MCU14/0106 & OPW15/0001 Information Request Response Report (absent appendices)

                                                                                                      Noosa Civic Expansion
                        28 Eenie Creek Road, Noosaville and parts of the road reserves of Hofmann Drive and Walter Hay Drive




7           Ecology
7.1         Koala Habitat Trees
            “Preliminary review of the subject site indicates the Koala Habitat Tree Density assessment based
            on the plotless distance technique (The “Point-centred Quarter” technique) has potentially
            underestimated the actual average density and therefore the offset requirement. Given the
            subject site is less than 50ha, a tree plot showing the location and number of Koala habitat trees
            within the disturbance footprint would be a more appropriate and accurate measure of the offset
            requirement.

            Information Required:
            57   An amended Density Assessment of Koala Habitat Trees addressing the following:
                  (a)   Conduct a Koala Habitat Tree survey using area transect counts within the
                        disturbance footprint to provide an accurate estimate of Koala habitat trees
                        requiring offsetting. A minimum 10 of (20mx20m) area transects be conducted
                        to provide a suitable estimate.
                  (b)   Provide a figure showing the location of the Koala Habitat Tree area transects
                        and associated data.”
            RESPONSE
            An amended Density Assessment of Koala Habitat Trees is considered unnecessary.
            The technique adopted by the Applicant for estimating densities is a valid scientific approach that
            has been in use for approximately 60 years. It is a suitable and appropriate assessment
            technique, which has not been discredited and remains current.
            Council may also have a perception that the number of Koala Habitat Trees on the site is higher
            due to the presence of woody vegetation. For example, refer to Transects S2s and S6 where
            63% and 40% of the canopy respectively is Syncarpia glomulifera subsp. glomulifera which is not
            a Koala Habitat Tree.
            The Koala Habitat Tree density count is not being provided to determine the Applicant’s offset
            obligations. It is being provided for information only. The Applicant has indicated that it intends
            to meet its offset obligations through the provision of a financial offset in accordance with the
            Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy. Koala Habitat Tree density assessments do not affect
            the quantum of the financial offset obligation.

7.2         Frog Survey
            “The ecological assessment identifies the presence of 1 conservation significant frog species
            (Wallum Froglet) and the potential for the occurrence of additional species. There has only been
            one 2 hour dedicated frog search following heavy rain undertaken in April 2013. The conservation
            significant frogs predicted to occur are summer breeders and the timing of the dedicated search
            would be unlikely to record this species.

            Information Required:
            58   Conduct a targeted frog survey in suitable season and during or immediately
                 following a rainfall event.
                 (a)    Given the wallum sedge frog is known in the immediate area and predicted as
                        having potential to occur targeted assessment of this species is required.
                        Additional information on the presence and habitat of significant frog species
                        is required.    The ‘Survey Guidelines for Australia’s Threatened Frogs’
                        (Commonwealth of Australia 2010) recommends that surveys are scheduled to
                        correspond to breeding seasons and respond to weather conditions conducive
June 2015                                           Cardno HRP                                                           37