Settler's Cove Proposed Stormwater Treatment System

Brisbane, Mar 4, 2008 (ABN Newswire) - Noosa Council granted in-principle approval at its Ordinary Meeting on 14 February 2008 to allow Settler's Cove developer Cape Bouvard to reduce the environmental impact of untreated stormwater flowing from upstream in Noosa Junction and the surrounding Noosa Hill precinct into Noosa Sound by creating a wetland treatment system within an existing stormwater swale.

Nutrients and contaminants that continue to enter the Settler's Cove site via stormwater inflows currently disperse below the development zone into a large wet heath, ownership of which Cape Bouvard will transfer to the Noosa Community Environment Trust this year as the RF Thompson Conservation Park. On completion, the Settler's Cove Wetland area will also be vested in Council as a public park.

Cape Bouvard will bear the cost of the works, including engineering, environmental assessment, specialist supervision and landscaping, all of which will be strictly assessed and monitored by Council to its satisfaction. Cape Bouvard's funding and management of the wetland construction will allow the works to proceed earlier than otherwise contemplated by Council, and completes a treatment system that includes the upstream installation already begun by Council in accordance with its Urban Stormwater Management Strategy.

Council's agreement to partner Cape Bouvard in the Settler's Cove Wetland pending a full environmental management plan to ensure that habitat and fauna are appropriately considered in the final design was based on the obvious benefits to the community in enhancing the environmental values of a designated conservation reserve. Additional benefits include recreational and educational opportunities and removing a substantial cost burden from future infrastructure budgets.

"It is timely that a resolution has been reached to address the untreated stormwater that the site receives from a substantial urban catchment," says Settler's Cove Development Manager Gary Godfrey.

"A great deal of importance has been placed on the protection of the waterways, as evidenced by the 20 hectare environmental conservation buffer between Noosa Sound and the Settler's Cove development. The Settler's Cove Wetland is an appropriate solution to ensure a quality stormwater treatment system that maintains and enhances the environmental values of these natural features."

Of the 36 hectare site bounded by Noosa Hill, Noosa Junction and Noosa Sound purchased by Cape Bouvard in 2005, more than 23 hectares will have been donated to Council as park and conservation land by mid 2008.

ENDS

For more information contact:

Gary Godfrey
Senior Development Manager
Settler's Cove
(07) 5448 0186