PM Submission - John Cochrane - MCU21/0110

“Adamson Town Planning, specialising in providing higher order town planning advice”



          Large (>500mm) Trees                           9                      6

         The proposed development has avoided the northern and eastern parts of the land in so far this
         is possible by using the existing cleared and disturbed areas; however, the site does have some
         level of disturbance. The direct impact of tree loss and vegetation removal is unavoidable.
         Gondwana Ecology has advised the best solution for the development of the site is for the loss of
         koala (NJKHTs) trees within the KHA to be offset.

         It would be reasonably expected that a Vegetation Management Plan incorporating fauna
         management measures would form part of any approval granted. A detailed landscape and
         rehabilitation management plan would allow for the restoration of the balance land to be retained,
         without having a significant impact upon the existing environmental values on the site.

         Gondwana Ecology has advised that a total of 19 NJKHTs are to be removed within the
         developable area. The loss of these trees needs to be offset in accordance with the State
         Environmental Offsets Act 2014. This offset obligation would be a standard condition of approval.
         While koala habitat trees could be planted in the retained area and landscaping, if a financial
         approach to complying with the offset is required, the impact area for the subject land in hectares
         is 19 x 0.004ha = 0.076ha, which equates to $8,702.766.

         Gondwana Ecology has advised that the area proposed for development mostly includes existing
         cleared areas and facilities. The small area of bushland in the north retains some remnant
         vegetation which is to be removed to allow for the construction of the car park and tennis courts
         (refer Site Plan – Attachment 1).

         While this small patch of vegetation has some ecological value, including some koala feed trees
         and other canopy species, the area is generally segregated from the surrounding (more intact and
         contiguous) bushland to the north and east by Resort Drive and separated by a fence. Gondwana
         Ecology advises that the fauna use of the site is likely to be limited to mobile species such as birds,
         bats, and arboreal mammals, such as possums.

         Inclusion, Gondwana Ecology has advised there would be no ecological reason the proposed
         development could not be approved with reasonable and relevant conditions being imposed,
         including:
             • an arrangement for offsets for the loss of koala habitat trees if these cannot be planted
                 elsewhere within the subject land; and
             • a basic rehabilitation or landscaping management plan that allows for weed control and
                 the planting of suitable native species7.

         Having regard to the advice provided above, the most relevant overall outcomes under the
         Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Code, are discussed below:
            a) the natural resources and ecosystem values of Noosa Shire will not be significantly
                impacted upon by the proposed development subject to an environmental offset being
                provided as discussed above and, in the TEA, (OO(a));

         6 Terrestrial Ecology Report, part 4, page 17
         7 Terrestrial Ecology Report, part 5, page 19




         Noosa Springs Boutique Hotel – GH Australia Pty Ltd                                 Page 43