Attachment 4 - Terrestrial Ecology Report_RACV_2022 June

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Gondwana Ecology Group Pty Ltd has been engaged by RACV to provide a technical report on the
terrestrial ecology (fauna and flora) of the land at 142 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads (refer Figure 1A, the
subject land). The land is triangular in shape, formally identified as Lot 3 on SP 126203 and
encompasses some 0.55ha.

The subject land is bordered to the north by the existing RACV resort, Weyba Drive to the south with
the intersection and round-about associated with Leslie Drive and Noosa Drive (and residential
development), to the west. Council owned/controlled vegetated land occurs to the immediate west
and northwest (refer Figure 1B, the locality).

Under the Noosa Plan, the part of the subject land proposed for development is zoned as Tourist
Accommodation.

A series of Photo Plates are attached to this document to illustrate the natural character of the subject
land.

In the past, an approval (Sunshine Coast Council, May 2008) for a residential development was granted
for the entirety of the subject land.


1.2 Purpose
This report is to provide a technical assessment of the terrestrial fauna and flora of the subject area
and consideration, where relevant, of State and local government codes and policies, as part of the
Development Assessment. This report (and scope of works) has been prepared based on the
understanding that RACV intend to develop a “low-impact” eco-style development which incorporates
tree retention, protection of ecological values and enhancement of current values and is consistent
with the land use zoning. The scope of works, including survey effort, has been prepared following
discussions 1 with Noosa Council (Council).

The specific scope for the assessment includes:

     •    Desktop review and analysis of available reports and databases;
     •    Identify target species and potential habitat;
     •    Field survey to target listed species;
     •    Occurrence or likelihood of occurrence of threatened species;
     •    Review of applicable statutory requirements; and
     •    Assessment of potential impacts and management recommendations

This report has been prepared following a preliminary analysis and site inspection (December 2018),
discussions with the project team (including architect, arborist, bushfire consultant) and the design of
the proposed development is based on the collaboration of experts and consideration of potential
constraints (i.e. several site inspections, tree and comprehensive ecology surveys during 2019 and
further tree and ecology surveys in 2022) in order to achieve an acceptable development-
environmental balance. In April 2022, a comprehensive site inspection was completed with the
arborist (Matt Duncan) and koala expert (Dr Bill Ellis) to appreciate individual trees, tree health and
retention opportunities with realignment of villas to accommodate the most appropriate tree
retention outcome. Dr Ellis 2 has provided separate advice regarding koala matters. There have been



1 2019/2020.
2 In consultation with Dr Frank Carrick.

Terrestrial Ecology Assessment – RACV Noosa
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