2019-07-09 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                         9 JULY 2019


DNR&W did not revise their decision and directed Council to refuse the application as:
   The proposed lot boundaries are located in an area of remnant endangered regional
     ecosystem and remnant of concern regional ecosystem and will result in fragmentation of
     these areas;
   Assessable vegetation to be cleared will reduce the water quality of the natural wetland as
     there will be an increase in the amount of pollution and nutrients entering the wetland from
     the effluent disposal systems and the runoff from buildings and roads that will be established
     in the area mapped as a wetland regional ecosystem;
   The area of aquatic and terrestrial habitat will be reduced on the site;
   Clearing of assessable vegetation in proximity to a watercourse is likely to be undertaken to
     define the boundary between lot 81 and park and will reduce the area of aquatic and
     terrestrial habitat on the site;
   Several of the large areas of remnant vegetation are fragmented by lot boundaries and
     clearing for fences may fragment the connectivity of this vegetation and increase the area
     subject to weed invasion;
   The proposal does not maintain the current extent of endangered regional ecosystem and
     remnant of concern regional ecosystem due to likely clearing for fencing of lot boundaries
     and would change the structure of the ecosystem; and
   An area of approximately 2 hectares identified as essential habitat is proposed to be cleared
     for buildings and allotment boundaries. A large amount of fill will be required to raise the level
     of this area so it no longer gets inundated.
During the appeal process the permit applicant amended the proposed layout which resulted in
reduction in lot yield from 81 lots to 52 lots and a park. DNR&W did not object to the new layout
and provided conditions. The conditions were to ensure that:
   Assessable vegetation associated with natural wetlands and watercourses are protected to
     maintain water quality and habitat.
   The current extent of the regional ecosystems and endangered regional ecosystems are
     maintained.
   Areas of remnant vegetation are retained to maintain ecosystem functioning, remain in the
     landscape despite threatening processes and maintain connectivity to adjacent properties.
   The current extent of essential habitat is maintained.
   Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The initial application was referred to the EPA as the site is situated partly within a Coastal
Management District. On 2 May 2008 the Agency provided conditions for approval.
The application was also referred to the Environmental Protection Agency as the site was identified
as being contaminated. On 2 April 2008 the Agency advised the site has been deleted from the
Environmental Management Register.
Advice
Department of Natural Resources & Water (DNR&W)
The initial application was referred to the Department of Natural Resources & Water as an advice
agency due to the potential for acid sulphate soils on the site. DNR&W provided their advice on
27 June 2008 recommending that an acid sulphate soils management plan be undertaken.




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