Cover letter SARA referral

 e) The use is compatible with the use of other premises in   The proposed use currently operates out of a former
    the surrounding area                                      dwelling house and is of a domestic scale. The
                                                              surrounding area is characterised by rural residential
                                                              lifestyle detached dwellings on large lots. The proposed
                                                              expansion of the use maintains the existing low-rise built
                                                              form and its scale is considered to be in keeping with
                                                              other dwellings in the area. The use has been operating in
                                                              the area for approximately 7 without complaint from
                                                              adjoining or nearby premises. As such, the proposal is
                                                              compatible with the residential use of other premises
                                                              occurring in the area.
 f) The material change of use avoids adversely impacting     The proposed use seeks to utilise an area previously
    on a matter or thing stated in the SEQ regional plan,     developed for residential or small scale hospice purposes.
    table 11b or, if the adverse impact cannot be avoided,    The proposed amendments to the existing use will not
    the adverse impact is minimised                           adversely impact upon any matters stated in Table 11b of
                                                              the SEQRP, including Matters of state environmental
                                                              significance (MSES), regional biodiversity values and
                                                              networks, koala habitat and regional landscape values and
                                                              ecosystem services.

                                                              Table 11b relates to Landscape areas and natural assets.
                                                              Our comments relating to the Table 11b criteria are
                                                              provided below.

                                                              1. Regional biodiversity network (Map 5b)
                                                              Map 5b illustrates that the site may include areas of
                                                              Matters of State Environmental Significance (MSES) and
                                                              Regional Biodiversity values but not a protected area or a
                                                              regional biodiversity corridor.

                                                              1 (a) MSES
                                                              The SPP mapping shows that the site does include areas of
                                                              MSES – wildlife habitat (Koala habitat areas core) and
                                                              regulated vegetation (essential habitat). However, these
                                                              mapped areas are positioned over the rear undisturbed
                                                              portions of the site.

                                                              1 (b) Regional Biodiversity Values
                                                              The site and surrounding area appear to be mapped as
                                                              regional biodiversity values.

                                                              The proposal does not impact on regional biodiversity
                                                              values as the proposed development has been sited in
                                                              existing cleared or disturbed areas towards the front of
                                                              the site. Therefore, impacts on surrounding vegetation
                                                              and habitats areas are expected to be negligible.




JFP Ref: M3033P                                                                                                Page 3