2022-09-06 Planning & Environment Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                6 SEPTEMBER 2022


impacts. Themes included lobbying for better recognition of marine debris events as pollution
incidents, better incorporating environmental considerations into disaster operations, and
developing regional and local relationships and disaster response processes.
Improving information accuracy and availability, better collaborating with community organisations
and residents and developing coastal clean-up resource hubs were also suggested. Reviewing
pontoon regulation, identification, construction, and tethering standards in response to expected
climate change impacts was also strongly supported.
3.     Future actions
The recommendations are being circulated to participants for consideration for future
implementation by the various agencies and organisations, while discussions to advance future
collaboration efforts are already happening. These include external discussions with Sunshine
Coast Council and community organisations about the potential for proactive community coastal
clean-up activities and internal discussions about disaster response processes. Discussions with
State agencies on improved disaster management processes and regulations is also ongoing.
Council continues to monitor for polystyrene beads on the beach and dunes and Queensland
Reconstruction Authority funding has been sought to continue Council and community
collaborations to address the expected small, irregular clean-ups needed as buried polystyrene
continues to be exposed by erosion.

Previous Council Consideration
Nil.

Finance
The wide-ranging recommendations from the Roundtable may have a positive impact on existing
and new Council, government and community disaster management processes and responses.
Better planned, timely and coordinated responses to future marine debris and coastal
environmental disasters are likely to reduce Council’s financial costs, both by reducing their impact
and extent and by facilitating participation by a wider pool of potential responders and volunteers.
Environmental and social impacts and subsequent costs are also likely to be reduced.
The specific recommendations from the Roundtable are yet to be costed as they are only
recommendations for consideration by the various agencies and organisations at this point. The
financial implications for Council will be considered as recommendations are further assessed for
implementation and may be subject to future Council budget bids.

Risks & Opportunities
Noosa Environment Strategy 2019 identifies the social and environmental values of coastal
ecosystems, and several targets and outcomes require them to be protected and enhanced. Noosa
Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan 2021 describes coastal hazard risks from extreme weather and
requires appropriate, effective disaster responses that incorporate expected climate change. The
Noosa Liveability Study 2022 identified Noosa’s coastal landscapes and beaches as an essential
part of the local ‘look and feel’ and liveability that could be badly affected by future marine debris
and coastal environmental disasters.
Extreme weather events and accompanying marine debris and coastal environmental disasters
are becoming more likely as climate change continues. Learning from Council’s experiences from
this series of extreme weather events, the Roundtable recommendations, and the stronger
relationships developed through the Roundtable process will contribute to better disaster planning
and responses.




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