Sealed Judgement

5 O BSERVATIONS
The dense mass of Frangipani Vine has spread across the site and has increased the number
of trees that are now affected, and the negative impact the mass of vine is having on the
vegetation of the area.

A number of trees, both large and small, have either been badly damaged or killed by the vine.
The increasing weight of the vine has caused branches to snap and fail, trunks to bend and
snap, and tree health has been reduced as the mass of vine has engulfed the canopies,
reducing the tree's ability to photosynthesise.

The Health and Structure of each tree were reassessed with either Good, Fair, Poor, Dead,
or Hazardous awarded and in many cases, the condition of the tree was reduced.

Comments were made predominantly based on the Frangipani Vine's impact on each tree,
with additional notable observations recorded.

The presence of the Frangipani Vine on the trees was compared to the original survey to
illustrate how the Vine has progressed across the site and increased in density within the trees’
canopies.

While not emphasised within the original Tree Survey, the density and spread of the
Frangipani Vine are now very noticeable. The spread is now entering the western boundary
of the site, where it can progress into the Noosa Council river reserve from Weyba Road up
to the north-west corner of the project footprint and North into the resort. On the eastern side
of the site, it is visible on the Noosa Council verge and has even found its way across the
RACV driveway into the northern end of the wildlife corridor that runs parallel to Noosa Drive.

The Frangipani Vine is on the move and will continue to spread beyond the site if it is not
controlled. As such, a Weed Management Plan was commissioned from an independent
Natural Resource Management Consultants company, Native Foresters. The report ‘Weed
Management Plan_RACV Noosa_July2024 v2’, and its findings on the Frangipani vine and
other weeds are available, and an extract of the Weed Management Plan is in Appendix 2.

During the August 2024 investigations of the site in conjunction with Dr Watson, it was noted
that the three (3) Mature, High Value, Swamp Mahogany, Eucalyptus robusta, on the eastern
side of the gateway entrance to RACV should now be considered as part of the site’s overall
treescape. The impact the frangipani vine is having throughout the rest of the site increases
the value of these trees as they are currently unaffected and continue to thrive. While they are
outside the development footprint, they are within the site boundary, and their value as
important urban vegetation and Koala habitat in particular should be distinguished.

The   findings have been  included in   an     updated    Excel    Spreadsheet,
‘25_05_26_DATA_VTA_RACV_RACV v NC_PostMed’, with notable observations explained.




25_05_28_AR_RACV_RACV v NSC_Tree Retention Review_V10                                 Page 8 of 32




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