RFI - Appendix 6 - Ground Water Response · MCU19/0117

Groundwater Dependant Ecosystem Preliminary Impact Assessment v1                NCES REF: J000538
90 Beach Road, Noosa North Shore




2     INTRODUCTION

2.1    Background
North Coast Environmental Services have been engaged by Mark Bain Constructions to provide
advice regarding the anticipated impact of Wave Pool overflow discharge to local groundwater
dependant ecosystems (GDE’s) located on Lot 21 NPW1150 (Great Sandy National Park). The
wave pool is proposed on adjoining Lot 500 on SP215779, located at 90 Beach Road, Noosa North
Shore (hereafter referred to as ‘the site’). The proposed Wave Pool is to be constructed in the
south-east corner of the site as shown on the site plan presented as Appendix 1.
An application to construct and operate a private Wave Pool on the site has been lodged with
Noosa Shire Council (NSC). NSC has subsequently issued an Information Request which raised
concerns regarding the impact that the overflow from the Wave Pool (during prolonged wet periods)
may have on the adjoining National Park groundwater dependent ecosystem. The matters raised
by NSC were:
Information Required
13. Provide information regarding the disposal of wastewater by infiltration on the habitat values of
the land, adjacent lands and the impacts, in-situ, on ground water organisms.
14. Provide information by a qualified ecologist, with experience in assessing impacts of waste
water disposal on ground water dependent ecosystems on the methods to be engaged, to ensure
the downstream ecosystems, properties and infrastructure are not adversely impacted by either
changes to flow, water quality or ecosystem health caused by development.
15. Provide evidence the Wetland of High Ecological Significance on the Map of Queensland
Wetland Environmental Values – a Matter of State Environmental Significance, will not be impacted
upon by the construction and on-going use of the land, including likely variations in seasonal
rainfalls events due to climate change.
Assessment of impacts to the terrestrial flora on the site has already been completed in the
Ecological Assessment Report for the application (NCES 2019).
Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems (or GDE’s) are ecosystems that rely upon groundwater for
their continued existence (Wikipedia 2020). Knowing how water moves in the landscape is
fundamental to sustainably managing the catchment and the services they provide, including
groundwater dependant ecosystems. Key features which influence water flow include geology,
topography, rainfall and runoff, natural features, human modifications and land uses.




                                                            3                                       2020