Attachment 1 RACV Arborist Final

Page 2

                                                                            Consult Arborist

B RIEF
Respond to the request for further advice and information relating to the future management
and care of the retained trees on the site post-completion of the RACV Noosa Eco resort, and
the management of the invasive weed species, specifically the Frangipani Vine.

O N - GOING T REE C ARE AND M ANAGEMENT
Since January 2019, Consult Arborist has worked with the management team at RACV Noosa
undertaking annual Visual Tree Assessments based on risk mitigation and good arboriculture
practices and has provided reports outlining findings and recommendations for works to be
completed with advice for ongoing care. This format of monitoring and assessment is
scheduled to continue and will be expanded to include the project area upon its completion.

Primarily the focus of these assessments has been the environmental corridor which runs
along the resort boundary parallel to Noosa Drive; a corridor approximately 10 metres in width
that was retained as part of the original site development. This environmental corridor is aimed
at providing a safe thoroughfare for local fauna species and provides a natural backdrop and
screen to the resort.

The predominant tree species include a mix of Eucalypts with local understory forest species
and only a few weed species that have been and will continue to be, selectively removed
based on their invasive nature.

Past works have included upper canopy management, rather than removal, for some of the
older Eucalypt species to prolong their safe and useful life within the environmental corridor.
The management of the encroachment onto the adjacent accommodation buildings is kept to
a minimum with direct conflict only resolved through pruning, and total removal is reserved as
a last option. Where suitable, standing trunks are retained for habitat and/or refuge poles.
There are many large trees within a few metres of the resort accommodation that are retained
and monitored to ensure the functionality of the environmental corridor is preserved.

In addition to the existing trees being managed in an environmentally sensitive way, the resort
has planted hundreds of local native trees and understory plant species to embellish the
existing canopy and ensure a viable treescape for the future. Many of these trees and plants
now are filling in gaps and providing lower fauna habitat.

Within the eco-resort site, the larger predominant tree species is the Swamp Mahogany,
Eucalyptus robusta. This particular species of Eucalyptus has a natural habit of retrenchment
and renewal within the upper canopy. This essentially means when the growing conditions are
not favourable the tree will naturally die back from its outer canopy, and when growing
conditions are more favourable the tree will stimulate response growth on its branches. This
natural growth cycle and habit provides many pruning opportunities for a tree that naturally
responds by frequently creating new growth from older branches thus maintaining a tree with
a reduced height and spread compared to other Eucalyptus species which grow large broad
canopies and will exceed 30 metres in height. The aim of any required ongoing management
of these trees will be to selectively undertake pruning works to minimise, not remove, risk
whilst promoting growth and health so the trees can be retained with a natural functionality as
part of the site's broader ecology.




22_12_12_AR_Aspect_RACV Noosa Eco                                                     Page 2 of 4

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                                                                             Consult Arborist

W EED M ANAGEMENT
The focus of weed management on the site is a primary ongoing eradication activity that is to
be commenced at the earliest opportunity and will continue indefinitely as part of the site
maintenance.

A specialist environmental company have been approached to provide RACV with specialised
weed management information. Due to the invasive nature of the Frangipani vine currently
engulfing many of the trees within the central area of the site and smothering lower-order and
ground-cover plants, the priority becomes the initial control and removal of the bulk of the vine.
This would be the first step to preventing further detrimental harm to the existing trees which
are deemed to be retained for longevity throughout the site. Being a vine that creeps along
the ground and through the leaf litter, there will be a new requirement for ongoing management
as the vine reappears over time. It is envisaged that the ultimate eradication of this vine may
take years but its eventual control would allow the local flora and fauna to thrive again and
would be a substantial ecological success for the site.

R EVISED T REE R EMOVAL / R ETENTION F IGURES
Figures from the database reflecting the changes in the tree Removal and Retention numbers:

                                                                                      %
     On Subject Land^                    Remove     Retain      TBC       Total
                                                                                    Retain
     Trees surveyed                        89         142        20        251        65

     Koala habitat / feed trees            44         101        10        155        72
                                                                                      %
     Total Survey*                       Remove     Retain      TBC       Total
                                                                                    Retain
     Trees surveyed                        89         266        20        375        76

     Koala habitat / feed trees            44         190        10        244        82



^ The ‘Subject Land’ encompasses the proposed development site within the RACV owned
property.

* The ‘Total Survey’ includes the Subject land that will be developed for the RACV Eco lodges
plus the immediate Noosa Council bushland to the west that abuts the proposed development
area.

TBC = To Be Confirmed – but retained where possible. Subject to detailed design and arborist
advice.




22_12_12_AR_Aspect_RACV Noosa Eco                                                       Page 3 of 4

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                                                                                               Consult Arborist

C OPYRIGHT
This report/document is subject to copyright laws and remains the property of Consult Arborist Pty Ltd. Penalties
@280c per word per incident of unauthorised usage. No part of this report may be reproduced or used without the
written permission of Consult Arborist Pty Ltd. No responsibility will be accepted by Consult Arborist Pty Ltd for
unauthorised or partial use of this report.

General Permission of use as subject to Consult Arborist Pty Ltd copyrights:
•   Hard copy permission: Entire copies may be printed for use by the Client for internal or Project liaison.
•   Electronic permissions: Must be original PDF format for filing and/or limited to the agreed parties with a direct
    and vested interest in the case.

A SSUMPTIONS AND D ISCLAIMER
This report's information has been prepared independently, free of any bias and represents the honest opinion of
the consulting arborist.

All data is based on a visual inspection of the tree/s and its/their location at the time of writing, unless otherwise
stated, and contains opinions, advice and recommendations based on information and data gathered from site
inspections carried out by the author and information supplied by the Client (Aspect / RACV Noosa).

All information received from the Client shall be deemed to be true, accurate and up to date.

To the extent permitted by law, you agree Consult Arborist Pty Ltd is not liable to you or any person or entity for
any loss of or damage caused or alleged to have been caused (including loss or damage resulting from negligence)
either directly or indirectly, by your use of the information made available in this report. In no event will the author
be liable to you for any lost revenue or profits, or for special, indirect, consequential, or incidental damage (however
caused and regardless of the theory of liability) arising out of or related to your use of that information, even if the
author has been advised of the possibility of such a loss or damage.

Consult Arborist cannot be held responsible for the effects of non-conformance works performed, by unsuitably
qualified staff or without the supervision of Consult Arborist.

Unless otherwise stated this report cannot be used within a court of law or any legal situation without the prior
consent of Consult Arborist Pty Ltd. The author shall not be required to give testimony or to attend court by reason
of this report unless subsequent contractual arrangements have been made.

There is no warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied, that the problems or deficiencies of the plants or property
in question may not arise in the future. Likewise, remedial treatments cannot be guaranteed.

Arboriculturalists cannot detect every condition that could possibly lead to the structural failure of a tree. Trees are
living organisms that fail in ways we do not fully understand. Conditions are often hidden within trees and below
ground. Consult Arborist Pty Ltd and the author cannot guarantee that a tree will be healthy or safe under all
circumstances, or for a specified period of time.

This report does not take into consideration the possibility of extreme weather or other events over which Consult
Arborist Pty Ltd has no control.

Treatment, pruning and removal of trees may involve considerations beyond the scope of the Arboriculturalists
services, such as property boundaries and ownership, disputes between neighbours, sightlines, landlord-tenant
matters and related. Consult Arborist Pty Ltd cannot take such issues into account unless complete and accurate
information is given to them. Likewise, Consult Arborist Pty Ltd cannot accept any responsibility for the authorization
or non-authorization of any recommended treatment or remedial measure.

Arboriculturalists are tree specialists who use their education, knowledge, training, and experience to examine
trees, recommend measures to enhance the beauty and health of trees and attempt to reduce the risk of living near
trees. Trees can be managed, but they cannot be controlled. To live or work near a tree involves some degree of
risk. The only way to eliminate all risks associated with a tree is to eliminate the tree.

Clients may choose to accept or disregard the recommendations of Consult Arborist Pty Ltd or to seek additional
advice.




22_12_12_AR_Aspect_RACV Noosa Eco                                                                          Page 4 of 4