Annex 1 - Noosa River Habitat Survey Report - ESP

                                                                   Ecological Service Professionals
                                                                                    Sustainable Science Solutions




     Figure 3.21 Bare sand in the downstream Weyba Creek reach



4.       Assessment of Potential Disturbance to Marine Plants
The advice below is based on the implementation plan (TNC 2021) and International Coastal
Management indicative site layouts (NROR-2021-03 to NROR-2021-06) provided, which
place restoration structures primarily on bare sand, gravel and mud. We note the provision
to allow for suitable relocation of structures within the restoration area to adapt to localised
conditions and any changes in the distribution of marine plants prior to construction. A buffer
has been provided between mangroves and seagrass, to ensure that there is no direct
impact to the distribution of seagrass and mangroves adjacent to the restoration structures.
We are of the opinion that it is possible to avoid negative impacts on seagrass, mangroves
and saltmarsh at the sites, based on the information provided in the implementation plan,
lack of impact to marine plants during a previous trial deployment of restoration structures in
the Noosa Estuary (and positive impacts on macroalgal assemblages) (ESP 2021), and
where suitable management controls are employed (i.e. monitoring impacts on water quality
before during and after construction, using suitable construction materials, and locating
construction equipment a suitable distance away from mangroves). Due to the separation of
each patch of rubble (patchwork), the structures are not expected to present any potential
impact to fish passage, allowing fish to easily pass between and around each patch at high
tide.
With respect to each restoration area:
     •   In the Noosa Sound restoration area, the proposed restoration structures (rubble)
         would be placed on bare sand adjacent to marine plants with a minimum distance of
         2 m to mangroves (including pneumatophores) has been provided. The restoration
         structures have been designed to prevent shoreline erosion and provide complex
         habitat that would restore the diversity of estuarine habitats within the seascape.
     •   In the Goat Island restoration area, restoration structures would be placed on bare
         sand adjacent to marine plants, with a minimum of 2 m from mangroves (including
         pneumatophores) and 10 m from seagrass to prevent any physical damage. The
         restoration structures have been designed to prevent shoreline erosion.
Noosa Oyster Reef Restoration: Marine Benthic Habitat Assessment                                             21