2014-03-25 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda Pages 81-167

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                   25 MARCH 2014


Previous planning decisions have seen the creation of an artificial barrier, being Walter Hay
Drive, impacting on fauna movement in an east/west direction. This has effectively isolated the
north/south tract from fauna habitat west of Walter Hay Drive, with the exception of two fauna
underpasses. The provision of fauna crossings and directional fencing is an unsatisfactory
attempt to preserve fauna affected by the development, particularly if they can be avoided
through alternate layouts or more appropriate land uses. In addition, the road crossings and
fencing are a high maintenance feature of the roadworks and their maintenance is essential to
their ongoing operation and effectiveness. Due to budgetary constraints and competing interests
of the body corporate, these fauna crossing devises could be overlooked and their effectiveness
reduced or nullified.

In addition to the wildlife mitigation measures, the applicant has proposed the creation of a
40km/h speed zone over that section of the link road through the corridor, a distance of
approximately 500 metres. This is purportedly to manage the impacts of the road on fauna within
this ecologically sensitive area. Such an arrangement is not considered to be appropriate or
effective because of the expected traffic volumes, the rural setting of the road and the extent of
devices required to reduce traffic speeds. It is well recognised that a speed limit sign in its self
does not limit speed and will create an enforcement issue. The 40km limit and any speed
devices would further restrict the public transport accessibility into the development and increase
travel times.

This section of the link road would most likely be sign posted at 60km/h, which is typical for such
a road in this particular environment. Measures to minimise the impacts on fauna of the
proposed link road should therefore not rely upon the presence of an artificially low speed limit,
which is both ineffective and a safety hazard.

In addition to the new road corridor, it should also be noted that the more open and straight
nature of Tidswell Road to the south of Precinct 2 means a higher speed environment of 70-
80km/h would be in operation on this stretch of road. No fauna fencing is proposed along this
section of road by the development and, although this can be conditioned, it would further restrict
fauna movement within and around the area to the south between Weyba Nature Reserve,
private nature reserves and Noosa National Park.

Buffer to Lake Weyba

The development application proposes a 50 metre wide buffer instead of the 100 metre wide
minimum buffer nominated by the Maroochy Plan 2000 Waterways and Wetlands Code, the Draft
Coastal Protection State Planning Regulatory Provision (SPRP) and Coastal Protection State
Planning Regulatory Provision. The Noosa Plan recommends a minimum buffer width of 200
metres to Lake Weyba. The proposed buffer includes stormwater treatment infrastructure, a
recreational path, lawn areas and limits the amount of revegetation and natural regeneration
within the buffer. The proposed lot layout also allows private lots to border the buffer, rather than
an esplanade road as would generally be sought.

The proposed buffer and its accompanying infrastructure and on-going management will not
provide adequate foraging for Koalas (noting this area supports the majority of suitable soils for a
key Koala food tree (Eucalyptus tereticornis - Blue Gum/Forest Red Gum) or a suitable corridor
for most habitat (forested) dependant fauna. The proposed buffer does not adequately address
the “bottleneck” effect the development will have on fauna passage in a north/south direction.
Urban development within precinct 1 and 2 will cause fauna to seek alternative routes for
passage, thus utilising the foreshore route.




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