Council Report - 132005.638.03 - OTHER CHANGE TO AN EXISTING APPROVAL FOR MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE - EXPANSION OF SPECIAL PURPOSE (WASTE DISPOSAL AND RECYCLING FACILITY) & ONGOING CLEARING PURPOSES AT 561 EUMUNDI NOOSA ROAD, DOONAN - Finale

The impact area includes 500 juvenile koala trees. Therefore, the proposed offset area would need
to host 3000 new koala trees. It is considered that the nominated 1.8ha offset area would need to
be planted out at a relatively high density to accommodate the required trees.
Matters of Local Environmental significance (MLES) (Noosa Plan 2020)
Ecologically important areas
PO 1 of the Biodiversity, Waterways and wetlands code requires that development be sited and
designed to protect the physical and ecological integrity and biodiversity of “ecologically important
areas” through the protection of: (a) existing habitat areas and ecological linkages and (b) existing
riparian vegetation, waterways and wetlands habitat values.
The subject vegetation proposed to be cleared is defined as an “ecologically important area”
because it is an area that contains remnant vegetation, a natural waterway or wetland as per Noosa
Plan 2020 definitions.
Considering the above, the applicant was requested to demonstrate that alternative sites or
designs were considered to preserve the vegetation as required by PO1.
The applicant’s original ecological assessment included statements that:
•     the clearing footprint was chosen to ensure no fragmentation of the vegetation to the north
      occurs,
•     only the area required for expansion of the landfill infrastructure is proposed to be cleared,
      and
•     all remnant vegetation not required for waste management purposes has been dedicated as
      conservation within the adjoining Weyba Nature Reserve.
This response was a narrow response to PO1, which is a high test that seeks to protect ecologically
important areas. The applicant was requested to provide further information to demonstrate the
consideration of alternative designs including repositioning the HES basin to achieve a similar
outcome. The applicant’s response confirms that the proposed clearing area is the preferred
location as it is subject to degradation and edge effects as a result of being surrounded on three
sides by the existing landfill facility. The applicant also argues that there is no other land suitable
for an RRA expansion, given the existing infrastructure on the site. In short, the applicant advised
that other design options on the site would result in greater ecological impacts.
The independent specialist ecologist has reviewed the applicant’s response and considers it is
reasonable in the context of any practical alternatives being available.
Further to the above, the applicant was also requested to demonstrate how the proposal will result
in no long-term net loss of Ecologically Important Area (i.e. offsets) and how the adjoining
Ecologically Important Area will be protected from the development impact.
The applicant has responded by proposing to provide an environmental offset of 1.8ha of land
towards the southeastern corner of the site and as shown on the proposed offset planting plan
(refer to Figure 3 above) to mitigate the combined impacts to koala habitat and the endangered
RE 12.5.3. The applicant proposes that the offset will include:
•     Provision of a dedicated koala offset planting for Lot 77 which will provide for the
      establishment of 1.8ha located within the landfill facility to offset the 1.02ha of land to be
      cleared. The rehabilitation area is to be designed to improve and or create vegetated Koala
      Corridors and provide for the 3:1 offset of koala trees where 3 trees are plated for each 1
      cleared.
•     With the koala rehabilitation works a minimum of 0.21ha of designated revegetation aimed
      to achieve RE12.5.3 _eucalyptus racemosa subsp. racemosa woodland on remnant tertian
      surfaces (DES. 2022) to mitigate the impact to the endangered RE.
Further, the applicant’s ecologist (Native Foresters) intends to provide a Weed Management plan,
which will seek to eradicate problem weeds such as the Singapore Daisy and incorporate
strategies for rubbish removal from the adjoining vegetation. Further, suitable fencing is proposed
to mitigate litter entering the adjoining bushland and discouraging fauna from entering the
operational use area.