2021-10-12 Planning & Environment Committee Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                     12 OCTOBER 2021


would be required to lengthen the batter to comply with the SPP. The driveway and fill also has the
potential of changing the hydrological overland flows by redirecting water to areas that would not
otherwise be inundated and potentially changing the flows within the riparian buffer area.
Koala habitat
While the State confirmed the subdivision is not ‘Prohibited development’ under Schedule 24 of the
Planning Regulations, the Planning Scheme requires development avoid adverse impacts on Koala
habitat and mitigate any threat to Koalas. The proposal is placing a new boundary through Koala
habitat which gives rise to clearing of koala habitat. The new boundary does not avoid adverse
impacts nor mitigate any threat to Koala habitat. In addition, rural residential living also gives rise to
the potential for additional domestic animals in the area, which may be a threat to Koalas.
Noosa Plan 2020
The Noosa Plan 2020 contains similar provisions to that of the superseded planning scheme except
for the minimum lot size being reduced to 1.5ha. Other than lot size, the same matters are raised for
assessment which are considered to be contrary to the relevant provisions in the Noosa Plan 2020.
Notably, the riparian buffer area in the Noosa Plan 2020 has increased in area.




Noosa Plan 2006- Riparian Buffer                               Noosa Plan 2020 – Riparian Buffer
CONSULTATION
Internal Council Referrals
The application was forwarded to the following internal Council officers:
Engineering officer
Ecologist
CONCLUSION & REASONS FOR DECISION
The proposal seeks to subdivide an existing battle axe lot into 2 lots with a driveway traversing the
riparian buffer area to access the rear lot 1. The driveway requires a 20m wide access easement to
comply with the State Planning Policy for bushfire to accommodate firefighting appliances. The 20m
wide easement requires the removal of vegetation within the riparian buffer. The proposal also
removes approximately 2,000m² of riparian area from having the ability to be regenerated, given the
easement and driveway width required.
The proposal cannot meet the relevant provisions in the State Planning Policy for bushfire without
removing vegetation from within the riparian buffer, which is contrary to the Planning Scheme which
seeks to both avoid development and to protect and regenerate such areas.
The proposal also seeks to remove Koala habitat for the new boundary contrary to the Planning
Scheme provisions.
Accordingly, the application is recommended for refusal.


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