23677 DA - Approved plans DECISION NOTICE - Planning Services Notice of Decision [As Published] · 132003.221199

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The lodge also incorporates articulation and changes in roof levels to minimise the
bulk of the building and create visual interest. The development is designed to fit on
the land and is appropriate in context.

The proposed development seeks to minimise modification of the landform by
incorporating suspended buildings, which are oriented to follow existing contours,
and suspending driveways and parking areas above the ground surface to
accommodate changes in levels without the need for substantial cut and fill.

Threatens a declared State Wildlife Corridor and Erodes a Conservation and
Waterways Protection Zone

This site contains significant environmental values including remnant vegetation;
“Essential Habitat” for species protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992; its
function as part of a State wildlife corridor and a bioregional wildlife corridor
connecting the habitat values of the Noosa National Park to the wetland habitats of
the Noosa River.

The development as amended is considered by the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) to have less impact on the riparian vegetation and biodiversity values than
would have occurred if the development occupied the footprint identified for
development in the DCP. EPA is satisfied a viable wildlife corridor will be maintained
through the site.

Under these amendments a corridor of 50 metres is considered by the EPA as the
best estimate to allow ecological functioning across the site from Noosa National
Park to Noosa River and to Lake Weyba.

To ensure that a corridor of 50 metres can be sustained the protection of vegetation
in the Edgar Bennett Road reserve forms part of the recommendations of the
development amendments. Representations to the Minister administering the Land
Act to initiate road closure proceedings have also commenced.

Therefore these proposed development modifications will reduce the extent of site
impact and the footprint of the development and broadly complies with the relevant
broad level strategies and aims of the Strategic Plan and DCP.

Establishes a dangerous “Noosa Council can ignore its own town plan”
precedent.

With regard to councils making decisions in contravention of their planning schemes,
particularly where sufficient grounds to approve the application do not exist, | have
initiated a wider examination of the Integrated Planning Act 1997 (IPA) designed to
give clear guidance about the role and importance of the planning scheme in
decision making and improving accountability for planning decisions.