20517 Planning Report.pdf [As Published] · 132007.1259

7, SPECIFIC SITE ISSUES &PROPOSALRESPONSE =

 

7.1 Noosa National Park and Site Ecology

The entirety of the western boundary of the site and a portion of the southern boundary directly abut the
Noosa National Park. Understanding and responding to the different ecological values of the site has
been the basis of all design work in developing the ‘Essence of Peregian’ proposal. An ecological
assessment has assisted to determine three distinct separate functional areas within the subject site.

1. Caravan Park Area - The. eastern two-thirds of the site have historically been cleared and
maintained for urban / commercial purposes. This area is characterised by mown grass and
scattered paperbark trees and provides limited habitat value;

2. Remnant Wet Heath Area — The western boundary of the site is largely undisturbed and is primarily
comprised of remnant native wet heath vegetation. This area of the subject site provides significant
habitat values for native fauna species; and

3. Vegetation Buffer — The caravan park area is separated from the remnant wet heath by a strip of
highly disturbed vegetation. The vegetation buffer is comprised of a dense mix of native and exotic
vegetation, however, the abundance of exotic weed species is indicative of historical nutrification
resulting from storm water run off. This part of the subject site creates a habitat interface with some
of the habitat values of the remnant wet heath area, but unable to support faunal species more
sensitive to external disturbances.

The three (3) habitat areas within the subject are further identified in the Ecological Assessment
contained in Appendix M of this Report.

Far from seeking to compromise the native vegetation buffer, the proposal will instead protect this
element of the site, reinforcing it with appropriate native plantings and rehabilitation. Stormwater will
also be effectively managed for both the subject site, and abutting sites. The proposal will significantly
reduce the nutrification currently underway on the site, reducing the amount of weed material which will
develop on the site as a result.

7.1.1 _ Koala Habitat Area
The Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2006 and Management Program 2006-2016 came
into effect on 02 October 2006. This Plan addresses the key threats facing koalas in Queensland.

The subject site is identified as being within an Urban Koala Area. Under the Koala Conservation Plan
this designation recognises areas where urban planning intent is already in place. A site specific
ecological assessment has been undertaken, and is included as an element of this application. A
number of significant animals have been identified as potentially utilising areas of the abutting wetlands
as habitat. No indication of Koalas was identified on any part of the subject site during the site visit.
Refer to Appendix M — Ecological Assessment

7.1.2 Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

~ The site directly adjoins the Noosa National Park on its western boundary. A number of species listed
as threatened or migratory under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
(EPBC Act) potentially occur in the site locality. Accordingly an EPBC Act referral will be submitted to
the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Water Resources (DEWR). The EPBC Act is free-
standing legislation, which is independent of State and Local Governments. As such an application will
be provided separately from this Town Planning Application.

743 Ann Street, PO Box 1559, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 Phone 07 3237 8899 Facsimile 07 3237 8833

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