Environmental management of fauna and flora

1.0Overview 2.0Summary 3.0Site planning 4.0Protected species 5.0Fauna management 6.0Vegetation clearing & offsets 7.0Conservation design 8.0Conservation species management 9.0Biosecurity 10.0Standards 11.0Project management and maintenance

Site planning

Best practice guidance for site planning

Biodiversity conservation seeks to protect and manage not only native fauna and flora, but also the habitat areas upon which they depend. We also rely on our native flora and fauna for the ecosystem services they provide, such as clean air, clean water, productive soils and a moderated climate.

Certain species of fauna and related flora are at risk of extinction due to threatening processes, including the clearing of habitat Some of the key threats to these species are:

loss, degradation and fragmentation of habitat
invasive species altered fire regimes
unsustainable use and management of resources
changes to the aquatic environment and water flows
climate change.

Animals rely on certain plant species for food, shelter and protection from predation.

Across the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area, more than 700 native fauna species and 1600 native flora species have been identified, including threatened species that are listed as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered under Commonwealth and State legislation.

The Sunshine Coast Council region provides important food resources and resting points for migratory species and significant native species, some of which are only found in this area.

Decision framework

Biodiversity conservation strategic direction and policy

The Environment and Liveability Strategy 2017 (ELS) sets the strategic direction and policy to ensure "Our native plants, animals and habitats are healthy, resilient and valued by the entire community". This is supported by a suite of policy positions that, if adhered to and implemented, will significantly contribute to achieving the natural environment desired outcomes.

The ELS has also established a biodiversity target to "maintain the 2016 extent of native vegetation (no net loss of vegetation) by 2041", which is key to evaluating our progress and performance in relation to biodiversity conservation.

For further guidance and policy positions:

File name

Sunshine Coast Environment and Liveability Strategy (ELS)

File type

text/html

Sunshine Coast Environment and Liveability Strategy (ELS)

File name

Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme

File type

text/html

Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme

Site decisions

All decisions relating to environmental management of fauna and flora, must be made in conjunction with council, including Council's Senior Arborist and other relevant officers from SC Parks and Gardens and/or Environmental Operations (determined by site location).

Smart technology

Smart infrastructure must be installed only where appropriate and only when approved by the asset custodian. See LIM Smart technologies for further guidance, including key considerations for installation.

Planning for sustainability

Refer Design principles – Sustainability for guidance.

Page payload data

This component is currently in development

Sunshine Coast Open Space Landscape Infrastructure Manual (LIM) DISCLAIMER

Disclaimer

Information contained in this document may change without notice and you should use the current material available from Council’s website and not rely on material previously printed or stored by you.

All figures and diagrams are intended to be used as an aid to design and include Council’s preferred elements but they are not intended to be prescriptive and may need to be varied as dictated by site specific factors. While Council has exercised reasonable care in preparing this document, it does not warrant or represent that it is accurate or complete. The Council will not accept responsibility for any loss, damage, cost or expense that you may incur as a result of the use of or reliance upon any material contained in this document.

This document is produced to convey general information and is not intended to constitute advice whether professional or legal. Any reference to legislation in this document is not an interpretation of the law. It is to be used as a guide only. Consult relevant authority websites for current documents, revisions and amendments.

Where a particular product or supplier is profiled in this document, Council is NOT nominating this product or supplier as the selected choice. Product/supplier information has been provided to allow users to source products which contain the correct elements required for Council embellishments. Each product profiled states ‘or equivalent’ which means that different products may be supplied provided they satisfy the identified performance criteria, recommended standards, equal access guidance and product specifications.

Product design, manufacture and installation requires appropriately qualified people to provide site specific solutions to ensure the embellishment is appropriately adapted to local conditions and data.

This document does not override requirements stipulated in a development approval. Project specific variations may be appropriate as a result of site, environmental or other constraints. Any variations to these standards must be approved in writing by council prior to commencement of variation works. Components of this document may be used within a contract document but users should undertake their own investigations to confirm the information is suitable for this purpose.

Drawings contained in this document are NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION.

Details in this document are deemed to be the minimum standard and the user may wish to apply a higher standard subject to approval by council.

Acknowledgements

Council wishes to thank all contributors and stakeholders involved in the development of this document.

Sunshine Coast Regional Council (Council) supports and encourages the distribution of its material however, copyright protects this document. Council has no objection to this material being reproduced but only if council is recognised as the owner of the copyright and this material remains unaltered.

https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au [email protected]07 5475 7272