PM Submission - Angie and Bob Oakley - MCU22/0118

Subject: Fw: Development MCU22/118
From: Angie and Bob Oakley
Date: 2023-02-05T22:05:41+00:00
To: Mailbox Council Mail

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----- Forwarded message -----
From: Angie and Bob Oakley <[email protected]>
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, 5 February 2023, 05:26:33 pm AEST
Subject: Development MCU22/118


From: Angela Oakley
Sent: Saturday, 4 February 2023 4:55 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Submission re DA MCU22/0118



Application details

SUBMISSION RE DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION NO MCU22/0118

Address: 94 and 142 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads QLD 4567

Lot 3 SP126203, Lot 203 SP267424, Lot 0 SP203415, Lot 0 SP203417

Nature of Proposed Development: Material Change of Use for Short-Term Accommodation (16 Eco-Cabins) and new lagoon pool



Submitter Details

Angela Oakley
[email protected]



Details of submission

We wish to strongly oppose the development application above for the building of 16 eco cabins and a pool on the land adjoining the current RACV resort site.

Our objections are on ecological grounds as we believe that Noosa Council should ensure the maintenance of a healthy biosphere supporting endangered species and habitat, and this development proposal cannot go ahead in this zone and important habitat be maintained.

We have lived in the area since 1995 and on Weyba Esplanade since 2016. When we fist moved to Sunset Drive Koalas were prolific - they would come past our window constantly. Since then development and destruction of Koala trees has decimated the population. People live here to experience "nature" but over development  is destroying the environment and the very reason people enjoy this area.

The area for proposed development has been mapped as core koala habitat. There are koala food trees in this area and it is also a transit area for koalas. It is an area of biodiversity significance, adjoining wetlands which are a breeding area for a wide range of flora and fauna. Building development and ongoing tourist use of this site is not consistent with safety of this very important wildlife area.

The ecology report in the DA states: “the management of patches of habitat such as this site are vital for the persistence of koalas around Noosa. If this site continues to degrade because of tree death caused by engulfing vines, the north-south avenue for movement of koalas will be further diminished or lost.”

The report focuses on the proposed tree management, weed clearing and implementation of a koala management program to satisfy some ecological concerns. It is clear that without some land management the area cannot support koalas and other fauna. This is the responsibility of Noosa Council, not developers of a tourist resort who ultimately have no interest in maintaining the land for koalas.

It is obvious that several main dangers to koalas and other fauna are introduced by this resort even if the tourist resort development met all the State Code requirements for development in a koala habitat:

  *   During construction: large, noisy machinery destroying current habitat of many native animals in the area
  *   After completion of the resort, increased traffic and number of vehicles right in a koala transit and refuge area
  *   Lights at night, which will disturb nocturnal activity
  *   A large pool – drowning in pools is shown to be a significant cause of death to koalas
  *   Persistent interference of humans in the area, repelling shy native creatures

The ecology report and the report about koalas in this DA both demonstrate many reservations about the ecology viability of the proposed development.

This development application is inconsistent with any plan to save decreasing habitat and endangered animals such as the koala.

We are strongly opposed.

[cid:[email protected]]

Angela and Robert Oakley 15 Weyba Esplanade, Noosa Heads Q4567