Amended Noosa Project Restoration Plan V12_5

SECTION 6 – CONSTRUCTION
Construction standards applied in this project align with shellfish restoration best practice and the
Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) International Principles and Standards for the Practice of
Ecological Restoration global guidelines6.

The construction methodology described here has been successfully employed by TNC construction
contractors in shellfish restoration projects in Port Philip Bay (VIC), Adelaide (SA), Albany and Swan River
(WA). This methodology was also employed by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) for the
restoration of rock oyster ecosystems in Port Stephens, NSW. TNC also has 25 years of experience in
utilising similar deployment methodologies in projects throughout the United States.

6.1 Methodology

The construction contractor engaged to handle and deploy the restoration substrate will have
experience with tidal works in the Noosa River, or similar sized estuaries, and preferably have
experience with shellfish restoration projects.

The contractor will acquire and manage the rock substrate from its source to its deployment. TNC will
supply the cured oyster shell to be used as a composite mixture with rock.

The contractor will stockpile the rock at an agreed load out site, selected with Noosa Shire Council, and
managed in accordance with the Site Management Plan and Construction and Environmental
Management Plan (CEMP), which meets with permit conditions.

In the appropriate weather window, related to suitable construction safety and operational
requirements (so as to avoid any potential damage to the receiving environments as well as staff), the
contractor will load the substrate onto a small barge from the load out site, transport the substrate to
the restoration site, and deploy the substrate onto site using an excavator (Figure 6.1).

Where a composite of rock and shell is used, the contract will mix this on the barge immediately prior
to placement to avoid shell damage due to rehandling (unless another method which achieves the same
objective is identified). The contractor will lay the substrate in configurations and clearances specified
for the site.

The first deployment of substrate will be closely supervised by the TNC monitoring team and the
configuration of the substrate inspected, in-water, to confirm accuracy of placement. Once TNC is
satisfied with the accuracy and appropriateness of the deployment technique, the contractor will be
permitted to continue with the deployment and subsequent deployments.

The contractor may use GPS, site markers or similar equipment to accurate mark the depositional sites.

The deployment barge only anchors at the restoration site where the minimum distance specifications
for marine plants, marine habitats and infrastructure can be met. Sediment plumes are managed in
accordance with the management protocol outlined in Section 6.4: Sediment management.

Once restoration substrates are in place, and signage and aids to navigation installed, authorities are
notified and accurate ‘as constructed’ drawings with RPEQ certification are provided as per permit
conditions.


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