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

                            -    According to Glen S. Smith ‘Southern Queensland Oyster Industry” 22/10/1981, by 1936 Queensland itself was importing New South Wales oysters, a
                                 situation that still continues.' Along with the effects of mud worm disease, this rise of the New South Wales industry was the major contributor to the decline
                                 of Queensland's industry.
                            -    Furthermore, the ‘positive research results ’spin’ for the oyster trial borders upon deception. Results have been positioned as convincing. The reality was
                                 that the 12 month oyster trial showed 60% of bags had a decline in insert spat and 40% of oyster necklaces had no data or showed a decline. None of the
                                 bags solidified and silt is a major concern. The ‘positive' result was achieved by growth of larger, fewer oysters on fewer bags to achieve an overall result.
                                 Given that Council cut short the test by 2 years and results are very much inconclusive and it is from any scientific standpoint misleading to use the results
                                 data the way in which it has been.
                            -    The entire Oyster reef section and all future public communication should be rewritten accordingly to accurately state the facts.

Department of          Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on the Draft Noosa River Plan. As an aquatic ecologist, I am pleased to see the value placed on headwaters and
Environment and        tributaries, and the recognition of priority areas outlined in Map 5. From a management perspective, this is highly useful. Overall I think this is a comprehensive
Science (DES) –        report, and a good prioritisation of the key environmental issues and actions required for the region. Page specific comments:
Environment Policy           -    Page 13: Objectives 2 and 3 will require extensive and ongoing water quality monitoring (including base and event monitoring of nutrients, pesticides and
and Planning                      sediments. This currently does not occur in the freshwaters of the Noosa Catchment. This should be included in more detail in the Action Table on page
                                  61, and the monitoring and Evaluation Table on page 66. See further comments below.
                             -    Page 24: (Benthic biodiversity) Refers to proposed actions as part of this report, however does not include the sections of the report where these are
                                  included. If the sections/ titles/sub-titles of this document were numbered (see suggestion below) this could be used to guide the reader as to where these
                                  proposed actions are within the report.
                             -    Page 29: suggest including 4WD regulation in threat mitigation.
                             -    Page 30-31: requires water quality monitoring post implementation of remedial works and best management practices. (also relevant to the Action Plan
                                  table on page 61)
                             -    Page 38: Monitoring and identification of the source of nutrients influencing blooms of Hincksia is suggested in the report, but this is not included in the
                                  Action Plan table on page 62.
                             -    Page 51-52: No mention of seagrass damage and turbidity / re-suspension of sediments from the T5 trawling. (Note – we have received letters of concern
                                  from the public regarding this).
                             -    Page 61: “development an integrated water monitoring program…..including event monitoring of sediments, nutrients, and litter for the Noosa
                                  catchment”. To achieve the key objectives outlined on page 13, this should be an ongoing program rather than short term. In addition, Healthy Land and
                                  Water no longer monitoring these water quality parameters in freshwater, so local council would need to develop a long term water quality monitoring
                                  program to achieve these objectives. This is especially important for the Kin Kin region where limited comprehensive water quality data exists, despite the
                                  known rural runoff issues (listed on page 30). Finally, it is essential that this data is of adequate quality (following the methods outlined in the QLD
                                  government Monitoring and Sampling Manual https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0031/89914/monitoring-sampling-manual-
                                  2018.pdf) so that data may be compared to current water quality objectives for the region. A citizen-science based program will only be useful to inform
                                  management if the data is obtained using these methods.
                             -    Page 66: Monitoring and evaluation table. This should also include a target for improved water quality (especially in Kin Kin and other rural areas) with
                                  ongoing monitoring for sediments and nutrients – as per the key objectives on page 13.

Department of          Sustainable use and enjoyment
Environment and            -    The Department of Environment and Science (DES) notes the addition of the program / initiative to establish a marine protected area in the Noosa area
Science – Marine                which was not included in version 1 of The Noosa River Plan.
Protected Area             -    Also noted is that there is no timeframe associated with the completion of this objective.
Policy, Strategy and       -    This objective would require extensive consultation with the DES.
Investment                 -    The Great Sandy Straits is referred to in objective 3 as a marine protected area but the marine park covers a much larger area than that and is the Great
                                Sandy Marine Park.

Private                I am a recreational user of the Noosa River and I have some concerns about the Noosa River Plan Draft 2. My concerns relate to:
                            -     The omission of ‘community well-being’ in the Noosa River plan Draft 2 in its Vision Statement.
                                  I was sitting in Noosa Chambers (public) when the recommendation was made to take ‘community- well-being’ out of the Vision Statement. It is my opinion
                                  that the Councillors may not have understood the ‘unintended’ consequences of this change.
                                  I do not believe any legal opinion was sought.
                                  “Public health researchers Wiseman and Brasher definition: Community wellbeing is the combination of social, economic, environmental, cultural, and
                                  political conditions identified by individuals and their communities as essential for them to flourish and fulfil their potential.”
                             -    Community Consultation period during a peak tourism period is neither appropriate nor reasonable.
                                  I am concerned that residents and stakeholders have not been given adequate time to seek expert advice or understand the changes as many are away or
                                  working during the busiest few weeks of the year.
                       I therefore ask that Council:
                                  -     Reinstate or at least seek legal opinion on the term 'Community Wellbeing' in its Vision Statement and
                                  -     Extend the immediate consultation deadline of 13 January 2020 to allow fair and proper community feedback.

Noosa Jetty            I am a fourth generation resident who owns and has been operating a business primarily from Noosa’s waterways for over 19 years this in combination gives me an
Builders               intimate knowledge of the waterways workings, movements and ISSUES. I have watched the area grow and through this growth came an increase in the
                       recreational users on our once quiet waterway. I welcome the development of a Noosa River Plan to ensure the river is managed and used safely, sustainably and
                       positively but DO NOT believe draft 2 is adequate or complete and call for:
                            -     Issues highlighted in this submission, and any other public feedback should be formally addressed before the plan is adopted.
                            -     Community consultation should extend beyond the peak holiday season to allow businesses, the local community and visitors alike sufficient time to
                                  engage with the plan.
                            -     As the plan has been on and off the drawing board for nearly 4 years, it creates suspicion that the current sitting members of Council are trying to rush the
                                  adoption of this flawed plan through political desperation.
                            -     There has been no meaningful or recent consultation with major stakeholders such as the marine and tourism industries.
                            -     As the owner and operator of one of the only construction and maintenance businesses on the river I have not been contacted or consulted regarding any
                                  drafts of the Noosa River Plan.
                            -     Any decisions on this plan should be deferred until sufficient consultation, studies (that provide accurate, relatable data), solution with reasonable
                                  completion dates that have measurable and defendable outcomes have been carried out and developed. This will ensure that the 2030 target date is
                                  achievable.
                            -     Inclusion of meetings and discussions with State Government departments to ascertain the likelihood of them ceding powers to Council.
                            -     Consult with the Gold Coast Waterways Authority which was established in 2012 for advice on how they approached and developed their plan/strategy and
                                  how it was adopted. Their Waterways Management Plan is a four year rolling investment plan that is updated and published annually. It is also funded by a
                                  portion of the $120 million state wide marine infrastructure fund. It should also be noted that even though the Gold Coast Waterways Authority was
                                  established they still have limited authority and the State Government departments still maintained theirs.
                            -     Consideration to the development of a Noosa Waterways committee or authority be established to assist and advise in the development and
                                  implementation of a Noosa River Plan / Strategy that is beneficial to the community as a whole.
                            -     I welcome the opportunity to meet with Councillors and Council staff to discuss these issues in full so they can be properly accounted for in future revisions.
                       For additional comments on draft plan refer below–
                       Vision
                            -     The published vision has been amended to remove reference to “the greatest possible community wellbeing now and into the future” and Councillors have
                                  adopted a vision limited only to “the healthiest and most biodiverse system in South East Queensland”.
                            -     This vision is inappropriately limited and lacks appropriate regard for social, cultural, historical and economic factors that are essential and appropriate
                                  factors in the long-term stewardship of the river and the Shire generally.


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