RFI - Attachment 4A - Response by Native Foresters

          •    Additional / alternative environmental requirements to be implemented using adaptive
               management principles as required.

     Item 12 - The new HES Basin and RRA pad will be setback from the adjacent vegetation in
     order to allow for maintenance of the grassed buffer zone between the infrastructure and the
     adjacent retained bushland. This will allow for the implementation of a weed free maintenance
     zone to ensure that there is no transmission of weed species or other contaminants associated
     with the operation of the new Landfill infrastructure. The site Weed Management Plan will also
     ensure that existing weed infestations are properly eradicated with follow up monitoring and
     treatments as specified, in the retained vegetation adjacent to the landfill.

     Item 13 - Refer to the updated Flora and Fauna Assessment -Noosa Landfill – Northern
     Section – Revision 4 by Native Foresters.

    Item 14 - An assessment of impacts on the flora and fauna communities on the site associated
    with potential changes to the natural surface water and ground water hydraulic regimes was
    undertaken by Native Foresters and Dr Ed Meyer (amphibian specialist) Refer Noosa Landfill
    Expansion – Flora and Fauna Survey and Assessment of Impacts on adjacent ecosystems –
    Native Foresters - Document No: 190707-FF – Revision 3. Relevant information from the report
    is provided below:

     Groundwater Level Changes Impacts - Flora:

          •    Potential fracture/breaching of a shallow, indurated layer with potential impacts on
               moisture-dependent species in the lower strata of adjacent ecosystems.

          •    Moderate impacts to RE 12.3.13
              o Melalueca communities typically have standing water on the surface for three months
                 of the year. Any desiccation resulting from groundwater lowering may lead to a decline
                 in sedges and a shift towards less water-demanding grasses in the understorey. The
                 Melaleucas in the canopy will persist in drier conditions.

•     All adjacent vegetation and soil may be affected by the groundwater drainage system outflow.
      Areas that provide the receiving environment for groundwater flows (RE12.5.3/12.5.4/12.3.13)
      may become wetter over time with resulting impacts on community structure i.e. the understorey
      may become more dense (shrubs and sedges) and composition i.e. more Melaleucas.

      Surface water Changes Impacts - Flora:

      •       Moderate impacts for RE12.5.3 and 12.5.4 as detailed below:
              o Localised waterlogging favouring wet sclerophyll/Melaleuca species around
                 stormwater drain areas and discharge outlets.

              o    Shift in vegetation community composition towards species adapted to wetter
                   conditions, such as Melaleuca quinquenervia and sedges, reducing recruitment of dry
                   sclerophyll species, predominantly in the understorey. As the canopy species which
                   define the ecosystem type are likely to persist, this shift to a wetter understorey would
                   not constitute effective clearing under the Vegetation Management Act 1999.
              o    Increased growth of ground cover species assisted by increased soil moisture, with
                   resultant increases in fire fuel loads and more intense fire events. Manage with a Site
                   Bushfire Plan.

     Noosa Landfill & RRC – Response to RFI – Environmental Items (Dec 2023)                          Page|8