SARA RFI - Attachment 3 - Gondwana Ecology Group Response.pdf

                                                                                    Gondwana Ecology Group Pty Ltd
                                                                                                          ABN 20 143 747 326


                                                                                                           PO Box 535
                                                                                                             Kenmore
                                                                                                            QLD 4069


                                                                                                    16 November 2021
Attention: Phil Starkey

Noosa Springs Real Estate Pty Ltd
c/-Adamson Town Planning Pty Ltd
PO Box 894
COOROY QLD 4563

Mr Starkey

                                 RE: RESPONSE TO STATE and COUNCIL INFORMATION REQUEST – ECOLOGY
                                                  61 Noosa Springs Drive, Noosa Heads

1.0 Background
The land is part of the existing Noosa Springs Golf Estate with the subject site formally identified as Lot 4 on SP
178340 and encompasses some 3.8ha. The proposed development is for the redevelopment of part of the land to
a luxury boutique hotel.

An aerial photograph of the subject land is provided in ATTACHMENT A.

Gondwana Ecology Group prepared an ecological assessment report dated February 2020. Site inspections have
been completed as follows:

      •      28 October 2017 (preliminary site inspections, threatened species searches)
      •      29 January 2018 (detailed flora survey and target threatened species surveys)
      •      19 September 2020 (threatened species surveys)
      •      6-7 October 2020 (detailed tree survey and threatened species surveys)

In addition, Gondwana Ecology Group is involved (in conjunction with Council) in the rehabilitation of the land to
the east and has completed several recent (2021) targeted surveys for threatened fauna (i.e. koala and glossy black
cockatoo) in the immediate locality.

2.0 Information Requests
Noosa Council (Council) 1 and the State (SARA) 2 have issued Request’s for Further Information in which the following
are relevant to ecology:

Council Item 25 - Koala Offsets
The planning report notes that koala offsets are applicable.

Information Required
Clarification of the mechanism for how the offsets are to be delivered.

SARA Item 2 - Koala Habitat Area
The proposed resort complex consisting of 112 short term accommodation, bar, food and drink outlet, outdoor sport and
recreation (3 x tennis courts) has not reasonably avoided or minimised the impacts of interfering with Koala Habitat Values.

The proposed development will impact Koala Habitat Areas with the inclusion of three (3) proposed new tennis courts which
will involve the removal of 19 Non-Juvenile Koala Habitat Trees (NJKHT). It is noted that an offset is proposed by the applicant.
However, the proposed development has not taken into account avoidance and minimisation of Koala Habitat Areas for bushfire
management requirements. The proposed site is within a ‘high potential bushfire intensity’ rating area and the remaining 41


1 Dated 23 July 2021
2 Dated 6 August 2021


Gondwana Ecology Group Pty Ltd                                                                                            1


[OCR of page images]
Gondwana Ecology Group Pty Ltd

ABN 20 143 747 326

PO Box 535
Kenmore
QLD 4069

 

16 November 2021
Attention: Phil Starkey

Noosa Springs Real Estate Pty Ltd
c/-Adamson Town Planning Pty Ltd
PO Box 894

COOROY QLD 4563

Mr Starkey

RE: RESPONSE TO STATE and COUNCIL INFORMATION REQUEST — ECOLOGY
61 Noosa Springs Drive, Noosa Heads

1.0 Background

The land is part of the existing Noosa Springs Golf Estate with the subject site formally identified as Lot 4 on SP
178340 and encompasses some 3.8ha. The proposed development is for the redevelopment of part of the land to
a luxury boutique hotel.

An aerial photograph of the subject land is provided in ATTACHMENT A.

Gondwana Ecology Group prepared an ecological assessment report dated February 2020. Site inspections have
been completed as follows:

e 28 October 2017 (preliminary site inspections, threatened species searches)
e 29 January 2018 (detailed flora survey and target threatened species surveys)
e 19 September 2020 (threatened species surveys)

e 6-7 October 2020 (detailed tree survey and threatened species surveys)

In addition, Gondwana Ecology Group is involved (in conjunction with Council) in the rehabilitation of the land to
the east and has completed several recent (2021) targeted surveys for threatened fauna (i.e. koala and glossy black
cockatoo) in the immediate locality.

2.0 Information Requests
Noosa Council (Council)? and the State (SARA)? have issued Request’s for Further Information in which the following
are relevant to ecology:

Council Item 25 - Koala Offsets
The planning report notes that koala offsets are applicable.

Information Required
Clarification of the mechanism for how the offsets are to be delivered.

SARA Item 2 - Koala Habitat Area
The proposed resort complex consisting of 112 short term accommodation, bar, food and drink outlet, outdoor sport and
recreation (3 x tennis courts) has not reasonably avoided or minimised the impacts of interfering with Koala Habitat Values.

The proposed development will impact Koala Habitat Areas with the inclusion of three (3) proposed new tennis courts which
will involve the removal of 19 Non-Juvenile Koala Habitat Trees (NJKHT). It is noted that an offset is proposed by the applicant.
However, the proposed development has not taken into account avoidance and minimisation of Koala Habitat Areas for bushfire
management requirements. The proposed site is within a ‘high potential bushfire intensity’ rating area and the remaining 41

1 Dated 23 July 2021
2 Dated 6 August 2021

Gondwana Ecology Group Pty Ltd 1