2016-06-07 - Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    7 JUNE 2016


It is a recommendation of the Plan that the practice of removing natural debris from the waterway
discontinue. Removal of debris and vegetation can actually cause more erosion problems by
exposing soil and increasing potential water velocity. It is more important that roadway culverts
be kept clear because the roadway could act as a barrier to flood waters. Similarly, the Lomandra
plantings that define the boundary between mown areas and bushland reserve, also have limited
impact on retaining floodwaters during peak events. A copy of the hydrology report is included in
the Plan.

The parks surrounding Noosa Parklands are rated as having a high to very high bushfire hazard
rating. The Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service have recently completed 15-20m fire
trails around the boundary of Noosa Parklands and Tewantin National Park. Internal fire trails
have been established around Council’s reserve system, but the Plan proposes continued fire
trail works to consolidate the fire trail network. The highest risk areas (Harlow and Satinay
Bushland Reserve) are currently being assessed for fire fuel hazard by consultants which will
determine whether planned burns are needed. Fire management at Noosa Parklands parks will
continue to be managed in accordance with the Noosa Shire Bushland Reserve Fire
Management Plan 2015.

Council’s Parks and Natural Areas team complete pathway and fire trail inspections to check for
hazardous trees. The Plan supports the case for a pro-active risk/benefit assessment of the park
recreation area trees to inform future tree management programs.

Council’s Vector Management section has undertaken mosquito trapping in Noosa Parklands.
The mosquitos identified are Aedes procax which breed in bushland ground pools, probably in
the surrounding National Park and in temporary ponds in Wooroi Creek. The species can be a
vector in disease transmission. Some residents have suggested that the temporary ponds in
Heritage Park could be drained to reduce mosquito breeding. This measure would have a limited
impact on mosquito populations because ponding also occurs in neighbouring localities.
Mosquitos can travel for many kilometres to bush and garden areas in Noosa Parkland and local
mitigation activities would not alleviate this. The Plan recommends against draining of creek
ponds because it is unlikely to reduce mosquito population and such an action would impact on
other native species.

3.   Recreational values

The Plan acknowledges the recreational value of the park to local residents. As a local park, the
recreational facilities provided are considered adequate for demand and the provision of open
grass areas is sufficient space for recreational users. Apart from a proposed new pathway
linkage at the southern end of Heritage Park (see Map 2), two new bench seats and new signs,
there are no further embellishments needed for the park. The new pathway, seating and signs
could be considered for funding from the Priority Infrastructure Plan (PIP). Map 2 also shows a
proposed pathway renewal at the southern end of Heritage Park. Council will continue to manage
the recreation park and connecting pathways along with shire-wide park operational
management priorities.

Noosa Parklands Park Action Plan

Fifteen actions to implement the Plan are identified in the Action Plan. Key actions include:
    Review and upgrade park signage including installing an interpretive sign at each of the
      main park entrances;
    Develop a whole of site ecological restoration plan based on Council’s Pest Management
      Plan and Biodiversity Operational Assessment (BOA) plan done previously;
    Improve the pathways at the southern end of Heritage Park by constructing a new pathway
      link and renewing the existing path;


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