Amended Noosa Project Restoration Plan V12_5

rapidly deteriorated or were damaged by anchors, thus preventing the reef formation. The team also
explained how in this project, a different methodology was being used.

Most participants were impressed by the tried and tested restoration methodology proposed for this
project. Many participants subsequently joined the project mailing list, some with the intention of
volunteering in project, while some local community groups are entering into formal and informal
partnerships with the project to undertake community outreach activities.

4.4 Recreational fisher engagement

TNC has a formal agreement with Ozfish nationally and works closely with them in Noosa.

4.5 Commercial fisher engagement

Outside of formal consultations, TNC has also regularly engaged the commercial fishing sector in Noosa,
keeping them up to date on project progress, sharing information and seeking their input on sites and
monitoring criteria.

While TNC would characterise the engagement with the active commercial sector as cordial, and
fruitful, the position of four of the six active commercial fishers regarding the project was not
supportive. When directly asked if the project would impact on their commercial interests, their
responses did not relate to specifically to commercial interests but to broader concerns. These
presented in italics below, followed by TNC’s responses.

Goat Island restoration site would narrow an already narrow section of the river

The width of the Noosa River at its narrowest point in the upper lower section is approximately 160
metres wide. The proposed works extend a maximum of 14 metres from shore, so less than 9 percent
of the width of the narrowest part of this section of the river.

The site is also at the northern landward margin of a very wide and shallow sand bank, which extends
more than 50 metres out into the estuary. This sand bank generally constrains most boat traffic to the
river channel south of the bank, far from the restoration site, leaving the bank available for formal and
informal moorings. The restoration site is proposed shoreward of the moorings.

Goat Island restoration site raises environmental concerns over hydrology and sand movement
TNC consultant coastal engineers, ICM, have certified that the oyster reef patches proposed for Goat Island have
been designed to minimise impacts to river flows and sand movement. Despite this, the reef patches at Goat
Island are anticipated to act as a segmented reef and provide some sheltering to the shoreline from wave action
and vessel wake which is anticipated to result in reduced erosion in the lee of the reefs. The reef patches have
been aligned with the river flows and incorporate spaces between the reef patches to minimise any impacts on
river flows.

Goat Island restoration site poses a navigational hazard

TNC has visited Goat Island on two occasions with Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ). MSQ has
confirmed that the Goat Island site is not a significant navigation hazard, being set against the shoreline
away from official moorings and at a reasonable distance from the main navigation channel.




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