2022-10-24 General Committee Meeting- Item 7 - Attachment 1 - Noosa Oyster Ecosystem Restoration Project - Final Report (1)

Key achievements - March to September 2022
In the reporting period March to September 2022, TNC has achieved the following:

    •   Secured all permits:

        o    Resource Allocation Authority - to undertake restoration activities in the Noosa Fish Habitat Area from
             Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF)
        o    General Fisheries Permit - to collect and spawn adult oysters from the Noosa River (DAF)
        o    General Fisheries Permit - for handling and translocation of live oysters during the oyster reseeding activity
             (DAF)
        o    Development Approval - under the Queensland Planning Act 2016 and related acts, regulations (NC+SARA at
             DILGP)
        o    Roads and Footpaths Permit – for operation of the load out site (NC)
        o    Construction and Environmental Management Plan acceptance (NC)

    •   Entered into and completed contracts with:

        o    M&J Marine Services (reef construction)
        o    Ecological Service Professionals (reef baseline monitoring)
        o    International Coastal Management (reef construction oversight)
        o    Bribie Island Research Centre (DAF) (oyster reef seeding)

    •   Delivered the construction outreach plan including:

        o    Strategic communications with residents near to the load out site and the constructions sites
        o    General communications to the community about the reef building process and timeframes
        o    Public notices, signage, aids to navigation, community feedback and complaints mechanism and QR code linked
             to online construction and project information.

    •   Constructed 30 reefs across 4 restoration sites (Tewantin, Goat Island, Noosa Sound East, Noosa Sound West).

    •   Established oyster reef patches along 497m of shoreline and a footprint area of 2268m2.

    •    Installed 8 aids to navigation (reef markers/signage), 2 at each restoration site.

    •   Secured Registered Professional Engineers of Queensland (RPEQ) certification of the reef build.

    •   Completed baseline ecological and erosion monitoring surveys.

    •   Continued to deliver the Shuck Don’t Chuck shell recycling project with local restaurant partners.

    •   Completed the Noosa Senior Schools engagement project in partnership with Noosa Environmental Education Hub
        (EEhub).

    •   Completed the Junior Schools engagement project in partnership with Noosa Biosphere Community Association
        (NBCA).

    •   Completed phase 1 of the community-led Oyster Gardening project in partnership with Noosa Integrated Catchment
        Association (NICA).

    •   Implemented a grant with the Noosa Parks Association (NPA) to undertake baseline scientific assessments of
        sediment accumulation patterns in the Noosa River.


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