Attachment 4A - Further advice Rob Friend and Ass.pdf

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The area does contain a number of native tree species which includes Lophostemon confertus, Callitris
columellaris, Eucalypts propinqua and Corymbia intermedia.
It is my opinion that, the retention of the mature NJKHT, with understorey management is allowable
and that they will not present an unacceptable bushfire risk to the future hotel buildings or guests and
staff staying or working within the hotel.

Bushfire Mitigation Recommendations
Previous reporting has identified the landscaping requirements to ensure vegetated areas remain a low
bushfire hazard. Recommendations of the Bushfire Hazard Assessment and Management Plan
(Revision 4, dated 30 April 2022), Recommendation 2 – Landscaping and Item c i. specifies – “A band
of vegetation up to 20-metre-wide along Resort Drive is to contain 100% of less flammable plant
species”.
With consideration that this area will be wider and used as a passive recreation area, with pathways
and occasional seating, we have additional bushfire recommendations to improve the biodiversity
values of the area:
    1. Landscape planting should reflect the adjacent regional ecosystem and costal vegetation
       without increasing bushfire hazards.
    2. Mature trees are to remain in situ, with the understory to be maintained as a low bushfire hazard
       area with lower flammability species only.
    3. All weed species will be removed throughout the hotel grounds, with the exception of
       landscape amenity specimens around existing structures.
    4. Highly flammable native species such as Bracken Fern (Pteridium esculentum) and Blady
       Grass (Imperata cylindrica) are to be managed so that they so not dominate in this area.
    5. A list of lower flammability species, specific to this site, is included in Attachment 1 and is
       updated from previous recommendations to include more ground cover species to enhance
       the environmental amenity.
    6. As the proposed plantings are to augment the existing vegetation, the area receives regular
       maintenance as part of the landscape management within the hotel grounds.
            a. Regular maintenance around residential structures is to be maintained within the
               vegetation to the north to the current standard and frequency of other areas around the
               resort and residential areas.
Plans indicating the relocation of tennis courts and area to be revegetated as low flammability areas
are in Attachment 2.
The Bushfire Management Plan has been updated to reflect the updated proposed development plan
and new management requirements for this area.

Conclusion
It is our view that the retention of Koloa habitat trees to the north of the proposed resort can be
maintained in a low fuel state and will not present a bushfire risk to the resort, it’s patrons, staff or
visitors.
Should you wish to discuss this advice further please feel to contact me on one of the above numbers
at your convenience.




Additional Bushfire Issues | Noosa Springs Resort | RFA17-040-12/2022                 10 February 2023
                                         Rob Friend & Assoc. Pty Ltd


[OCR of page images]
The area does contain a number of native tree species which includes Lophostemon confertus, Callitris
columellaris, Eucalypts propinqua and Corymbia intermedia.

It is my opinion that, the retention of the mature NJKHT, with understorey management is allowable
and that they will not present an unacceptable bushfire risk to the future hotel buildings or guests and
staff staying or working within the hotel.

Bushfire Mitigation Recommendations

Previous reporting has identified the landscaping requirements to ensure vegetated areas remain a low
bushfire hazard. Recommendations of the Bushfire Hazard Assessment and Management Plan
(Revision 4, dated 30 April 2022), Recommendation 2 — Landscaping and Item c i. specifies - “A band
of vegetation up to 20-metre-wide along Resort Drive is to contain 100% of less flammable plant
species”.

With consideration that this area will be wider and used as a passive recreation area, with pathways
and occasional seating, we have additional bushfire recommendations to improve the biodiversity
values of the area:

1. Landscape planting should reflect the adjacent regional ecosystem and costal vegetation
without increasing bushfire hazards.

2. Mature trees are to remain in situ, with the understory to be maintained as a low bushfire hazard
area with lower flammability species only.

3. All weed species will be removed throughout the hotel grounds, with the exception of
landscape amenity specimens around existing structures.

4. Highly flammable native species such as Bracken Fern (Pteridium esculentum) and Blady
Grass (Imperata cylindrica) are to be managed so that they so not dominate in this area.

5. A list of lower flammability species, specific to this site, is included in Attachment 1 and is
updated from previous recommendations to include more ground cover species to enhance
the environmental amenity.

6. As the proposed plantings are to augment the existing vegetation, the area receives regular
maintenance as part of the landscape management within the hotel grounds.

a. Regular maintenance around residential structures is to be maintained within the

vegetation to the north to the current standard and frequency of other areas around the
resort and residential areas.

Plans indicating the relocation of tennis courts and area to be revegetated as low flammability areas
are in Attachment 2.

The Bushfire Management Plan has been updated to reflect the updated proposed development plan
and new management requirements for this area.

Conclusion

It is our view that the retention of Koloa habitat trees to the north of the proposed resort can be
maintained in a low fuel state and will not present a bushfire risk to the resort, it’s patrons, staff or
visitors.

Should you wish to discuss this advice further please feel to contact me on one of the above numbers
at your convenience.

 

Additional Bushfire Issues | Noosa Springs Resort | RFA17-040-12/2022 10 February 2023
Rob Friend & Assoc. Pty Ltd