Attachment 4 - Terrestrial Ecology Report_RACV_2022 June

5. PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT, POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MANAGEMENT
   RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Proposed Development
The development is for 16 Eco-Cabins (eight buildings) providing for short-term accommodation
integrated with the existing RACV Noosa Resort (Resort Complex). Infrastructure is to be located
beneath the walkways/boardwalks between the units. A carpark and store area are located in the
north, adjacent to the existing resort.

The proposed development has the potential to result in direct and indirect impacts.

Direct impacts relate to the loss of individual trees, vegetation and fauna habitat, while indirect
impacts would include edge effects (e.g. weed invasion, fragmentation) and the compromise of fauna
movement opportunities. With respect to loss of individual trees, Table 8 provides a summary of tree
loss/retention. It is anticipated that non-native/invasive species (e.g. Umbrella Trees) will be removed
and are not included in the assessment. It is also noted that 18 trees require removal for bushfire
management purposes.

Refer Consult Arborist report for further species analysis and the tree retention/removal plans in
Attachment D.

Tree 8. Summary of tree retention and removal 26

                       Tree Value                  Remove       Retain     % Retain
                       High Retention Value          29          175          86
                       Medium Retention Value        46           92          55
                       Low Retention Value           24            9          28
                       Total                         99          276          74
                       Tree Species
                       Eucalypts                     20          127         86
                       Paperbark                     29          66          31
                       Other                         50          83          58
                       Total Trees Recorded                       375 (99 Removed)


The current state of the subject land provides an opportunity for an improvement of some ecological
values by the implementation of a weed control exercise. Not only would this assist in enhancing the
site values (i.e. improve access and health of swamp mahogany and establish a native ground cover),
but importantly can reduce/control the impact of the weeds on the Council land to the west.

The existing approval for the subject land allows for extensive clearing (the majority of the site), with
little to no retention of swamp mahogany and no vegetated corridor/linkage in the east.


5.2 Potential Impacts to Vegetation and Flora
Several “indirect” potential impacts on flora and vegetation communities are considered as follows:

     •    Inadvertent clearing (clearing an area greater than approved)
     •    Additional edge effects (creation of a greater area of edge effects)
     •    Increase in weed invasion/establishment (weed species establishment in areas to be retained)
     •    Erosion and sediment issues (disturbance to vegetation/habitats due to erosion)
     •    Loss of threatened flora (note: threatened flora not identified during surveys)


26 Analysis extracted from Consult Arborist data



Terrestrial Ecology Assessment-RACV Noosa                                                             27