2021-04-23 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                                             23 APRIL 2021


Submission Topic   Detail
Environmental      Email 1 - Attention Noosa Mayor, Deputy Mayor & Councillors, I write with concern re Noosa
Management         Council’s current preparations for this year’s Budget. In my time living in Noosa Shire, I have
                   participated enthusiastically in the Bushcare program however over recent years there seems to
                   always be a shortfall in the funds available for Bushcare across the Shire & in other areas of the
                   maintenance of our precious natural environment. Noosa ‘s point of difference has always been
                   the protection of our natural environment but in recent years the amount of required funding hasn’t
                   been available for ongoing maintenance in particular! Bushcare volunteers have been successful
                   in acquiring grants to support our activities designed to improve the biodiversity & to protect our
                   natural bushland reserves from being overrun with habitat changing weeds. However Council has
                   continuously cut back the funding so that little Council funded maintenance is actually achieved &
                   what is done is sporadic & infrequent. Noosa’s reputation is built on its natural vegetation but the
                   protection of this environment requires substantially more funding to be allocated so that REAL
                   protection happens as a matter of course. At the moment, it seems that Parks allocation of
                   personnel & resources outstrips that of natural areas. To my mind every community around
                   Australia has parks & gardens but few are lucky enough to have the magnificent natural features
                   of forest & beaches at their fingertips. Unfortunately the relentless onslaught of introduced species
                   from home gardens, agricultural activities etc have a disastrous impact on the health of our
                   Reserves, bushlands, dunes & requires additional personnel & funds. As teams of senior
                   volunteers, we have been holding on to the many Bushcare sites, by a thread! With the emphasis
                   of the CHAP Plan’s recommendations for dunal bushland management as the most desirable
                   application to confront the rising sea levels & the impacts of big weather events, Council’s budget
                   will need major adjustment to meet the anticipated management requirements to enable the frontal
                   dunes & bushland’s to build resilience. Another area of Council funding in need is for the ZEN
                   program to support the 2026 emission free plan.

                   Email 2 - Just some thoughts for the budget As the world continues to heat, trees can help to
                   ameliorate this problem.
                    One suggestion is to provide a free tree( indigenous to that area) once a year to every
                      ratepayer who lives in the Shire.
                    Allocate more funds to provide more greenery by planting small trees and shrubs on local
                      footpaths, other walkways and road islands. Avenues of cool greenery?
                    As development ravages trees and habitat for many small animals, birds and insects, a ratio
                      of trees to houses plus footpath plantings could be part of the building approval application-
                      trees that provide food for wildlife, part of Noosa’s attraction.
                    Any type of development that is beside any natural reserve, park or National Park could be
                      required to plant only indigenous plants so that these reserves and parks do not become
                      invaded by exotic species.
                    Funds to safeguard and preserve old established trees – even old dead trees have value and
                      provide habitat for some animals and birds.
                    Provide more funds and support to those volunteer groups who work to restore natural
                      habitats.
                    Provide funds/ penalties for the clearing of privately built infrastructure on public dunal land
                      and restore it with plants. Hedges Avenue Landowners on Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast
                      had built BBQ pits, added lighting, rose hedges, tables and chairs and had fenced off the dunal
                      area as part of their private property. The Council acted and this was cleared even though
                      Council were threatened with being sued.
                    Provide funds to fence off the tracks from private property across the dunes- dunes are being
                      severely eroded. Restore the vegetation.
                    Provide a free compost bin for those who wish to compost their own green and vegetable
                      waste.
                    Provide funds for a 20 to 30 centimetre high extruded cement barrier between the road and
                      the bike lanes . Greater safety and encouragement for the growing numbers of bike riders.
                    Offer Greenships apprenticeships to school leavers to provide youth employment and to keep
                      them living in the area.
                   Email 3 - Budget Feedback Submission
                   1. We have been ratepayers for 35 years and lived permanently here for 21 years.
                   2. In that time invasive weeds on verges, roadsides and other natural areas have been
                      proliferating out of control.
                   3. Weed vines, in particular, in those areas need urgent attention.
                   4. The Environmental Levy needs to be increased or monies taken from general rates to employ
                      at least one team of 4 full time to start a systematic and sustained program to remove invasive
                      vines and highly flammable weed grasses on roadside verges on both Council roads and Main
                      Roads.




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