Attachment 6 - Ecological Assessment

Ecological Assessment Report v1                                                        NCES REF: J000542
Lot 9 on RP225312 – 100 Cooyar Street, Noosa Heads




1     INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background
North Coast Environmental Services have been commissioned to prepare an Ecological Assessment
Report for Lot 9 on RP225312 located at 100 Cooyar Street, Noosa Heads, QLD (herein referred to
as ‘the site’). The report was requested to identify the environmental values of the site and to
determine the suitability of a Material Change of Use (Aged Care Facility Renovations) development
application to be submitted to Noosa Shire Council. The scope of works addressed in this report
comprises:
          A desktop assessment of the potential ecological planning constraints acting on the site;
          A site inspection to ‘ground truth’ the results of the desktop findings;
          A flora and fauna habitat survey of the site;
          A discussion of the likely impacts of the proposed development on the ecological resources
           identified through the desktop and field investigations;
          Analysis of compliance with relevant government environmental assessment frameworks
           identified through the desktop assessment process; and
          Identification of suitable mitigation measures to minimise the environmental impacts of the
           proposed development and to assist in securing relevant development permits.
1.2       Development Proposal
It is understood the proponent seeks to conduct extensive renovations to the existing Aged Care
Facility onsite involving replacement of the existing buildings. This assessment assesses the impact
of Stage 1 of the works which involves replacing the ‘Banksia wing’ in the south east corner of the
site. It is noted that only the southern portion of the proposed new building will result in an increase
to the size of the existing building footprint. The Plan of Development has been provided as Appendix
1.
1.3       Site Description
The site covers approximately 2.5 ha, is located in the southern extent of the Noosa Heads area and
currently supports Ozcare Noosa Heads Aged Care Facility.
In general, the facility occupies the majority of the site hosting numerous buildings, carpark,
courtyards, and maintenance shed with only scattered mature trees present. Natural bushland is
present about the northern corner and western boundary of the site.
The site is bordered by Noosa National Park to the north and east, Council reserve land to the south,
and urban land uses comprised of government and residential uses present to the southwest and
west.
A Council approved (via Structure Plan agreement) firebreak has recently been installed on Council
land adjacent to the eastern and southern boundaries of the site. Ozcare have also recently
undertaken exempt fire break management clearing within the southern end of the site to reduce the
inherent fire risk acting on the site.
Plate 1 depicts site conditions.




© 2022                                                 1