Attachment 1 - Gondwana Ecology Advice.pdf

Of the 26 she-oak trees counted, 11 exhibited cones. Of the trees, eight will be removed, three of which
have cones. No she-oak trees exhibited evidence of being used as a cockatoo feed tree5.

The count also noted another 20 koala feed trees and another nine she-oak trees within the verge,
vegetated patches immediately beyond the subject land, between the boundary fence and Resort Drive,
which won’t be affected by the development of the site (refer Attachment A).


4.0 Offset

As reported previously, in accordance with the State Offset legislation, the project proposes to deliver
“offsets” by way of financial payment which will be a condition of approval. Section 5.4 of the Gondwana
Ecology Report (dated February 2020) states the following: The impact area (koala habitat in SEQ6) for the
subject land in hectares is 19 X 0.004ha = 0.076ha. This equates, based on the financial calculator, to
$8,702.76. The State has conditioned this in the SARA response to the referral of the application dated 5
May 2022 (Attachment 1 – Referral agency conditions, condition 4).

In addition to the financial contribution, it was recommended in early 2022 that a further 60 koala trees be
planted on the golf course7. Suitable planting locations were identified.

5.0 Recommendations

Noting that 94 (in total) koala trees will be removed, and regardless of the mapping (or absence of mapping)
it is recommended that in addition to the State offset, an additional 60 koala trees be planted within the
golf course to offset the tree removal on the site (i.e. 120 in total – ratio of more than 2:18). I would
recommend planting E.tereticornis or similar as these trees are preferred over brushbox which would be
considered a “secondary” food species.

Further to the koala tree planting I would recommend that in the order of 25 (ratio of approximately 3:1)
she-oak be planted amongst the 120 koala tree plantings.

The additional koala tree and she-oak tree planting can be a condition of approval, including the long term
maintenance.

In addition to the compensatory planting, I note that the landscaping plan (Place Design) includes the use
of brushbox in two of the planting areas. This would essentially replace the brushbox in these locations
following development.




5
  Note: as reported previously there is historical evidence (pers.obs.) of feeding activity along the road verge, beyond
the subject land fence.
6
  https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/offsets-calculator/ - The Financial Settlement Offset Calculator was designed to calculate
the financial settlement offset using hectares. Therefore in SEQ the number of non-juvenile koala habitat trees being
impacted must be converted into an area in hectares. Using an average tree density of 250 tress per hectare for koala
habitat in SEQ, the total area of impact for a single non-juvenile koala habitat tree in SEQ is taken to be 40m2 (0.004ha).
7
  It is noted that both Lots 3 & 4 on SP178340 are under covenant and cannot be sold separately.
8
  Recognising the State offset already accommodates 19 trees removed – balance is 55 (i.e. 74-19).
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Of the 26 she-oak trees counted, 11 exhibited cones. Of the trees, eight will be removed, three of which
have cones. No she-oak trees exhibited evidence of being used as a cockatoo feed tree®.

The count also noted another 20 koala feed trees and another nine she-oak trees within the verge,
vegetated patches immediately beyond the subject land, between the boundary fence and Resort Drive,
which won't be affected by the development of the site (refer Attachment A).

4.0 Offset

As reported previously, in accordance with the State Offset legislation, the project proposes to deliver
“offsets” by way of financial payment which will be a condition of approval. Section 5.4 of the Gondwana
Ecology Report (dated February 2020) states the following: The impact area (koala habitat in SEQ6) for the
subject land in hectares is 19 X 0.004ha = 0.076ha. This equates, based on the financial calculator, to
$8,702.76. The State has conditioned this in the SARA response to the referral of the application dated 5
May 2022 (Attachment 1 — Referral agency conditions, condition 4).

In addition to the financial contribution, it was recommended in early 2022 that a further 60 koala trees be
planted on the golf course’. Suitable planting locations were identified.

5.0 Recommendations

Noting that 94 (in total) koala trees will be removed, and regardless of the mapping (or absence of mapping)
it is recommended that in addition to the State offset, an additional 60 koala trees be planted within the
golf course to offset the tree removal on the site (i.e. 120 in total — ratio of more than 2:18). | would
recommend planting E.tereticornis or similar as these trees are preferred over brushbox which would be
considered a “secondary” food species.

Further to the koala tree planting | would recommend that in the order of 25 (ratio of approximately 3:1)
she-oak be planted amongst the 120 koala tree plantings.

The additional koala tree and she-oak tree planting can be a condition of approval, including the long term
maintenance.

In addition to the compensatory planting, | note that the landscaping plan (Place Design) includes the use
of brushbox in two of the planting areas. This would essentially replace the brushbox in these locations
following development.

5 Note: as reported previously there is historical evidence (pers.obs.) of feeding activity along the road verge, beyond
the subject land fence.

® https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/offsets-calculator/ - The Financial Settlement Offset Calculator was designed to calculate
the financial settlement offset using hectares. Therefore in SEQ the number of non-juvenile koala habitat trees being
impacted must be converted into an area in hectares. Using an average tree density of 250 tress per hectare for koala
habitat in SEQ, the total area of impact for a single non-juvenile koala habitat tree in SEQ is taken to be 40m? (0.004ha).
7 It is noted that both Lots 3 & 4 on SP178340 are under covenant and cannot be sold separately.

® Recognising the State offset already accommodates 19 trees removed — balance is 55 (i.e. 74-19).