2018-07-10 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                         10 JULY 2018


8                        DRAFT NOOSA RIVER PLAN FOR COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                           Environment Officer (Rivers and Coast), Jan Maddin
                                 Environment and Sustainable Development Department

Index                            ECM/ Waterways Management (Noosa River)

Attachments                      1.   Draft Noosa River Plan (Note: 68pg attachment provided separately to this report)
                                 2.   Community Engagement and Communications Plan


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Environment Officer (Rivers and Coast) to the Planning &
Environment Committee Meeting dated 10 July 2018 and endorse the Draft Noosa River Plan (as
provided at Attachment 1 to the report) for community consultation with the wider community, key
stakeholders and with relevant State Government agencies.

REPORT
Council endorsed a review and update of the Noosa River Plan (2004) under a whole-of-
catchment management framework in January 2017 to progress recommendations of the Noosa
River Community Jury and address a number of key pressures affecting the river system.
A Draft Plan has now been developed in consultation with internal and targeted external
stakeholders and is ready to be released for wider input via public consultation.
This new plan builds on the good work already undertaken around Noosa River catchment
management. It is an action-orientated document incorporating a whole of catchment approach
to management of land-based and on-river activities, encompassing Noosa freshwater creeks,
wetlands, lakes, river, coastal creeks and groundwater.
Its purpose is to protect the ecosystem health of the entire river system and support the
recreation, fisheries and cultural values of the catchment.
A key focus of the plan is to progress transition of agreed management responsibilities for
anchoring, mooring and living on the river from the State to Council. Other important areas of
focus in the Noosa Estuary include the Noosa River Marine Zones, boating speed limits, marine
infrastructure, commercial use of the river, sustainable fisheries, migratory shorebird habitat
protection and Hincksia alga blooms in Laguna Bay.
There will be new costs involved with an increased local focus on management of the river. A
stronger local focus on the river will, however, lead to better management and environmental
outcomes in the longer term.
Implementation of the plan will be the responsibility of Noosa Council working with community
stakeholders and the relevant government agencies. A five (5) year timeframe is set for
implementation with annual tracking of the Action Plan.
The plan is a draft document. It is recommended to release it for public consultation to inform,
test and build ownership and understanding in the community about the plan’s actions and their
implications.
Community input is vital to help Council set the priorities for implementation. Through the public
consultation process, views will be specifically sought about the community priorities for
implementation, and if there are other actions to consider for inclusion in the plan.
Refer Community Engagement and Communications Plan attached.
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