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Appendix C_R.A10342.001.00.marine plants
Marine Plant Assessment Dogs Beach, Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve Reference: R.A10342.001.00.marine plants.docx Date: October 2020 Confidential
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Document Control Sheet
Document: R.A10342.001.00.marine plants.docx
BMT Commercial Australia Pty Ltd
Level 8, 200 Creek Street Title: Marine Plant Assessment Dogs Beach,
Brisbane Qld 4000 Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve
Australia
PO Box 203, Spring Hill 4004 Project Manager: Matt Barnes
Tel: +61 7 3831 6744 Author: Suanne Richards
Fax: + 61 7 3832 3627
Client: Noosa Shire Council
ABN 54 010 830 421
Client Contact: Daniel Wishaw
www.bmt.org
Client Reference:
Synopsis This Technical Memorandum has been prepared for Noosa Shire Council to
document the results of a land-based marine plant assessment at Dogs Beach,
Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve.
REVISION/CHECKING HISTORY
Revision Number Date Checked by Issued by
00 8th October 2020 LCM LCM
DISTRIBUTION
Destination Revision
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
NSC PDF
BMT File PDF
BMT Library PDF
Copyright and non-disclosure notice
The contents and layout of this report are subject to copyright owned by BMT Commercial Australia Pty Ltd (BMT CA) save to the extent
that copyright has been legally assigned by us to another party or is used by BMT CA under licence. To the extent that we own the
copyright in this report, it may not be copied or used without our prior written agreement for any purpose other than the purpose
indicated in this report.
The methodology (if any) contained in this report is provided to you in confidence and must not be disclosed or copied to third parties
without the prior written agreement of BMT CA. Disclosure of that information may constitute an actionable breach of confidence or may
otherwise prejudice our commercial interests. Any third party who obtains access to this report by any means will, in any event, be
subject to the Third Party Disclaimer set out below.
Third Party Disclaimer
Any disclosure of this report to a third party is subject to this disclaimer. The report was prepared by BMT CA at the instruction of, and
for use by, our client named on this Document Control Sheet. It does not in any way constitute advice to any third party who is able to
access it by any means. BMT CA excludes to the fullest extent lawfully permitted all liability whatsoever for any loss or damage
howsoever arising from reliance on the contents of this report.
Commercial terms
BMT requests the ability to discuss and negotiate in good faith the terms and conditions of the proposed terms of engagement, to
facilitate successful project outcomes, to adequately protect both parties and to accord with normal contracting practice for
engagements of this type.
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Marine Plant Assessment Dogs Beach, Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve i
Contents
Contents
1 Introduction 1
2 Methodology 3
2.1 Data Review 3
2.2 Field Survey 4
3 Results 5
3.1 Overview 5
3.2 Habitats 5
3.2.1 Dune Woodland 7
3.2.2 Foredune 8
3.2.3 Mangroves and Saltmarsh 8
4 Discussion 10
4.2 Potential Impacts 10
4.2.1 Assessable Development 11
4.2.1.1 Significant Residual Impact Assessment 11
4.2.1.2 Vegetation and Substrate Disturbance 12
4.2.1.3 Restoration 12
4.2.1.4 Signage and Access 12
4.2.1.5 Maintenance and Monitoring 12
5 Conclusion 13
List of Figures
Figure 1-1 Noosa Spit Beach Nourishment Project 2
Figure 3-1 Vegetation Communities and Habitat Features of the Study Site 6
Figure 3-2 Dune Woodlands and Eroding Foreshore Along Dogs Beach 7
Figure 3-3 Seawall and Beach Replenishment at Western End of Dog Beach 8
Figure 3-4 Mangroves and Saltmarsh at Eastern End of Dog Beach Adjacent to Eastern
Dispersive Sand Plug 9
Figure 3-5 Extensive Estuarine Wetlands Within Southern Zone of Noosa Spit 9
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Marine Plant Assessment Dogs Beach, Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve 1
Introduction
1 Introduction
This Technical Memorandum has been prepared for Noosa Shire Council (NSC) to document the
results of a land-based marine plant assessment at Dogs Beach, Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve
(the study site). This assessment applies to land-based marine plants only and does not address
impacts to potential sub-tidal marine plants, such as seagrass or macroalgae.
The aim of the assessment was to:
(i) Describe marine plant and fisheries habitat values within the study site;
(ii) Assess potential impacts to these values associated with the proposed Beach Nourishment
Project (refer Figure 1-1); and
(iii) Recommend management measures to mitigate significant impacts to marine plant and
fisheries habitat values.
This Technical Memorandum does not include approval documentation.
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Marine Plant Assessment Dogs Beach, Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve 2
Introduction
Figure 1-1 Noosa Spit Beach Nourishment Project
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Marine Plant Assessment Dogs Beach, Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve 3
Methodology
2 Methodology
The scope of this assessment included the following:
• A desktop review to broadly characterise the currently recognised marine plant and tidal features
of the study site in terms of potential fisheries habitat values;
• A field survey to ground-truth current environmental data and mapping;
• An assessment of marine plant communities and associated fisheries habitat values;
• Preparation of an assessment report.
2.1 Data Review
The desktop review comprised a search of online mapping and spatial data and an analysis of
information for marine plant communities and fisheries habitat values with reference to the study site.
Information reviewed included:
• Current (2020) and historical aerial imagery;
• 2017 Pre-Clearing and Remnant Regional Ecosystem and Land Zone spatial data;
• Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT) and Mean High Water Springs (MHWS) spatial data; and
• Online mapping for relevant matters of state environmental significance (MSES) currently
recognised as occurring within or adjacent to the study site, namely areas within declared fish
habitat areas that are management A areas or management B areas under the Fisheries
Regulation 2008.
For the purposes of this assessment, the definition of marine plant refers to the Fisheries Act 1994
where:
(1) Marine plant includes the following--
(a) A plant (a tidal plant) that usually grows on, or adjacent to, tidal land, whether it is living,
dead, standing or fallen;
(b) Material of a tidal plant, or other plant material on tidal land; or
(c) A plant, or material of a plant, prescribed under a regulation or management plan to be
a marine plant.
(2) Marine plant does not include a plant that is—
(a) Prohibited matter or restricted matter under the Biosecurity Act 2014; or
(b) Controlled biosecurity matter or regulated biosecurity matter under the Biosecurity Act
2014.
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Marine Plant Assessment Dogs Beach, Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve 4
Methodology
2.2 Field Survey
The field survey involved traverses of the study site undertaken by Suanne Richards of BMT on 28th
September 2020. Suanne has nearly 20 years’ experience undertaking ecological impact
assessments in the coastal zone of south-east Qld.
The aim of the field survey was to verify the presence of land-based marine plant communities and
evidence of associated fisheries habitat values. The study site was traversed on foot to survey
representative areas of habitat. Site data was recorded at representative locations including
dominant plant species present in each stratum of each vegetation community, including native and
exotic species. Any significant values identified within the study site were recorded by handheld GPS
for subsequent mapping purposes.
All survey work was performed in accordance with BMT’s Scientific Purposes Permit and Animal
Ethics Approval.
Flora nomenclature follows the Census of the Queensland Flora 2019 and exotic species are
denoted with an asterisk (*).
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Marine Plant Assessment Dogs Beach, Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve 5
Results
3 Results
3.1 Overview
The Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve (the Spit) is a reclaimed sand dune system near the mouth of
the Noosa River. The northern half of the Spit adjacent to Dogs Beach has an actively eroding
foreshore bounded by dune woodland. A geotextile groyne has been constructed at the western end
of the beach for sand nourishment and a rock wall has been constructed at the eastern end for
foreshore protection. This highly dynamic foreshore zone is dominated by woodland species with
sparse marine plants. The southern half of the Spit fronting lower energy estuarine waters supports
intertidal wetlands comprising mangroves and saltmarsh.
3.2 Habitats
The Spit currently supports the following vegetation communities as described below and mapped in
Figure 3-1:
• Dune Woodland;
• Foredune;
• Saltmarsh; and
• Mangroves.
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Vegetation Communities and Habitat Features of the Study Site iz Mangroves iz Foredune 7 Saltmarsh and mangroves Dune woodland LEGEND Highest astronomical tide line (2013, DNRME) Mean high water springs tidal line (but more like lowest astronomical tide line at seaward edge of mangroves) (2010, DNRME) Aerial image: 6 August 2020 © Nearmap Title: Vegetation Communities and Habitat Features of the Study Site BMT endeavours to ensure that the information provided in this map is correct at the time of publication. BMT does not warrant, guarantee or make representations regarding the currency and accuracy of information contained in this map. Filepath: ‘\A10342.i.mpb.NoosaSEMPimplem: www.bmt.org
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Marine Plant Assessment Dogs Beach, Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve 7
Results
3.2.1 Dune Woodland
The northern half of the Spit adjacent to Dogs Beach supports dune woodland which is actively
eroding along the foreshore.
Dominant canopy and shrub species include Cupaniopsis anacardioides, Alphitonia excelsa,
Banksia integrifolia subsp. integrifolia, Leptospermum laevigatum, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Acacia
sophorae, Corymbia intermedia, Polyscias elegans, Lophostemon confertus, Elaeocarpus obovatus,
Macaranga tanarius, Casuarina equisetifolia, Exocarpos latifolius, Acacia suaveolens, Austromyrtus
dulcis, Pandanus tectorius, Acronychia imperforata, Callitris columellaris, Schinus terebinthifolius*
and Melaleuca quinquenervia.
The ground layer comprises Zoysia macrantha, Cynodon dactylon, Eragrostis interrupta, Cenchrus
spp., Asparagus aethiopicus*, Hibbertia scandens, Imperata cylindrica, Euphorbia cyathophora*,
Passiflora suberosa*, Macroptilium atropurpureum*, Geitonoplesium cymosum, Gloriosa superba
and Stephania japonica.
Figure 3-2 Dune Woodlands and Eroding Foreshore Along Dogs Beach
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Marine Plant Assessment Dogs Beach, Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve 8
Results
3.2.2 Foredune
Dogs Beach has an extensively eroded foreshore with a relatively steep dune scarp in places and
has limited foredune vegetation. Sand accumulation as a result of the groyne at the western end of
the beach has been colonised by foredune species including a groundcover of Spinifex sericeus,
Zoysia macrantha and Ipomoea pes-caprae bounded by Acacia sophorae shrubland.
Foredune Vegetation Foredune Vegetation
Groyne Potential subtidal plants fronting the groyne
Figure 3-3 Seawall and Beach Replenishment at Western End of Dog Beach
3.2.3 Mangroves and Saltmarsh
Sparse Avicennia marina and Excoecaria agallocha mangroves and saltmarsh dominated by
Sporobolus virginicus and Sesuvium portulacastrum occur at the eastern end of Dogs Beach.
The southern half of the Spit fronting lower energy estuarine waters supports extensive mangroves
comprising Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Aegiceras corniculatum, Rhizophora stylosa
and Excoecaria agallocha. Saltmarsh occurs at the upper tidal range dominated by Sporobolus
virginicus, Juncus kraussii, Clerodendrum inerme, Carpobrotus glaucescens and Sesuvium
portulacastrum.
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Marine Plant Assessment Dogs Beach, Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve 9
Results
Figure 3-4 Mangroves and Saltmarsh at Eastern End of Dog Beach Adjacent to Eastern
Dispersive Sand Plug
Figure 3-5 Extensive Estuarine Wetlands Within Southern Zone of Noosa Spit
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Marine Plant Assessment Dogs Beach, Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve 10
Discussion
4 Discussion
4.1 Marine Plants and Fisheries Habitat
4.1.1 Marine Plants
The following marine plants as listed under the Fish Habitat Management Operational Policy1 (the
policy) were identified at Dog’s Beach and are protected marine plants regardless of their location
and whether or not they are on tidal lands:
• Mangroves: Avicennia marina and Excoecaria agallocha;
• Saltcouch: Sporobolus virginicus;
• Saltmarsh plants and other tidal plants growing adjacent to the tidal zone: Cynodon dactylon and
Sesuvium portulacastrum.
Sparse Melaleuca quinquenervia were noted on the eroding dune scarp at the eastern end of Dogs
Beach. Under the policy, M. quinquenervia are of value to fisheries productivity where Melaleuca
swamps adjacent to tidal areas are either permanently or periodically tidally connected. The M.
quinquenervia on the eroding dune scarp at the eastern end of Dogs Beach would not typically be
tidally connected to the Noosa River. This elevated dune scarp is not considered to support fisheries
values.
4.1.2 Fish Habitat Area
The study site lies approximately 300m to the east of Fish Habitat Area (FHA) FHA-051 Noosa River.
The proposal will not directly impact on the FHA.
4.1.3 Highest Astronomical Tide and Mean High Water Spring
Sections of the eroding foreshore of Dogs Beach lie below mapped HAT and the sparse mangroves
along the eastern foreshore lie below mapped MHWS (refer to Figure 3-1).
4.2 Potential Impacts
Construction of the eastern dispersive sand plug at the eastern end of Dogs Beach may result in the
removal of individual mangroves and saltmarsh and will occur on lands mapped below HAT and
MHWS.
The beach nourishment zone occurs on land mapped below HAT and MHWS. There may be some
removal of dune woodland vegetation associated with beach nourishment. Whilst this area supports
sparse Cynodon dactylon, a marine plant listed under the policy, and sparse Melaleuca
quinquenervia, this elevated dune scarp is not considered to support fisheries values.
The western dispersive sand plug occurs on land mapped below MHWS. Further investigation may
be required to assess potential impacts on sub-tidal marine plants associated with the groyne.
The FHA will not be directly impacted by the proposed works.
1
Couchman, D and Beumer, J 2007, Management and protection of marine plants and other tidal fish habitats, Queensland Department
of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Fish Habitat Management Operational Policy FHMOP 001, 60pp.
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Marine Plant Assessment Dogs Beach, Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve 11
Discussion
4.2.1 Assessable Development
Any proposed removal of marine plants/fisheries habitat associated with the project would be
assessable development requiring fisheries approval.
4.2.1.1 Significant Residual Impact Assessment
Under the Significant Residual Impact Guidelines:
An action is likely to have a significant residual impact on marine plants where the
impacts of the development shall result in:
• public infrastructure works impacting more than 25m2 of fish habitat; and
○ temporary impacts are expected to take 5 years or more for the impact area to
be restored to its predevelopment condition; or
○ a proposed reduction in the extent of marine plants through removal, destruction
or damage of marine plants; or
○ fragmentation or increased fragmentation of a marine ecological community; or
○ adverse changes affecting survival of marine plants through modifying or
destroying abiotic (non-living) factors (such as water, nutrients, or soil)
necessary for a marine plant’s survival; or
○ alteration in the species composition of marine plants in an ecological
community, that causes a decline or loss of functionally important species; or
○ interference with the natural recovery of marine plant communities.
Depending on the final design and construction activities, the proposal may result in the removal of
more than 25m2 of marine plants.
It is anticipated it will take 5 years or more for mangrove individuals to be restored to their pre-
development condition. Saltmarsh species may restore to pre-disturbance conditions within 5 years.
Provided the following recommended environmental controls are implemented, it is anticipated the
proposal will not:
• result in a permanent reduction in the extent of marine plants;
• result in fragmentation of a marine ecological community;
• adversely modify or destroy water, nutrients, or soil conditions necessary for marine plants;
• alter the species composition or functionality of marine plant communities;
• interfere with the natural recovery of marine plant communities.
The following environmental controls will help minimise impacts to marine plants during construction
and promote restoration of impacted habitats to pre-disturbance conditions or similar.
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Marine Plant Assessment Dogs Beach, Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve 12
Discussion
4.2.1.2 Vegetation and Substrate Disturbance
Vegetation clearing limits should be detailed in site drawings and pegged out on site prior to
construction. This should include locations of vegetation protection zones, side-tracks and, if
required, locations for the stockpiling of site materials. No activities should occur within the
vegetation protection zones. Techniques for substrate handling and storage should be detailed in a
Construction Management Plan.
4.2.1.3 Restoration
Natural recruitment is the preferred and most cost-effective method of revegetating zones. On
completion of construction, substrate should be reprofiled where feasible to create conditions suitable
for natural recruitment of the dominant mangrove and saltmarsh species.
4.2.1.4 Signage and Access
Interpretive signage should be installed at the location of works to inform the public of construction
and to discourage access during restoration.
4.2.1.5 Maintenance and Monitoring
Maintenance and monitoring will be required to enhance restoration following construction. Regular
monitoring should be undertaken to assess the following:
• Restoration progress, assessment of substrate profile and marine plant recruitment; and
• Identify site management issues, such as low natural recruitment and weed invasion.
Site record sheets and permanent photo monitoring points should be used for recording and
monitoring restoration progress. Depending on the level of site disturbance, the monitoring schedule
may consist of weekly site visits for the first month, fortnightly visits for months 2-4, and monthly visits
thereafter.
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Marine Plant Assessment Dogs Beach, Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve 13
Conclusion
5 Conclusion
Dogs Beach is a highly dynamic foreshore zone dominated by dune woodland. The eroding dune
scarp along most of the study site is not considered to support high fisheries values. However, the
works may impact on sparse marine plants, including, mangroves, saltcouch and saltmarsh and may
occur on lands mapped below HAT and MHWS. The proposal will not directly impact on the Noosa
River FHA. Further investigation may be required to assess potential impacts on sub-tidal marine
plants associated with the western groyne. Provided environmental controls addressing vegetation
protection, restoration and monitoring are implemented, it is anticipated direct impacts on marine
plants can be minimised and habitats similar to pre-disturbance conditions can be restored.
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BMT has a proven record in addressing today’s engineering and
environmental issues.
Our dedication to developing innovative approaches and solutions
enhances our ability to meet our client’s most challenging needs.
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