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

Background
NC and TNC together with a range of stakeholders have worked together to build a deeper understanding of the
environmental significance and long-term sustainable management options for the Noosa River. This has included:

Noosa River Expert Workshop, Powerhouse Museum, 2014
A two-day workshop, hosted by TNC on behalf of The Thomas Foundation (TTF) and Noosa Parks Association (NPA),
comprising 12 academic and NGO estuary scientists. The workshop identified 14 conservation activities that could lead to a
healthier Noosa River, with oyster reef restoration listed as a priority action in addition to prawn restocking and Kin Kin
sediment management. These activities (including further scoping studies) were later jointly funded by NC, NPA, TTF and the
Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation (NBRF).

See Annex 18

TNC Oyster Restoration Scoping Study, 2015
TNC and Ecological Service Professionals Pty Ltd (ESP) on behalf of NC and others undertook a short, five-month ecological
assessment to quantify oyster densities across 11 intertidal and subtidal sites within the estuary. The study confirmed high
densities of oyster recruitment particularly around Weyba Creek, the main channel around Tewantin, and in the narrow
channel between Goat Island and Noosa North Shore. The project recommended installing pilot reefs for further assessment.

See Annex 19

University of Queensland Historical Ecology of the Noosa Estuary fisheries, 2015
Ruth Thurston from the University of Queensland undertook a historical ecology study on behalf of TNC and NC in the Noosa
River estuary to develop an understanding of historical fisheries productivity, including oysters. The study confirmed oyster
reefs used to exist in the estuary and were commercial harvested in the early 1900s. Fish populations were also significantly
larger in the past than they are today.

See Annex 20

University of Sunshine Coast, Bring Back the Fish, 2018-2020
A three-year study which installed a series of experimental ‘reef units’ consisting of coir bags filled with oyster shell at 15 sites
across the estuary. The project studied the structural integrity, oyster recruitment, fish and invertebrate community
assemblages and human interactions with the reefs. This project collected important ecological information that will support
the final design and implementation of reef restoration in this Project.

See separate reports provided by USC/NBRF

NC-TNC Partnership Agreement and Contract 2019
NC and TNC, in addition to other organizations with an interest in the river’s sustainability (including NPA, TTF and NBRF),
through a series of dialogue and presentations to NC, have recognized the strategic priorities of both organizations and of
others would be more effectively served through a formal partnership, rather than on an individual project basis. This
agreement led to the development of this Project, and associated contract between NC and TNC, and is the main delivery
mechanism of the NC-TNC Partnership.

See Annex 1

Noosa River Plan, 2020
The draft Noosa River Plan identifies current and future threats and management interventions to abate identified threats
within the Noosa River estuary. The Plan should include the strategic alignment of oyster reef restoration to the long-term
health and resilience of the Noosa River estuary. The Plan, once complete, will support the delivery of the Noosa Environment
Strategy. The Plan was not finalized at the time of finalizing this report. TNC provided a submission to the draft Plan, as
requested by NC. TNC also provided a submission to the Noosa Fishing Futures Report.

See Annexes 21 & 22
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