MCU14/0056 Information Response Cover Letter

the highly modified watercourse and allows potential for enhancement and rehabilitation of the existing waterway
corridor.

Further, the majority of the mapped riparian buffer area is be retained as open space with the provision of soft
treatments such as stormwater detention basins and landscaped vegetation located within this area. Proposed
development within the riparian buffer area is limited to a small portion of the Tourist Park and car park which will
occupy approximately 0.32ha of the 1.1ha riparian buffer (refer to Plan 1 below). While this will result in impervious
surfaces developed over the existing mowed paddock and subsequently a potential increased in gross pollutants in
runoff, all runoff from the development site will be captured and treated in on-site sediment basins prior to entering
the waterway. The Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP), informed by MUSIC Modelling prepared by VT
Consulting Engineers states stormwater drainage for the proposed multi-use development will be piped to
individual bio-retention basins for each area which will flow into a large single detention basin located to the south
of the site. It is proposed that this detention basin will then drain to the existing overland flow path at via a new
concrete headwall channelling stormwater towards the two existing box culverts under Myall Steet. The SWMP also
states that no worsening of stormwater flows up to and including Q100 stormwater events is anticipated from the
development and modelling demonstrates that an 82% reduction in suspended solids and a 100% reduction in gross
pollutants is expected (refer to SWMP by VT Consulting Engineers for further detail).

Therefore, while the project proposal does not avoid new development in the riparian buffer area, proposed
development is restricted to areas already cleared of vegetation which have been identified by the EAR as containing
low to no ecological value or function as a riparian corridor (refer Section 4.2.1 of the EAR). No further clearing of
waterway vegetation is proposed by the development and an additional 10m open space buffer proposed to
minimise edge effects. No impact to hydrology is anticipated by the development and run-off from impervious areas
will be treated via a system of stormwater detention basins that will result in no worsening of flows and reduction in
gross pollutants leaving the site.

    b) How the proposal protect[s] riparian zones by retaining aquatic and terrestrial habitats in riparian zones

As discussed in the response to 32a, the project proposes no further clearing of riparian vegetation and an additional
10m buffer to the existing vegetation boundary (an average 30m total waterway buffer) to protect existing
watercourse values and potential habitat. Field survey (refer to Section 4.2.1 of the EAR) identified that the
watercourse is heavily degraded and highly modified, fragmented by arterial roads (Myall Street to the north and
Bruce Highway to the south) and currently passing through a number of stormwater pipes. In addition, survey noted
the watercourse is heavily infested with weeds including Pinus elliotti (Slash Pine) and Cinnamomum camphora
(Camphor Laurel) restricting potential habitat for terrestrial and aquatic species. The majority of the site has been
cleared and does not provide habitat for species of Commonwealth, State or local significance. Section 4.4 of the EAR
notes that due to these factors, the site presents limited opportunity to provide habitat connectivity and usage is
limited to highly mobile species.

In relation to potential aquatic and terrestrial habitats in the riparian zone, Section 4.4 of EAR notes that:

     
   Only common species were observed during field survey with specific attempts made to check under fallen
         logs and within leaf litter around the mapped watercourse.
     
   Two common reptile species, Cyptoblempharis vigatus (Wall Skink) and Intellagama lesueurii (Eastern Water
         Dragon) and one pest amphibian Bufo marinus (Cane Toad) were observed throughout the mapped
         waterway.
     
   In its current condition, the watercourse does not support enough features to provide habitat for native
         amphibian species.


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