Meeting papers

Theme – Noosa Environment                                                                                            — A staged implementation is recommended for implementation of recovery actions for the remaining Noosa
                                                                                                                       Nine and Co species list in partnership with community groups, including threatened species monitoring
                                                                                                                       programs for Mary River Cod, Mary River Turtle and some frog species alongside MRCCC and BMRG under a
                                                                                                                       recently awarded Flood Recovery Grant Projects.
                                                          The goal is delivered through a focus on the following
                                                          strategic pathways:
Corporate Plan                                                                                                       — Ongoing investigation of land parcels for acquisition under the environment levy and update of the
                                                                                                                       Conservation Land Plan and associated guideline. Acquisition of two land parcels are underway.
2017-2037 Goal:                                           — Adopt an overarching Environment Strategy.
                                                          — Revitalise the Noosa River Plan.                         — Continue development of an Environment Offset Policy, and partnership with TMR on specific offset receiving
Our environment                                           — Implement Council’s Zero Emissions Strategy.               sites for Six Mile Creek Bridge.
                                                          — Adopt and implement plans that form part of our
is protected and                                            Environment Strategy.                                    — New Voluntary Conservation Agreement (VCA) developed to reflect the updates to the Private Land
                                                                                                                       Conservation Partnerships Policy endorsed by Council on 11 April 2023. New agreements are currently being
enhanced and is                                           — Reinforce our Noosa design principles and Noosa style.
                                                          — Manage development within the Noosa Shire in               sent to existing participants in the VCA program and signed off. Expected completion of new agreements

valued by the                                               accordance with Noosa’s desired environmental              across all existing 23 landholders is by September 2023.
                                                            outcomes.
community.                                                — Plan our response to Climate Change.
                                                                                                                     — Several Environmental Services staff attended a Whale Stranding Response Training Day with DES, SCC
                                                                                                                       and other regional LG staff in preparedness for the upcoming whale season. With significant numbers of
                                                                                                                       whales sighted off Noosa in recent weeks, along with three early season strandings along the East Coast,
 Corporate Plan 2017-2037 Focus Area: 1.1 Adopt an overarching Environment Strategy                                    Environmental Services has recently attained a specific Whale Response Trailer, to be equipped with our




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Noosa Council Annual Report 2022 - 2023
                                                                                                                       existing, and additional response equipment should we see a stranding on our local beaches this season.
 Operational Initiative
                                                                                                                     — Council’s Marine Animal Response Plan has been updated, while relationships have also been strengthened
 Implement priority activities from the Environment Strategy
                                                                                                                       across SCC, DES, QPWS and DAFF staff in preparedness for a stranding event. Environmental Services has
                                                                                                                       ensured we have a contractor available to intercept, or tow stranded carcasses offshore form Noosa Council
 Outcomes
                                                                                                                       managed beaches (Council and the Traditional Owners preferred method of carcass disposal).
 Protection of the Shire’s natural environment and achievement of strategic environmental targets

                                                                                                                     Status
 Progress Commentary for 1 July 2022 - 30 June 2023
                                                                                                                     On Track and Ongoing
 — Continue to refine the Shire’s vegetation mapping to improve environmental planning and bushfire management.
                                                                                                                     Initiatives to implement the Environment Strategy have been incorporated in the FY23/24 Operational Plan
   Approximately 68% of the Shire complete as of end of June 2023. Project due for completion by end of January
   2024.

 — Threatened Species Road Map completed and endorsed by Council to facilitate and guide the on- going               Operational Initiative
   management and recovery of threatened fauna within Noosa Shire and adjacent coastal waters.                       Undertake Shire wide Biosecurity Survey

 — Through a risk assessment process, Council identified sea turtles (including the Loggerhead and Green             Outcomes
   turtle) as the 2023/2024 priority for the development of a species recovery action plan. Sea Turtle Community     Improved knowledge and management of invasive species in accordance with the Biosecurity Plan
   awareness programs on the Noosa North Shore were delivered over April 2023, with further awareness
   campaigns to be implemented leading up to, and during the commencement of the nesting season in                   Progress Commentary for 1 July 2022 - 30 June 2023
   November. During development of the Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan, partnerships with the Sunshine Coast         — Rural landholder surveys have now been completed, targeting around 50 properties for biosecurity
   Council TurtleCare program and other stakeholders invested in sea turtle conservation and monitoring will           improvements. Another survey is planned to commence in early 23/24FY.
   continue to be forged to increase the outcomes for sea turtles across the region.
                                                                                                                     Status
 — During the next quarter, Environmental Services will actively market the Threatened Fauna Road Map to the
                                                                                                                     Completed
   community, growing on recent promotional events such as threatened species awareness at the Cooroy State
   School Under 8’s Day, where free plants were also provided to the school students through Noosa Landcare.



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