000A88A4.0E9.tif · 132003.221037

Landscape and Visual Assessment Report SEPTEMBER 2003

 

3.2

3.3

landform. Low lying catchments are drained through melaleuca woodlands into heath
and sedgelands. Melaleuca woodlands occur in four locations on the site, including
small pockets in the south-western comer, along the southern boundary, adjacent to
the eastem heathland area, and surrounding the central drainage basin. (Refer to
Figure 4 — Vegetation Cover and Noosa North Shore Eco-Tourism Portal Flora and
Fauna Survey, dated September 2003, prepared by Environmental Resources
Management Australia [ERM})

Vegetation to the centre of the site remains relatively intact however vegetation on
the eastern hillside has been partially cleared and has been damaged by horse and
camel grazing. Stock grazing has also occurred on a pocket of land on the westem
edge of the site.

VISIBILITY AND CHARACTER

(Refer to Figure 5 & Plates 5-8 — Site Visibility Plan)

The subject land is largely of a natural vegetated character apart from a small pocket
to the east alongside Beach Road where the camel riding operations are run and
grazing paddocks are located.

The visual catchment of the subject land is evident from a number of surrounding
locations. Views from Lake Cooroibah and Lake Cootharaba all contain the elevated
tree canopy of the land within panoramic views of the North Shore landscape.
However due to the distance of these locations and insignificant elevation,
identification of the actual subject land is difficult to establish. Views from elevated
locations such as Noosa Hill contain the vegetated landscape in which the subject
site exists however the landform associated with the site is less obvious.

Limited views into the site exist at a local level along Maximillian Road to the west
and Beach Road to the north. These views are generally of a filtered nature through
existing vegetation and are most prominent where grazing has occurred at the
eastern and western frontages of the site. Defined landscape edges in the form of
dense roadside vegetation and roadside cuttings limit views into the site at a number
of locations along these vehicular corridors.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

(Refer to Figure 6 - Proposed Development)

Development has been proposed over two main areas with a large proportion of the
site to remain untouched in a Central Conservation Precinct to regenerate or be
revegetated to its natural state.

Proposed development of the Western Visitor Precinct of the site is located on
previously cleared and grazed land opposite the Noosa North Shore Retreat and will
consist of lodge accommodation, an interpretive centre, conference facility,
carparking, public picnic areas, and expanded lagoon. Built form will address Beach

 

Noosa North Shore Eco-Tourism Portal -6-

TERRAIN CONSULTANTS