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

      ATTACHMENT 2 – (132005.638.03) – EXTERNAL CONSULTANT REPORT
                PREPARED BY JFP URBAN CONSULTANTS


REPORT
1.    PROPOSAL
The proposal involves a change (other) to an existing development approval to facilitate the
expansion of the resource recovery area of the existing landfill operations located at 561 Eumundi
Noosa Rd Doonan and described as Lot 77 on SP298776.
The purpose of the expansion is to increase the resource recovery area to improve on site safety
and operational efficiency of the use area. The proposed expansion will also involve relocating the
existing HES basin to a more appropriate location along the northern boundary of the landfill use
site.
The resource recovery operations involve the public dropping off of steel, concrete and vegetation
among other materials into separate and distinct storage and collection areas (refer to Figures 1 &
2 below). Heavy machinery is required to be used in these areas to manage the waste stockpiles
and ensure suitable separation between stockpiles is achieved. The operation of this machinery
creates a conflict and risk to the public who are permitted to enter these areas to drop material off.
Accordingly, Council is required to constantly monitor and manage this aspect of the operation
resulting in additional resources and cost to community.
Importantly, the proposed expansion will involve clearing of approximately 1ha of existing mapped
remnant vegetation, which currently protrudes into the existing resource recovery area. Whilst the
vegetation is considered significant (containing koala habitat trees and wetland), it is also
substantially impacted (i.e. degraded) by edge effects because of the vegetation being exposed to
the landfill operations on three sides.
The proposed works include clearing this vegetation and relocating the HES basin to the northern
boundary, filling the existing HES basin and constructing a new larger resource recovery pad area
as shown in Figure 3 below.
While acknowledging the importance of the subject vegetation to be cleared, the applicant has
advised that there are no other viable alternatives to clearing the subject vegetation and proposes
to provide an equivalent environmental offset area 1.8ha in area located in the eastern portion of
the site (Refer to Figure 3 below).
In support of the proposal the applicant also identifies that there is a real and pressing need to
expand the existing resource recovery area for the reasons outlined below:
•     The existing landfill use area comprises approximately 49ha of 322ha site.
•     The site has long been used for waste management purposes, with the balance of the site
      having ecological value.
•     Given the Community Facility (utility installation) zoning under the planning scheme it is
      reasonable to expect some expansion of the facility overtime.
•     The aim of the expansion of the resource recovery area is to reduce reliance on landfill which
      aligns with current best practice and regional waste management strategies.
•     The expansion will provide improved separation and reduce the safety risk to the public
•     Landfill fires pose significant risk to the landfill operations, the environment and emergency
      services personal. The adjoining vegetation is identified as a potential bushfire hazard and
      the expansion will allow improved offsets and internal accessibility in the event of a fire.
•     The new HES basin has been redesigned to cater for improved water quality management
      and flood resilience.
In addition to the need for the expansion, the applicant also advises it will also assist the resource
recovery operations to meet national standards and provide improved functionality of the resource
recovery operations.