AGENDA - Sunshine Coast Council

Strategy and Planning Committee Agenda 16 February 2011
Section 2.1.15 - Non-Tidal Artificial Waterways, seeks to ensure non-tidal artificial waterways
are only developed in appropriate locations. The proposed non-tidal artificial waterway is
located on land designated for urban purposes and satisfies the criteria with regard to
‘Development Assessment’ in that:
a) the lake is modeled to have a turn over time of 22 days, and the tidal range within
Lamerough Canal is greater than 0.3 metres;
b) the effects on the Pumicestone Passage due to the increase in tidal prism resulting
from the construction of the additional waterways would be almost negligible and
would be masked by naturally occurring variations in the tidal dynamics of the
Pumicestone Passage;
c) the proposed non-tidal artificial waterway is not proposed in undeveloped tidal
waterways, rather the waterway that will have a connection to the development site is
highly developed with concrete revetment walls lining the canal;
d) the proposed non-tidal artificial waterway is not proposed in a freshwater
environment; and
e) the proposed non-tidal artificial waterway is not located within a Declared Fish Habitat
Area (refer Attachment 9);
With regard to direct or indirect adverse impacts from the construction and operation of
non-tidal artificial waterways, the following assessment is provided:
a) Areas of State significance (natural resources)
The proposed non-tidal waterway is not located in an area of State significance, but it
is noted the subject land is located adjacent to Bells Creek and outlets into the
Pumicestone Passage, which are both identified as areas of State significance. The
proposed non-tidal waterway is designed as a tidal exchange system that receives
inflows at high tides from Lamerough Canal. The design of the system does not
involve any pumping or outflow from or into Bells Creek. With regard to the
Pumicestone Passage the proposed development is not expected to impact on the
environmental conditions within the Pumicestone Passage. This assessment has
been further detailed in the Environmental Assessment section of this report.
b) Coastal wetlands, including the opportunity to rehabilitate, restore or enhance
degrades coastal wetland areas and values
The subject land has been extensively modified through cutting, filling and other
excavations. This included the excavation of a substantial open stormwater drainage
channel that conveys stormwater run-off from the site and the adjacent Golden
Beach. This constructed drainage channel is subject to tidal influences and has
facilitated the establishment of marine plant communities within and adjacent to the
drainage channel.
The Department of Environment and Resource Management has assessed the
proposal against the Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 and the
Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (Fisheries
Queensland) has assessed the proposal against the Fisheries Act 1994. Both
referral agencies have supported the proposed development subject to conditions.
Conditions include the requirement for offsets to be provided at a ratio of 2:1 for the
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