Response to Submissions and Minor Change - Noosa Council.pdf

 “Adamson Town Planning, specialising in providing higher order town planning
 advice”




Impact on Koala Habitat

One of the key issues raised in the submissions is in respect to the impact upon koala
habitat. This issue has been considered by Gondwana Ecology with the majority of the issues
being raised largely unfounded on the evidence already provided by an experienced and
qualified ecologist. The further advice by Gondwana Ecology is provided as Attachment 2.

The Gondwana Ecology has confirmed given the context of the site, the mapping and the on
ground environmental values, the proposed development will have a negligible adverse
impact on koalas. Importantly, the development is compliant with both Council and the
State’s relevant koala assessment benchmarks.

In accordance with the Schedule 10 under the Planning Regulation 2017, the application was
referred to SARA because the proposed development is partly located within the Koala
Habitat Area under State mapping. The SARA provided its referral agency response on 5 May
2022, imposing conditions of approval with respect to the impact upon the identified koala
habitat (removal of 19 NJKHTs). The conditions of approval generally provide for the
following:

    •   the development is to be carried out generally in accordance with the Tree Removal
        Plan, prepared by Marchese Partners, dated 2 September 2020, Revision 1
    •   prior to development proceeding a Koala Management Plan is to be prepared prior
        any tree clearing, while noting that Gondwana Ecology has confirmed that there is no
        evidence to suggest that koala are utilising the site
    •   a requirement to deliver an environmental offset in accordance with Environmental
        Offset Act 2014, for the removal of the 19 NJKHTs as proposed by the applicant; and
    •   a requirement to retain the existing fencing around the perimeter of the property as
        koala exclusion fencing in accordance with the Koala Sensitive Design Guideline (Ver
        2) prepared by the Department of Environment and Science.

Gondwana Ecology has also made a number of recommendations which go beyond what is
required to meet State requirements. While the applicant is providing the required financial
environmental offset, additional koala habitat planting is now proposed within the adjoining
golf course in two (2) locations shown on Attachment B in the report, which provides for an
additional 60 trees, at a replacement ratio of 3:1 (refer Attachment 2).

Gondwana ecology advises … the planting of trees in these areas will provide additional koala
feed trees, a variety of habitat tree species and “close gaps” between existing koala habitats.
The golf course and planting areas are also adjacent to conservation land, a further benefit to
planting and enhancing the area. Locally refined koala habitat is also mapped along the
southern and south eastern portions of the golf course, contiguous with a planting area.
Further, that … the golf course supports the most intact and valuable koala habitat in the local
landscape, notably large open space area with a diversity of koala habitat trees for feed, refuge
and movement opportunities and generally free from dangers such as dogs and cars. Planting

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16022 – Noosa Springs “Boutique Hotel”


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“Adamson Town Planning, specialising in providing higher order town planning

on Adamson
advice

Town Planning

Impact on Koala Habitat

One of the key issues raised in the submissions is in respect to the impact upon koala
habitat. This issue has been considered by Gondwana Ecology with the majority of the issues
being raised largely unfounded on the evidence already provided by an experienced and
qualified ecologist. The further advice by Gondwana Ecology is provided as Attachment 2.

The Gondwana Ecology has confirmed given the context of the site, the mapping and the on
ground environmental values, the proposed development will have a negligible adverse
impact on koalas. Importantly, the development is compliant with both Council and the
State's relevant koala assessment benchmarks.

In accordance with the Schedule 10 under the Planning Regulation 2017, the application was
referred to SARA because the proposed development is partly located within the Koala
Habitat Area under State mapping. The SARA provided its referral agency response on 5 May
2022, imposing conditions of approval with respect to the impact upon the identified koala
habitat (removal of 19 NJKHTs). The conditions of approval generally provide for the
following:

e the development is to be carried out generally in accordance with the Tree Removal
Plan, prepared by Marchese Partners, dated 2 September 2020, Revision 1

e prior to development proceeding a Koala Management Plan is to be prepared prior
any tree clearing, while noting that Gondwana Ecology has confirmed that there is no
evidence to suggest that koala are utilising the site

e arequirement to deliver an environmental offset in accordance with Environmental
Offset Act 2014, for the removal of the 19 NJKHTs as proposed by the applicant; and

e¢ arequirement to retain the existing fencing around the perimeter of the property as
koala exclusion fencing in accordance with the Koala Sensitive Design Guideline (Ver
2) prepared by the Department of Environment and Science.

Gondwana Ecology has also made a number of recommendations which go beyond what is
required to meet State requirements. While the applicant is providing the required financial
environmental offset, additional koala habitat planting is now proposed within the adjoining
golf course in two (2) locations shown on Attachment B in the report, which provides for an
additional 60 trees, at a replacement ratio of 3:1 (refer Attachment 2).

Gondwana ecology advises ... the planting of trees in these areas will provide additional koala
feed trees, a variety of habitat tree species and “close gaps” between existing koala habitats.
The golf course and planting areas are also adjacent to conservation land, a further benefit to
planting and enhancing the area. Locally refined koala habitat is also mapped along the
southern and south eastern portions of the golf course, contiguous with a planting area.
Further, that ... the golf course supports the most intact and valuable koala habitat in the local
landscape, notably large open space area with a diversity of koala habitat trees for feed, refuge
and movement opportunities and generally free from dangers such as dogs and cars. Planting

6|Page
16022 — Noosa Springs "Boutique Hotel”