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

site. The associated earthworks for the new tennis courts have been reduced (i.e. from the initial designs 6) to avoid
the clearing of more trees, i.e. the tree loss is limited to a few (19) trees. These trees, as described in the 2020
report, are not used by koalas and do not offer other ecological values (i.e. not large/old growth trees or trees with
hollows) 7 and are (relatively) not of any high ecological value.

5.0 Conclusion
The proposed development is for the “re-development” of an existing developed site with some minor expansion
beyond the existing tennis courts. The minor expansion area contains a small patch of bushland which also contains
some trees defined as “koala habitat trees”. The site (and patch of vegetation) is fenced from the surrounding
bushland and is disturbed by a heavily weed infested ground cover. Surveys over several years have failed to record
koalas on the site. This is likely due to the site being fenced and the habitat not of particular important value for
the koala. Koala is known to occur elsewhere in the local landscape and in more intact, connected and areas with
more suitable feed trees.

The proposed redevelopment avoids greater potential impact because the majority of the development will occur
within the area already developed/disturbed. The earthworks for the tennis courts have been minimised to avoid
additional tree loss.

The proposed redevelopment will not fragment koala habitat and the rehabilitation (and landscaping) exercise will
enhance the remaining patch of bushland and local site values.

In accordance with the State offset legislation, it is proposed that the koala habitat trees to be removed will be
offset by way of financial contribution.

Noting the context of the site, scale and design of the proposed re-development and minimal impact to ecology
values, it would be expected that the development could be approved with reasonable and relevant conditions.

Please do not hesitate to give me a call on 0407 410 099 if you need to discuss further.

Kind regards




Justin Watson (Assoc.Prof.; PhD; CEnvP.)
Director/Principal Ecologist
Gondwana Ecology Group

Encl.
ATTACHMENT A – Subject Land and Surrounds




6 At the authors request during the initial assessment stage in 2019 and early 2020.
7 While not necessarily important for koalas, these are important features to consider in the broader landscape.

                                                                                                                    4


[OCR of page images]
 

site. The associated earthworks for the new tennis courts have been reduced (i.e. from the initial designs®) to avoid
the clearing of more trees, i.e. the tree loss is limited to a few (19) trees. These trees, as described in the 2020
report, are not used by koalas and do not offer other ecological values (i.e. not large/old growth trees or trees with
hollows)’ and are (relatively) not of any high ecological value.

5.0 Conclusion

The proposed development is for the “re-development” of an existing developed site with some minor expansion
beyond the existing tennis courts. The minor expansion area contains a small patch of bushland which also contains
some trees defined as “koala habitat trees”. The site (and patch of vegetation) is fenced from the surrounding
bushland and is disturbed by a heavily weed infested ground cover. Surveys over several years have failed to record
koalas on the site. This is likely due to the site being fenced and the habitat not of particular important value for
the koala. Koala is known to occur elsewhere in the local landscape and in more intact, connected and areas with
more suitable feed trees.

The proposed redevelopment avoids greater potential impact because the majority of the development will occur
within the area already developed/disturbed. The earthworks for the tennis courts have been minimised to avoid

additional tree loss.

The proposed redevelopment will not fragment koala habitat and the rehabilitation (and landscaping) exercise will
enhance the remaining patch of bushland and local site values.

In accordance with the State offset legislation, it is proposed that the koala habitat trees to be removed will be
offset by way of financial contribution.

Noting the context of the site, scale and design of the proposed re-development and minimal impact to ecology
values, it would be expected that the development could be approved with reasonable and relevant conditions.

Please do not hesitate to give me a call on 0407 410 099 if you need to discuss further.

Kind regards

 

Justin Watson (Assoc.Prof.; PhD; CEnvP.)
Director/Principal Ecologist
Gondwana Ecology Group

Encl.
ATTACHMENT A — Subject Land and Surrounds

© At the authors request during the initial assessment stage in 2019 and early 2020.
7 While not necessarily important for koalas, these are important features to consider in the broader landscape.