Town Planning Report - Expansion to Noosa Landfill

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       •    PO6 – The proposed clearing for the landfill expansion is not within a mapped riparian
            buffer or mapped wetland area. While this area could be technically defined as a
            “melaleuca wetland”12, it does not have these true ecological values given this has
            developed over time because of the stormwater runoff from the existing landfill. The
            proposed development will not have an adverse impact on mapped wetland and riparian
            areas and is therefore consistent with this performance outcome.

       •    PO9 – One of the key outcomes being sought includes provision for an upgraded HES
            Basin with the intention of improving water quality entering the adjacent retained
            vegetation. Further, the applicant will be implementing a weed management program on
            the site. The proposed development complies with this performance outcome, which can
            be conditioned.

       •    PO10 – The proposed development will include a Weed Management Plan, primarily to
            deal with the invasive Singapore Daisy. An environmental offset is also proposed to the
            south of the site comprising about 1.8ha.13 Consequently, the proposed development
            provides for ecological important areas to be restored and enhanced with the proposed
            environmental offset able to be conditioned.

       •    PO11 – The proposed works will require the clearing of about 1.0ha of koala habitat;
            however, the ecologist has advised there are several measures that can be undertaken to
            reduce the impacts and risks to koala, including a 3:1 offset of koala trees 14. Given the
            location of the vegetation being removed, the proposed offset being provided, and the
            other measures to be implemented to mitigate the impacts, it is considered the
            development has been designed and will be constructed and operated to enhance koala
            habitat, consistent with the performance outcome.

       •    PO12 – The matter of bushfire risk will continue to be managed as is currently the case.
            Further, the proposed development provides for a new RRA pad area and the relocated
            HES Basin with no buildings being proposed on this part of the site. Consequently, essential
            management around any buildings to mitigate the risk of bushfire is not required, which
            could impact on the ecological values outside of the proposed landfill site. This is a matter
            also considered by the State Assessment Referral Agency (SARA) in the referral to be made.
            The proposed development is consistent with this performance outcome.

       •    PO13 – The proposed development requires the clearing of vegetation that is internal to
            the site and is bounded by the existing landfill on three (3) sides. The area of the site is not
            visible from the major road network and the removal of this vegetation will have no impact
            on scenic amenity or the vegetated character of the area. The proposed offset planting to
            the south will in fact provide additional screening vegetation to the existing landfill and
            improve the scenic amenity when viewed from Emu Mountain Road and Walter Hay Drive.



       12 Fauna and Flora Assessment, Rev 3, PO1, page 29
       13 Fauna and Flora Assessment, Rev 3, section 5.1, page 38
       14 Fauna and Flora Assessment, Rev 3, section 5.1, page 38




       22019 – Noosa Council Expansion of Landfill, November 2023                           Page 29