Amended Noosa Project Restoration Plan V12_5

·    The distance between oyster reef patches is specified in the engineered drawings for each
     restoration site. The relief and profile of each patch is specified in the engineered drawings for each
     restoration site.

Restoration modules

·    Engineering concepts to show how oyster reef patches may be placed in association with each
     other on a restoration site, while meeting specific engineering requirements.

1.9 Summary of restoration targets

An oyster ecosystem restoration site should over time demonstrate an increase in abundance and
density of rock oysters and increased diversity of epifauna comparative to the surround sediments.
Specifically, within 6-8years of oyster reef patches being deployed, a restoration site should
demonstrate:

     •   Density of rock oysters at restoration site average of > 200 individuals/m2
     •   4+ age classes of rock oysters present at restoration site (= approx. 2 cohorts of oysters
         reproductive)
             ➢ 5% of rock oyster population at the site is 3+ years old
     •   Increased density of oyster recruits with 3-4 reproductive cycles
     •   5 times more epifauna on oyster habitat than on surrounding sediment10

1.10 Qualifications

All information in this submission, and attached code assessments, relating to the design, footprint
minimisation, specification, construction, movement, sinkage, stability, erosion minimisation, risks and
management and substrate rectifications relating to the restoration substrates (of rock, or rock and
shell), are made with the approval of the project’s consultant engineers, International Coastal
Management (ICM).

All information in this submission, and attached code assessments, relating to oyster ecosystem
restoration, fish habitats and marine plants in the Noosa River, have been reviewed by TNC ecologists
as well as TNC’s independent consultant ecologists, Ecological Service Professionals (ESP).

In 2020, TNC also contracted ESP to map the extend of seagrass and other marine habitats throughout
the Noosa River estuary. The results of that work are incorporated into on the restoration drawings and
advised the placement of the restoration substrates (the footprint) in each restoration site so as to
avoid impact on marine plants, or to cause only temporary impact on marine plants, as is the case at
the Tewantin restoration site.




10
  McAfee et al 2020. The value and opportunity of restoring Australia's lost rock oyster reefs. Restoration
Ecology Volume 28, Issue 2 March 2020. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.13125
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