5668Ecological Impact Report

Ecological Impact Report v1                                                                    NCES REF: J001116
Lot 3 on RP179954 & Lot 2 on RP175675 – 40 & 56 Donnellys Road, Ridgewood QLD


4.0 DEVELOPMENT IMPACTS
The development impacts for this proposal are deemed to comprise the footprint of the proposed
boundary realignment inclusive of the applicable exempt clearing opportunities gained by the
approval of the boundary. The NSC PS 2020 defines exempt clearing as clearing which is property
maintenance activity. Property Maintenance Activity is defined as construction of a new fence for a
width of 5 metres either side the fence line, where outside a riparian buffer area. Therefore, the
impact area was deemed to be within 5m either side of the proposed new boundary alignment. The
development impacts are depicted on VC01 (refer red linework VC01).
None of the identified vegetation units are considered to be representative of a native bushland area
and/or an Ecologically Important Area as defined by the NSC PS 2020. Therefore, the NSC
Biodiversity, Waterways, and Wetlands overlay mapping, which maps the majority of the assessment
area as an Area of Biodiversity Significance, is not considered representative of on ground
conditions.
No impact to conservation significant plant species listed under the schedules of the Queensland
Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act) or the Commonwealth Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 are anticipated as none were observed within or immediately
bordering the proposed boundary relocation and given the dominant exotic vegetation community
within these areas none are expected to be present
The existing boundary and associated exempt clearing alignment generally separates the exotic pine
planation and mixed hardwood plantation, as well as the Chinese elm forest and planted vegetation
lining the driveway. Numerous scattered mature native trees; mostly C. tessellaris, are located within
5m of the boundary (refer Plate 11 & VC01).


             Northern side
                                                                                  Southern side




                                                                                Scattered mature
                                                                                native trees within
                                                                                5m of existing
                                                                                boundary

                                                                                Approx. existing
                                                                                boundary alignment



                  Plate 11 – Indicative vegetation conditions along existing boundary alignment

The proposed new boundary and associated exempt clearing opportunities alignment is positioned
further north through the centre of the exotic pine planation. The boundary also flanks the existing
driveway and in doing so intersects the Chinese elm forest and planted vegetation lining the


                                                           14
©2022