Town Planning Report - Expansion to Noosa Landfill

“Specialist services and practical solutions”



                provide for an equivalent regional ecosystem11 having an area of approximately 1.8 ha
                towards the south (Attachment 8).

           •    OO(h) - The proposed development has been designed and sited to minimise adverse
                impacts on koala having regard to the protection of the vegetation to the north within
                the nature reserve. Further, it is unlikely the impact will be significant if the proposed
                mitigation measures are undertaken as explained above.

       The applicant’s ecologist has provided the following advice (as summarised) under Part 5, with
       respect to the most relevant performance outcomes:

       •   PO1 – Under the flora and fauna assessments undertaken, the vegetation to be cleared
           was found to be a Melaleuca wetland exhibiting characteristics of Least Concern Regional
           Ecosystem RE12.3.5 – Melaleuca quinquenervia open forest on coastal alluvium. It was also
           found that this part of the site has been moderately disturbed with impacts including edge
           effects, weed infestation, some clearing for access tracks and also receives stormwater from
           the sediment basin on northern edge of the existing landfill. Further, Lot 77 will retain
           about 270.53 hectares of regional ecosystems following the works with the clearing
           required for the RRA expansion, this being 0.3% of the remnant vegetation on the land.

           Given the advice provided by the ecologist, the proposed development has been sited and
           designed to protect the physical and ecological integrity and biodiversity of the ecological
           important areas of the site and is consistent with this performance outcome. Other sites
           have been considered and the removal of the vegetation cannot be avoided.

       •   PO3 – The landfill expansion works cannot be practicably avoided and have been
           minimised as much as possible. The proposed clearing is logical and unavoidable in the
           circumstances being adjacent to the existing landfill on three (3) sides. Further, will also
           include improved stormwater infrastructure to manage stormwater flows and ensure this
           water is properly treated to not cause environmental harm beyond the existing and
           proposed landfill site. Consequently, the proposed development has been designed and
           sited to manage adverse impacts on ecological important areas and is consistent with this
           performance outcome.

       •   PO4 - The proposed clearing will be undertaken in accordance with a Construction
           Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) which will incorporate actions specific to
           protecting the environmental values on and adjacent to the site. The ecologist has advised
           that the works will be undertaken in accordance with a High-Risk Species Management
           Program. The development can be conditioned to comply with this performance outcome.

       •   PO5 – The vegetation that is to be removed is about 1.0ha in area, which juts into the
           existing landfill site, with landfill activities occurring on three (3) sides and resulting in
           substantial edge effects. The ecologist has confirmed that in the circumstances, the
           proposed development does not have any useful connectivity value and therefore does
           not offend this performance outcome.

       11 Noosa Landfill & RRC Expansion – MNES & MSES Significant Impact Assessment, page 38




       22019 – Noosa Council Expansion of Landfill, November 2023                               Page 28