2019-01-14 General Committee Agenda - Attachment 1 to Item 2 - Noosa River Partnership Proposal

The Nature Conservancy


2.0.   NOOSA RIVER PARTNERSHIP (initial scope)


   2.1. Recognition of prior collaboration and rationale for Noosa River partnership

Over the last four years, Noosa Council and The Nature Conservancy have worked
together to build a deeper understanding of the environmental significance and long-term
sustainable management options for the Noosa River. This has included:

    1. Noosa River Expert Workshop, Powerhouse Museum, 2014
A two day workshop, hosted by The Nature Conservancy on behalf of The Thomas
Foundation and Noosa Parks Association, comprising 12 academic and NGO estuary
scientists. The workshop identified 14 conservation activites that could lead to a healthier
Noosa River, with oyster reef restoration listed as a priority action in addition to prawn
restocking and Kin Kin sediment management. These activites (including further scoping
studies) were later jointly funded by Noosa Council.

   2. TNC Oyster Restoration Scoping Study, 2015
The Nature Conservancy and Ecological Service Professionals Pty on behalf of Noosa
Council and others undertook a short, five month ecological assessment to quantify oyster
densities across 11 intertidal and subtidal sites within the estuary. The study confirmed
high densities of oyster recruitment particularly around Weyba Creek, the main channel
around Tewantin, and in the narrow channel between Goat Island and Noosa North Shore.
The project recommended installing a number of pilot reefs for further assessment.

   3. University of Queensland Historical Ecology of the Noosa Estuary fisheries, 2015
Ruth Thurston from the University of Queensland undertook a historical ecology study on
behalf of The Nature Conservancy and Noosa Council in the Noosa River estuary to
develop an understanding of historical fisheries productivity, including oysters. The study
confirmed oyster reefs used to exist in the estuary and were commercial harvested in the
early 1900s. Fish populations were also significantly larger in the past than they are today.

    4. University of Sunshine Coast, Bring Back the Fish, 2017-2019
A three year study which has installed a series of reef units consisting of coir bags filled
with oyster shell (pilot reefs) at 15 sites across the estuary. The project will assess the
structural integrity, oyster recruitment, fish and invertebrate community assemblages and
human interactions with the reefs. This project will collect important ecological information
that will support the final design and implementation of reef restoration in Phases II and III
of this Project (see 6.1. below for more information on project phases). The initial concept
was developed by The Nature Conservancy and University of Sunshine Coast and is
partially funded by Noosa Council.

   5. Review of Bring Back the Fish Project, 2018

In February 2018, The Nature Conservancy and several independent academics provided
a review of the Bring Back the Fish project (including a review of the Prawn Study, Oyster
Restoration and Keep it in Kin Kin) and provided a number of strategic recommendations
to Noosa Council, Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation and Noosa Parks Association
associated with their continuation.




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