Cover Letter to Assessment Manager

Officer Name: Cherie O'Sullivan

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encountered. The nature of the impact is that the sand or sandy mud will be covered as shown on the
detail design drawings.

A description of the marine plants proposed to be removed, destroyed or damaged (e.g. number, type,
height, area in m?, density, health, etc.) by the work.

Description of marine plants is not needed as no marine plants are proposed to be removed, destroyed
or damaged. Note 4 on detail design drawing 2016.0028.-01 states that the coir log filled with oyster
shells must not be located in any areas with marine plants.

A description of off-site actions proposed to offset residual impacts from any permanent loss of or
damage to marine plants or the declared fish habitat area, as applicable (e.g. any proposed
rehabilitation or restoration of marine plants, land exchange options, fish habitat research contribution,
etc.).

The purpose of the proposed works is to assist natural restoration of oyster reef habitat, which will form
part of the estuarine habitat mosaic of the declared fish habitat area. This habitat was historically
removed and therefore off-site actions to offset residual impacts from permanent loss of the sand
substrate are not necessary. The Noosa River Oyster Reef Restoration Plan provided as Enclosure 5
details reasons why the proposal will restore lost habitat and support current coastal processes.

A Resource Allocation Authority to authorised prescribed development in the Declared Fish Habitat
Area has already been obtained from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (Authority Number
2016CA0575). In addition, a Beneficial Use Permit / Specific Approval of a Resource has also been
issued from the Department of Environment and Heritage to permit for Oyster Shells to be used within
the proposed Oyster Reef Restoration Units (Approval Number ENBU07017216).

Your early assessment of the enclosed application is requested to facilitate for reef deployment prior to
the 2017 oyster recruitment season in late February.

Should you have any queries regarding this matter, please contact Cherie O'Sullivan of our office on
53296147.

Yours sincerely

(7 . Diygadcte

Martin Drydale
Director Planning & Infrastructure

 

NOOSA COUNCIL

ABN: 97 969 214 12