Annex 1 - Noosa River Habitat Survey Report - ESP

                                                                   Ecological Service Professionals
                                                                                    Sustainable Science Solutions




    •   In the Tewantin restoration area, the proposed restoration patches would be placed
        primarily on bare sand and gravel (with dead oyster shell) and on rocky rubble
        adjacent to marine plants in the intertidal zone, which are the dominant habitat types
        covering 80% of the 2254 m2 within the restoration area (Figure 4.1; Table 4.1). The
        proposed restoration patches will cover a total area of approximately 1326 m2 and be
        at least 10 m from seagrass and 2 m away from mangroves (including
        pneumatophores) to prevent any direct damage to those marine plant assemblages.
        The proposed restoration patches will be primarily placed on bare gravel with dead
        oyster shell which makes up 39% of the 1326 m2 area covered by restoration patches
        (Figure 4.1; Table 4.1). In addition existing patchy rock and rubble which covers 24%
        of the benthic habitat in the proposed restoration patch areas will be supplemented
        with additional rock (Table 4.1; i.e. Rock Rubble - 246 m2 & Oyster, Rubble & Mud –
        77 m2). A relatively small section of patchy rock was covered by sparse oysters and
        sparse patches of macroalgae (Padina sp. and turfing algae), based on this habitat
        survey, less than 479 m2 of this patchy rock and rubble habitat supporting a degraded
        macroalgal assemblage would be temporarily disturbed by the proposed restoration
        activity (Table 4.1). Although, the area to be disturbed is likely to be an overestimate
        as it is planned to place the majority of substrate onto bare gravel and sand between
        existing rock patches where possible and thereby minimise potential disturbance. A
        pre-deployment survey will be completed to assist in the suitable placement of
        substrate during construction as movement of sand and fine sediment may alter the
        distribution of rocky patches in the area over time. It is expected that marine
        macroalgae will regrow on the restoration structures within a year of initial
        deployment based on trial restoration elsewhere in the estuary (ESP 2021).
    •   Restoration of habitat areas in Weyba Creek will not proceed as part of the current
        application, pending a review of additional habitat availability and suitability along the
        creek and the outcomes of the initial phase of oyster reef deployment.




Noosa Oyster Reef Restoration: Marine Benthic Habitat Assessment                                             22