Letter response to further issues.pdf

    “Adamson Town Planning, specialising in providing higher order town planning
    advice”




the koala habitat area, which is also conditioned3. There is adequate space within the golf
course for this planting to occur, to improve connectivity, without increasing the risk of
bushfire (discussed below).

While the proposed development will result in the clearing of vegetation, only 19 of these
trees are within the koala habitat area. Further, the increased planting being proposed can
be conditioned. As previously explained, while the proposed planting is on the golf course,
both Lots 3 and 4 on SP178340 are under covenant and cannot be sold separately. Further,
the planting being proposed will be maintained in the same manner as the golf course,
which is to a high standard. The Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort has the resources to
maintain this vegetation in the long term. The applicant will also accept a condition for the
vegetation located generally in accordance with Area 2A 4 , to be protected by an
environmental covenant.

The proposed tree clearing is necessary for the development to proceed and needs to be
considered in context for this site, which has been developed since about 2000. The site is
surrounded by fencing and does not provide for connectivity to the south. The proposed
additional planting in the golf course (and other measures identified) as an offset will
provide substantial community benefit by providing improved connectivity and supports
unimpeded and safe movement for terrestrial fauna5.

Advice has also been obtained from Rob Friend and Associates, which is provided as
Attachment 2. The advice confirms the landscaping within the band of vegetation up to
20m in width along Resort Drive is to contain 100% less flammable species; however, this
area requires understorey management only and does not mean the mature trees are to be
removed. Further, the advice confirms the additional planting within the golf course will not
increase the risk of bushfire, subject to meeting requirements, which have been explained.

In summary, while the development will result in some tree clearing, not all vegetation is
designated under the mapping. The development has been designed and sited to minimise
the extent of earthworks and tree removal, in particular towards the north within the koala
habitat area. No black cockatoos are currently utilising the site.

The applicant is proposing substantial offset planting within the golf course (and other
measures) to compensate for the loss of vegetation, which will improve connectivity for koala
and other fauna. Further, the applicant has always proposed a financial environmental offset
for the loss of the 19 koala habitat trees within the mapped area towards the north. The
proposed development will result in a net environmental benefit for the general community,
which is beyond what is reasonably expected. Further, will provide substantial community
benefit with no town planning consequences and should be supported on this basis.


3
    SARA Response, dated 5 May 2022, Attachment 1, condition 4
4
    Gondwana Ecology, Attachment A
5
    Biodiversity Overlay Code, Table 8.2.2.3, PO5 and AO5(c) & (f)

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16022 – Noosa Springs “Boutique Hotel”


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“Adamson Town Planning, specialising in providing higher order town planning ?

ae Adamson
advice

Town Planning

the koala habitat area, which is also conditioned’. There is adequate space within the golf
course for this planting to occur, to improve connectivity, without increasing the risk of
bushfire (discussed below).

While the proposed development will result in the clearing of vegetation, only 19 of these
trees are within the koala habitat area. Further, the increased planting being proposed can
be conditioned. As previously explained, while the proposed planting is on the golf course,
both Lots 3 and 4 on SP178340 are under covenant and cannot be sold separately. Further,
the planting being proposed will be maintained in the same manner as the golf course,
which is to a high standard. The Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort has the resources to
maintain this vegetation in the long term. The applicant will also accept a condition for the
vegetation located generally in accordance with Area 2A*, to be protected by an
environmental covenant.

The proposed tree clearing is necessary for the development to proceed and needs to be
considered in context for this site, which has been developed since about 2000. The site is
surrounded by fencing and does not provide for connectivity to the south. The proposed
additional planting in the golf course (and other measures identified) as an offset will
provide substantial community benefit by providing improved connectivity and supports
unimpeded and safe movement for terrestrial fauna’.

Advice has also been obtained from Rob Friend and Associates, which is provided as
Attachment 2. The advice confirms the landscaping within the band of vegetation up to
20m in width along Resort Drive is to contain 100% less flammable species; however, this
area requires understorey management only and does not mean the mature trees are to be
removed. Further, the advice confirms the additional planting within the golf course will not
increase the risk of bushfire, subject to meeting requirements, which have been explained.

In summary, while the development will result in some tree clearing, not all vegetation is
designated under the mapping. The development has been designed and sited to minimise
the extent of earthworks and tree removal, in particular towards the north within the koala
habitat area. No black cockatoos are currently utilising the site.

The applicant is proposing substantial offset planting within the golf course (and other
measures) to compensate for the loss of vegetation, which will improve connectivity for koala
and other fauna. Further, the applicant has always proposed a financial environmental offset
for the loss of the 19 koala habitat trees within the mapped area towards the north. The
proposed development will result in a net environmental benefit for the general community,
which is beyond what is reasonably expected. Further, will provide substantial community
benefit with no town planning consequences and should be supported on this basis.

3 SARA Response, dated 5 May 2022, Attachment 1, condition 4
4 Gondwana Ecology, Attachment A
5 Biodiversity Overlay Code, Table 8.2.2.3, POS and AOS(c) & (f)
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16022 — Noosa Springs “Boutique Hotel”