2015-06-23 I&S Agenda - Item 5 - Local Disaster Recovery Plan - Attachment 2

                           Noosa Local Disaster Recovery Plan 2015/2016

27.5 Noosa environmental profile
The total area of Noosa Shire area is approximately 87,200ha.

Noosa Shire’s open space and vegetation networks set it apart from other areas of South-
East Queensland. Extensive National Parks and environment reserves protect coastal and
hinterland vegetation and help maintain water quality for local creek and river systems.

Noosa Shire is recognised for excellence in environmental sustainability, being designated a
Man and the Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations in 2007.

Although the Shire has undergone clearing and development like other areas, Noosa has
substantial tracts of vegetation. The total remnant vegetation cover of the Shire is
approximately 50% consisting of 60 different regional ecosystems. Most remnant vegetation
occurs within conservation reserves and State Forest (collectively 58.8%) and on private
land (33.9%). Ten regional ecosystems are listed as “endangered” and twenty-four are “of
concern”.

Noosa is a place of high biodiversity with more than 626 vertebrate fauna species being
recorded. Some of these species are listed as endangered, vulnerable or near threatened by
the Commonwealth and State, or are considered locally important. Noteworthy species
include the koala, ground parrot, tusked frog, giant barred frog, grey-headed flying fox, little-
tern, beach stone curlew, false water rat and the loggerhead turtle. There is also significant
invertebrate fauna such as the richmond birdwing butterfly.

The Shire contains the Noosa River catchment, the upper catchment of the Mary River, and
to a lesser extent the northern reaches of the Maroochy River. Noosa’s major catchments
exhibit unique geology and biodiversity. The Noosa River system flows south from the Great
Sandy Region National Park and includes a number of important lakes and wetlands.
Approximately 68% of the catchment is vegetated, substantially helping to protect the water
quality of the Noosa River. Diverse landscapes include parabolic dunes, sand blows,
freshwater lakes, tall open forest, rainforest, paperbark swamp, mangrove and heathland.
Several creeks within Noosa Shire are the headwaters for the Mary River which ultimately
flows into the Great Sandy Marine Park. These hinterland creeks flow through important
eco-tonal rainforest and Eucalypt forest, which are habitat for a number of important fauna
species such as the red goshawk and powerful owl. Aquatic species such as the Mary River
cod and the Mary River tortoise rely on the good condition of the upper catchment of the
Mary River for their survival.

27.6 Terms of reference - Local Disaster Recovery Committee
27.6.1 Role
The role of the Noosa Local Disaster Recovery Committee is to coordinate the planning and
implementation of recovery strategies across the four pillars of recovery.

27.6.2 Responsibilities
   assess the impact of the event and undertake a community needs analysis across the
    four pillars of recovery
   coordinate the whole-of-government and community recovery from disaster events
   identify and prioritise major areas of recovery
   establish sub-groups as required to coordinate specialist knowledge and expertise
   develop and implement effective strategies for community participation and partnership
    in the recovery process
   develop medium and long term recovery policies and strategies

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