2022-10-24 General Committee Meeting Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                   24 OCTOBER 2022


7     NOOSA RIVER OYSTER ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PROJECT – FINAL REPORT
Author            Director Environment and Sustainable Development, Kim Rawlings
                  Environment & Sustainable Development Department

Index             ECM/ Waterways Management – Noosa River / 21.34

Attachments       1.    Noosa Oyster Ecosystem Restoration Project Final Report
                        (73 page attachment is provided separately to this agenda)
                  2.    Noosa Shire Review of Oyster Restoration Project


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report provides the final report for the Oyster Restoration project in the Noosa River in
accordance with the Alliance and Funding Agreement with The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
The very comprehensive final report provides an excellent level of detail and overview of all the
project related activities undertaken throughout the life of this significant ecological restoration
project for the Noosa River. It demonstrates substantial community and volunteer involvement
throughout all phases of the project culminating in the celebration of the project construction phase
on the shores of Noosa River in early September 2022.
Significantly Uncle Fred Palin during his welcome to country as part of this celebration stated the
following;
‘’ …Restoration of the shellfish reefs therefore represents a significant reconciliation step to renew
the cultural links of the Kabi Kabi to their sea country.
The Kabi Kabi vision is to unite our people and address the degradation to our traditional Country
and the continuing erosion of our cultural heritage sites and landscapes. Restoration of shellfish
reefs at Noosa and other waterways included in our Native Title claim is important to us. The Kabi
Kabi welcome the opportunity to work with our non-indigenous brothers and sisters who are making
a valuable contribution to “Caring for Country…..”
A copy of Uncle Fred’s full speech is included in the final report Attachment 1.
This report also provides a response to the requirements Council requested at the 21 April 2022
Ordinary meeting.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Director Environment and Sustainable Development to the
General Committee Meeting dated 24 October 2022 and note the Noosa Oyster Ecosystem
Restoration Project Final Report (provided as Attachment 1 to the report) as meeting the final
requirements of the Alliance & Funding Agreement, which concluded on 30 September 2022.


REPORT
At the July 2019 Ordinary Meeting Noosa Council endorsed entering into an Alliance & Funding
Agreement with international conservation organisation The Nature Conservancy, establishing a
strategic partnership for the primary purpose of undertaking oyster ecosystem restoration in the
Noosa River over three years.
The Alliance and Funding Agreement provided a series of deliverables and measurable outcomes
to be achieved over 3 years, with a final report to be endorsed by the Technical Advisory Group
and delivered to Council for approval within 90 days of the end of the financial year.




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