2008/1128 Concurrence and Advice Agency Response DERM · 132008.1128

                      DERM Wetlands & Conservation Estate Referral Agency Response

    •    a support area adjacent to the wetland that maintains and supports the environmental values of the
         wetland; and
    •    a separation area around the support area that protects the wetland from external threats such as
         sediment and nutrient discharge from surrounding landuse.


Buffer distances should be maximised in order to maintain existing biodiversity values, habitat connectivity and
to minimise edge effects. Unless otherwise determined by a suitably qualified professional, the following buffer
widths are accepted by DERM as precautionary buffer widths likley to absorb impacts from external uses.
     •    within urban areas, a minimum 50m buffer to wetland
     •    outside of urban areas a minimum 200m buffer to wetland
     •    for `significant coastal wetlands', a buffer width of 200m to wetland
Where required, revegetation of the buffer is recommended using native species representative of the pre-
clearing regional ecosystem, with preference given to endemic species. Plants should be of local provenance
where possible. A rehabilitation / revegetation management plan including weed management strategies may
assist in determining the rehabilitiation requirements for the development. Conditioning of any approval with
building or development envelope(s) may also be a useful way to give formal effect to any required buffer area.
The Assessment Manager should consider requiring applicants to provide a Stormwater Management Plan to
demonstrate how stormwater, sediment and other run-off from the site (associated with the construction and
operational phases of development) will be effectively managed to prevent adverse impacts on wetland values.
Potential impacts are to be addressed through water sensitive urban design including compliance with South
East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 Implementation Guideline No. 7: Water sensitive urban design -
design objectives for urban stormwater management. For areas outside of the South-east Queensland Regional
Plan area any approval should recognise the requirements of the the Draft Urban -Stormwater- Queensland
Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines 20092.


Conservation Estate:
The Assessment Manager should consider the potential impacts of the proposed development on both the
habitats and environmental values contained within the conservation estate, as well as to the management
intent of the conservation estate. Development should ensure the following outcomes:
     •   Maintain habitat and biodiversity values: development avoids or minimises and mitigates adverse
         impacts on the functioning and integrity of habitats and environmental values contained within the
         conservation estate
    •    Development demonstrates there will be no adverse impacts on the ecological values and
         functioning of the conservation estate. An ecological report prepared by a suitably qualified professional
         may be one way that the Assessment Manager may choose to assess this outcome.
    •    Development maintains, conserves and enhances the current extent and connectivity within and
         between conservation estate areas
    •    Development does not compromise the management intent of the conservation estate.


The Assessment Manager should ensure that there is a sufficient buffer distance between any proposed works
including access tracks and roads and the conservation estate boundary in order to maintain the ecological
functioning and integrity of the conservation estate. Buffer distances should be maximised in order to maintain
existing biodiversity values, habitat connectivity and to avoid edge effects. The buffer may also assist in

2 The Draft Urban Stormwater -Queensland Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines 2009, is available at:
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/environmental management/water/environmental values environmental protection water policy/draft urban
stormwater gbpem guideline 2009.html



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