i.e., Singapore daisy from the green waste
areas of the landfill. Emphasis will be placed on undertaking weed control works within
the buffer within the landfill area adjacent vegetation; retained vegetated areas
adjacent to existing landfill on Lot 77 SP298776; and areas within proximity to mapped
watercourses. The Site Weed Management Plan is to inform the Site Based
Management Plan for the landfill operations.
iii. Undertaking to erect fauna, dust and rubbish exclusion fencing around the perimeter
of the proposed landfill extension. The fencing will be designed to achieve a number
of objectives as follows:
o Excluding access to landfill areas to Koalas and other wildlife.
o Preventing return of relocated native fauna to Landfill expansion areas.
o Minimising dust and litter impacts on adjacent eucalypt and heath vegetation
communities from landfill development and operations.
iv. A Koala Spotter will be required to work through the area prior to commencement of
works and during clearing to relocate any fauna found, to suitable undisturbed habitat.
v. Clearing works will be undertaken in a sequential manner beginning in cleared areas
and moving towards areas of retained vegetation to facilitate the movement of Koala
and other fauna out of the works impact zone.
vi. Site design does not change drainage patterns in relation to the Koala breeding habitat
contained within the impact area. All stormwater flows from the landfill and access
roads are to be directed to a sediment control pond/ biobasin or discharge to the south
of the site, away from the remnant vegetation and wildlife habitat area.
vii. Works to comply with provisions of Construction Environmental Management Plan
(CEMP) which details the methodology for clearing works.
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viii. A Stormwater Management and Erosion and Sediment Control Plan will be
implemented during the construction phase of operation, including water quality
monitoring requirements. A whole of site Stormwater Management Plan is to be
developed to inform the Site Based Management Plan to be in place during the landfill
operation phase.
ix. Site management to conduct regular site inspections during landfill operations in
accordance with the Site Based Management Plan. This includes general site
inspections and audits against approval conditions and standard procedures.
x. Construction quality assurance will be implemented during construction of the landfill
facility to provide confidence that the construction meets the design requirements and
specifications.
xi. Additional / alternative environmental requirements to be implemented using adaptive
management principles as required.
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5.0 MSES - SIGNIFICANT RESIDUAL IMPACT (SRI) ASSESSMENT
The SRI criteria for prescribed activities assessable under the Significant Residual Impact
Guideline (DSDIP, 2014) and Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy Significant Residual
Impact Guideline (DEHP, 2014) are assessed below.
5.1 SRI criteria under the Planning Act
The Significant Residual Impact Guideline (DSDIP, 2014) criteria for impacted regulated
vegetation for the site is detailed in Section 3.1 of the SRI guideline and is assessed for the
site in Table 4.
Under the SRI Guidelines (DSDIP, 2014), Section 3.1 regulated vegetation excludes regrowth
vegetation and has been defined as Category B areas on the regulated vegetation map that
are:
• ‘Endangered’ or ‘of concern’ regional ecosystems (REs); or
• Remnant vegetation within the defined distance of a watercourse identified on
the vegetation management watercourses map; or
• Remnant vegetation that intersects with an area shown as a wetland on the
vegetation management wetlands map; or
• Essential habitat (EH) as identified on the essential habitat map.
Table 4: SRI criteria for prescribed activities under Planning Act – Regulated Vegetation
SRI CRITERIA SIGNIFICANT
NOT LIKELY NOTES
TO BE
SIGNIFICANT
REGULATED VEGETATION- ‘Endangered’ or ‘of concern’ regional ecosystem (RE) (Section 3.1.1 of SRI
Guideline, DSDIP, 2014)
An action is LIKELY to have an SRI on an ‘endangered’ or ‘of concern’ RE if the action will result in:
(a) clearing of more than 5ha of
Clearing area is below the threshold at
‘Endangered’ or ‘Of Concern’ RE √
0.21ha
vegetation;
(b) clearing that results in an overall Endangered RE vegetation patch area will
area (not confined to property remain above 5ha
boundaries) of ‘endangered’ or ‘of √
Current area ≈10ha
concern’ RE vegetation of less than
Proposed area ≈ 9.8ha
5ha; OR
No separation of RE communities as
proposed clearing is comprised of an
outcrop of remnant vegetation surrounded
(c) clearing that results in the physical on three sides by non-remnant vegetation.
separation of ‘endangered’ and ‘of Endangered RE community (12.5.3) is
√
concern’ RE communities within presently already separated along the
and on adjoining sites. boundary of the proposed clearing area,
and the RE is not fragmented within the
adjacent remaining vegetation. Refer
Figure 2.
Notwithstanding the above, an action is UNLIKELY to have an SRI on an ‘endangered’ or ‘of concern’ RE if the action will
result in:
Clearing of less than 10% of the total Unlikely to be significant as clearing
mapped area of ‘endangered’ or ‘of constitutes approximately 5% of the total
concern’ REs intersecting the property √ mapped area of ‘Endangered” RE 12.5.3
boundaries of the project, if total clearing that intersects the property boundary of the
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SRI CRITERIA SIGNIFICANT NOT LIKELY NOTES
TO BE
SIGNIFICANT
is under 5ha; and where an equivalent expansion area, and an equivalent area of
area which can be mapped as 0.21ha will be rehabilitated to align with RE
endangered or of concern in the future, is 12.5.3 on Lot 77.
rehabilitated through other locations on
the subject site.
The action of clearing Endangered RE is UNLIKELY to have a SRI on regulated vegetation, IF mitigation is
undertaken through rehabilitation works on Lot 77 (0.21ha is offset and rehabilitated to RE 12.5.3)
REGULATED VEGETATION- ‘Essential Habitat (EH)’
An action is LIKELY to have an SRI on ‘Essential Habitat’ if the action will result in:
(a) clearing of EH exceeding the Although clearing exceeds limits (i.e.,
thresholds specified in Table 1, SDAP >0.5ha of vegetation with dense structure
Module 8 (Appendix B), and resulting in √ category for RE 12.3.13), the clearing does
a greater than 10% permanent reduction not result in >10% permanent reduction in
in the extent of EH mapped on site. the extent of EH mapped on site.
The action of clearing 1.02ha of EH is UNLIKELY to have an SRI on regulated vegetation as the clearing does not
meet the criteria
Under section 3.5.1 of Significant Residual Impact Guideline (DSDIP, 2014), Wildlife habitat
criteria for the site is detailed, and the site assessment against this criteria is summarised in
Table 5.
Table 5: SRI criteria for prescribed activities under Planning Act – Protected wildlife habitat
SRI CRITERIA SIGNIFICANT NOT LIKELY NOTES
TO BE
SIGNIFICANT
ANIMALS - Protected wildlife habitat (koala habitat under the Koala SPRP) (Section 3.1.1 of SRI Guideline,
DSDIP, 2014)
An action is LIKELY to have an SRI on core koala habitat if the action will result in:
Clearing of 1.02ha remnant vegetation that
contains approximately 500 non-juvenile
Koala habitat trees on Lot 77 does meet
the criteria for this SRI, however mitigation
(a)clearing of a non-juvenile Koala habitat
of impacts through rehabilitation works
tree √
onsite and a dedicated Koala Tree planting
(See Section 5.4) is considered likely to
reduce the significance of the activity,
averting the need for a MSES imposed
Offset.
The action of clearing Koala habitat is LIKELY to have a SRI on protected wildlife habitat, and an offset may be
required unless mitigation is undertaken through rehabilitation works.
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5.2 SRI criteria under the Environmental Offsets Policy
The Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy Significant Residual Impact Guideline (DEHP,
2014) assessment of criteria is detailed below in Sections 5.2.1 to 5.2.4.
5.2.1 Criteria – Regulated Vegetation
The Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy Significant Residual Impact Guideline (DEHP,
2014) criteria for impacted remnant vegetation on site is detailed in section 2.1 of the guideline
and is assessed for the site in Table 6.
Section 2 of the SRI Guidelines (DEHP, 2014) states:
Regulated vegetation is a ‘prescribed regional ecosystem’ that:
• is an endangered or of concern regional ecosystem, as defined under the
Vegetation Management Act 1999 (VMA); or
• intersects with an area shown on the vegetation management wetlands map, as
defined under the VMA 1999, or
• is located within the defined distance from the defining banks of a watercourse
identified on the vegetation management watercourse map, as defined under the
VMA 1999.
For the significant residual impact test Endangered Regional Ecosystem 12.5.3 (Eucalyptus
tereticornis, Corymbia intermedia, E. crebra +/- Lophostemon suaveolens woodland on
Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks) is categorised as having a ‘sparse’ structure. It is
found that the proposed clearing is not likely to be an SRI on a Regional Ecosystem
(Endangered or Of concern) as shown in Table 6 below.
Table 6: SRI criteria – Regulated Vegetation (From Section 2.1 of the SRI Guidelines (DEHP,
2014) – criteria Table 1)
Clearing in a Clearing in the Clearing in a
regional portion of a regional ecosystem
ecosystem that regional that is within the
is: endangered, ecosystem that defined distance of a
or of concern lies within a watercourse
mapped wetland
1 For clearing other than clearing
for linear infrastructure: X
- area greater than 5 ha where in a (Proposed
grassland (structuralcategory) area of
regional ecosystem; or clearing of
- area greater than 2 ha where in a Endangered X X
sparse (structuralcategory)
regional ecosystem; or RE 12.5.3
- area greater than 0.5 ha where Total area =
in a dense to mid-dense 0.21ha
(structural category) regional cleared)
ecosystem.
2 Clearing within 50m of the defining
X N/
bank N/A
A
3 Clearing within 5m of the defining
bank N/A N/A X
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5.2.2 Criteria – Landscape Connectivity
Section 3 of the SRI Guidelines (DEHP, 2014) states:
A development impact on connectivity areas is determined to be significant if either of the
following tests are true:
a. The change in the core remnant ecosystem extent at the local scale (post
impact) is greater than a threshold determined by the level of fragmentation
at the regional scale (see table below); or
b. Any core area that is greater than or equal to 1 hectare is lost or reduced
to patch fragments (core to noncore).
DES’s Landscape Fragmentation and Connectivity (LFC) decision support tool was used to
identify and quantify any significant impacts on connectivity associated with proposed works.
The LFC measures the extent and arrangement of the existing remnant vegetation against the
extent that would remain if the prescribed activity were to occur. The LFC analysis determined
that any impact on connectivity is not significant due to the following:
o The percent change of 0.01% in the extent of core remnant ecosystem at the local
scale is not significant.
o No core remnant areas occur on the site, determining any impact is not significant.
The output of the LFC tool is provided in Appendix F – Log File Landscape Fragmentation
and Analysis Tool.
5.2.3 Criteria – Animals - Protected wildlife habitat (habitat for an animal that is
‘endangered’ or ‘vulnerable’ wildlife or a special least concern animal)
Section 5 of the SRI Guidelines (DEHP, 2014) states that a significant residual impact on
protected wildlife habitat is any prescribed activity that will:
(a) lead to a long-term decrease in the size of a local population.
(b) reduce the extent of occurrence of the species.
(c) fragment an existing population.
(d) avoid genetically distinct populations forming as a result of habitat isolation.
(e) result in invasive species that are harmful to an endangered or vulnerable species
becoming established in the endangered or vulnerable species’ habitat.
(f) introduce disease that may cause the population to decline,
(g) interfere with the recovery of the species, OR
(h) cause disruption to ecologically significant locations (breeding, feeding, nesting,
migration, or resting sites) of a species.
It is considered unlikely that the prescribed activity will have an SRI on Protected Wildlife
Habitat for Wallum froglet (Crinia tinnula), Wallum rocketfrog (Litoria freycineti) and Swamp
crayfish (Tenuibranchiurus glypticus) within the Noosa Landfill Expansion area for the
following reasons:
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• Clearing 1.02ha ha of mapped protected wildlife habitat area within Lot 77 SP298776
is not likely to be assessed as significant as it does not exceed the SRI criteria
threshold specified in 3.1.1 of the Significant Residual Impact Guideline (DSDIP,
2014). (Refer to Table 4 above – Essential Habitat). Although clearing is greater than
0.5ha of vegetation with dense structure category, the clearing does not result in a
greater than 10% permanent reduction in the extent of EH mapped within Lot 77.
• An Impact Management Plan has been prepared for the works and requires approval
from DES prior to works to ensure impacts to Wallum froglet, Wallum rocketfrog, and
Swamp crayfish are managed. The mitigation measures proposed in the Impact
Management Plan (IMP) for Wallum froglet, Wallum rocketfrog, and Swamp crayfish
developed for the site have been designed to avoid disruption to breeding habitat;
protect retained Essential Habitat and avoid invasive species becoming established.
• Whilst there will be a loss of Essential Habitat (EH) and breeding habitat, and
consequently a reduction in extent of occurrence of the species, the magnitude of
impact is not considered significant considering the:
o degraded condition of the remnant vegetation to be cleared in the impact area,
that constitutes EH for the species,
o limited areas which are suitable for water holding for long periods needed for
tadpole development, and
o the low density population.
• The breeding habitat identified during ecological surveys that is the subject of the
Species Management Program (SMP), occurs in a partially disturbed area, within
drainage lines which contain some weed species and litter and is not considered high
quality habitat. The area is heavily impacted by noise, litter, dust, vapours, sediment
and nutrient runoff and weeds from the adjacent landfill and Resource Recovery
Centre. It is considered unlikely that this area would support a large breeding
population of Wallum frogs, or Swamp crayfish.
• If works are conducted sensitively under the supervision of a Fauna Spotter catcher
and threatened species individuals relocated to suitable structures in surrounding
undisturbed habitat, with exclusion fencing erected around the landfill perimeter to
prevent the return of relocated individuals, impacts to the species can effectively be
minimised or avoided.
• A Fauna / Dust / Litter Exclusion Fence will be erected to protect retained Essential
Habitat from indirect impacts associated with proximity to the landfill.
• A holistic site rehabilitation and weed management strategy will be developed and
implemented by Council and its contractors once vegetation clearing is completed.
• Remnant vegetation onsite that is not required for Waste Management Purposes has
been dedicated to conservation within the adjoining Weyba Nature Reserve.
A review of the criteria used to determine whether an action is likely to have an SRI on
Protected wildlife habitat and impact mitigation measures proposed is provided in Table 7.
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Table 7: SRI Assessment for Protected Wildlife Habitat in Landfill Expansion Area
Environmental value Magnitude Environment
Duration of
potentially affected by of impact Mitigation measures proposed al value
impact
prescribed activity (Ha) affected
(i) long-term decrease in 0.81 ha 20+ yrs. Pre-clearance inspections by a Fauna spotter catcher will occur the day prior Yes, but not
the size of a local to and during clearing to minimise impacts to native fauna during clearing considered
population activities. significant due
to the area of
Fauna Spotter-catcher will actively search under all vegetation cover, rock and EH proposed
coarse woody debris, and areas of ponded water that may constitute potential to be cleared
breeding habitat for Swamp crayfish and Wallum frogs. being below
the threshold
Clearing works will be undertaken in a sequential manner starting from cleared (Refer Table
areas and moving towards areas of retained vegetation to facilitate the 4).
movement of native fauna species out of the works impact zone
Species monitoring for threatened invertebrates and Wallum frogs conducted
(pre-construction, during construction and post construction) as specified in
the DES approved IMP.
Fauna exclusion fencing will be applied to the landfill site’s northern and
eastern perimeter during landfill construction and operation to:
- prevent fauna entering the site.
- prevent return of relocated individual.
- preventing access to landfill by feral pests (Wild dog, Feral cat, and
Fox).
- minimise dust and litter impacts on retained Essential Habitat from
landfill development and operations.
Fauna exclusion fencing will be applied to retained Essential Habitat areas
during construction.
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Environmental value Magnitude Environment
Duration of
potentially affected by of impact Mitigation measures proposed al value
impact
prescribed activity (Ha) affected
Ensure works do not alter water flows into threatened invertebrates and
Wallum frogs’ relocation area or breeding habitat.
Remnant vegetation onsite that is not required for Waste Management
Purposes has been dedicated to conservation within the adjoining Weyba
Nature Reserve.
(ii) reduce the extent of 0.81 ha 20+ yrs. Clearing of Essential Habitat has been minimised. Yes, but not
occurrence of the Retained Essential Habitat will be protected through no go signage and likely to be
species Fauna exclusion / Litter / Dust fencing. significant
Delineate clearing line and ensure works occur only within construction
footprint and do not ‘spill’ into protected areas / No go areas.
Relocate salvageable habitat features as directed by the Fauna spotter
catcher into suitable undisturbed habitat.
(iii) fragment an existing 0 ha 20+ yrs. Retained Essential Habitat will be protected using high Fauna exclusion / Litter No
population / Dust fencing.
(iv) result in genetically 0ha 20+ yrs. Clearing of Essential Habitat has been minimised. No
distinct populations Essential habitat and breeding habitat will be protected through Fauna / Litter
forming because of / Dust fencing.
habitat isolation; or
(v) introduce disease 0.81ha 20+ yrs. Green waste storage and processing will occur away from the Protected Yes, but not
that may cause the wildlife habitat that occurs to the north of the existing and proposed landfill to likely to be
population to decline minimise impacts from plant pathogens and weed seed dispersal. significant –
amphibian
Vehicles and machinery shall be washed down prior to entering the site to
chytrid fungus
ensure vehicles and machinery are weed free prior to works commencing.
already
Fauna relocation and handling is to follow the methods contained in the widespread.
Interim hygiene protocol for handling amphibians (EHP, 2013).
(vi) interfere with the 0.81ha 20+ yrs. Drainage designed to divert landfill runoff away from breeding habitat for No
recovery of the Swamp crayfish and Wallum frog’s habitat that occurs to the north of the
species impact area.
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Environmental value Magnitude Environment
Duration of
potentially affected by of impact Mitigation measures proposed al value
impact
prescribed activity (Ha) affected
Species monitoring conducted (pre-construction, during construction and post
construction) as specified in the DES approved SMP.
(vii) cause disruption to 0.81ha 20+ yrs. Stormwater Management and Erosion and Sediment Control Plan will be No
ecologically implemented during the construction phase of operation, with a whole of site
significant locations Stormwater Management Plan in place during the landfill operation phase.
(breeding, feeding,
nesting, migration or All stormwater flows from the landfill and access roads will report to a Sediment
resting sites) of a Control Pond / biobasin or discharge (controlled) south of the site.
species. Ensure silt fences, diversion drains, and other erosion controls are functioning
effectively, particularly during high water flow periods.
Sediment and erosion control devices to be maintained in perpetuity.
Retained habitat will be protected from dust impacts by the implementation of
dust controls during construction and operation of the Landfill. This will include
the use of water trucks, dust fencing and the implementation of a dust
management plan prohibiting dust generating site activities during dry and
windy conditions.
Weed management strategy will be undertaken in the retained remnant
vegetation areas.
Implementation of weed management strategy in areas of Essential Habitat
and protected wildlife breeding habitat (i.e., within RE 12.3.13 and 12.5.3) to
be conducted by an appropriately qualified weed management team to
minimise impacts from activities such as spray drift, non-target damage and
misidentification of weed species.
Weed management along landfill perimeter to be conducted in perpetuity.
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5.2.4 Criteria – Animals- Protected wildlife habitat (koala habitat under the Koala
SPRP)
Section 6 of the SRI Guidelines (DEHP, 2014) states that a significant residual impact on koala
habitat in SEQ is any prescribed activity that will:
• remove a non-juvenile koala habitat tree.
The SRI guideline states the following:
An offset may be required for significant residual impacts on Koala habitat (i.e., non-
juvenile koala habitat trees) in the South East Queensland planning area as identified
in the South East Queensland Regional Plan. This includes habitat that is:
• an area of Essential Habitat as identified on the Essential Habitat map, as
defined under the Vegetation Management Act 1999;
• an area that is not mapped as habitat, but which contains, or is known to contain
Koalas.
And also defines the following:
A koala habitat tree means:
a) a food tree of the Corymbia, Melaleuca, Lophostemon or Eucalyptus
genera; or
b) a preferred shelter species such as Angophora.
Non-juvenile koala habitat tree means a koala habitat tree that:
a) is more than 4m high; or
b) has a trunk with a circumference of more than 31.5cm at 1.3m above the
ground.
The prescribed activity is considered likely to have a significant impact on koala habitat
identified within the extent of works for the following reasons:
• Evidence of koala activity has been identified in the area.
• A desktop assessment for the site determined that the site is mapped as a Koala
Priority Area (KPA) and there are 11 records of koala listed on WildNET within 1
kilometre of the impact area since 1980.
• Anecdotal evidence from ecologists indicates that the site is still able to support a
viable population despite a range of threats including, but not limited to, landfill
operations; regional population declines; proximity of roads and urban areas; and pest
animal populations.
• Clearing 1.02ha of mapped Koala Priority (KPA) area containing core (SEQ) and
locally refined (SEQ) koala habitat area within Lot 77 SP298776 is likely to be
assessed as significant as it exceeds the SRI criteria threshold specified in section
3.1.1 of the Significant Residual Impact Guideline (DSDIP, 2014).
A review of the criteria used to determine whether an action is likely to have an SRI on Koala
habitat assessable under section 6 of the Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy
Significant Residual Impact Guideline (DEHP, 2014) and contained in section 3.5.1 of
Significant Residual Impact Guideline (DSDIP, 2014) and impact mitigation measures
proposed is provided in Table 8.
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Table 8: SRI Assessment for Koala Habitat in Noosa Landfill Expansion Area
Environmental value Magnitude
Duration Environmental
potentially affected by of impact Mitigation measures proposed
of impact value affected
prescribed activity (Ha)
(j) Removal of a non- 1.02 ha 20+ yrs. • Retained koala habitat will be protected through no go signage, Yes, however not
juvenile koala habitat • Delineate clearing line and ensure works occur only within construction likely to be
tree footprint and do not ‘spill’ into protected areas / No go areas. significant if
• Pre-clearance inspections by a Fauna spotter catcher will occur in days mitigation
prior to and during clearing to minimise impacts to native fauna during including offset of
clearing activities. cleared KHT at a
• Clearing works will be undertaken in a sequential manner starting from ratio of 3:1 is
cleared areas and moving towards areas of retained vegetation to undertaken.
facilitate the movement of native fauna species out of the works impact
zone
• Ensure works do not alter water flows into koala habitat.
• Revegetation works onsite to improve the habitat opportunities for native
fauna in areas where landfill operation is complete. Revegetation should
aim to recreate pre-clear RE’s mapped over the site including 12.5.3 and
adjacent 12.5.4 in appropriate pre-clear RE areas as these ecosystems
form suitable koala habitat.
• The establishment of a 1.02ha dedicated Koala Tree Offset planting for
Lot 77 which will nominate an offset area in comparable size to the koala
habitat to be cleared. The rehabilitation area is to be designed to improve
and or create vegetated Koala movement corridors and provides for the
3:1 offset of koala trees where 3 trees are planted for each one cleared.
Proposed revegetation areas within Lot 77 which are suitable for the
provision of 1.02ha of koala habitat are shown in Appendix E.
• Preparation and implementation of a Site Weed Management Plan which
includes weed management in areas of retained vegetation onsite and
landfill areas. Emphasis should be placed on undertaking weed control
works at the edge of the landfill and the retained buffer vegetation on Lot
77.
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5.3 Summary of SRI Assessment for MSES
Regulated Vegetation
The action of clearing Regulated Vegetation is unlikely to have an SRI on Endangered
Regional Ecosystem RE12.5.3 for the following reasons:
• Vegetation clearing is less than 5ha.
• The clearing does not reduce remaining ‘Endangered’ vegetation to less than 5 ha
when the overall area including vegetation located on adjacent Lots is considered.
• Vegetation clearing will not further separate or fragment RE communities onsite.
• The clearing constitutes less than 10% of the total mapped area of ‘Endangered’
RE12.5.3 that intersects the property boundary of the expansion area, and an
equivalent area to that being cleared (0.21ha) will be rehabilitated within Lot 77 to
reinstate RE12.5.3.
Koala Habitat:
The prescribed activity is likely to have an SRI unless mitigation measures can avoid
significant impacts occurring, and that environmental offsets under the Environmental Offsets
Act 2014, may be required for prescribed activity on the following matters:
• 1.02 ha of Koala Habitat within a Koala Priority Habitat Area on Lot 77 SP298776.
Significant Residual Impacts on the above MSES – Core Koala Habitat are considered likely
to be averted if the mitigation measures proposed below are delivered:
• Progressive rehabilitation of landfill areas that have ceased operation.
• Rehabilitation and protection of adjacent regulated vegetation through weed control
operations.
• The delivery of a dedicated Koala Tree Offset planting to offset cleared Koala habitat
trees at a rate of 3:1 (3 trees planted to every 1 cleared) over 1.02ha of appropriate
land within Lot 77 SP298776 as shown in Appendix E.
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6.0 SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Following assessment of impacts to MNES and MSES for the proposed expansion area of
the Noosa Landfill & RRC and the resulting clearing required, the following is noted:
• MNES on site include:
o Nationally threatened species and ecological communities – Koala
(Endangered)
• Significant Impact assessment found that impacts to MNES are not significant.
• MSES on site include:
o Regulated Vegetation (Endangered or Of Concern)-
▪ RE - 12.5.3 (Eucalyptus racemosa subsp. racemosa woodland on
remnant Tertiary surfaces), and
▪ Essential Habitat
o Animals – Threatened Species (Swamp crayfish, Sand yabby, Wallum froglet,
Wallum rocketfrog)
o Koala Habitat Core (SEQ), Locally refined (SEQ), and Koala Priority Area
• Assessment against the MSES SRI guidelines found that:
o Regulated vegetation on site will not be significantly impacted if proposed
mitigation measures undertaken.
o Essential Habitat will not be significantly impacted
o Animals – Threatened Species (Swamp crayfish, Sand yabby, Wallum froglet,
Wallum rocketfrog) will not be significantly impacted
o Koala habitat will have a significant residual impact from the works however it
is considered that an offset will not be required for the SRI on Koala Habitat on
Lot 77 SP298776 under the Offsets Act and Environmental Offsets Policy 2014
as it is unlikely that impacts will be significant if proposed mitigation measures
such as revegetation and conservation measures are undertaken as described
in Section 5.2.4.
• As such the following is recommended:
o Preparation and delivery of a rehabilitation plan that includes the establishment
of a 1.02ha dedicated Koala Tree Offset planting for Lot 77 which will nominate
an offset area in comparable size to the koala habitat to be cleared, and offset
koala trees at a rate of 3:1 (where 3 trees are planted for each one cleared).
o The rehabilitation plan is to include 0.21ha (of the total 1.02ha) designated as
Endangered RE 12.5.3 in an area which aligns with pre-clear RE mapping
within the Lot.
o Preparation of a Weed Management Plan for the remaining regional
ecosystems adjoining the landfill area on Lot 77 SP298776; and management
of weeds on the landfill area edges to ensure weeds do not spread from the
landfill into the adjacent retained vegetation.
Noosa Landfill & RRC Expansion – MNES & MSES Significant Impact Assessment 30
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Native Foresters 7.0 REFERENCES Australian Government, Department of Environment (2013) Matters of National Environmental Significance, Significant impact guidelines 1.1, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Native Foresters (2021) Flora and Fauna Assessment- Noosa Landfill northern expansion area, Prepared for Noosa Council, January 2021, Document No. 200112-FF-Rev2. Native Foresters (2021) Flora and Fauna Assessment and Assessment of impacts on adjoining ecosystems of the Noosa Landfill and RRC expansion (Lot 77 SP298776). Prepared for Noosa Council, Native Foresters (2019 and revised in 2021), Document No. 190330-Rev3. Native Foresters (2021) Impact Assessment and Management Plan – EVNT Species Breeding Places – Noosa Landfill Expansion. Prepared by Native Foresters January 2021 for Noosa Council, Document No. 200112-Rev2. DAWE (2000). Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). DEHP (2022). Landscape Fragmentation and Connectivity (LFC) Tool Guide, Queensland Environmental Offsets Framework, Queensland Government. DES (2022) Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy - Significant Residual Impact Guideline - Nature Conservation Act 1992, Environmental Protection Act 1994 Marine Parks Act 2004. Prepared by: Biodiversity Integration and Offsets, Ecosystem Outcomes, Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. DES (2022). Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy v.1.12. Prepared by: Biodiversity Integration and Offsets, Ecosystem Outcomes, Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, December (2014). Significant Residual Impact Guideline For matters of state environmental significance and prescribed activities assessable under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009. (DSDIP, 2014). Guideline South East Queensland Koala Conservation State Planning Regulatory Provisions. Noosa Council (NC) (2020). Noosa Plan 2020 – Amendment 1 on 25 September 2020. Queensland Government (2020) Environmental Offsets Act 2014. State of Queensland (2020) Guideline Assessment Benchmarks in relation to Koala Habitat in South East Queensland, Prepared by: Conservation Policy and Planning, Department of Environment and Science. State of Queensland (2022) Nature Conservation Act 1992, Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2017, Current as of 10 November 2021. State of Queensland (2022) Nature Conservation and Other Legislation (Koala Protection) Amendment Regulation 2020. Noosa Landfill & RRC Expansion – MNES & MSES Significant Impact Assessment 31
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Native Foresters APPENDIX A – Significant Residual Impact Guideline (for MSES and prescribed activities assessable under SPA) (DSDIP, SDAP Module 8: Native vegetation clearing, Reference Table 1) APPENDIX B – Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy Significant Residual Impact Guideline Noosa Landfill & RRC Expansion – MNES & MSES Significant Impact Assessment 32
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Native Foresters APPENDIX C – Wildlife Online Results (WildNET) Noosa Landfill & RRC Expansion – MNES & MSES Significant Impact Assessment 33
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Native Foresters APPENDIX D – MSES ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT LOT 77 SP298776 Noosa Landfill & RRC Expansion – MNES & MSES Significant Impact Assessment 34
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Native Foresters Map 1 - MSES – State Conservation Areas Noosa Landfill & RRC Expansion – MNES & MSES Significant Impact Assessment 35
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Native Foresters Map 2 - MSES – Wetlands and Waterways Noosa Landfill & RRC Expansion – MNES & MSES Significant Impact Assessment 36
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Native Foresters Map 3a - MSES - Species - Threatened (endangered or vulnerable) wildlife and special least concern animals Noosa Landfill & RRC Expansion – MNES & MSES Significant Impact Assessment 37
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Native Foresters Map 3b - MSES - Species - Koala habitat area (SEQ) Noosa Landfill & RRC Expansion – MNES & MSES Significant Impact Assessment 38
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Native Foresters Map 4 - MSES - Regulated Vegetation Noosa Landfill & RRC Expansion – MNES & MSES Significant Impact Assessment 39
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Native Foresters APPENDIX E – PROPOSED REVEGETATION AREAS WITHIN LOT 77 TO MITIGATE IMPACTS TO MSES Noosa Landfill & RRC Expansion – MNES & MSES Significant Impact Assessment 40
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APPENDIX F - LOG FILE LANDSCAPE FRAGMENTATION AND
CONNECTIVITY TOOL
Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (DEHP)
Landscape Fragmentation and Connectivity (LFC) Tool version 1.4 LOGFILE
Process started at 16-06-2022 01:54:21 PM
Python version: 2.7.16 (v2.7.16:413a49145e, Mar 4 2019, 01:30:55) [MSC v.1500 32 bit (Intel)]
Arcpy version: 10.7.1
Username: prumc
INPUT PARAMETERS
Output Workspace: E:\GIS\GISpro\Noosa Landfill\LFC Tool OUTPUT
Threshold lookup table: E:\GIS\Tool_DP_EHP_LFC_tool\LFC_data.gdb\tbl_Regional_frag_local_threshold
Remnant cover layer: E:\GIS\Tool_DP_EHP_LFC_tool\LFC_data.gdb\QLD_VEG_RVM_100K_v2p0
Remnant cover layer edited: False
Regional buffer extent: 20 kilometres
Local buffer extent: 5 kilometres
Impact layer: E:\GIS\GISpro\Noosa Landfill\ImpactArea.shp
layer projection: WGS_1984_Web_Mercator_Auxiliary_Sphere
Raster cell resolution for analysis: 10 metres
Edge Width: 50 metres
(The distance from non-remnant landscapes through to the core ecosystem - the edge of remnant ecosystems)
Default projection: E:\GIS\Tool_DP_EHP_LFC_tool\scripts\QLD Albers Equal Area Conic.prj
13:54:21 Checking out the spatial analyst tool - required for LFC
13:54:21 ____________BEGINNING LANDSCAPE FRAGMENTATION AND CONNECTIVITY ANALYSIS___________
13:54:21 This tool will categorise the landscape into:
{0: 'non-rem', 1: 'patch', 2: 'edge', 3: 'perforated', 4: 'core (< 100 hectares)', 5: 'core (100-500 hectares)', 6: 'core (> 500
hectares)', 7: 'water'}
13:54:22 E:\GIS\GISpro\Noosa Landfill\LFC Tool OUTPUT\lyr_file does not exist, creating it now.
13:54:22 Copying across impact site feature(s) and calculating area in hectares (AreaHA)
Noosa Landfill & RRC Expansion – MNES & MSES Significant Impact Assessment 41
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Native Foresters 13:54:23 Making a local copy of the impact site 13:54:23 Preparing remnant cover layer for analysis 13:54:24 Created regional scale buffer of 20 kilometres 13:54:24 Created local scale buffer of 5 kilometres 13:54:34 Clipped the remnant cover to the regional buffer extent 13:54:36 Unioned the pre impact remnant layer with the impact site 13:54:41 Attributed the impact area as not RVM Cat B 13:54:41 Area of RVM Cat B clearing is 0.83 hectares 13:54:41 SQL selection used is "RVM_CAT" = 'B' and "Cover" = 'Not RVM Cat B' on shapefile E:\GIS\GISpro\Noosa Landfill\LFC Tool OUTPUT\main_output\clip_remcover_post.shp 13:54:45 Categorised the cover attributes in clip_remcover_pre.shp ready for raster conversion 13:54:49 Converted clip_remcover_pre.shp to raster 13:54:53 Categorised the cover attributes in clip_remcover_post.shp ready for raster conversion 13:54:58 Converted clip_remcover_post.shp to raster 13:54:58 Run Landscape fragmentation analysis on the pre impact regional landscape REGULATED VEGETATION TYPES BEING EXTRACTED FROM LAND COVER IDENTIFICATION OF CORE, PATCH, EDGE AND PERFORATIONS COMBINING FRAGMENTATION CLASSES CLASSIFYING CORE FOREST PATCHES BY AREA COMPOSING FINAL FRAGMENTATION MAP COMPOSING FINAL FRAGMENTATION MAP (FRAGMENTATION CALCULATION TIME WAS 2.5 MINUTES) 13:57:28 Run Landscape fragmentation analysis on the post impact regional landscape REGULATED VEGETATION TYPES BEING EXTRACTED FROM LAND COVER IDENTIFICATION OF CORE, PATCH, EDGE AND PERFORATIONS COMBINING FRAGMENTATION CLASSES CLASSIFYING CORE FOREST PATCHES BY AREA COMPOSING FINAL FRAGMENTATION MAP Noosa Landfill & RRC Expansion – MNES & MSES Significant Impact Assessment 42
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Native Foresters COMPOSING FINAL FRAGMENTATION MAP (FRAGMENTATION CALCULATION TIME WAS 3.1 MINUTES) Extracting a local subset of lfc_regional_pre_impact Extracting a local subset of lfc_regional_post_impact Collating pre and post impact statistics and trigger assessment 14:00:42 Summarising area statistics for: lfc_localmsk_pre_impact 14:00:42 Summarising area statistics for: lfc_localmsk_post_impact 14:00:42 Summarising area statistics for: lfc_regional_pre_impact 14:00:42 Summarising patch count for lfc_localmsk_pre_impact 14:00:45 Summarising patch count for lfc_localmsk_post_impact Analysing impact on Connectivity Areas SIGNIFICANCE TEST ONE The regional total area is 99099.67 The regional extent of core remnant is 26875.45 The regional extent of core remnant is 27.12 percent This level of regional fragmentation sets a local impact threshold of: 5.0 percent The table below lists the local impact thresholds for categories of regional core remnant extent: REGIONAL CORE CATEGORY LOCAL IMPACT THRESHOLD < 10 2.0 10 - 30 5.0 30 - 50 10.0 50 - 70 20.0 70 - 90 30.0 >90 50.0 Area of core at the local scale (pre impact): 2386.69 Area of core at the local scale (post impact): 2386.57 Noosa Landfill & RRC Expansion – MNES & MSES Significant Impact Assessment 43
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Native Foresters Percent change of core at the local scale (post impact): 0.01 percent SIGNIFICANCE TEST TWO No core remnant areas occur on the site (lfc_site_scale_summary.csv table will not be available) RESULT 14:00:55 This analysis has determined any impact on connectivity areas is NOT significant (A significant reduction in core remnant at the local scale is False OR a change from core to non-core remnant at the site scale is False) The significance table has been written to: ..\main_output\lfc_significance_assessment.csv The local scale summary table has been written to: ..\main_output\lfc_local_scale_summary.csvGIS layer files copied into folder \lyr_file within the project folder. View layers in ArcMAP using..\E:\GIS\GISpro\Noosa Landfill\LFC Tool OUTPUT\lyr_file\lyr_file\Connectivity Area Impact Assessment.lyr Please scrutinise the output tables and spatial layers to confirm the desktop modelling of connectivity area impact This analysis used an unedited copy of the Regulated Vegetation layer. 14:01:37 ____________COMPLETED LANDSCAPE FRAGMENTATION AND CONNECTIVITY ANALYSIS__ Noosa Landfill & RRC Expansion – MNES & MSES Significant Impact Assessment 44