2019-04-09 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                   9 APRIL 2019


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Principal Environment Officer to the Planning & Environment
Committee Meeting dated 9 April 2019 and:
A.   Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate the purchase of Lot 3 RP186809 based
     on the valuation obtained by Council; and
B.   Remove the confidentiality in relation to this report upon the signing of a contract to
     purchase Lot 3 RP186809.



REPORT
The Environment Levy Policy provides for the acquisition of environmentally significant land. The
Conservation Land Guideline was adopted by Council in September 2018 and provides a
methodology for identifying suitable land parcels for acquisition. The criteria for suitable land
parcels are:
   30ha or more;
   Have connectivity with Core Protected Areas including National Park and/or Bushland
     Reserve; and
   Have high biodiversity value.

1.   Environmental values

1675 Louis Bazzo Drive, Boreen Point, (3RP186809) is currently for sale for $425,000 and meets
the criteria under the Environment Levy Policy and the Conservation Land Guideline:
   Size of land parcel: 51.53ha
   Connectivity: The property has direct connectivity with Lake Cootharaba Bushland
     Reserve, on the shores of Lake Cootharaba. The Noosa River and lakes are considered
     part of the Noosa-Cooloola Core Protected Area. Purchase of this land would essentially
     extend the Lake Cootharaba Bushland Reserve, while the parcel also helps provide
     connectivity between Yurol-Ringtail State Forest and Cooloola National Park (see Map 1).
   Biodiversity value: The property has mapped ‘Of Concern’ vegetation (Regional
     Ecosystem 12.3.11 Eucalyptus tereticornis, Eucalyptus siderophloia and Corymbia
     intermedia), which is potential koala habitat (see Photo 1 & 2). Eucalyptus robusta was
     recorded at the site which is also an important koala food source. The land also has
     Regional Ecosystem 12.3.5 Melaleuca wetlands. Although classified as Least Concern,
     wetlands provide important recharge areas for groundwater and help maintain the water
     quality for the Noosa River. The land parcel has been on previous Council acquisition lists
     and a comprehensive environmental assessment was undertaken in 1999 (Attachment 1).




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