2017-10-13 Special Meeting

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                                     13 OCTOBER 2017


6.3   Hardwood Plantation
It is likely that prior to clearing in the current plantation areas, the Yurol and Ringtail State Forests,
(in particular Yurol) supported significant koala populations. The majority of the hardwood
plantation is Gympie Messmate and although the plantation provides marginal habitat for koalas,
currently the forest allows koalas to safely move between other vital habitat areas. The hardwood
plantations also benefit many other species such as Flying-foxes, native mammals, reptiles and
birds.

6.4   Pine Plantation
Although largely consisting of exotic species, the pine plantation exhibits natural understory
regrowth and the forest also helps maintain water quality for the Noosa River and Six Mile creek
catchments. Fauna such as kangaroos, wallabies, birds and reptiles currently utilise the pine forest
areas for refuge and access to other habitat areas. There is a significant opportunity to rehabilitate
the pine plantation areas to a former pre-clearing extent and recover koala habitat as a means to
expand local koala populations.

6.5   Fallow Land
Some of the former pine plantation areas have been allowed to fallow. Fallow areas show
significant regrowth, albeit dominated by native pioneer species, but over time it is anticipated the
area will return to a semi-natural/natural condition. Some areas may require assisted rehabilitation
to fasten regrowth back to original koala habitat.

6.6   Summary of Environment Values
Conservation protection of the Yurol and Ringtail Creek State Forests will help protect significant
Endangered and Of Concern Regional Ecosystems and a number of specific threatened fauna and
flora species. Rehabilitating former pine plantation areas back to a pre-clearing vegetative structure
and diversity would help support and expand local koala populations and this will also benefit many
other associated fauna and flora species. The assessment by E&HP undertaken on the non PLA
State Forest land (see Attachment 3) provides an excellent overview of the environmental values
of this project.

6.7   Environment Levy Working Group
The Environment Levy Working Group has reviewed this proposed project and supports the project
due to the environmental outcomes that will be achieved. There is recognition that this project will
absorb a significant amount of the Environment Levy funding but the broad scale nature of the
regional connectivity warrants that approach.

More than 2,400 ha of significant land will be preserved for environmental protection purposes and
represents good value for money when compared to other recent Environment Levy acquisitions
as shown the table below.

 Location                                                 Area (ha)                    Price         Cost per ha
 1280 McKinnon Drive, Cooroibah*                                 106                  $2.7M              $25,500
 118 Johns Road, Cooroibah                                        49                  $2.2M              $44,000
 Yurol-Ringtail Forest proposal (PLA area only)                1492       $3.5M (3 parties)              $2,400
                                                                          $1.2M (Council)**       $805 (Council)
* This property is located at the northeast corner of the Ringtail PLA area and will have an important role to play
in the connectivity between the Yurol/Ringtail area and the Cooloola area.
** This only relates to the one third Council acquisition cost of the entire PLA area. Remediation costs associated
with the pine PLA areas (approx. 750ha) are dealt with separately in this report.




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