SARA RFI - Ecological Assessment Report

Ecological Assessment Report
3 - 7 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads



5 IMPACT ASSESSMENT
The purpose of this section of the report is to assess development impacts in the context
of the observed / existing environmental values of the site which were identified via a
combination of spatial analysis (GIS data), field investigations (botanical survey, tree
survey) and a review of relevant wildlife databases.

The impacts of the proposed change were analysed spatially via the creation of a
development footprint plan based on the architectural plans prepared by Richards and
Spence Architects (Drawing No. SD-A-01-01-G – SD-A-01-07-G, Rev. J, 5 July 2023) and
preliminary earthworks plan prepared by ALTA Projects (Drawing No. A6769-23_SK19,
Rev. 2, 6 July 2023). Impact assessment does not include assessment of other civil works
(minor earthworks or services) or landscaping works; however, preliminary design advice
received from the relevant project consultants indicates that any additional impacts will
likely be minor in extent.

The assessment is divided into the following sections:

      ● Waterways and wetlands,
      ● Vegetation and,
      ● Fauna.

Environmental management and impact mitigation, described in detail in the following
section, is referenced in this section of the report where applicable.



5.1      WATERWAYS AND WETLANDS


Direct and indirect impacts of development on waterways and wetlands include:

      ● Physical disturbance including clearing vegetation and earthworks;
      ● Changes to hydrological regimes (e.g. peak flow discharge);
      ● Changes in water quality (physical and chemical);
      ● Changes in aquatic habitats (e.g. sedimentation, species assemblages); and,
      ● Changes to microclimate (e.g. humidity, solar irradiation, nutrients, soil chemistry
        and structure).

These impacts can result in changes to habitat structure and function which in turn,
impacts on the distribution of plant and animal species within riparian and wetland
ecosystems.

The results of the assessment indicated that the proposed change does not result in any
direct impacts on waterways or wetlands as neither of these ecological features are
present on the site. However, the adjacent waterway may be indirectly impacted during
the construction phase.



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