2016-09-06 - Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                            6 SEPTEMBER 2016


The Plan would identify local priorities for weed management and build on previous assessments
and plans such as the Noosa Pest Management Plan 2015.
3.   Fire management
Some submitters requested more fire management such as planned burns and clearing of fire
trails behind houses while others did not want the bush disturbed at all. Fire trail works and
planned burns in Noosa Parklands Bushland Reserves are included in the Noosa Bushland
Reserve Fire Management Plan 2015. Council recently engaged a fire management consultant to
complete a fire hazard assessment and has rated the Noosa Parklands parks as generally
having a medium bushfire risk. In comparison with other parks, Noosa Parklands is a lower
priority for fire management actions.
4.   Mosquitoes
 A number of submitters were concerned about mosquitoes and wanted pools in Wooroi Creek
drained. Mosquitoes can travel many kilometres and they breed in the adjoining National Park
and in tidal areas. Draining of Wooroi Creek is not recommended because it is highly unlikely to
reduce mosquitoes in Noosa Parklands and would also impact on aquatic species that live in
natural ponds and feed on mosquito larvae.
5.   Flooding
Some residents would like Wooroi Creek to be cleared of natural debris to facilitate better
drainage during flood events. Heritage Park is a floodplain and clearing out of the creek is
unlikely to mitigate local flooding (see Attachment 2 Wooroi Creek Hydrology Report). Such a
practice can increase water velocity, erosion and sediment and impact on the water quality of
Noosa River. Some residents have attributed plantings (particularly Lomandra sp.) along Wooroi
Creek as aggravating flooding but this is also unlikely.
It is acknowledged that if hydraulic structures are blocked (e.g. culverts under roads) then this
can cause a damming effect. Council will continue to keep hydraulic structures clear as per
existing maintenance schedules.
6.   ‘Shrinking’ of grassed recreation areas
Residents raised concern about encroachment of plantings onto grassed recreation areas.
Currently the interface between the recreation area and the bushland reserve is defined by
bollards and Lomandra plantings. To address concerns about ‘shrinking of recreation areas’ the
Plan states that any plantings should not extend past the bollard line.
7.   Tree and branch fall
Concern was expressed about the risk of tree/branch fall. Council undertakes regular inspections
and residents can notify Council if they suspect there is a hazardous tree. However it is a
recommendation of the Plan that a pro-active risk assessment be undertaken of trees by a
qualified arborist in the Noosa Parklands recreation areas.
8.   Pathways and bridges
Residents would like low lying pathways that remain inundated for several days after flood events
to be fixed. There are two locations where low level boardwalks could assist (see Figure 4 in
Plan). There is also a missing link in the pathway network at Heritage Park (south west section)
and a bridge would be required to cross the creek. These initiatives are proposed in the
Management Plan but would be subject to future budget deliberations and corporate priorities.
9.   Recreational facilities
There have been calls for Council to replace play grounds that have been removed previously
and develop BMX and skate bowl facilities. The parks are local parks and have quite low
visitation levels compared with some other parks. Facilities are currently adequate for demand
and additional facilities would require extra maintenance and repairs because of potential
vandalism. Council is developing a Sports and Recreation Plan and the need for such facilities
across the Shire will be reviewed.
                                                                                 Page 87 of 118