2017-04-11 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                      11 APRIL 2017


                                                                                   ATTACHMENT 3
DRAFT SUBMISSION

A.   Noosa Council supports the ongoing development of the Noosa tourism sector and supports
     innovative approaches to commercial use of the river which protect natural habitat values
     and the excellent water quality ratings of the Noosa River system;
B.   Council is not opposed to the redevelopment of the Elanda Point camping ground into a high
     quality tourism product that complements the Noosa brand and focusses on the Shire’s
     outstanding natural environment subject to the applicant obtaining all necessary approvals;
C.   As a Biosphere Reserve, Council supports maintaining the current 5,974 ha of management
     level A, and the 100 ha of management level B declared Fish Habitat Area in the Noosa River
     system due to its importance to the sustainability of the commercial and recreational fishing
     sectors in this region;
D.   Under the Sustainable Planning Act, Council supports the State Interest in protecting the
     high ecological value of management level A declared Fish Habitat Areas within the Noosa
     River system identified in the Environment Protection (Water) Policy;
E.   Council supports protection of the current declared Fish Habitat Areas in terms of our Noosa
     River catchment responsibilities in light of a growing population, recreational demand,
     commercial use of the river, coastal development and predicted climate change impacts;
F.   Council considers the downgrade of the management level A declared Fish Habitat Area to
     a management level B area as counterproductive to the aims of the current projects
     underway in the Noosa River system to restore fish habitat. These projects Bring Fish Life
     Back and Keep It In Kin Kin have been financially supported by Council and facilitated by the
     Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation in partnership with Noosa Parks Association, The
     Thomas Foundation, University of Queensland, Sunshine Coast University, Ecological
     Service Professionals, Noosa District Landcare and The Nature Conservancy;
G.   Council aims to be a pilot program for ecosystem based management in the Noosa River
     catchment as a demonstration of best practice;
H.   Council considers the Eco Camp Pty Ltd proposal to request the State to downgrade the
     management level A Fish Habitat Area to enable the company to make application for jetty
     infrastructure is contrary to the Noosa Plan which states there are to be no new jetties on
     public lands unless there is a clear demonstrated public benefit and support. The proposed
     jetty will primarily benefit a commercial business and not the broader community;
I.   Council is concerned as to whether an appropriate level of community consultation has
     occurred on this proposal. Council requests the State to consider all public feedback on this
     proposal, and the extent to which any public benefit is identified by the proposal;
J.   Council supports the Noosa Planning Scheme vision in relation to commercial development
     on, and adjacent to the river, which is designed to:
         ensure no additional commercial leases on the river;
         not increase the overall scale and intensity of commercial operations;
         ensure commercial development does not extend beyond existing commercial lease
           areas;
K.   Further commercial facilities on the Noosa River, including leases, are not supported under
     the Coastal Management and Protection Act 1995 (State Development Assessment
     Provisions);
L.   Council understands that the purpose of the proposal to downgrade the Fish Habitat Area
     from an A to a B category is to enable the applicant to build a private (commercial) jetty
     infrastructure at this site. Council is the assessment authority for such a facility and our Town

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