Sanctuary Hills Estate – Koala Plan of Management and Vegetation Management Plan

Purpose

Sanctuary Hills Estate comprises a large area of urban farmland in Goonellabah which is zoned for residential development. AWC completed a Koala Plan of Management (KPoM) to address the requirements of State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) 44. The KPoM examined the retention of habitat at the site, the need for compensation for tree removal and the impacts of habitat fragmentation and urban threats (dog attack, vehicle strike) to address the requirements of the draft Lismore Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management and required extensive liaison with Lismore City Council and the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure. The KPoM was approved in early 2013, and AWC have recently completed a Vegetation Management Plan to guide habitat restoration at the site.

Objectives

• To complete a KPoM to satisfy (draft) Lismore Plan requirements
• To balance habitat restoration requirements with bushfire and other considerations
• To prepare a Vegetation plan of Management to guide the compensation works including designation of timing, monitoring and meeting key performance indicators

Partners & Stakeholders

• Aborab Pty Ltd
• Lismore City Council

Outcomes

• KPoM approved (the first in the shire to address Councils CKPoM requirements)
• VMP awaiting approval by Council

Project Facts

Project Value: $10, 000

Challenges: Creating a KPoM to satisfy relevant stakeholders at a constrained site