Appendix C - Ecological Assessment Report

 g) a legally secured offset area;
 h) an area of remnant or non-remnant native vegetation;
 i) an area with contains flora or fauna species that are regionally significant in South East
    Queensland;
 j) regrowth vegetation that is likely to develop into a Matter of Environmental Significance;
 k) a natural waterway or wetland;
 l) a riparian zone;
 m) riparian vegetation;
 n) an ecological linkage;
 o) an area which contains groundwater dependent ecosystems;
 p) an area which contains vegetation that is under-represented across Noosa Shire’s protected areas;
 q) an area which contains vegetation that is locally restricted;
 r) an area which contains habitat for flora and/or fauna species of local significance in Noosa Shire;
 s) an area containing significant flora and fauna species that are vulnerable to disturbance; or
 t) an area contains vegetation in an area that has been cleared in contravention of a local law,
    including the former local law.
It is noted that Table SC1.2.2 does not specifically include a Riparian Buffer Area within the definition of
an Ecologically Important Area. The elements of the Riparian Buffer Area that are defined to be an
Ecologically important Area would be limited to the natural waterway, riparian zone and riparian
vegetation as per items k-m of the prescribed definition. Note that any other vegetated areas within the
site that are included in the definition of an Ecologically Important Area (e.g., the mapped extent of the
endangered regional ecosystem) are also located within the riparian vegetation associated with Six Mile
Creek. Therefore, the extent of riparian vegetation flanking Six Mile Creek is considered to represent the
extent of Ecologically Important Areas within the site.
Six Mile Creek is mapped as a second order waterway within the site. Table SC1.2.2 of the Noosa Plan
2020 defines the Riparian Zone as land which adjoins, directly influences, or is influenced by a body of
water. The Queensland Department of Resources seeks to preserve native vegetation within 10m of the
defining bank of a second order waterway (refer Table 2 within State Code 16 – Native Vegetation
Clearing) as this is recognised as the critical zone that contributes stability and influences water quality
within the adjoining waterway. Therefore, it is considered that the riparian zone is limited to extending to
10m from the high bank of the waterway. The Rehabilitation Plan has therefore used the 10m width as
detailed within State Code 16 to define the Riparian Zone flanking Six Mile Creek and has prescribed the
proposed rehabilitation works accordingly.
Performance Outcome 6 and Acceptable Outcome 6.1 of the Biodiversity Waterways and Wetlands Code
do not allow for development and clearing of vegetation within a mapped Riparian Buffer Area. Although
no vegetation clearing is proposed as part of the development, the Riparian Buffer Area extends across
the entire site, therefore development is unable to avoid being located within the Riparian Buffer Area.
However, it is considered that the proposed development is of a low impact nature, with the built
elements of the development located a minimum of 30m to 50m from the waterway. Importantly, the
development meets the intent of the purpose and overall outcomes sought by the Code.
The purpose of the Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Overlay Code is to protect, rehabilitate and
enhance ecologically important areas and improve connectivity and ecological linkages across Noosa
Shire. The application retains all Ecologically Important Areas within the site which are restricted to the
riparian vegetation flanking Six Mile Creek. The existing connectivity provided by the vegetated riparian

APRIL 2023                            ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT REPORT                                  Page: 20
                                   157 LAWNVILLE ROAD, BLACK MOUNTAIN