3.7 Natural environment

Transcription

1 3.7 Natural environment Key concepts (1) Maintenance of the Sunshine Coast as one of the most biologically diverse areas in Australia. (2) Recognition of the extent and quality of natural environment features which distinguish the Sunshine Coast from other regions. (3) Protection of the natural environment as a key element of the region s natural (competitive) advantage. (4) Avoidance of, or if avoidance is not practicable, minimisation and mitigation of, the individual and cumulative adverse impacts of development on the natural environment. (5) Maintenance of the largest possible land area for environmental protection purposes. (6) Measurable success in protecting and restoring environmental systems. (7) Maintenance of ecosystem services provided by the natural environment, including a high standard of air quality and acoustic amenity compared with other parts of metropolitan South East Queensland Strategic outcomes The strategic outcomes for the natural environment theme are the following:- In 2031, the Sunshine Coast remains one of the most biologically diverse areas in Australia. It supports a wealth of environmental assets and values, including ecological, biodiversity and natural history attributes of national and international significance which contribute to the region s natural (competitive) advantage. The region continues to be renowned for the extent and quality of its natural features, which include:- (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) the Ramsar Convention protected Pumicestone Passage wetlands; the National Estate listed Noosa-Maroochy wallum corridor; the National Heritage listed Glasshouse Mountains; the Mooloolah, Blackall and Conondale mountain ranges; the coastal plain and foothill forests; and the extensive network of natural waterways and wetlands, and wide array of coastal foreshore environments including beaches, high dune areas and rocky headlands. (e) (f) A diverse array of ecosystem types is protected across the Sunshine Coast from coastal wallum to dry and wet eucalypt forest and sub-tropical rainforests. These ecosystems provide habitat for nationally and internationally recognised flora and fauna species. Koala habitat and connectivity is maintained and improved thereby contributing to the long term stabilisation and recovery of Koala populations on the Sunshine Coast and in South East Queensland more generally. Terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity values and water quality within the Maroochy, Mooloolah, Mary and Stanley River systems and Pumicestone Passage is protected. The natural environment is protected and enhanced in a way that maintains and improves biodiversity, ecological processes, habitat and habitat connectivity, landscape character and amenity, economic and community wellbeing, resilience and capacity to evolve and adapt to the predicted impacts of climate change. Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 Page 3-45

2 (g) (h) The largest possible land area is maintained for environmental protection purposes and environmental conditions and indicators of health are improved relative to their reported status in In 2031, the Sunshine Coast is recognised as a region that has been successful in protecting and restoring its natural environment and as a leader in natural resource management. The value of ecosystem services provided by the natural environment is recognised with the high quality of the air and acoustic environment continuing to distinguish the Sunshine Coast from other parts of metropolitan South East Queensland. Implementation framework The elements and specific outcomes for the natural environment theme are the following: Element 1 Natural habitats and biodiversity Specific outcomes Development is located, designed, constructed and operated to avoid, as far as practicable, or where avoidance is not practicable, minimise and mitigate, adverse impacts on the ecologically important areas identified conceptually on Strategic Framework Map SFM 5 (Natural environment elements) which include remnant and regrowth native vegetation, riparian areas and natural waterways, wetlands and waterbodies. Habitat for endangered, vulnerable, rare and other regionally and locally significant flora and fauna species is protected and enhanced with mitigation measures for species recovery implemented. Ecologically important areas are not disturbed or diminished by development except where:- (ii) on the balance of social, economic and environmental considerations, it is demonstrated that the development is in the interests of the community 13 ; and any adverse impacts incurred are compensated by the provision of a biodiversity offset that results in a net gain and enhancement to the overall habitat values of the Sunshine Coast. Ecological buffers, fauna fencing, supplementary planting to prevent edge effects and other measures as appropriate are provided to mitigate adverse impacts from development on land adjacent to an ecologically important area. (e) The network of ecological linkages identified conceptually on Strategic Framework Map SFM 5 (Natural environment elements) is established and maintained by undertaking ecological rehabilitation works in degraded areas (including where as part of a biodiversity offset arrangement), and ensuring unimpeded fauna movement Element 2 Koalas and koala habitat Specific outcomes Development avoids as far as practicable or where avoidance is not practicable otherwise minimises adverse impacts on koala habitat. Connectivity between areas of koala habitat is retained and improved. 13 Note in determining whether development has satisfied these criteria Council may consider such matters as:- whether alternative options are reasonably available; the size, type and condition of the ecologically important area affected; the extent to which the ecologically important area has significant hydrological, biodiversity, landscape or character values; the extent to which a biodiversity offset can reasonably compensate for the loss of the ecologically important area; and (e) whether the development proposed is reasonably anticipated by and consistent with the planning scheme. Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 Page 3-46

3 The safe movement of koalas through koala habitat including within urban and rural residential settings is facilitated by incorporating appropriate development design measures, fauna fencing and fauna movement devices Element 3 Waterways, wetlands and natural water catchments Specific outcomes (e) (f) Natural waterways and wetlands are maintained predominantly in their natural state with development providing for rehabilitation and enhancement to improve their ecological functioning and water quality. The sensitive natural catchments of the upper reaches of the Maroochy River, Mary River, Stanley River, Mooloolah River and Pumicestone Passage are protected and remain substantially undeveloped. Where adjoining a natural waterway or wetland, development provides for ecological buffers and other measures to protect and improve ecological functioning and water quality. The quality of ground and surface water is protected and enhanced in a manner that ensures its long-term environmental values and sustainability. The health of waterways and wetlands on the Sunshine Coast is protected and enhanced by applying best practice standards to the quality and quantity of groundwater, surface water and wastewater discharge. Constructed water bodies are not created except where maintained as private assets and used for other than water treatment purposes Element 4 Coastal foreshores, processes and systems Specific outcomes Coastal foreshores, including near shore marine environments, beaches, dunes, rocky headlands, coastal lagoons, beach shores and river mouths are maintained predominantly in their natural state. Development is located, designed, constructed and operated to avoid, as far as practicable, or where avoidance is not practicable, minimise and mitigate, any adverse impacts on coastal resources, processes and values. Development maintains the ability for coastal areas to naturally fluctuate without the need for management Element 5 Air and acoustic environment Specific outcomes The quality of air and acoustic environments is maintained at a high level to protect the health and wellbeing of the community and the natural environment. Activities that are likely to generate noise or air emissions are appropriately separated from the natural environment and sensitive receiving environments to avoid unacceptable environmental and amenity impacts. Development is located, designed, constructed and operated to avoid or minimise air, odour and noise emissions and any potential impacts on the natural environment and sensitive receiving environments. Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 Page 3-47

4 3.7.7 Strategic framework maps (1) Strategic Framework Map SFM 5 (Natural environment elements) identifies elements of the strategic framework as relevant to the natural environment theme and in particular identifies the following:- ecologically important areas including core habitat areas, connecting habitat areas and natural waterways, waterbodies and wetlands; existing and future ecological linkages; and major natural catchments. (2) Strategic Framework Map SFM 1 (Land use elements) is also relevant to the natural environment theme in that it identifies major areas of protected estate and land in declared master planned areas intended to be protected for environmental purposes. Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 Page 3-48

5 Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 Strategic Framework Map 5 Natural Environment Elements Noosa Shire Council Ecologically Important Areas Core Habitat Areas (Note 2) Connecting Habitat Areas EUMUNDI (Note 1) (Note 3) Natural Wetlands Natural Waterbodies SOUTH Gympie Regional Council Ecological Linkages (Note 4) Existing and Future Linkages Major Natural Catchments COOLUM COOLOOLABIN Natural Waterways (Note 5) Maroochy River Catchment Mary River Catchment Mary River North Catchment Mooloolah River Catchment WAPPA Noosa River Catchment YANDINA Pumicestone Passage Catchment Stanley River Catchment MARCOOLA KENILWORTH Other Elements Local Government Area Boundary BLI BLI Declared Master Planned Area (see Part 10 - Other Plans) Land within Development Control Plan 1 - Kawana Waters which is the subject of the Kawana Waters Development Agreement (see Section Planning Scheme Components) PACIFIC PARADISE MAPLETON Priority Development Area (subject to the Economic Development Act 2012) NAMBOUR Ocean MAROOCHYDORE WOOMBYE PALMWOODS MONTVILLE PACIFIC FOREST GLEN BAROON POCKET WITTA Water Supply Dams MOOLOOLABA BUDERIM CONONDALE KAWANA SIPPY DOWNS EUDLO PALMVIEW MALENY MOOLOOLAH Somerset Regional Council CURRIMUNDI LITTLE MOUNTAIN EWEN MADDOCK KINGS BEACH CALOUNDRA LANDSBOROUGH PA S OCEAN GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS Moreton Bay Regional Council Note 1 : Ecologically Important Areas Idenitfied on this map include areas of High Ecological Value as Idenitfied by the State Government (Regional Ecosystem Version 6b - Publication Date: 06/11/2009). Note 2 : Core Habitat Areas Defined as an area greater than 50 hectares of contiguous (connected) remnant and regrowth vegetation and may comprise: - Multiple vegetation community types (Regional Ecosystems); - Wetlands, rivers and wide coastal waterways that traverse the core area; - Known rare and threatened flora and fauna populations; - Lands with a variety of tenures; - Small non-habitat areas (e.g. clear paddocks) that are enclosed within the core; - Infrastructure easements (e.g. transmission lines) that retain a grassy ground cover or shrubby understorey that reflects the habitat characteristics of nearby habitat types; and - Relatively narrow infrastructure corridors such as local roads or rail easements. Note 3 : Connecting Habitat Areas Defined as all other remnant and regrowth vegetation not within a Core Habitat Area and may comprise: - Habitat areas less than 50 hectares in size; - Fragmented and isolated patches of vegetation/habitat greater than 1 hectare in size; - A group of loosely aggregated, but proximal, small habitat fragments in natural or near natural condition; and - Groups of habitat fragments within discrete physical regions such as catchments, landform elements that were not identified as Core Habitat Areas. Note 4 : Natural Waterways Stream orders 3 and above only are identified on this map. Note 5 : Existing and Future Linkages Comprise of: - Existing (identified through previous council studies) or future opportunities to connect Core Habitat Areas; - Linear habitat or landscape features that provide a link or are components of a more extensive link between Core Habitat Areas; and - Terrestrial or riparian habitat landscape features. Note 6 : The Caloundra South Priority Development Area (PDA) is subject to the Economic Development Act The Natural environment elements identified on this map for the Caloundra South PDA reflects the Caloundra South Priority Development Area Infrastructure Agreement (Local Government Infrastructure) dated 2 November PU BEERWAH PELICAN WATERS MI C ESTONE CALOUNDRA SOUTH SA G E GOLDEN BEACH PEACHESTER (Note 6) This Strategic Framework map graphically represents elements of the Natural Environment theme at a conceptual level and is not intended to be interrogated at the cadastre level. Disclaimer While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this product, neither the Sunshine Coast Regional Council nor the State of Queensland makes any representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs that may occur as a result of the product being inaccurate or incomplete in any way or for any reason. Crown and Council Copyright Reserved 2017 BRIBIE ISLAND Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994 (GDA94) Approx A1 1:120,000 BEERBURRUM Kilometres Path: W:\Common\Geo\Projects\130101_SunshinecoastPlanningScheme2014\Queue_Version\SCPS2014_A14R2\Maps\Part3\SFM5_StratFrame_Environment_ mxd Amended 11 June 2018 Strategic Framework Map SFM5 Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 Page 3-49