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RFI - Ecology report - Riparian Buffer
ABN: 98 644 512 913 31st August 2020 Ref: FIG02 Noosa Council C/- Project BA PO Box 45 NOOSAVILLE QLD 4566 ATTENTION: Tara Norley/Dan Eichhorn (via email) Dear Tara/Dan, 5 Figbird Court, Lake Macdonald (Lot 3 SP266744) Response to Information Request – Riparian Buffer Rehabilitation Reference is made to ‘Clause 3’ of Noosa Council’s Information Request dated 11th August 2020 (Ref: MCU20/0064) regarding a proposed dwelling on the abovementioned land. Both the environmental significance and water quality objectives of the Lake Macdonald system are acknowledged and understood. Council has identified that development is proposed within a ‘Riparian Buffer Area’ of the Noosa Plan document, however we note that the proposed dwelling straddles the outer boundary of said broadscale mapping designation, and that the encroachment is therefore partial. An inspection of the site on 26th August 2020 also determined that the majority of pre-existing native vegetation has been historically removed (refer PLATES 1 & 2) and is now predominantly subject to ongoing rural property maintenance commensurate with the allotment’s strategic landuse intent. PLATES 1 & 2: Historical Clearing/Existing Maintained Areas Further, the proposed dwelling is deliberately sited on a previously-levelled area (refer PLATES 3 & 4) such that there is no requirement for bulk earthworks nor any damage to remaining native vegetation for structural, bushfire management or wastewater treatment purposes. 1|P a g e
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PLATES 3 & 4: Previously-Levelled Dwelling Site (Showing Change of Grade to Southeast)
The proposed dwelling is also extensively setback from the lake frontage to provide substantial
opportunity for filtration of stormwater runoff from the minor building footprint.
In terms of addressing the Biodiversity Overlay Code, Council’s blanket request for ‘necessary’
rehabilitation works (planting/weed control and 3-year maintenance program inclusive) is in this case
considered to be an excessive and unreasonably onerous capital impost for the landowner given both
the paucity of environmental impact and negligible ongoing environmental risk as follows:
Type and scale of proposed development (minor).
Partial encroachment within the mapped riparian buffer (at the outermost edge).
Footprint minimised (no bulk earthworks).
Avoidance of native vegetation (use of an existing cleared area).
Extensive setback of improvements from lake edge (~180m).
No pragmatic alternative.
In summary the dwelling will not result in an unacceptable compromise to existing riparian integrity/
function (if anything a net-improvement via slashing of weeds), and given the collective planning weight
of evidence we therefore respectfully request Council’s deletion of any requirement for rehabilitation
works from assessment of the proposal in full.
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This response comprises a merit-based alternative solution to Council’s performance outcomes and is
submitted in accordance with provisions of the Planning Act 2016. Please contact the undersigned with
any queries.
Sincerely,
Urban Forest Concepts
Mark Jones B.Sc.(AES) MEIANZ
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