Attachment 2 - Gondwana Ecology Group_noosa springs

The proposed redevelopment intends to retain the balance vegetation and trees, despite the lack of
connection to the surrounding landscape. It is proposed to enhance this area through a weed control and
rehabilitation exercise. The landscaping programme throughout the new development also intends to
enhance local resources for native fauna (i.e. through dense and suitable planting). This has the potential
to improve the area for local fauna.

5.0 Response – Media Information
It is apparent that the information presented in the media has been prepared in the absence of an accurate
appreciation of the proposed redevelopment project or an understanding of koala biology.

For clarity, please note the following:

    •   The proposal is not going to “relocate a koala colony”.
    •   Koalas do not live in colonies.
    •   The development will clear koala habitat (by definition) but is also an area that (by definition) does
        not support koalas. The only “koala habitat” to be cleared are the 19 trees which are defined as
        koala habitat but essentially not used by koala and include small trees.
    •   The removal of the 19 trees (noting they are only koala habitat by definition) are within an area
        that is fenced from surrounding bushland, bordered by a road to the north and east, tennis courts
        to the south and car parking to the west and only contains a few trees) and is not going to cause
        the “end of the koala population”.
    •   There is no information to suggest a “koala population” exists in the locality. The local area would
        support koalas with preferred habitat (i.e. a large open area with a diversity of suitable mature
        koala feed trees) occurring within the golf course.
    •   The clearing of a few trees (noting the site context) is not going to be an “absolute threat to the
        koala and other species”.
    •   Clearing this “block of land” (note the site context) is not going to “isolate the koalas”. The area in
        question is currently isolated from koalas and surrounded by a developed landscape. Koala
        movement in the landscape will not be impacted by the redevelopment of a fenced, disturbed and
        isolated small patch of bush.
    •   As above, the site is not a “koala corridor” and the development will not prevent koalas from
        moving through the landscape.
    •   While it is irrelevant in the context of the project (particularly noting the abundance of koala habitat
        in the landscape, including on the golf course), it is mis-leading to suggest that it takes 5-10 years
        “before koalas can use a tree”. Koalas will feed on a tree as soon as there are leaves, including
        trees less than 2m in height and less than 2 years (pers. obs.).

5.0 Recommendations
While it is acknowledged that the proposed project redevelopment is compliant with the relevant State and
Council koala assessment benchmarks, and that a financial offset payment arrangement is accepted to
address the loss of trees, I have suggested that additional (i.e. over and above the financial offset) trees be
planted in the local area where koala habitat and movement can practically be enhanced.

I have identified two areas within the Noosa Springs Golf Course (refer ATTACHMENT C) where in the order
of 60 trees (i.e. more than a replacement ratio of 3:1) could be planted.

The planting of trees in these areas will provide additional koala feed trees, a variety of habitat tree species
and “close gaps” between existing koala habitats. The golf course and planting areas are also adjacent to
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The proposed redevelopment intends to retain the balance vegetation and trees, despite the lack of
connection to the surrounding landscape. It is proposed to enhance this area through a weed control and
rehabilitation exercise. The landscaping programme throughout the new development also intends to
enhance local resources for native fauna (i.e. through dense and suitable planting). This has the potential
to improve the area for local fauna.

5.0 Response — Media Information
It is apparent that the information presented in the media has been prepared in the absence of an accurate
appreciation of the proposed redevelopment project or an understanding of koala biology.

For clarity, please note the following:

e The proposal is not going to “relocate a koala colony”.

e Koalas do not live in colonies.

e The development will clear koala habitat (by definition) but is also an area that (by definition) does
not support koalas. The only “koala habitat” to be cleared are the 19 trees which are defined as
koala habitat but essentially not used by koala and include small trees.

e The removal of the 19 trees (noting they are only koala habitat by definition) are within an area
that is fenced from surrounding bushland, bordered by a road to the north and east, tennis courts
to the south and car parking to the west and only contains a few trees) and is not going to cause
the “end of the koala population”.

e = There is no information to suggest a “koala population” exists in the locality. The local area would
support koalas with preferred habitat (i.e. a large open area with a diversity of suitable mature
koala feed trees) occurring within the golf course.

e The clearing of a few trees (noting the site context) is not going to be an “absolute threat to the
koala and other species”.

e Clearing this “block of land” (note the site context) is not going to “isolate the koalas”. The area in
question is currently isolated from koalas and surrounded by a developed landscape. Koala
movement in the landscape will not be impacted by the redevelopment of a fenced, disturbed and
isolated small patch of bush.

e As above, the site is not a “koala corridor” and the development will not prevent koalas from
moving through the landscape.

e =While it is irrelevant in the context of the project (particularly noting the abundance of koala habitat
in the landscape, including on the golf course), it is mis-leading to suggest that it takes 5-10 years
“before koalas can use a tree”. Koalas will feed on a tree as soon as there are leaves, including
trees less than 2m in height and less than 2 years (pers. obs.).

5.0 Recommendations

While it is acknowledged that the proposed project redevelopment is compliant with the relevant State and
Council koala assessment benchmarks, and that a financial offset payment arrangement is accepted to
address the loss of trees, | have suggested that additional (i.e. over and above the financial offset) trees be
planted in the local area where koala habitat and movement can practically be enhanced.

| have identified two areas within the Noosa Springs Golf Course (refer ATTACHMENT C) where in the order
of 60 trees (i.e. more than a replacement ratio of 3:1) could be planted.

The planting of trees in these areas will provide additional koala feed trees, a variety of habitat tree species
and “close gaps” between existing koala habitats. The golf course and planting areas are also adjacent to

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