2022-09-06 Planning & Environment Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                             6 SEPTEMBER 2022


6    POLYSTYRENE ROUNDTABLE

Author           Environment Officer Coastal Management, Melissa Coyle
                 Environment and Sustainable Development Department

Index            ECM/ Environmental Management/ Sustainability

Attachments      1.    Polystyrene Round Table Minutes


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Council hosted a four-hour Polystyrene Round Table on Thursday 21 July 2022 to share
information and reflections on the impacts of pontoon and polystyrene debris on Noosa’s beaches,
and logistical challenges with its removal. Frank discussion from diverse points of view from key
government, environmental and community stakeholders yielded wide-ranging recommendations
to improve local and regional disaster response approaches, better engagement with community
groups, and better regulation and design standards for pontoons. Council is in discussion with
government, environmental and community stakeholders to consider and advance the
recommendations.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Environment Officer Coastal Management to the Planning &
Environment Committee meeting dated 6 September 2022 providing an update on the Polystyrene
Roundtable.

REPORT
Eighteen damaged pontoons from the Brisbane River floods in February 2022 washed up on
Noosa's beaches during March, along with other flood debris. The polystyrene used as pontoon
floatation was exposed and spread into the environment. The pontoons, other flood debris and lots
of large and small polystyrene pieces have been removed with a combination of Council and
community efforts and a mix of manual and mechanical techniques. Small, scattered pockets of
polystyrene beads, buried in the sand, continue to be exposed by wind and wave erosion, and
need regular, small clean-ups.
Council brought together a roundtable meeting to develop recommendations to better plan for, and
respond to, future marine debris disasters. The recommendations were compiled from the
roundtable presentations and discussions and are being distributed to participants for further
consideration.
1.   Polystyrene Roundtable
The Roundtable was hosted in the Noosa Council Chambers in Tewantin and online. The format
was a series of presentations from stakeholders who responded to the event, with time for
discussion after each – please see the minutes (provided at Attachment 1) for an attendee list and
discussion points. The diversity of views and the robust and frank discussion added real strength
and value to the recommendations. The Roundtable process is an effective format to build and
strengthen relationships with Council, government agencies, and environmental and community
stakeholders.
2.   Recommendations
Over-arching agreement was reached that extreme weather, marine debris events and other
environmental disasters are likely to be more common as the impacts of climate change increase.
Recommendations focused on improving State Government and Council responses to future
marine debris and coastal environmental disasters to reduce environmental, social, and financial

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