MCU22/0118 – DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR A MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE – SHORT-TERM ACCOMMODATION AT 94 & 142 NOOSA DR, NOOSA HEADS (Referred from Planning & Environment Committee dated 7 November 2023 - Item 5.1) · ATTACHMENT 1 – OFFICER’S REPORT

 Council’s Senior Environment Officer has reviewed the application material and noted that the
 development does not maintain or enhance connectivity in the north south direction. The
 development layout reduces the width of the current ecological linkage and proposes
 development within the linkage that will result in increased interaction between koalas, humans
 and built infrastructure.
 The submitted application material does not provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate
 compliance with Performance Outcome PO1 and PO3 of the Biodiversity, Waterways and
 Wetlands Overlay Code. The development requires the removal of vegetation identified within a
 mapped riparian buffer area, area of biodiversity significance, core koala habitat, connecting
 habitat area, MSES high ecological significance wetland, MSES declared high ecological value
 waters and Regional Ecosystem 12.2.7. The development application material has not
 sufficiently demonstrated ecologically important areas are conserved or improved to ensure their
 ongoing contribution to the natural resources and biological diversity of Noosa Shire, or that the
 development will protect existing habitat areas, ecological linkages riparian vegetation or
 wetland habitat. The development layout has not been designed or sited to manage adverse
 impacts on ecologically important areas, as the sites habitat trees, recruitment habitat trees,
 roosting, breeding and feeding areas are proposed to be cleared to accommodate the
 development.
 The ecological values of the site are being compromised and the ecological values of the sites
 ecosystem diminished due to the impacts of vegetation clearing and construction of the
 development within a mapped core koala habitat area and connecting habitat.
 In addition, the proposal brings development closer to identified Threatened Ecological
 Communities, riparian areas, wetlands and waterways located north and west of the site. This
 will result in a disturbed eco tone closer to the sensitive ecological communities adjacent the
 western boundary.
 The proposal therefore does not comply with PO1 and PO3 of the Biodiversity, Waterways and
 Wetlands Overlay Code.


Riparian Buffer Area
Portions of the subject site are mapped as being a riparian buffer area under the Biodiversity,
Waterways and Wetlands overlay, as well as a Matters of State Ecological Significance (MSES)
high ecological significance wetland and MSES declared high ecological value waters (wetland).
The proposal includes development within the mapped riparian buffer area, including portions of
Cabins 2 – 7 and the proposed bioretention basin.
The following Acceptable and Performance Outcomes of the Biodiversity, Waterways and
Wetlands Overlay Code are relevant to the development:

 Performance Outcomes                              Acceptable Outcomes

 PO6                                               AO6.1
 The biodiversity and ecosystem values of Development and clearing of vegetation does
 waterways, wetlands and adjacent riparian not occur within:
 zones are protected by:
                                                  (a) a riparian buffer area;
 (a) avoiding any new development in a riparian (b) a wetland area; or
     buffer area and wetland area;                (c) 10 metres either side of the centre line of
 (b) retaining aquatic and terrestrial habitat in     other    waterways      identified on     a
     riparian zones;                                  Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands
 (c) maintaining and enhancing wildlife               Overlay Map.
     corridors    and     connectivity    along
     watercourses and drainage lines for native
     fauna movement;                              AO6.2
 (d) avoiding edge effects and damage from Development provides for the rehabilitation of
     adjacent land uses;                          land within:
                                                   (a) a riparian buffer area;

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