2021-01-18 GC - Item 2 - Attachment 3 - Consultation Report River Plan Version 2 (2019-20)

Noosa Jetty            Sediment build up linked to river’s inability to flush (page 20)
Builders                   -    Plan should address the importance of a navigable river mouth in terms of marine safety as well as water flows.
                           -    Plan notes that sediment is largely created upriver and links commercial fishing as a significant contributor however gives no data on the scale of trawling
                                activities which are understood to be minimal.
                           -    Reference to motor boat traffic contributing to sediment in upriver areas is questionable given the lack of boat traffic on the river.
                           -    Action required
                           -    Plan should have a clear Objective to ensure the river mouth remains navigable year round to optimise the safety of recreational and commercial users.
                           -    The extension of river walls and other infrastructure and strategies should be assessed to achieve the required outcome.
                           -    Plan needs to provide reference data to support statements which otherwise appear to be based on loose perceptions.
                       Noosa River Mouth
                           -    The Plan does not provide an explanation for unforeseen erosion, an overview of the future forecasts or outline any strategies other than continue to
                                monitor erosion.
                           -    The River Plan should set clear objectives for the river mouth, particularly that it is provide a safe and navigable channel all year round.
                           -    Action required
                           -    Include a specific goal that the river mouth be maintained as a safe and navigable channel for all vessels.

Noosaville Business    Sediment build up linked to river’s inability to flush (as per comments above with changes or additions)
Association, Noosa         -    Plan should address the importance of a navigable river mouth in terms of marine safety as well as water flows.
Commercial                 -    Plan lists potential implications of climate change but does not provide an adequate assessment of associated risk or links to responsive strategies to
Boatman’s                       respond or counter the implication.
Association                -    Treatment is cursory and unbalanced compared to the assessment given to other topics.
                           -    The plan gives a vague statement that “these interventions aim to increase the resilience of high-value habitats to stressors, maintain water quality and
                                secure vital refuge for native wildlife, including aquatic life” however does not directly address or link to Council’s other environmental strategies or climate
                                change emergency plans etc. indicating a disjointed strategic framework.
                           -    Plan notes that sediment is largely created upriver and links commercial fishing as a significant contributor however gives no data on the scale of trawling
                                activities which are understood to be minimal.
                           -    Reference to motor boat traffic contributing to sediment in upriver areas is questionable given the lack of boat traffic on the river.
                           -    Actions required by Council
                           -    Plan should have a clear Objective in relation to the river mouths navigability year round to optimise the safety of recreational and commercial users.
                           -    The extension of river walls and other infrastructure and strategies should be properly assessed before Council assumes it is inappropriate.
                           -    Expand assessment of impacts and strategies associated with climate change.
                           -    Plan needs to provide reference data to support statements which otherwise appear to be based on loose perceptions.
                       Noosa River mouth
                           -    The Plan does not provide an explanation for unforeseen erosion, an overview of the future forecasts or outline any strategies other than continue to
                                monitor erosion.
                           -    The Plan does not acknowledge sand replenishment programs.
                           -    The Shoreline Erosion Management Plan and/or intervention triggers need to be properly accounted for in the plan as they are potentially significant
                                interventions in the foreseeable future.
                           -    The River Plan does not acknowledge significant issues associated with constrained water flows associated with the river mouth congestion.
                           -    The River Plan should set clear objectives for the river mouth, particularly its capacity to provide a safe and navigable channel all year round and what
                                intervention triggers will be applied.
                           -    Action required by Council
                           -    Plan should state what is the goal for the river mouth in terms of whether it is to be maintained as a safe and navigable channel, maintenance of optimal
                                water flows and extent of intervention that will be considered.
                           -    Ensure the Plan marries to the Shoreline Erosion Management Plan.

Noosa Jetty            Lower estuary
Builders                   -    The Plan (Recreational Boating) incorrectly states that the lower estuary is the busiest part of the Noosa River during holiday periods. It is the busiest area
                                year round.
                           -    The Plan (Recreational Boating) incorrectly infers that increase in use during peak holiday periods is by tourists when there is no data to support this
                                statement. It is also the period when local residents use the river more often.
                           -    Plan does not address human safety and social service issues such as kids jumping off Sofitel and Munna bridges, “river rats” sleeping under Munna
                                Bridge etc.
                           -    Plan does not address safety of vessels crossing the river mouth and the adequacy of emergency response.
                           -    Action required
                           -    Plan should remove casual perceptions unless based on data or evidence.
                           -    Plan should assess risks to human safety and provide appropriate response strategies.
                           -    Plan should ensure river mouth is navigable year round, that the channel is well publicised and that cctv is provided free-of-charge to inform boats of likely
                                conditions when planning their crossing.

Noosaville Business    Lower estuary (as per comments above with changes or additions)
Association, Noosa         -    The Plan (Recreational Boating) incorrectly states that the lower estuary is the busiest part of the Noosa River during holiday periods. It is the busiest area
Commercial                      all year round.
Boatman’s                  -    The Plan (Recreational Boating) incorrectly infers that increase in use during peak holiday periods is by tourists when there is no data to support this
Association                     statement. Local residents use the river more often at this time as well.
                           -    Plan does not address human safety and social service issues such as kids jumping off Sofitel and Munna bridges, “river rats” sleeping under Munna
                                Bridge etc.
                           -    Plan does not address safety of vessels crossing the river mouth and the adequacy of emergency response.
                           -    Action required by Council
                           -    Plan should remove casual perceptions unless based on data or evidence.
                           -    Plan should comprehensively assess risks to human safety and provide appropriate response strategies.
                           -    Plan should ensure river mouth navigability is well promoted with free-of-charge CCTV and current information to inform boats of likely conditions and
                                safest routes when planning their crossing.

                       Commerce
Private                I think that businesses that operate on the river need to provide information about how to look after the river whilst enjoying it.
                             -    Just like a safety talk when you board a boat or hire a jet ski, there needs to be a brief talk about the rivers health and safety also......nothing too lengthy,
                                  just a few minutes to make people aware of how to look after the river today while they are here to enjoy it.
                             -    It’s all education and I see it as a perfect opportunity to educate river users.

Private                I support some additional commercial dining/food/coffee use in specific river and beachfront locations such as Gympie Tce and Hasting St.

Q5. Boating            Please consider the following additional comments to address specific actions proposed under Sustainable Use and Enjoyment. Objective #1
Industry Association       -    Action 13. Develop a MOU with DNRME to clarify and improve obligations related to ongoing management of commercial jetty leases. SUPPORTED.
(BIA)                      -    Action 14. Review Noosa Council’s Guidelines for the establishment of new businesses on the Noosa River and investigate other mechanisms to guide
                                and manage commercial activity on the river. SUPPORTED IN PART.
                           -    That is, Council should develop policy and guidelines relating to planning controls for businesses to the mean-high water mark (i.e., on land).



                                                                                                                                                                                                      16