2014-06-17 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT                                           17 JUNE 2014


Activity         Existing     Community          Seqwater Questions
                              Feedback
Dogs             Y            No identified      Should dogs on leashes continue to be permitted at Lake
                              issues             Macdonald Park?
Staff comment:
The paper advises that Allowing dogs on leash in Lake Macdonald Park was trialled at Lake Macdonald
Park in 2012, and has continued since that trial. Local laws officers have advised they have received nil
complaints regarding dogs in Lake Macdonald Park.

Opening                       Demand     for     Should all sites operate under different opening hours for
Hours                         more access to     summer months and winter months to more closely
                              the lake           correspond to daylight hours eg:
                                                 October-March 5.30am-6.30pm
                                                 April – September 6.30am-5.30pm
Staff comment:
Currently on-water access is restricted on all Seqwater sites from 6am to 6pm. Time restrictions are
imposed by Seqwater as the water levels of the lake continually rise and fall with logs and other obstacles
being exposed and at other times hidden, therefore moving around the lake at night is dangerous and
discouraged. As one of the best times to be on the water is in the early morning as the sun rises, not after
it has risen, it is recommended the hours suggested by Seqwater be modified as follows:
October-April 5.00am-6.30pm
May – September 6.00am-5.30pm

Environment                                     Are there any areas of environmental significance that
                                                should be protected around Lake Macdonald?
Staff comment: All of the native vegetation areas around the lake contribute to habitat for a wide range of
flora and fauna species including several scheduled species such as the Richmond birdwing butterfly,
Mary river cod, giant barred frog, eastern quoll, grey headed flying foxes, cascade treefrog and various
migratory birds to name a few.

When the LMCCG was meeting, regularly detailed studies were being undertaken relating to the biological
control of Cabomba caroliniana. The paper indicates the most successful treatment used by Seqwater
involves divers manually extracting weed from the lake which is both time consuming and costly. When the
lake was under the control of Noosa Council a harvester was used to manage the Cabomba. Seqwater
may benefit from the research and knowledge of those members of the LMCCG.

Additionally former active members of the LMCCG have expressed a desire for the re-establishment of the
group to provide input into managing the native vegetation around the lake on both land managed by
Seqwater and private property. In this regard Seqwater should take a lead role in facilitating the
reformation and operation of the group.

Tresspass                     No identified
                              issues

It is recommended Council staff write to Seqwater advising the following:
 Swimming
     Council does not support for the introduction of swimming in Lake Macdonald
 Picknicking
     Maintenance and upgrade of existing picnic facilities particularly those at Mary River Cod
     Park and Jabiru Park are required
 Playgrounds
     Ongoing maintenance of playground facilities is required.
 Camping
     Recognition of the support Camp Cooroora gives to users of the Noosa Trail Network and
     acknowledgement that it caters for individual campers is required.
 Motorised Watercraft
     Support the ongoing prohibition of motorised watercraft on the lake

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