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

The Noosa River is unique among Queensland estuaries in that it transitions from freshwater to hyper-
saline waters in the lakes.
The freshwater lowlands provide habitat for endangered freshwater fish, such as the Honey Blue Eye and
Oxleyan Pygmy perch, while the estuary harbours a wide range of fish, prawns and crabs of commercial
and recreational importance.
The majority of the estuary falls within 6,000ha of declared Fish Habitat Areas (FHA). Queensland’s
FHA networks are protected against physical disturbance from coastal development, while still allowing
legal fishing. Most of Noosa’s FHA are classified ‘management A’, of the highest value, and are vital to
commercial and recreational fisheries of the region.




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The river has the largest riverine seagrass beds in South East Queensland. It also has mangrove forests
featuring all of the Sunshine Coast’s known mangrove species.
In 2005-07, a census of migratory shorebirds revealed the river mouth, sandbanks and adjoining Noosa
North Shore is an area of ‘National and International Importance’ for shorebird conservation in Australia.
A total of 43 species of shorebirds were recorded during this time, including many species protected
under international agreements.
The estuary is a focal point for recreation and visitor activities. It offers safe anchorage for cruising yachts,
mooring locations for recreational boating and opportunities for living on the river. Commercial jetty
operations also provide a diverse array of motorised and non-motorised watercraft for tours, hire and self-
drive.
The Noosa River system forms part of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve ®
which was designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere Program in
2007 – it was a first for Queensland.


                                                                                     Noosa River Plan l Page 17