2018-01-15 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                15 JANUARY 2018


Biodiversity – Matters of State Environmental Significance (MSES)
The northern portion of the site is identified by the state as being mapped as MSES - Regulated
vegetation (wetland). The applicant details that this matter was raised by SARA at a pre-
lodgement meeting wherein it was stated that the vegetated area on Lot 711 will be protected.
The applicant has addressed the MSES status in the Ecological and Bushfire Assessment Report
submitted as part of the application and contends that:
This suggestion has been investigated and it has been determined that this particular MSES
does not apply to the Site… as the regulated vegetation that occurs on the Site is not a wetland
regional ecosystem and there are no wetland areas on the Site, apart from a narrow fringe of
wetland associated with Burgess Creek.
The proposed clearing and subsequent future building works on the site will detrimentally impact
on the coastal vegetation on the site with the vegetation adjacent to Burgess Creek being subject
to understory clearing in order to gain unexploded ordnance clearance. The existing vegetation is
critical in maintaining the ecological integrity of Burgess Creek. The vegetation is also important
in maintaining soil and coastal bank stability with the site having direct frontage to a coastal
foreshore.
South East Queensland (SEQ) Regional Plan
The site is located within the Urban Footprint area of the SEQ Regional Plan. The Regional Plan
identifies that the Urban Footprint includes established urban areas and land with the potential for
new urban development. It incorporates the full range of urban uses including housing, industry,
business, infrastructure, community facilities…… The priority for developing land in the Urban
Footprint is to accommodate urban growth. However, the Urban Footprint is not an urban zone
and does not imply that all land can be developed for urban purposes.
The proposal is considered to be an urban development which accords with the intent of the SEQ
Regional Plan. However, it is noted that the Urban Footprint principles includes that the Urban
Footprint is a tool for managing, rather than simply accommodating, regional growth.
Planning Regulation 2017
The following assessment benchmark mapping apply to the application:
   Bushfire Hazard Area – Medium Potential Bushfire Intensity
   Erosion Prone Area
The applicant has provided a Bushfire Assessment Report and Bushfire Management Plan as
part of the application. The Bushfire Management reports conclude that the level of risk is
relatively low due to David Low Way and Burgess Creek acting as fire breaks, reticulated water
on site and access for each lots for emergency services. This aspect is discussed further in the
Natural Hazards Code assessment below.
The Bushfire Management Plan proposes Asset Protection Zones wholly co-located in the
proposed covenant areas for vegetation protection. The Assets Protection Zones require the
removal of all flammable material within this area including overhanging vegetation. The co-
location of this asset protection zone in the covenant areas will result in vegetation retained no
higher than 150mm.
The application was referred to the State due to the site being located in the Coastal
Management District. The Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning have
offered no objection to the proposed development and as a concurrence agency have directed
Council to impose conditions on any development approval.




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