07/1259 - Referral Agency Response (Advice x 2) - EPA [As Published] · 132007.1259

- ‘Not of Concern’ Regional Ecosystem (12.2.7, 12.2.12 and 12,.2.15 — Melaleuca forest
and heath communities);

- koala habitat (Koala Conservation Area and Urban Koala Area) mapped under the
Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2006 (koala conservation plan).

This particular proposal for the use of the site, which is zoned as Open Space Recreation under
the Noosa Plan, is for a high dwelling density with relatively small bio-retention areas in a
storm water treatment chain resulting in run-off into wetlands adjacent to a national park.
Given the history of high nutrient storm water impacts on the vegetated buffer to the wetlands,
as suggested by the ecological assessment, it is recommended that any development be
conditioned to include a storm water treatment chain that achieves a water quality that will not
impact the wetland and the rehabilitated vegetation buffer. In highly sensitive locations such
as this, responsible management should dictate that storm water treatment exceed, rather than
meet, basic guidelines for water quality where there are no specific values prescribed under the
Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 1997.

The wetland vegetation in the lot is contiguous with Noosa National Park and is mapped as
habitat for threatened species under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. There are records of
threatened species in close proximity to the lot and a range of significant species could be
expected to use this habitat, as indicated by the ecological assessment. The intention of the
proposal to keep development out of this significant habitat is supported.

The lot is in Urban Koala Area so council will need to assess the application against
development criteria in Table 12 of the koala conservation plan. The ecological assessment
provided with the application notes the statutory requirements under the koala conservation
plan and proposes some mitigation measures in section 8 that are consistent with koala
sensitive development. Council should refer to section 6 of the koala conservation plan for
detailed policies relating to koala sensitive development.

Noosa National Park is a fire sensitive environment and an adequate fire break is needed
within the development site if dwellings are approved. Building design should consider
external watering systems to protect property.

Yours sincerely
Robyn Hesse

Planning Manager, SEQ District
Southern Region EPA

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