2016-06-07 - Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                            7 JUNE 2016


3                        NOOSA PARKLANDS DRAFT PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                             Principal Environment Officer, Peter Milne
                                   Planning & Infrastructure Department

Index                              ECM/Subject/Parks and Reserves

Attachments                        1.   Draft Noosa Parklands Park Management Plan (60 pages – provided
                                        separately to this agenda. Two hard copies available in the Councillors Room)
                                   2.   Noosa Parklands Wooroi Creek Hydrological Report



RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Principal Environment Officer to the Planning & Environment
Committee Meeting dated 7 June 2016 and agree to commence public consultation on the Draft
Noosa Parklands Park Management Plan.


REPORT
Council has received a number of complaints about Heritage Park concerning maintenance,
mosquitos, potential flooding and bushcare plantings. One resident has lodged a complaint with
the Local Government Ombudsman. In response to these complaints, the Manager Civil
Operations proposed the development of a park management plan. Funding was allocated
through the budget review process and Ecosure Consultants were engaged to develop the Plan.
The purpose of the management plan is to clarify the management intent for the park, identify the
park’s values and help resolve some of the issues residents have raised.

Heritage Park Bushland Reserve and Recreation Area cannot be managed in isolation. The
parks have connecting pathways, a waterway and a fire trail network. Therefore the management
plan incorporates the following parks as shown on Map 1 (below):

                       Heritage Park Bushland Reserve
                       Heritage Park Recreation Area
                       Harlow Bushland Reserve
                       Satinay Bushland Reserve
                       Palm Grove Park
                       Palm Grove Bushland Reserve
                       Lomandra Park
                       Lomandra Bushland Reserve

The Draft Plan identifies the management objectives of protecting and enhancing the natural,
cultural, recreational and community values of the park. Issues that have been raised by
residents concern management of pest plants and animals, natural hazards, standard of
recreational facilities, and signs and education. These issues are discussed below.

1.                       Pest plants and animals

Like other areas in Noosa Shire, weeds have become established in the park either by natural
dispersal or through the dumping of garden waste. Council will continue to manage weeds in
accordance with the Noosa Shire Pest Management Plan 2015-2019 and the Parks and Natural
Areas Section operational work priorities. The Heritage Park Bushland Reserve Group is very
active with weed control in the area and Council will continue to support this programme.

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