2019-02-18 GC Agenda Att 1 to Item 8 - Draft Environment Strategy

Strategy 1: Protect and enhance existing ecosystems, vegetation
networks and habitats
Target: By 2030, there is no net loss of ecosystem values across the shire, and the condition of
Council’s priority bushland reserves are enhanced.

Noosa Shire’s reserve system contributes towards a large, well-connected network of core
protected areas. These extend across a diverse cross-section of ecosystem types and altitudinal
ranges that link public and private lands. Many of these areas are large and highly biodiverse.

The largest protected reserve is the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park.
Connectivity between large areas of private and public land assist with maintaining the diversity,
abundance and health of many native species. The vegetation networks that extend along
waterways and form Noosa’s wetlands and coastal environments assist in protecting water quality
and play an important role in buffering foreshores from erosion, capturing sediment and filtering
runoff across the catchment.

Existing small vegetation patches and urban habitats are also important for providing habitat and
supporting species survival. This includes the vegetated road reserve network, which plays a role
in providing habitat and connectivity across the shire.

Ecosystems function are at their best when they are as close to their natural state as possible, the
condition that has resulted in the co-evolution of the species that inhabit them. Ecosystems in
Noosa Shire are impacted by a range of threats including weeds, feral animals, development,
vegetation clearing, pollution, urban runoff and climate change.

There are a range of statutory and non-statutory measures to protect and enhance existing
ecosystems, vegetation networks and habitats. The Noosa Planning Scheme helps protect high
value biodiversity and riparian corridors. It provides additional protection to matters not covered by
State and Commonwealth legislation such as high value regrowth and vegetation and species that
are considered to be locally significant.

Outside statutory protection there are a range of programs helping to improve the condition of
ecosystems, vegetation and habitat. Noosa Council owns and manages over 180 bushland
reserves and, in partnership with community volunteers, is undertaking site stabilisation works,
weed control and plantings to restore the natural ecology of these reserves. Council has a
proactive and successful pest and biosecurity management program, working with landowners to
both educate and mitigate the impacts of pest species in our environment. Council also partners
with private landholders through conservation agreements to promote and support similar works on
private land to further expand the Noosa conservation estate.

Different government agencies have responsibility for managing Noosa’s protected areas, with the
State Government managing National Parks and State Forests. For public land not under Council
control, Council can play an advocacy and support role with other government land managers to
improve environmental outcomes.




Noosa Shire Environment Strategy                                                               Page 13