2022-09-12 General Committee Meeting Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                            12 SEPTEMBER 2022


   There are no formal constructed beach access facilities off David Low Way where the road
   crosses Burgess Creek. Pedestrian use of this area down to the beach is via informal tracks
   and has steadily increased over time particularly as other beach accesses along the coast
   have become busier.
   Burgess Creek is affected by erosion which requires active management. The northern bank
   of the creek near the mouth, east of David Low Way is eroding due to a combination of
   uncontrolled foot traffic across and down the bank, and high peak waterflow during rain
   events. Many other beach visitors are also accessing the creek mouth and dunes from the
   beach itself which is contributing to erosion. Bank instability ranges from minor movement of
   sand to drastic slip failure.
   At the mouth of the creek, up to 270 metres of the frontal dunes on the northern side of the
   creek can become eroded as the creek naturally meanders to the north. Council is seeking
   to better understand the reasons behind the creek’s channel migration for different rain
   events and timescales, by relating observed changes to conditions such as waves, creek
   water surface levels, and discharge. This will involve the development of a model that helps
   explain the main triggers and predicts thresholds affecting the creek’s changes. This
   modelling and analysis can also then be used to inform water quality monitoring for Burgess
   Creek under different rainfall conditions.
   The increased flows during the 2022 floods have further exacerbated erosion on the northern
   side of all Eastern Beaches creeks. Council has recently performed channel realignment
   works to straighten the Burgess Creek channel to mitigate erosion impacts, however the
   channel is again slowly making its way towards the north.
   On 18 November 2021 Noosa Council adopted the Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan (CHAP)
   which prioritises nature-based solutions when addressing issues at creek outlets. To support
   this plan, Council is implementing an ongoing coastal monitoring program using a range of
   survey and recording techniques. This includes deploying a fixed shoreline camera at
   Burgess Creeks to monitor creek movement. This will be supported by satellite imagery,
   onground survey and fixed wing drone survey to track erosion and accretion trends along the
   length of the Eastern Beaches.
   Bank stability works in public land have been undertaken at Burgess Creek, near Ross
   Crescent, and near Sobraon St to protect built and natural assets. Traditionally Council has
   undertaken these works in a reactive manner when sand slips become evident. However, it
   is proposed that Council adopts a process of monitoring and prioritising remediation of the
   Eastern Beaches creeks to enable proactive and coordinated management. Referred to as
   the ‘Noosa Eastern Beaches Creeks High Risk Erosion Prioritisation Project’, this project
   proposal will be submitted for consideration as part of a future budget review.
   Burgess Creek presents a particularly challenging environment for pedestrian access.
   Access to the creek and mouth is discouraged due to the treated effluent discharged from
   the upstream sewage treatment plant owned by Unitywater, yet the location of the pathway
   further upstream along the creek naturally channels foot traffic to an unofficial beach access
   on the northern side of the creek. There is a significant distance between beach accesses
   38 and 39 which service a high number of visitors, prompting residents to create their own
   access points. New beach access standards to improve the resilience of coastal dunes are
   being developed and will help inform appropriate access improvements for Burgess Creek
   to better manage dune erosion.
   Council carries out periodic Bushland Operational Assessments (BOAs) to inform dune
   restoration. A bush regeneration zone with fencing and signage to help minimise foot traffic
   is also needed, along with community consultation. The Burgess Creek Bushcare Group is
   active in the area and will be an important stakeholder.
   An Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan is also under development addressing
   the high number of management issues concentrated along the Eastern Beaches foreshore
   reserves. It will help set out priorities for Council including for beach reserve protection, dune

                                                                                     Page 67 of 85