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

                          -     Action required
                          -     Revise the Implementation Plan to provide more specific, measurable actions with clear completion dates.
                      Users
                          -      The report makes inappropriate and subjective distinctions between residents and visitors (e.g. Objective 2 Residents and Visitors are compliant ….”)
                                 without reference to any data or baseline data to infer either group causes different impacts or warrants different approaches.
                           -     Council has no data that would enable them to differentiate between residents and visitors using the river.
                           -     Marine regulations apply equally to all users.
                           -     Action required by Council
                           -     Remove inappropriate distinctions between residents and visitors.
                      Message from the Mayor (page 4)
                           -     Accolades to environmental activists being the exclusive protectors of the river are inappropriately dismissive of the community and industry’s efforts over
                                 decades.
                           -     The Mayor’s accolades for the Noosa Parks Association represent a direct conflict of interest given his personal relationship and past book commissions.
                           -     Our members have operated continuously on the Noosa River for 70 years and are significant stakeholders who have contributed to the river system’s
                                 success and sustainability.
                           -     The broader community are significant contributors to the river system’s success and sustainability.
                           -     Action required
                           -     Rewrite the Mayor’s Message to respect the many stakeholders that have contributed and continue to contribute as stewards of the river on a daily basis.
                      Errors (page 31)
                           -     Spelling errors
                           -     Action required
                           -     Correct spelling errors with NICA and Sea Shepherd
                      Hincksia (page 34)
                           -     Hincksia research is 2006.
                           -     Action required
                           -     Plan should reference more recent research.
                      Pithy political statements
                           -     There is no evidence or data to support the statement that ceding control of the river to Council will “encourage a welcoming, friendly boating community
                                 which supports visitors as well as the expectation of residents”.
                           -     To date, Council has shown no intent to manage the river in a consultative manner or to work cooperatively with the “boating community.”
                           -     Action required by Council
                           -     Amend the Plan to either remove pithy political statements.
                           -     Reinstate community wellbeing to the Vision.
                           -     Include community engagement and stakeholder satisfaction as a Measurable Outcome.
                      Jetty leases (page 43)
                           -     The Plan should be revised to ensure the last two paragraphs are related to the heading and should be separated to a section relating to community use of
                                 the foreshore.
                           -     Action required
                           -     Restructure this section.
                      Implementation Plan (page 60)
                           -     Sustainable Use & Enjoyment Objective 1
                           -     Action required
                           -     Plan needs to first report on how it can take over State and Federal obligations and a basis for this waterway being treated uniquely to any other waterway
                                 in Australia.
                           -     Plan should have a target for ensuring adequate resources for State agencies responsible for marine compliance.
                           -     Plan should state what it will do after it develops a database that identifies unapproved river structures and jetties.

Noosaville Business   The Noosaville Business Association is pleased to see the development of a Noosa River Plan is underway, and supports the objective of ensuring the river is
Association           managed and used safely, sustainably and positively.
                          -   For the purposes of this submission we would like to clearly state that when referencing the business community, the majority of business owners are also
                              residents of the Noosa Shire. There should not be a distinction made between a resident and a business owner in the Noosa Shire.
                          -   The Noosaville Business Association represents a large cross section of industries operating in the Noosa Shire, many of which either operate on the
                              Noosa River or provide services to those that operate on the Noosa River. These businesses are all major employers in the region and with their staff and
                              families, and all rely on the river being well managed from a safety and health perspective.
                          -   Our members help residents, visitors, tourists and other businesses to experience and operate on the Noosa River. They assist people of every
                              demographic group who use the available services and facilities to experience the Noosa River and Noosa’s natural environment in a safe and positive
                              way.
                          -   The Noosaville Business Association strongly believes that the time provided for public consultation on the draft plan is unreasonably short, and unfair
                              given that December and January peak holiday season.
                          -   Many residents and businesses are overwhelmingly busy during this period, which has left them with next to no time to understand the draft document and
                              make appropriate comment.
                          -   Upon review the Noosaville Business Association strongly believes that the version 2 draft of the plan needs much more work, consultation with the public
                              and other stakeholders, and is not adequate in its current state to achieve the desired community objectives.
                          -   Proposed Way Forward
                          -   Issues highlighted in this submission, our prior submission and other public feedback to be formally and openly addressed so the approved plan is
                              sufficient.
                          -   The public consultation period be extended to allow businesses and community sufficient time to understand and respond to the draft plan.
                          -   The plan has been in the making for next to 4 years, which would indicate there is no reason to rush through such an important plan affecting the Noosa
                              Shire.
                          -   Significant changes are needed to the draft plan which will require further public consultation in accordance with the Local Government Act. (please refer to
                              the attached addendum of issues and suggested action from the Noosa Commercial
                          -   Boatman’s Association, which is fully supported by the Noosaville Business Association).
                          -   More consultation with the community by forming a suitable committee to provide input and expertise into the river’s management plan and ongoing
                              programs.
                          -   Our understanding is that there has been no meaningful consultation with any major stakeholders in recent weeks or months.
                          -   We welcome the opportunity to meet with Noosa Councillors and Noosa Council staff to discuss this submission in more detail. We hereby ask the Noosa
                              Council to ensure the Noosa River Plan is a comprehensive document that will adequately protect the value of Noosa River and continue to provide an
                              important precinct for the entire community.

Noosa Commercial      The Noosa Commercial Boatman’s Association represents the marine tourism and related industries operating in the Noosa Shire. Our members’ businesses have
Boatman’s             operated continuously on the Noosa River for over 70 years with marine industries dating back to Noosa’s earliest industry.
Association               -    Our members represent some of Noosa’s oldest businesses including charter boat operators, commercial jetty / boat hire operators, tourism companies,
                               transport companies, marine repair and service business, construction businesses, fuel suppliers, consumer goods suppliers, retailers and hospitality
                               businesses who work on and around the iconic Noosa River.
                          -    We are major employers in the region and with our staff and their families, we have a vested interested in a safe and healthy river.
                          -    Our members are also individuals who use the Noosa River on a daily basis. We are recreational boaties, paddlers, surfers, environmentalists, sailors and
                               families who get wet in the river more than nearly anyone. We live on, work on and navigate it daily and bring an intimate knowledge of its workings, its
                               movements and its issues to this response.
                          -    Our members help residents, visitors, tourists and other businesses to experience and operate on the Noosa River. We assist people of every
                               demographic group who use our services and facilities to experience the Noosa River and Noosa’s natural environment in a safe and positive way.


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