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

   1.0                  Introduction

The Noosa River system is the major waterway of the Noosa Shire. It extends from the Cooloola
section of the Great Sandy National Park at its headwaters, to the river mouth at Laguna Bay.
The river is recognised internationally for its high environmental and scenic values flowing from
the catchment’s rich biodiversity and habitat. It is a much sought after recreational, tourism and
fisheries resource that makes a substantial contribution to the local economy.

Many people have a long-held, deep social connection with the river. This contributes to a strong
sense of place.




                                                        T
The waterways and wetlands of the catchment form an important part of the local Kabi Kabi




                                                      F
(Gubbi Gubbi) first nation’s traditional lands with ongoing cultural significance.




                                                    A
1.1




            R
The Noosa River
today




          D
The Noosa River is arguably
South East Queensland’s
only substantially natural
major river system. It
boasts considerable areas
of remnant vegetation
and a wide range of intact
aquatic ecosystems.
Large areas of undisturbed
bushland adjoining the
headwaters of the river are
protected as National Park
or State Forest, and more
than 100 Council-managed
bushland conservation
reserves are located throughout the catchment. This vegetation, and the large proportion of protected
areas, have been a key factor in maintaining the river’s outstanding natural attributes.
The Noosa River wetlands and Lake Weyba are listed as Wetlands of National Importance. This spectacular
and extensive system of freshwater, brackish and saline lakes, marshes, heathlands and estuary is one of
few such complex wetland systems on the eastern Australian seaboard.
The ecological condition or ’health’ of the Noosa River catchment is assessed annually as part of the South
East Queensland Waterways monitoring program. Since 2001 Noosa has received ratings between A
(excellent condition) and B (good condition), consistently the highest in the region.



Page 6 l Noosa River Plan