2019-07-18 Ordinary Meeting Agenda

ORDINARY MEETING AGENDA                                                               18 JULY 2019


Noosa River identified serious declines in abundance and diversity of benthic invertebrates in the
Noosa River, often in the range of 80-90%. While only an interim report, it raised alarm bells over
the state of the river.
It is clear from this information that the Noosa River is under significant pressure and if it is to
maintain its status as one of the healthiest waterways in south-east Queensland, and as a key
tourism driver for the Noosa area, action needs to be taken.
Some significant actions are already being taken to address some of these concerns. The Keeping
it in Kin Kin project, which identified massive loss of sediment from the upper Kin Kin catchment into
the Noosa River, has been operating for several years, working with landholders to rehabilitate upper
stream reaches to retain the valuable soil in the catchment.
Following on from initial studies by The Nature Conservancy and the University of the Sunshine
Coast, Noosa Council has committed to a three-year partnership with The Nature Conservancy to
restore oyster reefs to sections of the lower Noosa River. These reefs, which once formed the
foundation of the river’s ecology, disappeared decades earlier and their return will assist in the
cleaning and filtering of water, as well improving the biodiversity in the river.
The Draft Noosa River Plan, released for public comment in late 2018, and to be released for further
comment in the next couple of months, also outlines further actions to improve the health of the
Noosa River and relieve some of the pressures it faces.
As part of the first Draft of the Noosa River Plan it became apparent that further information was
required with regard to commercial fishing in the Noosa River system and surrounds to better
understand potential impacts and opportunities for sustainable management of the local fisheries.
Noosa Fishing Futures
In order to provide an evidence-based platform for future decision-making and inform the next
version of the Noosa River Plan, Council, in December 2018, endorsed the preparation of a Noosa
Fishing Futures paper with the objective of:
    Researching and analysing all available fisheries data for the Noosa River.
    Identifying and engaging with stakeholders to verify and complement data with local
     information.
    Exploring different management opportunities available to Council, including a cost-benefit
     analysis of these, and pathways to implementation.
    Provide a basis for Council to have input into ongoing State fisheries reform process.
    Provide future fisheries management options and recommendations for Council’s
     consideration.
The report was produced by Winston Harris, a Senior Consultant with Fresh Advisory. Mr Harris has
significant experience working for a peak non-government organisation in the commercial fisheries
sector as Project Officer and CEO in Queensland, as well as being appointed to numerous State
government advisory bodies and working closely with the Queensland and Australian governments
on the development of fisheries policy.
The Noosa Fishing Futures paper, Attachment 1 to this report, brings together all available data, as
well as significant new information through one-on-one engagement with many commercial fishers,
charter fishers, local restaurants, and community environment groups.
The report outlines a range of different short, medium and long term management opportunities
available for Council consideration with the aim of ensuring an ecologically and economically
sustainable local fishing industry. Opportunities identified in the report include:
    Various responses to localised fishing issues highlighted during community engagement. This
     includes;
     o     a reduction in the length of nets used in the Noosa River and lakes (currently 1500m
           nets are used in the lakes, this is the longest allowable net anywhere in Queensland N1
           fishery)


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