6. Noosa River DMP Ver0 (Combined)

As the dredged materials remain wet as it is pumped on-shore, air quality, odour and dust from the material itself
is not anticipated to be a significant issue. Given the nature of the material, odour from the material is not
expected to be a significant issue.
Objective: To minimise impacts of dredging works on air quality.
Issues: Particles, dust and odour generated by dredging equipment & operations.
Performance Criteria: No complaints received.
Control Measures:

                                                                                                               Responsible
                                                     Control Measures
                                                                                                                  Party
 1.   Engines / equipment are to be well maintained at all times in accordance with manufacturer’s           Contractor
      specifications.
 2.   Carry out all work and operate all equipment so as to comply with the Environmental Protection (Air)   Contractor
      Policy 1997 at all times.
 3.   Staff shall be aware of air quality restrictions.                                                      Contractor


Monitoring: Monitoring is to be undertaken in accordance with Table 4.


            FLORA AND FAUNA
The dredge area is to maintain a 25m buffer from the designated Noosa River Fish Habitat Area, consistent with
the existing Environmental Authority.
No marine plants are to be impacted due to dredging or nourishment (without obtaining separate approval).
Existing mangroves are present on the Noosa River foreshore. Mangroves have the potential to be impacted by
the uncontrolled placement of sand over root zones. Tree protection zones have been calculated for mangroves
along Hilton Esplanade and Gympie Terrace, although only one of identified marine plants required management
due to exposed pneumatophores. Given that exposure of pneumatophores will change over time, it is proposed
that a marine plants survey is undertaken before each dredging campaign and any mangroves with exposed
pneumatophores be pegged prior to sand replenishment.
Existing trees that are currently being undermined by erosion may be classified as marine plants. It is considered
that sand re-nourishment will generally enhance the survival of any undermined trees and no buffer is required.
Biome (2022) have assessed the marine megafauna likely to be encountered within the Noosa River estuary
(dugong, dolphins and turtles) and they are all capable of foraging in turbid water. Dolphins often stir up bed
sediments when foraging for benthic prey, resulting in limited visibility for prey detection and reliance on
echolocation to detect prey.
Dugongs have poorly developed eyesight and rely on bristles on their upper lip, rather than visual cues, to detect
seagrass food resources. Flatback Turtles are known to feed in turbid shallow waters and may not be directly



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