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

Strategy 2: Expand vegetation networks and habitat
Target: By 2030, half of all land in the Noosa Shire is managed for its environmental values

An extensive protected reserve system across Noosa Shire plays a critical role in conservation
management for the region, and this is continually growing.

Impacts from development, vegetation clearing, encroachment into habitat areas, and
fragmentation of vegetation across landscape put pressure on ecosystem health and species
survival. In addition, the projected changes to Noosa’s climate are expected to further undermine
the resilience of many local systems. Many patches of vegetation in the hinterland areas are
important ‘stepping stones’ for species but are vulnerable to edge effects such as weeds, pests
and land-use encroachment.

Expanding and linking core protected areas into areas of high biodiversity significance helps
protect vital ecosystems from encroachment or fragmentation by development and also enhances
connectivity. To this end, Council has an active acquisitions program and a private landholder
conservation program, funded through the Environment Levy.

Rehabilitating and restoring habitat connectivity across the landscape enables fauna movement,
enhances genetic diversity, and facilitates species and habitat migration. Consolidating core
protected areas and biodiversity corridors is an important focus for Noosa Shire in the face of a
changing climate and predicted changes in the distribution of plant and animal populations.

Noosa is also fortunate to have many private landholders with a strong commitment to
conservation, carrying out work on their land. Over 300 of these landholders are members of Land
for Wildlife program and there are 19 landholders who have placed voluntary covenants on their
land to secure its permanent protection.




Noosa Shire Environment Strategy                                                            Page 15