3. Noosa Project Restoration Plan V12

Restoration efforts are unlikely to get oysters to grow

TNC will augment the natural oyster recolonisation process using oyster spat set on shell cultch that is
placed on the oyster reef patches (see Section 5: Substrate augmentation). This is a tried and tested
method of offsetting natural variable recruitment of oysters in restoration projects. Oyster
augmentation would be repeated seasonally, if necessary, until recruitment is successful. The oyster
reef patches will also naturally attract invertebrates and marine plants such as macroalgae, important
components of oyster ecosystems and of benefit to the ecological health of the river.

Salinity and lack of river flow will be the enemy of the restoration effort

The salinity at the proposed restoration sites is well within the tolerances of oyster survivability and
growth as per Section 2.1, Table 2.1 Habitat suitability parameters and criteria for Sydney rock oysters.
Oysters are found growing across the lower estuary, including in relatively proximity to the planned
restoration sites.

Potential introduction of new species and structures to an already over used and abused system

The project will only use oyster brood stock sourced from the Noosa River. This brood stock will be used
to seed cured oyster shell with oyster spat in a bio secure hatchery. The seeded oyster cultch will then
be set onto the oyster reef patches. The methodology complies with strict state biosecurity protocols
for shell and live oyster handling. The activity will also occur under the conditions of a general fisheries
permit secured for that purpose and with regular communication with state biosecurity officers.

The project uses the oyster reef patches as the structural foundation of oyster ecosystem restoration.
The details of what the project will place in the river, and how it is prepared is outlined in detail in
Section 5. Restoration substrate.

4.6 Riverside homeowners

The TNC/Noosa Integrated Catchment Association (NICA) Oyster Gardening Project has spent the last
6 months talking about the project and oyster gardening with virtually all estuary side jetty owners. The
project also held an oyster gardening basket making workshop on Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, where
the public could come and discuss the project.

In talking to locals and numerous jetty owners, NICA reports that they have a few people who asked
probing questions about where the oyster restoration sites were exactly and the nature of the
restoration work. However, most people showed positive interest, or at least will towards the project.
No direct animosity about the project has been expressed.

TNC also wrote to three tourism operators who have jetties or boat ramps entering Noosa Sound. TNC
sent profiles of the project and requested meetings with the operators, but they did not respond to
TNC’s requests.

Prior to construction, TNC has agreed with Noosa Council to meet with tourism operators in proximity
to the construction load out site on Hilton Esplanade and with households living opposite the Noosa
Sound East and Noosa Sound West restoration sites.




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