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Ecological Response Letter
Attached to the e-mail MCU22/0128 - 178 Davis Road Cootharaba - Information Response - Email 1 of 2.
Our Ref: PR22116
Date: 28 October 2022
Patrick Murphy
Coordinator Planning
Noosa Council
Email: [email protected]
Dear Patrick
RE: Information Request for 178 Davis Rd, Cootharaba
Green Tape Solutions has been engaged to provide ecological and bushfire advice in relation to
proposed residential dwelling development at 178 Davis Rd, Cootharaba (Council reference
MCU22/0128). Please find herewith our response to the ecological and bushfire issues raised in the
Information Request letter dated 22 August 2022. Please note that we have also updated the ecological
report and bushfire reports for the site to include this additional information.
Items 1 and 2
Issue
The proposed Asset Protection Zone (APZ) details that the inner area will be cleared completely for a
distance of 15m with the remainder being the outer area with canopy trees retained and undergrowth
removed. The total number of trees to be removed is not provided and what ‘canopy trees’ is defined
as is not detailed.
Information Required
Provide a total number of trees to be removed due to clearing.
Provide an explanation of ‘canopy trees’ and what size trees will be removed/retained within the outer
area.
Response:
The total number of native trees (DBH greater than 100mm) to be removed for the dwelling and ancillary
areas, including the bushfire APZ Inner Protection Area, is 55 trees. However, one of these trees, tree
65, is a dead tree, and therefore the total number of live trees being removed is 54. The Ecological
Assessment Report has been updated with a tree survey plan and tree schedule to show the location
of the trees to be retained and removed, and their attributes. There are some additional sapling trees to
be removed from these areas that were not surveyed because they were less than the standard 100mm
DBH minimum size threshold for tree survey pick-up.
Canopy trees to be retained in the bushfire APZ Outer Protection Area refers to any existing native trees
taller than 3m. Existing canopy tree species that are less than 3m in height are to be removed from the
Outer Protection Area, along with shrubs and other understorey vegetation greater than 100mm in
height. It is considered that any trees greater than 3m in height can be pruned so that they do not have
any limbs lower than 2m above ground, whilst still maintaining a healthy, growing tree canopy.
Green Tape Solutions / ABN 20 162 130 627
PO BOX 282, Morayfield, QLD, 4506 / PO BOX 416 Rockhampton, QLD, 4700
Telephone: 07 5428 6372 / Email: [email protected]
www.greentapesolutions.com.au
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Item 3
Issue
Rehabilitation/offset planting would be required by Council therefore a rehabilitation plan is required.
Information Required
Provide a rehabilitation plan including but not limited to:
a. total number of trees proposed to be replanted, species that are representative of the
regional ecosystem and numbers of each species and location of rehabilitation area/s.
Response:
A rehabilitation plan has been provided for the site, to compensate for the removal of 55 native canopy
trees from within the development footprint.
Items 4 and 5
Issue
As detailed in the application material the location of the dwelling may provide difficulties for
emergency services access therefore additional information is required to confirm appropriate locations
for emergency service vehicles access and turn-around points.
Information Required
Provide detail that there is an appropriate flat area at the dwelling within which an emergency vehicle
in particular a rural appliance can stop and turn-around safely.
Provide detail that there is an appropriate flat area beside the nominated water source (proposed to
be the swimming pool) within which an emergency vehicle in particular a rural appliance can access
the water safety and allow room to turn-around.
Response:
The amended site plan shows that the driveway turnaround area adjoining the dwelling is wide enough
and of a suitable grade to allow for an emergency vehicle (rural fire appliance) to stop and turn around
safely. See the image below and the amended site plan.
The water source for fire fighting will now be a 5200 litre water tank, with suitable fittings, located next
to the driveway turnaround area, adjoining the dwelling (see the image below and the amended site
plan).
PR22116_178 Davis Rd, Cootharaba 2
Page 3
I trust that the above information and supporting documentation addressed all matters outlined by
Council in the information request.
Yours sincerely
Richard Hanson
Senior Ecologist
Encl: Updated ecological assessment report, bushfire report and rehabilitation plan
PR22116_178 Davis Rd, Cootharaba 3