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

Private               I don't think it goes far enough in protecting Lake Weyba and recognising its importance as a fish nursery. I often see cast nets used and buckets of small fish caught
                      which has me thinking that whole schools are being destroyed.

Private               I would like to see natural artificial berms placed in the river at strategic points with information for tourists to read how important they become for fish habitat.

Private               Closure of beach netting on the north shore
                          -    all the mullet leave the Noosa river and are netted on the beach
                          -    I fully support ceasing this activity.

Private                    -    Determine appropriate locations to reintroduce fish structure/snags.
                           -    Need to also address commercial beach worm harvesting as well as pipis.
                           -    Need for research pilot projects in nutrient removal by algal growth.
                           -    Climate change probability of crocodiles entering the system

Private               85% of the Benthic fauna has been lost over the last 20 years best advice is this has been the result of a number issues
                          -    most prominent is the settling of silt in between the grains of sand
                          -    coupled with suspended sediment in the water column creates an ongoing issue for benthic fauna.

Private               Recently, I sent Noosa Council a letter concerning the draft Noosa River Plan and its findings and recommendations and made critical reference of the need for a
                      rural roads sediment study.
                            -    My assumption was that this study, although recommended, would not be actioned.
                            -   I was wrong, and for that I apologise.
                            -   I note in a further reading of the river plan that such a measure is contemplated.
                            -   Hopefully it will be one of the first actions taken, as it will provide clarity and context around the current debate about the benefit and cost of sealing
                                unsealed rural roads in the hinterland.
                            -   I acknowledge that much effort has gone into preparation of the draft Noosa River Plan.

Private               Please return the signs saying "No Dogs on Beach" along the length of Pelican Beach from Weyba Road along to the Yacht Club.
                          -     My friends and I have seen dogs defecating and urinating on the sand and in the water where children play.
                          -     We get abused if we say anything and it would be easier if there were signs as there used to be.
                          -     You can't be serious about keeping the river clean unless signs are erected.

Private               There needs to be more protection put in place for the animals and in particular the sea/shore birds that the river is home to. Education campaigns need to be
                      devised and implemented to
                           -   Ensure the safety and survival of the birds along the river banks and also the migratory birds trying to recoup and nest around the river mouth. Dogs and
                               people/kids are seen on a daily basis chasing huge flocks of seabirds that rest on the sand bars near the river mouth.
                           -   Inspire change in people’s attitudes and behaviours so that people will see the need or want to help protect these animals. That is what my daughter Jarrah
                               wants to do, educate and inspire river users to help protect the Noosa River and the animals that call it home.
                           -   I suggest removal of all the out dated, faded, hard to read and damaged signs along the Noosa River. These old/ugly damaged signs could be replaced
                               with fresh signs with beautiful imagery of what the Noosa council is helping to protect and suggestions on how we can help protect the river whilst visiting it.
                               Simple yet attractive informative signs helping to educate and inspire all river users. These signs need to acknowledge traditional land owners, the
                               indigenous peoples.
                           -   There is an increasing concerning problem that involves children of varying ages whom come to the river to picnic with their family, these children threaten
                               and attempt to significantly harm the wildlife (birds) on the banks and in the water, by throwing large rocks at ducks, seagulls and pelicans and show no
                               respect for the wildlife and chase animals with sticks and rocks and try to "get them".
                           -   We have seen people having to intervene and tell the children not to do it whilst their parents are not supervising or just sit back and watch their children
                               trying to harm these animals.
                           -   It is very worrying to see this behaviour in young people, hopefully through education and inspiring these children then they will learn to care for animals
                               and treat them kindly.
                           -   I strongly feel that education is so important in changing people’s attitudes and behaviours towards looking after the beautiful place (the Noosa River) that
                               they come to enjoy.

Private               There must be some policing of the river by council so as to enforce non-access to certain areas by for example dogs.

Private               Instead of compliance around 4wd access to the river mouth, the plan should
                           - progress the closure to car access from the third cutting to the river mouth (apart from the one resident needing access)
                           - there is no need for this to be accessible by cars and have them parked on the river mouth
                           - this impacts turtle nesting sites and migratory bird areas (Objective 2).

Noosaville Business   Migratory seabirds
Association, Noosa        -     The Plan describes the current situation but fails to provide any assessment of the current situation and whether alternate strategies are required.
Commercial                -     Plan fails to report why enforcement of current regulations is not undertaken on a regular basis.
Boatman’s                 -     Action required by Council
Association               -     Plan should be revised to provide an assessment of the adequacy of current regulations and whether additional strategies are required as well as
                                resourcing.

Noosa North Shore     It is extremely disappointing that many of the issues which have existed for a very long time require little to correct them and that simple prioritisation from the
Association (NNSA)    incumbent authority responsible would see marked improvement in many areas.
                             -   For example, Council, under Local Law 4, established a ‘beach closure’ on the Noosa North Shore adjacent to the river mouth."
                             -   Yet Council does not police nor manage its own local law.
                             -   Over the past few weeks, today and in the past, despite a clearly visible sign stating ‘No 4WD access’, up to hundreds of 4WD’s drive in that zone; park
                                 there and at times camp there with no fear repercussion for any authority.
                             -   It is not a complicated matter to resolve.
                      Dedicated resources are required to conduct regulatory activities of the Noosa Nth Shore Exclusion Zone – especially after hours.

                      Both Council’s Local Laws and the State’s QPWS officers have tried to manage this area in the past, however this approach has been based on availability of
                      resources and priorities. This clearly has not been adequate or satisfactory.

                      The river plan calls for the establishment of River Management Unit which will lift the priority and provide dedicated resources (including after hours) to proactively,
                      rather than reactively, manage these important habitats of threatened and/or migratory species.

                      The Units responsibilities will also apply to the management of other river related issues e.g. unauthorised camping, unauthorised marine infrastructures, antisocial
                      behaviour, littering, marine zone education/compliance, monitoring (i.e. water quality, recreational use etc.) and data collection.

                      References to marine turtles totally 2 pages Objective 2
                          -    Plan gives disproportionate consideration of turtles compared to any other marine species at risk.
                          -    Plan fails to account for any other growing or declining marine species, education and risk management programs associated with reported growth in bull
                               shark and stone fish populations.

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