Attachment 3 - Koala Impact Assesssment

Noosa council has also received recommendations for koala and wildlife
signage as a tool to reduce road trauma for this species (Ecology 2017):
combined with council imposed speed limits on Weyba Rd / Noosa Drive, such
signage could also result in an improved outcome for koalas. Because Noosa
Council has already considered the need and options for koalas in this specific
location (Weyba Rd – see Figure 14h in the Koala Infrastructure and Feasibility
Report (Ecology 2017)), the opportunity exists to address current and future
concerns for koalas in this location as part of the development proposal. Hence,
consideration of the recommended fencing upgrades and safe passages in
addition to the soft measures of vehicle speed control, lighting and signage off-
site (Ecology 2017) would enhance koala-positive outcomes on site as part of
this proposal.


Conclusion
In assessing this proposal, I considered the “do nothing” approach against the
“limited development” approach for the site. The koala habitat is degrading,
because of weed infestation, and without intervention the prognosis is not good
for many of the existing trees. The facility of the site for koalas is an important
element of the linking vegetation along Noosa Drive, and the site forms a node
of habitat that should be maintained and improved. Hence the proposal to
enhance the habitat through weeding, tree replacement and infill planting with
E. robusta warrants consideration in balancing some level of development (and
tree removal) at the site. As the design develops further with input from the
various technical advice (i.e. bushfire, geotechnical), some modifications may
develop and these are not considered (whether positive or negative) in this
assessment. As proposed, the design reflects input for developing a permeable
and safe koala habitat amongst tourist facilities and has the potential to
enhance koala habitat at the site in the long term, especially through the
retention and enhancement of koala food resources at the site.


Beyond the site, opportunities for planting along the northern connection are
limited by the placement of the overhead lines along the walking path adjacent
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                     Lot 3 on SP 126203 Report prepared for Aspect Architects June 2022