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

The upper Mary River catchment includes Melaleuca swamp, grass, sedge and herb swamp, lakes
and artificial wetlands. These important wetlands act as a filter for water that ultimately flows into
the Great Sandy Marine Park at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.

The Noosa River system is listed on the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia (DIWA). The
Noosa River wetlands consist of mangroves, saltmarshes, melaleuca swamps, wet heath, grass
sedge and herb swamp, sand window lakes as well as artificial wetlands such as dams and
irrigation channels

Many of these wetlands are groundwater dependent and require permanent or intermittent
groundwater reserves to maintain healthy ecosystems. Coastal creeks are also groundwater
dependant and provide habitat for unique species such as the endangered Oxleyan Pigmy Perch
(Nannoperca oxleyana). Projected changes to precipitation patterns, and saline intrusion into
coastal aquifers as a result of climate change and sea-level rise may have adverse impacts on
these systems.

Wetlands and coastal creeks are at risk from development and vegetation clearing. Developments
can also reduce groundwater recharge through increased hard stand areas and accelerated
overland flows. Acid sulfate soils disturbed through earthworks, drainage and development can
cause ‘fish kills’ and damage infrastructure because of elevated acidity in the soils and runoff.

Wetlands often have unique aquatic and ecotonal fauna and flora assemblages, and can be
impacted by invasive plant and animal species. Introduced fish may prey on native fish species or
outcompete them for food, while water weeds can smother wetlands and reduce ecosystem health
for native aquatic species.

Human activities can also impact on coastal creeks and associated wetlands. For example the
environment and water quality of Burgess Creek has been altered as a consequence of treated
sewerage discharge into the waterway.

The Noosa Planning Scheme is a key mechanism to avoid and mitigate impacts to wetland areas.
Development is required to control sediment and runoff, avoid acid sulfate soil exposure, and
provide separation buffers to wetlands to help minimise impacts. Stormwater controls and
constructed bio-basins are required to capture and filter runoff and allow continued groundwater
recharge.

The Noosa Plan, Noosa River Plan and the Mary River Catchment Management Plans will
continue to guide priority actions to maintain the environmental health of Noosa’s wetland and
groundwater systems.




Noosa Shire Environment Strategy                                                              Page 23