MCU14/0056 - Attachment I -Environmental Report

              environmental management
            ecological assessment report



5. Conclusion
A Basic Ecological Assessment was conducted over the site of the Cooroy Centre Development at Myall Street in
March 2014 to describe ecological values present. The survey effort was designed to provide adequate information
to guide the site layout and respond to Federal, State and local government requirements for the works within
Noosa Shire Council. The following conclusions have been made:

    
   One (1) critically endangered ecological community (Lowland Rainforest of Subtropical Australia) is listed
        as potentially occurring within the local area. No evidence of this vegetation community was observed on
        or immediately adjacent to the site.
    
   No fauna or flora listed under the EPBC Act (Table 1) or NC Act (Table 2) were recorded in, or are
        expected to inhabit or utilise the study site (Section 4 and Appendix H).
    
   The site has been periodically cleared due to historical land use practice. As a consequence the site is
        mapped as Category X vegetation and does not contain regulated vegetation for assessment against the
        VMA.
    
   The site is mapped as containing a Medium and Low value waterway. No works are anticipated to occur
        within the waterways on-site.
    
   The subject site is mapped as containing MSES – Biodiversity (Wildlife), MSES – Biodiversity (Regulated
        Vegetation intersecting a waterway), MSES - Water Quality (Water Supply Buffer Area), MSES - Flood
        Hazard and Bushfire Hazard (Figure 7).
    
   The site is heavily disturbed and fragmented due to historical clearing and surrounding major arterial
        transport networks. Site surveys identified that the project area contains limited ecological value, with
        potential features confined to the south-eastern portion of the site associated with the waterway.
    
   The south-eastern extent of the site is mapped within the Environmental Protection Area and Riparian
        Buffer under the Noosa Plan (Plan 1). The majority of the Environmental Protection Area is proposed to be
        protected and with an additional 10 m buffer is proposed between the existing tree drip line and the
        development footprint. While a small portion of the development is proposed to encroach the north-west
        corner of the mapped Environmental Protection Area, this area is not identified to contain riparian
        vegetation and environmental values associated with the site will be maintained.
    
   Mapping indicates that the Riparian Buffer Area overlays cleared vegetation on the site adjacent to the
        waterway. Site surveys have identified that this area has been extensively cleared and maintained and
        holds limited to no ecological value.
    
   A number of trees identified as native local species will removed as from the northern boundary adjacent
        to Environmental Protection Area. These trees impede visual access when entering and existing the site
        from Myall Street. Compensatory landscaping along Ferrells Road with native trees will
        provide permanent habitat opportunities for terrestrial and avi-fauna species visiting the site.

In summary, the Myall Street site is bounded by major arterial transport networks and is heavily degraded due to
historical clearing and adjacent developments. Overall habitat opportunities are limited to the south-eastern
portion of the site containing the waterway and a few scattered mature eucalypts within the site boundaries.




   saunders havill group                             Page 32