SARA RFI - Ecological Assessment Report

Ecological Assessment Report
3 - 7 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads

   ● The proposed change will result in a reduced development footprint by
       approximately 7970 sqm;
   ● Approximately 6150 sqm of additional potential habitat will be retained (refer to
       Figure 22);
   ● Approximately 5731 sqm of areas mapped as Areas of Biodiversity Significance on
       the Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Overlay Map will be retained (refer to
       Figure 21); and,
   ● The proposed change avoids and minimises impacts on ecologically important areas
       through the protection of additional potential habitat and ecological linkages on site,
       which:
       ­   Provides opportunities for restoration of existing disturbed habitat on site;
       ­   Secures a habitat link and allows for safe fauna movement within the site and to
           the adjacent bushland reserve and riparian areas to the south of the site; and
       ­   Adjacent potential habitat is buffered from ‘edge effects’ associated with the
           proposed change and urban areas, including indirect impacts such as noise and
           light pollution.
   ● Additional vegetation is proposed to be retained along the southern boundary of the
       site, where the site adjoins Council’s bushland reserve for environmental
       management. The effect of this is that the proposed change mitigates edge effects
       to adjoining vegetation and reduces potential impacts on matters of environmental
       significance in the study area and the wider landscape. As such, the proposed
       change will reduce barriers to wildlife movement within and adjacent to the site.

In accordance with the approved plans (DBI Design Pty Ltd, Drawing No. L-SD-2.02, Rev.
A, August 2009), it is stipulated that only 17 Koala and Glossy Black Cockatoo habitat
trees are required to be retained. The proposed change will result in the retention of a
large number of additional native habitat trees, thereby exceeding the requirements set
forth by the approved conditions.

The Arborist Report and VMP, identifies vegetation management procedures for trees to
be retained and removed. Based on the updated architectural plans (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 (ALTA Projects, Drawing No. A6769-23_SK19, Rev. 2, 6 July
2023) additional native trees (DBH ≥ 10 cm) will be retained, including:

   ● non-juvenile Koala habitat trees
   ● Glossy Black Cockatoo feed trees (i.e., Allocasuarina littoralis)
   ● trees with supporting fauna habitat features (e.g., scratch marks, arboreal
       termitarium, nests etc.)

Based on the outcomes of the ecological assessment, the potential direct and indirect
impacts of the proposed change on fauna include:

   ● The direct clearing of a small area of potential habitat located outside of the site
       boundary; and,
   ● Noise and light pollution during the construction phase of the proposed change.




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