2020-09-14 GC Agenda - Item 7 - Attachment 1 - Noosa River Oyster Ecosystem Restoration Project Annual Report No. 1

Purpose and scope
The purpose of this report is to provide readers with insight as to the performance of the Noosa Oyster Ecosystem
Restoration Project (the “Project”). The governance arrangements for the Project are defined in the Alliance and
Funding Agreement between The Nature Conservancy and Noosa Shire Council, which was executed on the 25th July
2019. This report (Annual Report 1) pertains to the period 25th of July 2019 and 21st of August 2020.


Background
Over the last four years, Noosa Shire Council (NSC), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and a range of stakeholders have
worked together to build a deeper understanding of the environmental significance and long-term sustainable
management options for the Noosa River. This has included:

Noosa River Expert Workshop, Powerhouse Museum, 2014
A two-day workshop, hosted by TNC on behalf of The Thomas Foundation and Noosa Parks Association, comprising
12 academic and NGO estuary scientists. The workshop identified 14 conservation activities that could lead to a
healthier Noosa River, with oyster reef restoration listed as a priority action in addition to prawn restocking and Kin
Kin sediment management. These activities (including further scoping studies) were later jointly funded by NSC, Noosa
Parks Association, The Thomas Foundation and the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation.

TNC Oyster Restoration Scoping Study, 2015
TNC and Ecological Service Professionals Pty on behalf of NSC and others undertook a short, five month ecological
assessment to quantify oyster densities across 11 intertidal and subtidal sites within the estuary. The study confirmed
high densities of oyster recruitment particularly around Weyba Creek, the main channel around Tewantin, and in the
narrow channel between Goat Island and Noosa North Shore. The project recommended installing a number of pilot
reefs for further assessment.

University of Queensland Historical Ecology of the Noosa Estuary fisheries, 2015
Ruth Thurston from the University of Queensland undertook a historical ecology study on behalf of TNC and NSC in
the Noosa River estuary to develop an understanding of historical fisheries productivity, including oysters. The study
confirmed oyster reefs used to exist in the estuary and were commercial harvested in the early 1900s. Fish populations
were also significantly larger in the past than they are today.

University of Sunshine Coast, Bring Back the Fish, 2018-2020
A three-year study which installed a series of experimental ‘oyster habitat restoration units’ consisting of coir bags
filled with oyster shell at 14 sites across the estuary. The project studied the structural integrity of the units, oyster
recruitment, fish and invertebrate community assemblages and human interactions with the trail reefs. This project
collected important ecological information that will support the final design and implementation of reef restoration
in this Project.

NSC-TNC Partnership Agreement 2019
NSC and TNC, in addition to other organizations with an interest in the River’s sustainability (including Noosa Parks
Association, The Thomas Foundation and Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation), through a series of dialogue and
presentations to Noosa Shire Council, have recognized the strategic priorities of both organizations and of others
would be more effectively served through a formal partnership, rather than on an individual project basis. This led to
the development of this Project, and associated partnership agreement between NSC and TNC, and is the main
delivery mechanism of the TNC-NSC Partnership.

Draft Noosa River Plan, 2020
The completion of the Noosa River Plan by NSC will identify current and future threats and management interventions
to abate identified threats within the Noosa River estuary. The Plan will identify the strategic alignment of oyster reef



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