Rhea Den Braasem

QUESTION 1
In regards to stormwater on the 62 Lake MacDonald site, our steering committee has stressed on numerous occasions that the removal of 2200 trees is going to have an immediate worsening effect of stormwater flow due to a lack of canopy to help slow this down. We also don’t see how any storm water controls in the plan can be implemented before or during remediation as the road that is to drain water from lot 1 and 2 will not be built yet and any measure applied will involve digging up ground before the trees are removed and before the ground is remediated. We are extremely concerned, if the remediation and subdivision go ahead, with how the storm water will be managed for the whole site before the loss of forest canopy, during remediation and on LOT 3 after subdivision. Do council have a plan for this and what is it?
Response provided by Kim Rawlings Director Strategy and Environment
The issues raised are not unique to the subject site and are relatively standard considerations for all subdivision / land development works.  Stormwater and rainfall runoff will be managed in accordance with the regulatory framework. Noosa Council design consultants for the works, Covey’s Engineer Associates, have developed an initial stormwater management and erosion & sediment control requirement plan to be implemented for the works.  As part of the requirements for the construction works the Contractor to be engaged will also be required to develop and prepare a Construction Environmental Management Plan, Stormwater Management Plan and an Erosion and Sedimentation Plan for all stages of the works (e.g. removal of trees, remediation of the Lots and all associated road/civil/landscaping works).  It will also be required for the Erosion and Sedimentation Plan to be prepared, reviewed, and approved by a Certified Professional in Erosion & Sediment Control.  

QUESTION 2
In regards to conservation of natural resources on the site there are two aspects in question.  Why is the stream fed waterway surrounded by native vegetation (that was referred to as having ecological significance in Noosa Council’s ecological report for the site) not being considered in any way on plans for this site? And can Council guarantee that the Gympie Messmates (largely on Lot 100) will be conserved?

Response provided by Kim Rawlings Director Strategy and Environment
As demonstrated by the Biodiversity Overlay, the tree preservation local law and a broad range of environmental and ecological activities regularly undertaken by the organisation, Council is committed to conserving natural resources and retaining areas of ecological significance where possible and practical.  The subdivision has been assessed against several assessment frameworks and determined to be compliant.   An ecological report (available via the Council website) was commissioned by Council to assess the site for ecological significance. The gully was specifically considered as part of the exploration of the site. Historical aerial mapping indicates this area provided general overland flow down to the main waterway until the Dianella Ct residential subdivision was created.  This area currently discharges into a pipe which can be subject to blockage issues.  As well as providing access to the rear of the property, the revised subdivision plan acts to improve site drainage and reduce blockage/overflow issues on the site. In addition to the approximately 2,000 pine trees, there is some scattered native vegetation across the site, including Gympie Messmates, which will be retained where possible, although some are likely to be removed as part of the remediation or subdivision works. It is the intent to retain as much native vegetation on site as possible. The screening trees along the northern boundary of the cemetery are likely to be retained along with some of the screening hedge along Lake Macdonald Drive. New native tree plantings throughout the subdivision will offset the removal of the existing native trees.