Maxine Hitchen – Glossy Team Sunrise

1 MAXINE HITCHEN – GLOSSY TEAM SUNRISE Question 1: Would Noosa Council be willing to enter into discussions with the Uniting Church Australia, Qld, Synod around a land swap, so that the Fussy Vulnerable Glossy Black Cockatoos feed tree habitat at Grasstree Court, Sunrise Beach can be returned to conservation status? Response by Mayor Clare Stewart: Yes, Council would be willing to enter into discussion with the Uniting Church Australia about a land swap if the Church wishes to discuss such a proposal with Council. However, it is Council’s understanding that the Church have a contract with Lend Lease to develop the individual retirement homes and intend to develop the aged care facility, with works to commence on upgrading the intersection shortly. There is, however, limited land owned by Council that may be suitable for the development and free of environmental constraints, with other lands owned by Council also containing significant vegetation. It should be noted through the 2006 Girraween Master Plan, 4.4ha of land was rezoned and dedicated as Open Space Conservation and this area was added to the Girraween Nature Refuge. This refuge is a protected area consisting of 14.3ha immediately adjacent to the site and connecting to the National Park, supporting the Glossy Black Cockatoos. The rehabilitation of degraded bushland using the vegetative material from the site, as required by the development approval conditions, is expected to lead to a positive outcome for native fauna in the area, and includes the provision of glossy black food trees at a ratio of 8 for every 1 cleared. Whilst the science is not clear on the reasons why Glossies favour one tree over another, the provision of additional food trees through the area is seen as a positive step in ensuring potential food trees continue to exist in the locality. There is also evidence of glossies feeding on planted trees and they are known to use other species of she oaks, including forest she oak, horsetail she oak, as well as the river she oak. Question 2: Unfortunately, the local community does not feel like it has been adequately consulted or listened to. Can the Council contact the Church to request that they undertake community consultation as required and as referenced in Section 8 of the Ecological Management Plan. Further, can Council or the Church provide a detailed list of the community consultation that has occurred so far? Response by Mayor Clare Stewart: Blue Care have advised Council that community consultation is being undertaken to match each phase of the project. To date Blue Care have undertaken a number of key stakeholder engagements related to the development, including a virtual webinar held in December last year that was free for members of the public to attend, and one-on-one discussions that are in keeping with Blue Care’s COVID-19 safe community consultation approach. A project information website, phone number and email address has been made available and is regularly monitored by Blue Care. An outline of Blue Care’s proposed further consultation with the community has been requested and will be shared with the community once received.