2018-07-10 P&E Agenda Attachment 1 to Item 8 - Draft Noosa River Plan

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Catchment overview
The Noosa River catchment is one of two major river systems located in the Noosa Shire on the Sunshine
Coast. The river system covers 63% of the Noosa Local Government Area (see Figure 1).
The Noosa River flows south from the Cooloola Section of the Great Sandy National Park and is fed by
springs that drain major sand deposits. It is one of the few Queensland Rivers that enjoy a continuous
year-round freshwater inflow.
The rural areas around Kin Kin were originally cleared for timber and are the largest areas of modified
landscape within the catchment. These rural industries, such as dairying, agriculture, horticulture and
quarrying, were the early foundation of Noosa’s economy.
Large parts of the catchment’s freshwaters, groundwater and estuary are designated ‘high ecological
value’ under Schedule 1 of the Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009. The management intent for
these waters is to maintain an effectively unmodified waterway condition.
The Noosa River Wetlands and Lake Weyba constitute a groundwater-fed connected system and provide
discharge to swamps, springs, channels, lakes, the estuary and marine environment. These wetlands
play an important ecological and hydrological role in the natural functioning of a major wetland system
including:
   •   Groundwater recharge and discharge.
   •   Flood control through short-term storage of floodwaters.
   •   Surface water filtration.
   •   Habitats for animals at a vulnerable stage in their life cycles.
   •   Refuge for animals during drought.
   •   Habitat for populations of native plants and animals including threatened species.


                                                                                 Noosa River Plan l Page 15