2015-06-23 Planning & Organisation Committee Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    23 JUNE 2015


3.2   Financial Settlement Offset
A financial settlement offset is a payment for a significant residual impact on prescribed
environmental matter/s. It must be calculated in accordance with the Financial Settlement
Offset Calculation Methodology. This methodology has been incorporated into a web-based
calculator which is available on Department of Environment and Heritage Protection website.
If a financial settlement offset is for a Matter of Local Environmental Significance, local
government can only require a payment no greater than what would be required by the
Financial Settlement Offset Calculation Methodology and local government is able to deliver
the conservation outcome the financial settlement seeks to offset.
3.4   Combination Offset
A combination of the financial settlement offset and proponent-driven offset may be used to
satisfy the offsetting requirements of the EO Act.

4.    THE NOOSA EXPERIENCE
Council, as assessment manager, has received an offset financial contribution in accordance
with the Offsets for Net Gain of Koala Habitat in SEQ for the loss of mature koala habitat
trees at the resort development site at Settler’s Cove. A total of $44,160 was received from
the developer following a request to extend the currency of their development approval.
Officers are investigating the expenditure of these funds in accordance with the policy intent,
that is, to establish new koala habitat. The land required for planting of new koala habitat is
being explored at the Cooroibah air strip site, Girraween lands and within Council existing
reserves.
The clearing of remnant vegetation at Attunga Heights for development was required to be
offset. The applicant negotiated with the adjacent landholder at Viridian to provide the offset
on their land. The offset was for the restoration to remnant status of a patch of vegetation at
Viridian. This offset is protected by environmental covenant.
Clearing of an endangered regional ecosystem for the expansion of the Noosa Eumundi
Road refuse station required the provision of an offset on a “like for like” basis. Council
provided this offset by planting and enhancing endangered vegetation around Lake
Macdonald.
The Cooroy to Curra Bruce Highway upgrade has resulted in the clearing of koala habitat.
The Department of Main Roads and Transport is responsible for the provision of offsets to
discharge their obligations. Council has had limited involvement in this project however it is
noted the clearing that has occurred in Noosa Shire is proposed to be offset in Gympie
Regional Council area adjacent to the highway. Tender documents released state:
This Supplementary Specification applies to the supply and installation of koala habitat trees
to discharge the department’s offsetting obligations under the Department of Environment
and Heritage Protection’s (EHP) Offsets for Net Gain of Koala Habitat in South East
Queensland Policy (the Koala Offsets Policy). The offsetting obligations address impacts to
non-juvenile koala habitat trees (KHT) associated with the Bruce Highway (Cooroy to Curra)
Upgrade – Section A. The offset sites associated with this contract are located within the
Gympie local government areas (Tender document Section 1.1 of 7.2 PA094CP.doc –
underline added)
Section A designates the Cooroy interchange to Sankeys Road, located within the Noosa
Shire. The Offset receiving site is located adjacent to the new section B of the Bruce
Highway. The receiving site is located outside of the Koala Regulatory Mapping Extent.




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