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

The Noosa estuary is only one part of a diverse suite of waterways and wetlands within the catchment
which play a valuable environmental and economic role in the Shire. On this broader catchment scale,
management actions are required to protect both the quality and quantity of water in the system.
Sediment runoff and other pollution from rural and urban areas affect water quality, aquatic habitats and
aquatic life. Wetlands can be degraded by both urban development and overgrazing. Water is extracted
from freshwater creeks and wetlands in rural areas for irrigation and stock. Water bores throughout the
catchment also provide residents with access to groundwater reserves, whilst town water supplies for
residents in urban areas of the Cooloola Coast are drawn from the upper catchment.
Climate change models predict storms of increased intensity are likely to increase the impact of runoff
and flood events. Further, sea level rise is likely to cause the average level of the estuary to also rise,
threatening wetlands in the upper end of the lakes system. Increased water temperature may place added
pressure on native species, currently at the limit of their distribution, and make conditions more favourable
for some pest animal and plant species to invade waterways and wetlands.




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Keeping the river healthy
The actions within this Plan aim to protect the ecosystem health of the entire river system including water




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quality and habitats of native species, and support the recreation, fisheries and cultural values of the
catchment. This balance can be achieved through improved land and water management practices and on-




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ground action, education and regulatory compliance, and better research and monitoring of the river and its
catchment.
Much of this can only be done effectively through a partnership approach, involving local residents,




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community groups, traditional owners, businesses and the relevant government agencies. There will be
new costs involved with an increased local focus on management of the river, especially with the transfer
of management of some State responsibilities to Noosa Council. A stronger local focus on the river will,
however, lead to better management and environmental outcomes in the longer term.
A clean, healthy waterway that is visually appealing and vibrant with aquatic life is central to the wonderful
environment residents enjoy and to the continued success of Noosa’s tourism industry. Sustainable
practices are required by all to ensure the natural values of the river do not deteriorate over time.
The Noosa River Plan (2018) has been prepared to guide this intent.


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Scope and purpose
This River Plan heralds a new era of catchment management in Noosa. It incorporates a whole-of-
catchment approach to management of land-based and on-river activities and applies to Noosa’s freshwater
creeks, wetlands, lakes, the river, coastal creeks and groundwater.
The purpose of the Plan is to protect the ecosystem health of the entire Noosa River system and support
the recreational, fisheries and cultural values of the catchment.


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Vision
The Noosa River system is celebrated as the healthiest river system in South East Queensland
and is managed and protected for future generations.


Page 8 l Noosa River Plan