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

Beck MW, Brumbaugh RD, Airoldi L, Carranza A, Coen LD, Crawford C, Defeo O, Edgar GJ, Hancock B, Kay MC, Lenihan
HS, Luckenbach MW, Toropova CL, Zhang G, & Guo X. 2011. Oyster reefs at risk and recommendations for conservation,
restoration, and management. Bioscience 61, 107–116. doi:10.1525/BIO.2011.61.2.5


Project governance
The Project is framed by a formal partnership agreement between TNC and NSC. This partnership is specified in the
Alliance and Funding Agreement, which came into effect on 25th July 2019. The agreement is effective for three years
and two months and the project is scheduled to be completed by 30th September 2022. The terms of the partnership
will be reviewed prior to July 2022.

The Project is overseen by an executive level forum comprising two key Contact Officers, those being the Director of
Oceans (TNC) and Director of Environment & Sustainable Development (NSC). The governance of the activities for
the project are the responsibility of the Executives of TNC and NSC, or their nominated delegate/s and day-to-day
operations the responsibility of TNC and its appointed Project Manager for that purpose.

The Project Manager is supported by the Noosa Technical Advisory Group (TAG), formed for the Project. The TAG’s
purpose is to:

•   Support detailed project planning for the Noosa Oyster Reef Restoration Project that will see reefs re-established
    in the Noosa River estuary by June 2022.
•   Provide ongoing expert advice on the implementation of the Project Plan, and support in overcoming legislative,
    scientific and practical barriers that occur during the term of the project.
•   Ensure that the Project meets all technical, statutory and policy requirements in a timely manner to the
    satisfaction of relevant decision-making authorities.
•   Ensure actions within the Project Plan are effectively delivered and communicated to all stakeholders.

The composition of the Noosa TAG is:

•   The Nature Conservancy – Oceans Operations Manager + Oceans Restoration Scientist
•   Noosa Shire Council – Environmental Services Manager
•   Department of Environment & Science - Water quality and aquatic ecosystems expertise
•   Department of Agriculture & Fisheries - Fisheries, permits and biosecurity expertise
•   Maritime Safety Queensland - Regional Manager and Noosa local officer (on occasion)
•   Kabi Kabi Traditional Owner – For technical expertise
•   Independent aquatic ecologist/biologist – With in depth ecological knowledge of the Noosa River estuary

The Noosa TAG held its inaugural meeting on the 15th May 2020. The second TAG meeting was held on the 20th August
2020. TAG meetings are held on a semi-regular basis, as required to drive the project forward. Specific matters are
often addressed out of session. Minutes from TAG meetings are produced and made available on request.


Project resourcing
The total operating budget for the project is $2.4M, inclusive of $1.2M from The Nature Conservancy (TNC), which
includes $200,000 from the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), and $1.2M from NSC. There is an
expectation that TNC will raise further funding, from a variety of other sources, to support further delivery of the
restoration component of the project.




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