MEMORANDUM Ecological Assessment
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
MEMORANDUM TO Evan Aldridge DATE 22 March 2017 CC Aaron Lenden FROM Mervyn Mason PROJECT No. 1656658-003-Rev3 SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS OF AN ECOLOGICAL SURVEY AND PROTECTED PLANT SURVEY – YAROOMBA BEACH Ecological survey and reporting was completed for the Yaroomba Beach site to add to the existing body of ecological knowledge collected over the last few years. The surveys and reporting were also conducted to ensure that the current ecological knowledge meets the requirements of the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014, and updated and current Queensland legislation (in particular, the Nature Conservation Act 1992, Nature Conservation (Wildlife Management) Regulation 2006, and the associated Protected Plants Framework and the Flora Survey Guidelines). Both of these were updated since the previous ecological assessments were completed for the site. Ecological Assessment An ecological survey, in line with the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme’s (2014) requirements, was conducted on 15 September 2016, and from 14 to 18 November 2016. The survey was timed to coincide with an optimal time when most species targeted were expected to have identifiable characteristics, such as flowers and foliage, for plants, or exhibited active breeding, in the case of amphibians. Findings As previously reported, and confirmed by the recent surveys: . The site supports regulated vegetation in the form of least concern Regional Ecosystems (RE). Remnant vegetation on site has been impacted by previous clearing and potential changes to the natural hydrological regime. Habitat values range from low, in areas that were previously cleared for the historical golf course, to moderate, in areas of retained native vegetation. Very little old-growth vegetation, and no hollow-bearing trees were recorded on the site. The existing waterbodies hold limited values for aquatic fauna. The site supports mapped essential habitat for Wallum Froglet (Crinia tinnula) and Freycinet’s Frog (Litoria freycinetii). Although the onsite waterbodies and surrounding vegetation support breeding places for least concern frog species, these habitats are not suitable as breeding habitat for Wallum Froglets and Freycinet’s Frog – the triggers for the essential habitat mapping. Ground-truthing indicates that the Queensland State Koala Habitat Mapping is erroneous in some areas, in that the site does not support vegetation that meets the definition of Koala bushland. − The site is largely mapped as low-value bushland under the South East Queensland Koala Conservation State Planning Regulatory Provisions (KCSPRP). This mapping is incorrect, and the site should be mapped as “low value rehabilitation”. Date: 22 March 2017 Project No. 1656658-003-Rev3 To: Evan Aldridge 1/6 MEMORANDUM − Integrated Development Assessment System (IDAS) form 34 will form part of the development application. − Under Division 9 of the KCSPRP, a request will be made to council to make a determination of the classification of the land, and change the mapping. One individual of the Richmond Birdwing Vine (Pararistolochia praevenosa), listed as Near Threatened under the Queensland Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006, was detected within the site. An Impact Management Plan (IMP) for this species will be developed to accompany a Clearing Permit Application, after development approval has been granted. Given the confirmed presence of Richmond Birdwing Vine on the site, and adjacent to the site, there is potential for the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia), listed as Vulnerable under the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006, to occur within the area. No other threatened species were recorded within or adjacent to the site. The Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme’s Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Overlay identifies the site as containing native vegetation, wetlands, constructed waterbody, and coastal protection areas. Potential Impacts No significant impacts are expected to Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) as a result of the proposed development of the site. A separate report assesses impacts to marine turtles. One specimen of the Richmond Birdwing Vine could be directly impacted by clearing of the site. This is discussed below, under Protected Plants. It is expected that measures proposed to manage impacts upon Richmond Birdwing Vine (as part of an Impact Management Plan, see below) would effectively manage any potential impacts on Richmond Birdwing Butterflies. No significant impacts on any other listed threatened species, or special least concern species, are expected as a result of the proposed development. Implications The clearing of vegetation on the site is within an urban area for an urban purpose. Therefore, the clearing of least concern REs, and the associated essential habitat, is exempt from assessment under the Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999 (VM Act). Nevertheless, advice from the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) suggests that, because lot 15 SP238214 is greater than 5 ha in area, and contains category B native vegetation shown on the regulated vegetation management map, an MCU where preliminary approval is sought under Section 242 of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (SPA) would trigger referral under Schedule 7, Table 3 Item 10 of the Sustainable Planning Regulation 2009. Given that development approvals are already in place for the site, clearing is allowed under the exemption provisions of Schedule 24, Parts 1 and 2 of the Sustainable Planning Regulation 2009. However, a revised development proposal is being considered, and, as such, a preliminary assessment of the clearing of the vegetation against Module 8: Vegetation Clearing of the State Development Assessment Provisions (SDAP) indicates that: Date: 22 March 2017 Project No. 1656658-003-Rev3 To: Evan Aldridge 2/6 MEMORANDUM . Table 8.1.3 Performance Outcome 1 – The revised development proposal for the site has undertaken all reasonable steps to avoid the clearing of remnant vegetation, and/or minimised the need to clear remnant vegetation, thereby retaining as much of the original vegetation as is reasonably practical. Table 8.1.3 Performance Outcome 2 – The remnant vegetation on the site is not in a declared area, exchange area, unlawfully cleared area, under a restoration notice, under an enforcement notice, under a compliance notice, under a Land Act notice, under a trespass notice, nor is the area shown as category A vegetation on a Property Map of Assessable Vegetation (PMAV). Table 8.1.3 Performance Outcome 3 – The site is not part of an existing environmental offset area. Table 8.1.3 Performance Outcome 5 – All the clearing will be limited to clearing that could be done under an exemption for the purpose of the development. The preparation of a Property Vegetation Management Plan (PVMP), as defined under the VM Act Schedule, pursuant to Schedule 7, Table 3 Item 10 of the Sustainable Planning Regulation 2009, may be required. The PVMP would include the matters specified in Section 11 of the Vegetation Management Regulation 2012. As mentioned, a Division 9 application under the KSPRP, to request Sunshine Coast Council to change the state mapping is warranted. This would remove the need to offset the removal of any non-juvenile Koala habitat trees, if successful. Integrated Development Assessment System (IDAS) form 34 will form part of the development application, as part of the Division 9 application. Given the site and surrounds are unlikely to support important breeding habitat for threatened species, special least concern and/or colonial breeding species, the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection’s (DEHP) Species Management Programme (SMP) “low risk of impacts” (as promulgated under the Nature Conservation (Wildlife Management) Regulation 2006) will apply if any tampering with animal breeding places is required as part of the proposed development. However, it is recommended that a pre-clearing survey is undertaken to confirm the presence/absence of any breeding places for threatened species, special least concern and/or colonial breeding species, to confirm if the SMP “high risk of impacts” could apply. Development of the site will be assessed against the Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Overlay Code (the code) of the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme. Under the code’s Policy (that is, SC6.6), the Sunshine Coast Regional Council may require an offset for the clearing of mapped vegetation, and any draining/filling of the mapped waterbodies on the site. Under the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme’s offsets policy, an offset can be in the form of a land-based biodiversity offset, or as an in lieu financial contribution. For development proposing land-based biodiversity offsets, an ecological assessment of the receiving site is also to be provided in accordance with the planning scheme policy for biodiversity offsets. Protected Plants The site is mapped as occurring within a high-risk Protected Plants Trigger Area, as per the DEHP’s mapping. Therefore, a survey for protected plants, that is, endangered, vulnerable, and near threatened species listed under the Nature Conservation (Wildlife Management) Regulation 2006 and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), was required. Date: 22 March 2017 Project No. 1656658-003-Rev3 To: Evan Aldridge 3/6 MEMORANDUM That survey needed to meet the intent of the Queensland Flora Survey Guidelines – Protected Plants (the guidelines). Findings Protected