Arborist Report inc VMP

Arborist Report
14 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads




5.2 APPROVED ‘VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN’ AUDIT


The results of the tree survey and arboricultural assessment indicated several differences
between the approved ‘vegetation management plan’ and current location and status of
the 17 trees:

   ● Five (5) trees shown on the approved ‘vegetation management plan’ were shown in
      the wrong location. Trees 8, 15, 79, 101 and 235 were located ≥ 1m from the tree
      survey points taken in 2022. Habitat trees that were present on site in 2022 were
      recorded via GPS with 7cm accuracy.
   ● Eight (8) Glossy Black Cockatoo habitat trees shown on the approved ‘vegetation
      management plan’ were not present on site during the 2022 tree survey.
   ● Two (2) Glossy Black Cockatoo trees (Trees 57 and 60) and one (1) Koala tree (Tree
      221) were assessed as being in poor condition. Tree 57 was described as heavily
      leaning with a split trunk (Figure 4) and Tree 60 was described as leaning with a
      vine in the canopy (Figure 5). Despite their poor condition, these trees must be
      retained as part of the existing development approval over the land.




5.3 EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT


Results of the assessment of tree retention opportunities indicated that trees were
nominated for removal where:

   ● the vegetation was exotic or a pest species and located where it could ‘escape’ to
      adjacent natural areas,
   ● tree condition was such that long term survival could not be guaranteed i.e. trees in
      poor condition and the tree did not provide significant habitat value e.g. contained
      hollows for arboreal mammals, reptiles or birds,
   ● impacts exceeded tolerable levels ex post evaluation of design and construction
      measures; and,
   ● necessary for the construction / installation of services.

Due to the location of proposed development on the northernmost part of the land,
opportunities to retain significant vegetation were predominantly around the eastern and
southern perimeter of the building footprint, particularly within areas of the land zoned
Environmental Management and Conservation. The retention of trees around the eastern
and southern perimeter of the building footprint:

   ● reduces the potential visual impact of the proposed development,
   ● provides a landscape buffer between development and the Weyba Creek Bushland
      Reserve North, and
   ● increases amenity both within and external to the site.




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