Original source · versioned page text
EASTERN BEACHES FORESHORE RESERVES MANAGEMENT PLAN - COMMUNITY CONSULTATION OVERVIEW AND PROPOSED CHANGES · Report
Plans and drawings: the text below has words only, no drawings.
PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 8 AUGUST 2023
5.1 EASTERN BEACHES FORESHORE RESERVES MANAGEMENT PLAN - COMMUNITY
CONSULTATION OVERVIEW AND PROPOSED CHANGES
Author Environment Officer Coastal Management, Melissa Coyle
Strategy and Environment and Sustainable Development Department
Index ECM/Subject/Environmental Management 21.51
Attachments 1. Attachment 1 EBFRMP 2023 Draft Final
2. Attachment 2 EBFRMP 2023 Draft - tracked changes
3. Attachment 3 EBFRMP Engagement Analysis Articulous
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report summarises community input received during the public consultation period for the draft
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan, Council's proposed response, and a revised Eastern
Beaches Foreshore Reserves Management Plan for Council approval.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Environment Officer – Coastal Management to the Planning &
Environment Committee meeting dated 8 August 2023 regarding the Eastern Beaches Foreshore
Reserves Management Plan and community consultation and:
A. Note the community input received during the public consultation period for the draft Eastern
Beaches Foreshore Management Plan and Council's proposed response;
B. Approve the revised Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves Management Plan for implementation
- provided at Attachment 1; and
C. Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to make minor changes or amendments to the document
prior to publishing on Council's website.
REPORT
Background – Noosa’s Vision, Principles and Values
Council's revised Corporate Plan 2023-2028 notes that historically, Noosa has chosen a different
path to other councils and continues to build upon this successful legacy and reap the benefits, with
large tracts of retained vegetation, the healthiest waterways in the region, and an engaged and active
community. These great strengths also form the basis of Noosa’s economy, creating a point of
difference, recognised brand and green credentials, encouraging people from all over the world to
visit and enjoy Noosa’s natural environment.
The Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves exemplify this statement and are an iconic part of
Noosa’s coastal landscape and are central to Noosa’s coastal neighbourhoods - most of our seaside
residents and communities live alongside them. They are central to the Noosa resident and visitor
experience, with many people walking through the reserves to access Noosa’s beaches, enjoying
the beautiful views the area has to offer. Community Bushland Care volunteers are very active
across the Eastern Beaches, with seven groups working at multiple sites in and next to the reserves.
The Community's approach to their environment – being connected, engaged and inspired by our
unique environment - was brought to the fore during community consultation for the Noosa Coastal
Hazards Adaptation Plan (CHAP) 2021. “There is a strong preference for nature-based solutions
See the original
The page text is free to read. Viewing or downloading an original file needs an account.
Log in to see the originalFull text of the other 7 pages
Page 2
PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 8 AUGUST 2023
that fit with the look and feel of Noosa, and that minimise impacts to natural environments,” and,
“natural and scenic amenity assets are considered to have the highest intrinsic value to the
community” (CHAP, 2021:18).
Community consultation
The public consultation period for the draft Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan was held
from 20 February 2023 to 20 March 2023 and was extended to 31 March 2023. The following
promotional activities were undertaken to notify the public of the consultation period:
• The draft plan was made available on the Your Say webpage.
• Notification of the public consultation period was emailed to stakeholders.
• The consultation was advertised on social and traditional media.
• A notice was included in the January rates notice to residents.
Council ran an online survey (204 respondents), 13 pop up events (485 people engaged), 3 public
roundtable workshops (28 participants), 2 dedicated roundtables with the Eastern Beaches
Protection Association (eight participants) and received 92 written submissions.
The January 2023 rates notice insert included information about the consultation process. This was
not delivered to people who receive rates notices electronically. Consequently, Council officers
emailed the insert to people who receive rates notices electronically in mid-March and extended the
consultation to end March to allow more time for people to provide feedback.
Independent engagement consultants analysed data from the community roundtables, online
survey, and popup events. The data was broken down into plan themes and considered as part of
the plan’s review. This engagement analysis is attached to this Council Report as Attachment 3.
Community input and proposed Council responses
The input comments were varied, demonstrating the broad range of community groups and individual
respondents. Areas of interest included:
• A desire to change the scope, focus and objectives of the plan - some community members
felt all programs, activities, and planning for the Eastern Beaches should be in one document.
• A desire for consultation earlier in the process of drafting the plan.
• Misdirected priorities, over-emphasis/exaggeration of the issue of encroachments.
• A desire for action on encroachments versus others who felt there should be less focus on
encroachments.
• Actions tied to objectives, better measures of outcomes, and increased monitoring.
• The need for more on ground works and greater efforts to control weeds.
There were also several comments regarding other locations such as Main Beach, Noosa River and
Noosa North Shore, open space parks, national parks and private land and other matters relating to
Noosa’s CHAP, Noosa's Planning Scheme and the Open Space Strategy. Community input and
officer observations about these other issues will be forwarded to the relevant sections of Council
for consideration.
Community input and subsequent plan review resulted in the following key improvements:
Page 3
PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 8 AUGUST 2023
• The scope of the plan has been better described and renamed as the Eastern Beaches
Foreshore Reserves Management Plan to better reflect the area the plan addresses.
• Interaction with other programs and activities in and near the Eastern Beaches Foreshore
Reserves are better described.
• Statements about the reserves’ environmental values and climate change are better
referenced.
• Condition mapping, restoration targets, ecological restoration plans and on ground works are
better described.
• Objectives in each theme section have been better linked to management outcomes in each
theme. Each action has been allocated a time frame, and a measures table included with
each theme to help with monitoring progress and success.
• Encroachments are now dealt with specifically under a separate Encroachments Policy and
Procedure which applies to all Council-managed land across the Shire.
• The themes have been reordered.
Summary of issues raised and proposed responses
COMMUNITY INPUT COUNCIL RESPONSE
Consultation process
Consultation inadequate, Please see consultation description above.
consultation time too short, not
adequately promoted.
Scope
The scope is flawed and does not The plan has been updated to better describe
focus on or fund priority issues – coastal creek erosion, stormwater and
e.g. stormwater and treated wastewater projects and funding, and how they
sewage. All actions to do with the interact with the plan and are being acted upon.
Eastern Beaches should be in one
plan.
The environmental values of the Objectives reviewed to include future
foreshore and importance of future generations and environmental values, these are
generation stewardship should be an important focus.
prioritised.
Management objectives, actions, KPIs
Objectives should be linked to Actions have been linked to objectives, linking
actions, priority actions should be outcomes and a measures table in each theme
identified, and actionable, section.
measurable, and timely KPIs are
needed.
Climate change
A healthy, biodiverse habitat Using natural processes and managing the
increases chances of climate foreshore reserves as natural areas is the
change adaptation. This needs to primary climate change adaptation response
be recognised identified in the CHAP. Improving structural and
species diversity has been better described.
The main source of erosion to Coastal creek and stormwater projects are now
Burgess Creek is wastewater. This better described in the plan.
should be emphasised.
Page 4
PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 8 AUGUST 2023
More coastal and erosion The Coastal Monitoring Plan is now better
monitoring is needed and this described in the plan. Coastal monitoring data
needs to be made publicly will be published on Council's website when
available. available.
There is no climate catastrophe on Climate change impacts have been better
the Eastern Beaches. The dunes referenced. Past and current dune condition is
are stable and healthy. also better described.
The coastal hazard area and The erosion-prone area mapping methodology
potential coastal erosion risks are was set by the State Government and will be
overstated in the CHAP. updated periodically as new information
becomes available.
Ecology
Ecological problems and Environmental values and impacts have been
environmental values are referenced with further information provided on
overstated and inaccurate. source data. A new data collection and
monitoring section has been added.
Budget to implement Ecological Condition mapping, restoration targets,
Restoration Plans is welcome - ecological restoration plans and on ground works
focus needs to be on the ground have been better described. Budget has been
restoration. provided in the 2023/24 budget to support
implementation of the plan.
Include fire management and risk Fire risk mitigation is included in the rehabilitation
to life and property mitigation program and works and made explicit in the
measures in rehabilitation of plan.
cleared areas.
Social Values
The importance of significant The critical social values described here are
recreational, social, and visual recognised in the objectives of the draft plan and
values should be explicitly Section 8. The importance of public access and
recognised in the plan. recreation is discussed in Section 12.
Kabi Kabi should be consulted with Council continues to build relationships and
and heavily involved in the plan. collaborative partnerships with Kabi Kabi, and
welcomes Kabi Kabi involvement in the ongoing
implementation of the plan.
Partnerships
The reference to the Community As part of the plan implementation, Council will
Bushland Care Program is review existing partnerships in conjunction with
inadequate. A new collaborative community partners to determine if these are
partnership with Bushcare is meeting community expectations and need to be
required. reframed.
Community education
An ongoing, resourced, education The plan aims to reduce neighbour and visitor-
and awareness campaign is related impacts observed in Bushland
needed to improve understanding Operational Assessment condition mapping.
of the importance of protecting Community education is planned as part of the
dunes. plan's implementation.
Page 5
PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 8 AUGUST 2023
Encroachments
Encroachments are a Shire-wide A Shire-wide Encroachments Policy and
issue and separate to the plan for Procedures have been developed and approved
the Eastern Beaches. by Council to provide consistency and clarity for
managing private encroachments into public
reserve areas. Budget has been allocated in the
2023/24 budget to support an additional staff
member and progress onground bushland
recovery work on a shire-wide basis for Council's
bushland areas.
Concern about factual basis of The language regarding encroachments and
concern about encroachments, impacts has been assessed and reviewed.
and inflammatory language.
Bushland Operational Assessment mapping and
data from on ground audits informs Council’s
approach to prioritising and managing
It would be helpful to have some
encroachments.
information about what foreshore
neighbours could do to maintain A � a Good Bushland Neighbour’ education
and improve the health of the program is central to implementation of the
reserves. Encroachments Policy.
Public access and recreation
Management of the reserves as a Recreation, public access and beach access are
natural area is not appropriate. The very important throughout the draft plan, and are
reserves should be managed for highlighted in the second objective and Section
recreation. 12, Public access and recreation.
Universal access for those with Universal access is a priority in the design
disabilities or mobility issues is standards and beach access review projects.
important. Event-based universal access is being explored.
There is a need to improve beach This is included in the beach access review and
access and surf viewing points, design standards project.
while protecting the dunes from
access impacts.
Incidents and disaster management
Bushfire and other urban risks are Fire risk mitigation measures are now explicitly
not managed in the plan. stated in the plan. Community education about
fire risk mitigation is included as an action in the
plan. A fire management program is underway
and funded within the Natural Areas team.
Coastal creeks and stormwater
The plan does not recognise, The plan now better describes its position and
manage, or fund remediation of role in managing the Eastern Beaches Foreshore
current erosion and pollution of Reserves alongside other plans, programs, and
erosion prone areas caused by activities and how they interact. This includes
wastewater. Erosion at creek coastal erosion (CHAP) implementation projects,
mouths is enabling ingress from Burgess Creek integrated catchment
the sea and further erosion. management plan and the high risk erosion
Burgess Creek needs more planning and design project.
detailed management.
Urban areas have been The plan does not deal with private land. This
progressive hardened with some community feedback has been provided to
Page 6
PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 8 AUGUST 2023
90% hard surface areas, larger Council's Strategic Planning branch for
roof areas, paving on private land, consideration as part of future development
roads etc all contributing to run off requirements. Other retrofitting options for
and erosion risk. improved stormwater management has been
discussed and referred to Council's Infrastructure
Branch for further consideration as part of capital
works planning.
Better access to Unitywater data, Council coordinates a Shire-wide water quality
external, transparent, independent monitoring program and has a data sharing
water quality testing and public agreement with Unitywater for water quality data
availability of test results and that they gather and monitor under their
assessments. Environmental Authority obligations to the
Department of Environment and Science for the
Burgess Creek wastewater treatment plant.
Council is also planning the development of a
public dashboard for displaying water quality
data for the Burgess Creek and other
subcatchments within the Shire.
All coastal creeks should be Environment Services have been working with
resourced to restore riparian areas Unitywater, Council Infrastructure Services, and
and improve water quality. community members to restore bushland and
improve water quality in and along the coastal
creeks, accommodating erosion issues where
required.
Foreshore tenure and gazettal
The purpose of the foreshore must Recreation and public access is strongly
remain as recreation. Foreshores recognised as very important throughout the
should be managed to include draft plan, in the second objective and Section
barbeque areas, toilets, viewing 12 Public access and recreation.
platforms and quiet seating areas.
Concern that Council intends to The intent of the plan is not to ‘lock up’ reserves
pursue national park status for the or change the way they are being used by the
reserves and losing public access public for recreation. Council is not pursuing
to beach or foreshore reserves. national park status for the beach reserves.
Dogs
Generally support beach dog Council will to explore the review of dog exercise
walking, but need to reduce its areas, community education and information
social and environmental impacts. about dogs on beaches and dog-related
enforcement and develop clearer, more
prominent, and more attractive signage and
Need to provide clear, concise, information about dogs, including for short-term
enforceable information on dog on- accommodation visitors.
leash and dog free beach areas.
Link to Corporate Plan
Objective 1.3 within the Environment theme of the Corporate Plan: Fund and deliver Coastal
Foreshore and Coastal Hazard Management Plans to protect and enhance coastal and foreshore
areas.
Signature projects include: Implementation of Coastal and Foreshore Management Plans.
Page 7
PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 8 AUGUST 2023
Previous Council Consideration
Ordinary Meeting Minutes, 17 November 2022, Item 3, page 20
That Council note the report by the Environment Officer Coastal Management to the General
Committee Meeting dated 14 November 2022 and
A. Approve the release of the Draft Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan (provided at
Attachment 1) for public consultation in February 2023 with the following amendments:
1. Modify Action 11.1 to read “Develop and resource a Council-managed land encroachment
policy for Council managed natural areas that includes:
• educative compliance as a first measure to address and remove historic encroachments; and
• a zero tolerance and timely enforcement approach to any new encroachments.”
2. Add an action 11.2 to read “Commence a Natural Area, Foreshore and Waterway Ranger
Program with staff that have roles as natural resource managers, education and compliance
officers.”
3. Add an action 11.3 to read: “Institute a broader awareness campaign to encourage good
custodianship of the bushland reserves and beaches including information and signage.”
B. That the resourcing of the Ranger Program be referred to Budget Review 2 for the
commencement of an additional officer at the earliest possible opportunity; and
C. Note the Community Consultation and Engagement Plan (provided at Attachment 2) for the
consultation process.
D. That the CEO be requested to bring forward the Encroachment Policy for all areas of the shire
to the January round of meetings.
Finance
Transitioning from community-managed Coastal Connect to Council-managed reserves
In previous years, Council bush rehabilitation contractor funds were restricted to 3 labour days per
Eastern Beaches foreshore reserve to support bushcare activities. The majority of contractor
ecological restoration in the Eastern Beaches foreshore reserves were delivered by an annual
$75,000 multi-year grant from Council’s Environment Levy to the Coastal Connect project (led by
Bushcare volunteers). This imposed a significant workload on the volunteers. Under the 2023/24
budget, Council has supported the transiting of this restoration work back to Council as core business
rather than it being delivered through the Coastal Connect project.
The 2023/24 budget provides for:
• Ongoing resources for ecological restoration of Eastern Beaches bushland reserves,
including dedicated staff resources to manage increased restoration.
• Transfer of ecological restoration planning, contract management and administration from
volunteers to Council staff.
Risk & Opportunities
Community input during the development of the Environment Strategy 2019 and Noosa CHAP 2021,
and results from the Noosa Liveability Study 2022 strongly support maintaining natural processes
and using nature-based solutions to address climate change risks and conserve and manage natural
areas and natural values. Improving the ecosystem health and resilience of Noosa’s coastal
environments is identified as a management priority in the Noosa Environment Strategy 2019 and
Noosa Bushland Reserves Strategic Management Plan 2021 – 2026.
Page 8
PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 8 AUGUST 2023
Better management of the Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves aligns with Noosa's sustainability
principles, including the protection and enhancement of Noosa's environment, working with
community partners, and increasing community benefit.
Council will not be able to meet these community expectations or strategic outcomes without the
approval and implementation of the Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves Management Plan, now
funded through the 23/24 budget.
Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Community input was sought during the main consultation period for the draft Eastern Beaches
Foreshore Management Plan, held from 20 February 2023 to 31 March 2023. Consultation activities,
engagement numbers, community input and Council's proposed response is reported here and in
the attached independent analysis of community feedback (Attachment 2).
Internal Consultation
Extensive informal and formal discussion about the foreshore reserves and Eastern Beaches
Foreshore Management Plan occurred over several months in 2022 with Council departments. A
three-week formal internal consultation process in August 2022 was completed to coordinate and
record feedback from staff.
Departments consulted:
Office of the CEO, Mayor & Community Services Corporate Services
Councillors
X Mayor & Councillors Director Director
Chief Executive Officer X Community Development X Financial Services
Executive Officers Sport & Active Lifestyles Fleet
X Community Engagement Arts & Culture Revenue Services
People & Culture Community Connection ICT
X Governance Customer Experience Commercial Property
Strategy & Environment & Development & Regulation Infrastructure Services
Sustainable Development
X Director Director Director
X Strategic Land Use Planning Development Assessment X Infrastructure Planning,
Design and Delivery
Economic Development & X Local Laws X Civil and Asset operations
Destination Management
X Environmental Services X Environmental Health X Asset Management
Innovation & Digital Hub Building & Plumbing Building & Facilities
X Property / Permits X Disaster Management
Waste