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 applicant has advised that they propose to prepare a revised Weed Management Plan given
that weed management will be an on-going maintenance issue for the site. However, given the
proposal is for a relatively small expansion of the existing facility, the applicant has requested to
have this matter conditioned as part of any future approval.
In addition to the above, it was also considered important the applicant demonstrate the required
rehabilitation of the proposed offset area was topographically and hydrologically suitable to receive
‘like for like’ offset vegetation (ie paperbark wetland).
In response to this requirement, the applicant’s ecology consultant advised that the area selected
for the offset plantings contains regional ecosystems 12.3.13 and 12.5.3, which is the same as the
proposed area to be cleared. It also noted that the proposed offset area has undergone significant
modification works with swales and channels created to manage on site stormwater flows. These
modifications will be considered and incorporated into the site rehabilitation plan to ensure species
selection is consistent with RE types 12.3.13 and 12.3.5 and can be propagated in this area.
Scribbly Gums which are present in RE12.3.5 can be placed on the mounded areas on the top of
the swales.
Council’s independent ecologist has reviewed and accepts the applicant’s responses with an Offset
rehabilitation plan also to be conditioned adopting the 6:1 offset ratio.
Koala habitat areas
PO10 of the Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Code requires that development be designed,
constructed, and operated to, amongst other things, protect and enhance koala habitat and avoid
adverse impacts.
In addressing this requirement, the applicant has proposed the following measures:
•     Establish an offset rehabilitation area to offset impacts for RE 12.3.13 and 12.5.3
•     Established species selection to re-establish RE 12.3.13. and 12.5.3
•     Weed management of the site (and extended wetland)
•     Erecting a fauna, dust and rubbish exclusion fence around the edge of the landfill to reduce
      impacts to adjacent vegetation and excluding access for koalas and other fauna species
•     Clearing works to be undertaken in sequential manner from the cleared edges towards
      retained vegetation to allow fauna to escape under the supervision of a koala spotter
•     Demonstrated that the offset location is suitable for ‘like for like’ offset planting
•     Confirmed that the area is sufficient in size to accommodate the required offset
•     Offset planting will be protected by an environmental covenant
•     An offset rehabilitation plan is to be prepared in accordance with the Environmental Offset
      Act as part of a future operation works application
•     Concept fencing plan is to be prepared which shows location of the temporary fencing to be
      located around and shift in response to the landfill operations.
Council’s ecology consultant has reviewed the applicant’s response and is satisfied that the above
measures demonstrate compliance with the P10, provided that the offset rehabilitation plan adopts
a 6:1 ratio offset.
Bushfire
PO12 of the Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetland code requires the adoption of bushfire
management measures based on the ecological principles. It is noted that the original
development approval includes conditions requiring the implementation of a Bushfire Management
Plan. The applicant did not provide a bushfire management plan as part of the application material.
As such, a bushfire management plan will need to be prepared consistent with the latest hazard
assessment methodology as prescribed under the SPP 2019 Guidelines: Natural hazards Risk and
Resilience Bushfire 2019 and the QFES Bushfire Resilience Community 2019.
The applicant has acknowledged the need to maintain a current Bushfire Management Plan for the
site and requested that a condition be imposed that requires an updated Bushfire management
plan. This request has been accepted and will be conditioned to ensure PO12 will be achieved.
Stormwater