2020-07-07 P&E Agenda - Item 3 - Attachment 1 - TNC Project Management Plan

2.2 Project background

Over the last four years, Noosa Shire Council (NSC) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have worked together to build
a deeper understanding of the environmental significance and long-term sustainable management options for the
Noosa River. This has included:

Noosa River Expert Workshop, Powerhouse Museum, 2014
A two day workshop, hosted by TNC on behalf of The Thomas Foundation and Noosa Parks Association, comprising
12 academic and NGO estuary scientists. The workshop identified 14 conservation activities that could lead to a
healthier Noosa River, with shellfish ecosystem restoration listed as a priority action in addition to prawn restocking
and Kin Kin sediment management. These activities (including further scoping studies) were later jointly funded by
NSC, Noosa Parks Association, The Thomas Foundation and the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation.

TNC Oyster Restoration Scoping Study, 2015
TNC and Ecological Service Professionals Pty on behalf of NSC and others undertook a short, five-month ecological
assessment to quantify oyster densities across 11 intertidal and subtidal sites within the estuary. The study confirmed
high densities of oyster recruitment particularly around Weyba Creek, the main channel around Tewantin, and in the
narrow channel between Goat Island and Noosa North Shore. The project recommended installing a number of pilot
reefs for further assessment.

University of Queensland Historical Ecology of the Noosa Estuary fisheries, 2015
Ruth Thurston from the University of Queensland undertook a historical ecology study on behalf of TNC and NSC in
the Noosa River estuary to develop an understanding of historical fisheries productivity, including shellfish. The study
confirmed shellfish ecosystems used to exist in the estuary and were commercial harvested in the early 1900s. Fish
populations were also significantly larger in the past than they are today.

University of Sunshine Coast, Bring Back the Fish, 2018-2020
A three-year study which installed a series of experimental ‘reef units’ consisting of coir bags filled with oyster shell
at 15 sites across the estuary. The project studied the structural integrity, oyster recruitment, fish and invertebrate
community assemblages and human interactions with the reefs. This project collected important ecological
information that will support the final design and implementation of shellfish ecosystem restoration in this Project.


NSC and TNC in addition to other organizations with an interest in the River’s sustainability (including Noosa Parks
Association, The Thomas Foundation and Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation), through a series of dialogue and
presentations to Noosa Shire Council, have recognized the strategic priorities of both organizations and of others
would be more effectively served through a formal partnership, rather than on an individual project basis. This
agreement led to the development of this Project which is the main delivery mechanism of the TNC-NSC Partnership.



2.3 Project objectives and deliverables

The Project has a number of objectives and deliverables, each managed as separate sub-projects (Table 1) and
described in further detail in the following chapters. Deliverables marked with (*) in Table 1 are at the discretion of
NSC (i.e. if required). Further dialogue between TNC and NSC since July 25th 2019, has resulted in the prioritization
and emphasis on delivering the following conservation initiatives:



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      BRING BACK THE FISH: PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN