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

3.3
Climate change
South East Queensland has been identified as one of several high-vulnerability climate change ‘hot spots’
in Australia. Accordingly, a number of climate-driven natural hazards which Noosa Shire is currently
exposed to are likely to be more problematic in the future. These include:
   •   More frequent and intense storm events.
   •   Lower average rainfall and more droughts.
   •   Flooding and heatwaves.
   •   Storm surge and coastal erosion.
   •   High sea level (Council Policy, Climate Change Response, 2017).
During shorter, more intense wet periods, freshwater creeks and estuaries are likely to receive higher




                                                        T
flows, resulting in more runoff, increased bank erosion and landslips, exacerbating the rural and urban
runoff pressures.




                                                      F
Further to existing pressures from population growth and coastal development, fisheries production will
be impacted by changed patterns of rainfall and flow events, increasing water temperatures, fish habitat
transitions and changes in stock distribution.




                                                    A
In extended dry conditions, environmental flows and water quality are likely to decline and affect aquatic
life and waterway recreational activities. Impacts on low-lying coastal areas will be compounded by the




            R
climate variability, and degraded environments can accelerate this ‘rate of change’ and increase instability.
With the anticipated higher sea levels and storm surge, low-lying freshwater systems will be vulnerable to




          D
saltwater intrusion and inundation. Our climate has already begun to change, however sea level rise and
its influence on the extent and severity of coastal hazards risks, are not projected to be felt for some time
(Council Policy, Climate Change Response, 2017).
Understanding the impacts on vulnerable ecosystems can help identify measures to build resilience and
secure vital refugia for native animals (including aquatic animals) over the long term.

Exposed and sensitive areas in the river catchment
As a low-lying coastal area, the Noosa Shire has high exposure and sensitivity to the impacts predicted
to be most prominent in coastal areas, wet lowland forests and riparian areas (Noosa Biodiversity
Assessment Report, 2017).
Due to heavier rainfall events and more extensive and destructive flooding (refer Table 2 below) riparian
areas and wetlands in the catchment are expected to experience more frequent and intense damage such
as wetland silting and loss of soil and nutrients from riparian zones.
These areas will also become more susceptible to weed incursions and greater natural ecosystem
disturbance (Noosa Biodiversity Assessment Report, 2017).




Page 44 l Noosa River Plan