2019-11-12 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT                            12 NOVEMBER 2019


The Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2020 applies the Biosecurity Act 2014 at a local level and covers:

     Roles and responsibilities of Council, other public agencies and private landowners
     Processes for reporting of invasive species and management responses
     Shire-wide priorities for managing invasive biosecurity matters
     Approaches for managing pests through prevention, eradication or containment depending
       on the extent of infestation of the invasive species
     Methods and timing for management of biosecurity matters
     Information support systems to broaden current knowledge of the distribution and
       abundance of invasive species

An Implementation Action Plan forms part of the Biosecurity Plan. The Implementation Plan has
eleven actions including regulation, collaboration with landowners, invasive species surveys,
awareness raising and improved data collection and mapping.

Previous Council Consideration
Nil.

Finance
The Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2002 can largely be implemented within existing resource
allocations. However the Implementation Action Plan identifies the need to improve our
knowledge of invasive species across the shire to better inform management actions and assess
the effectiveness of previous invasive species control programs. The project involves searching
historic records, customer requests, development assessment reports, ecological restoration
plans and seeking expert advice. This project is over and above current resource allocations and
is recommended for consideration through the budget process. The estimated cost of this project
is $10,000.

Risks & Opportunities
The release of the Draft Noosa Biosecurity Plan may raise concerns from some members of the
community regarding the use of chemicals for managing invasive species. Council follows
industry best practice and codes for invasive species management. These standards are
provided in the Draft Noosa Biosecurity Plan and respondents can be supplied with this
information on request.

Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Key stakeholders consulted in the development of the draft:
   Qld Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
   Noosa & District Landcare
   Sunshine Coast Council
   Gympie Regional Council
   TMR
   SEQ Water
   SEQ Catchments
   Queensland Rail

Proposed public consultation will be through Your Say Noosa and targeted consultation:
   Broad consultation with the Noosa community via Your Say Noosa
   Media releases as required
   Environment Groups
   QPWS&P

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