2022-04-12 Planning & Environment Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    12 APRIL 2022


Reef Builder Presentation
This presentation at Attachment 2 provides a valuable perspective on the national program for reef
restoration across Australia, and the significance of the Noosa River project for Queensland.
Sea Grass Report and Executive Summary
TNC have provided the final Seagrass Report, and an Executive Summary (attachment 2 and 3),
which is an additional agreed deliverable under the Marine Conservation Component of the
Alliance and Funding Agreement.
This comprehensive study of sea grass indicates major loss of seagrass in the Noosa River estuary
and recommends urgent investigation. The report notes that unlike other river systems we have
not seen recovery of sea grass in the Noosa River following impacts such as flooding.
The report is presented here for awareness of Council, but as yet has not been evaluated by staff
or consultation occurred with stakeholders. A separate report is proposed to be presented to
Council following further evaluation and consideration of future actions.
Spring Oyster Chronicle
The community stakeholder news, “Oyster Chronicle” has been attached the report (attachment
4), to document the extent of community awareness and engagement.
Winter Mortality and QX Disease
A technical response is documented (attachment 5) concerning the consideration of Winter
Mortality and QX Disease as part of the risk management for the project. The response notes that
these diseases are endemic to Queensland and have been accommodated in project planning for
re-establishment of natural diseases.
RENEWAL OF ALLIANCE AND FUNDING AGREEMENT
The existing Funding and Alliance Agreement was executed in July 2019 and anticipated a 3-year
span, with final report generated in September 2022.
With delays in undertaking this complex project, and with a revised construction program of spring
2022 it would appear prudent to extend the current agreement by at least 18 months to January
2024 to allow construction and establishment monitoring.
The report recommends the CEO commence negotiations with TNC concerning extension and or
renewal of the existing Funding and Alliance Agreement.
Previous Council Consideration
At its Ordinary Meeting of the 16th September 2021 Council resolved:
     That Council note the report by the Environmental Services Manager to the General
     Committee Meeting dated 13 September 2021 and approve the Noosa River Oyster
     Project: Annual Report No. 2 (provided as Attachment 1 to the report) as meeting the
     requirements of the Alliance & Funding Agreement.
Finance
The Alliance and Funding Agreement specifies a grant of $1.2 millon exc of GST for the project,
which is matched by TNC. To date $232,040.09 exc GST has been paid in accordance with
scheduled deliverables. With the achievement of the RAA, then the next scheduled payment
request of $492,962 can be anticipated, which has been budgeted for this FY.
Risks & Opportunities
The project has notable risks, but has been subject to significant evaluation by Council as part of
the establishment and ongoing reporting of the project.
The key opportunity is to re-establish valuable aquatic ecosystems, to the benefit of the Noosa
River health which in turn benefits the Noosa and regional community who use the riverine system.


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