2008/0169 Response to information request - 71 Seaview Tce Sunshine Beach · 132008.169

5.0       REHABILITATION STRATEGY

The subject site has been divided into three management zones for the purposes of site rehabilitation.
Each zone has been named, described, management issues highlighted, objectives determined and
performance criteria developed. Each zone is described in section 5 of this report.

The initial ecological restoration of the site is proposed to occur with a mixture of assisted natural
regeneration and reconstruction and fabrication over a 3 year working period. Maintenance of the
rehabilitation areas will occur beyond the initial 3 year timeframe by the owner and their agents.

More detailed site works plans are to be prepared for each discrete area prior to the commencement of
works. This is to include more detailed site assessments and planning of vegetation associations in
relation to changes in hydrology, saline influence, adjoining existing endemic vegetation and weed
populations.

In identifying appropriate landscape treatments within the site it has been important to focus on the
ecological processes that determine the success of a vegetation system. With those areas suitable for
retention the aim is to improve areas remaining and to promote the re-establishment of viable samples
of the indigenous communities. These samples of native plantings will pervade through all aspects of
the retained vegetation and will be re-introduced as amenity plantings within selected areas of the
constructed landscape.

Species selection is based upon identifying various microclimatic niches on the site and primarily by
exposure to salt laden winds. In this regard species composition will vary as the vegetation retreats
upslope to the west away from the frontal dune system.

Rehabilitation will principally occur through the process of assisted natural regeneration with
supplementary revegetation using endemic species around large areas of disturbance and in gardens
surrounding the proposed dwelling.


5.1       Assisted Natural Regeneration

Assisted natural regeneration involves active intervention to help an ecosystem recover to near-original
conditions. This is mainly achieved through the treatment or removal of environmental weeds and is
known as 'bush regeneration'.

The primary degrading influence on the sites vegetation is environmental weeds. In this regard the
treatment and removal of weeds will be the key method of 'assisting' natural regeneration. Through
removal of the weed species, native vegetation can recover to near-original condition. Asparagus Fern
and Lantana are the dominant weeds on the site

The process of Assisted Natural Regeneration will follow the three principals:

      •   Work from areas with native plants towards areas of weeds;
      •   Make minimal disturbance to the environment during rehabilitation works;
      •   Do not over clear in any one weeding session.

The rate of weed removal will be dictated by the re-colonisation of bare ground by native species. It is
anticipated that using this method bush regeneration techniques will take several years to restore the
site. On-going maintenance and weeding of the site will be required to keep the patch of bushland in
good ecological condition following rehabilitation. Adjoining sites are also weedy and will provide
continued weed pressure on the rehabilitated subject site.




[Slinger Residence - Revegetation and Rehabilitation Plan]                                  Page 12