Letter to Noosa Council - RACV Minor Change August 2019 · 132006.1395.05

 “Adamson Town Planning, specialising in providing higher order town planning advice”




   d) Supporting reports in respect of koala conservation, bushfire and stormwater.


I set out below a summary of the changes proposed in respect of the key issues identified
above.


Revised Site Plan
The revised site plan was prepared by Ken Down Architects (Drawing No. 180064_S – 01 - 10_B)
issue B dated 5 August 2019 - Attachment 1.


The location of the structures and roads have been adjusted following advice from the
applicant's koala expert, Dr Bill Ellis. Under the existing plan of approval, 38 E.robusta trees
(prime koala habitat) would have been lost if that plan was developed. As a result of some
adjustments to the building footprints and roads, the applicant has been able to reduce the
loss of koala trees by more than 50%, to a total of 18.


The building footprints for the existing approval are marked with a dotted red line for
comparison purposes.


The revised site plan has also been marked up by Dr Ellis to identify indicative areas where
additional koala habitat can be planted to replace or create a net gain in respect of the 18
koala trees that would be lost under the revised site plan.


Koala Assessment Report
The change application is supported by Dr Bill Ellis who has prepared a report which forms
part of this material - Attachment 2.


The conclusion to Dr Ellis' report is extracted below:


Conclusion
It is to be recognised that the part of the site the subject of the approval is zoned for semi-
attached housing uses.
Despite its presently degrading koala habitat, the change plan and conditions provide an
opportunity to enhance and rehabilitate the koala habitat. This is consistent with overall outcome
13.7.2(c) of the Biodiversity Overlay Code.
The change plan has changed the layout of roads and structures in the existing approval which
has reduced by more than 50% the number of koala trees that would have been impacted. The
change plan achieves better connectivity and linkage of koala habitat than would occur under
the existing plan. This is consistent with overall outcome 13.7.2(d) of the Biodiversity Overlay
Code.
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 18006 – RACV ‘Minor Change’ 142 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads