EASTERN BEACHES FORESHORE RESERVES MANAGEMENT PLAN - COMMUNITY CONSULTATION OVERVIEW AND PROPOSED CHANGES (Referred from Planning and Environment Committee dated 8 August 2023 - Item 5.1) · Attachment 2 EBFRMP 2023 Draft - tracked changes

located between beach accesses 29 and 38, and the other is at Peregian Beach between beach
accesses 47 and 59.

There are surf clubs and towers at Sunshine Beach and Peregian Beach, and lifeguards and life
savers regularly patrol some beaches outside of the flagged areas. The Surf Life Saving Club
buildings and associated beach accesses, towers, accesses, and patrol areas are neighbours to
the EBFRs. Council aims to ensure the adjoining foreshore reserves and Surf Life Saving Club
facilities are managed in a way that complement each other.


Surfing
Surfing is one of Noosa’s most notable forms of recreation. The beach break at North Sunshine
Beach is at the southern end of the Noosa World Surfing Reserve, and other well renowned surf
breaks are highly popular along the length of the Eastern Beaches. Surfing is a major contributor
to liveabilitylivability and the Noosa “culture” for many residents, and surfing opportunities and
events are a major drawcard for regional, interstate and international visitors.

Surf breaks and access for surfing is one of the drivers for the current location of many of our
beach accesses and should be considered if new or moved beach accesses are proposed.
Viewing water conditions can be a reason for people to go off public paths, which may cause
environmental damage and pose a risk to visitors. Incorporating desired water condition view line
considerations when locating and designing viewing areas, platforms and other coastal community
infrastructure will help maintain and enhance these values.


Beach walking
Beach walking for exercise, meditation and socialising are important daily activities for many
Noosa residents and visitors. People walk regular and occasional routes along beaches and
nearby walkways, and into adjoining national parks.


Dog walking
Many people walk and exercise their dogs on the beach and on nearby walkways. EBFR off leash
areas are at Sunshine Beach, north from beach access 27 to the national park boundary, and
Castaways and Marcus Beach, between beach accesses 38 and 47. Other beach areas are open
to on-leash dogs, except the three designated bathing areas.

Initial cConsultation highlighted being able to walk with your dogs on most of the beaches is very
important to many people. Many people highly value being able to walk your dog on the beach,
leashed or unleashed, with some saying it was vital to their physical and mental health and
community connectivity. They highlighted the difficultly of access to some dog exercise areas,
especially those with mobility restrictions or used a wheelchair. Others highlighted the lack of
parking and other facilities at dog exercise areas. Many asked for the dog area at Sunrise Beach to
be extended north to Beach Access 37 to tie in with better parking, more direct access, toilets, and
cafes.

Others, while supporting leashed and off leash dog exercise areas, wanted dogs to stay out of dog
free zones. Some said that they stayed away from even dog free beaches because they were
worried about being knocked down or injured by off leash dogs. Others said they wanted to
experience the beach without interference by introduced animals.

Many were concerned about the environmental impacts of dogs, raising concerns about dogs
being encouraged to go into the dunes, impacting on wildlife (especially sea turtles and birds) and
pet waste being a significant source of nutrient and pathogen pollution in creeks and in-shore

Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves Management Plan 2023                                      Page 51