2016-09-06 - Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                     6 SEPTEMBER 2016



6    NOOSA PARKLANDS PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN

Author            Principal Environment Officer, Peter Milne
                  Planning & Infrastructure Department

Index             ECM/Parks and Natural Areas/Projects

Attachments       1.   Noosa Parklands Park Management Plan (64 page attachment provided
                       separately to this report; 2 hard copies available in the Councillors’ room)
                  2.   Wooroi Creek Hydrology Report
                  3.   Summary of Submissions


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Principal Environment Officer to the Planning & Environment
Committee Meeting dated 6 September 2016 and
A.   Thank the submitters for their comments on the Draft Plan;
B.   Adopt the Noosa Parklands Park Management Plan; and
C.   Note that any additional costs, over existing budgets, to implement the Plan, will be subject
     to future budget deliberations.


REPORT
At its Ordinary Meeting of 16 June 2016 Council resolved to commence public consultation on
the Noosa Parklands Draft Park Management Plan. The community engagement process
involved promotion of the draft Plan through the Your Say Noosa website, two onsite public
meetings and a letterbox drop to Noosa Parklands residents. 38 submissions were received and
notes taken from public meetings. A summary of submissions are provided in Attachment 3 and a
suggested response is provided on each submission.
Submissions ranged from residents being very satisfied with the Park and its management, while
other residents wanted new or upgraded facilities and/or a higher level of service. The majority of
comments concerned the following:
1.   The Value of Noosa Parklands Recreation Parks and Bushland Reserves
Some respondents stated that they valued the park and recreation areas and did not want
vegetation or Wooroi Creek interfered with. Some submitters commented on the importance of
Wooroi Creek to the Noosa River in terms of water quality and highlighted the significance of the
bushland reserves that act as a corridor to surrounding National Park. They supported the works
of the Heritage Park Bushland Care Group and believe the group should be recognised for their
efforts. Some submitters called for a ban on dogs to protect koalas in the area.
2.   Weeds in Bushland Reserves
Some submitters were concerned about the number of weeds in the bushland reserves. Weeds
have been spread by natural means (e.g. birds, wind dispersal) or unnatural means (dumping of
garden waste). Given the extent of weeds in the parks it is not possible to control all weeds at
any one time. A recommendation of the Plan is for an Ecological Restoration Plan to be
developed in consultation with the Bushland Care Group and residents.



                                                                                           Page 86 of 118