2022-05-16 GC Agenda - Item 7 - Attachment 2 - Noosa Oyster Ecosystem Restoration Project - Project Restoration Plan

                 1.7 Past actions

                 In recent years, TNC, NSC, TTF and a range of local stakeholders have worked together to build a deeper
                 understanding of the environmental significance and long-term sustainable management options for
                 the Noosa River. The key actions that lead to the formation of the Noosa Oyster Ecosystem Restoration
                 Project are summarised below.

                 Noosa River Expert Workshop, Powerhouse Museum, 2014

                 A two-day workshop, hosted by TNC on behalf of TTF and Noosa Parks Association (NPA), comprising
                 12 academic and NGO estuary scientists. The workshop identified 14 conservation activities that could
                 lead to a healthier Noosa River, with oyster reef restoration listed as a priority action in addition to
                 prawn restocking and sediment management in Kin Kin in the upper Noosa River catchment. These
                 activities (including further scoping studies) were later jointly funded by NSC, Noosa Parks Association,
                 The Thomas Foundation and the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation.

                 TNC Oyster Restoration Scoping Study, 2015

                 TNC and Ecological Service Professionals Pty on behalf of NSC 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.

                 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 TNC
                 and NSC 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.

                 University of Sunshine Coast, Bring Back the Fish, 2018-2020

                 A three-year study which installed a series of experimental ‘oyster habitat restoration units’ consisting
                 of coir bags filled with oyster shell at 14 sites across the estuary. The project studied the structural
                 integrity of the units, oyster recruitment, fish and invertebrate community assemblages and human
                 interactions with the trail reefs.

                 NSC-TNC Partnership Agreement 2019

                 NSC and TNC, in addition to other organizations with an interest in the River’s sustainability (including
                 Noosa Parks Association, The Thomas Foundation and Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation), through
                 a series of dialogue and presentations to Noosa Shire Council, have recognized that the strategic
                 priorities of both organisations, and of others, would be more effectively served through a formal
                 partnership, rather than on an individual project basis. This led to the development of this Project, and
                 associated formal agreement between NSC and TNC, and is the main delivery mechanism of the TNC-
                 NSC Partnership.




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Document Set ID: 21802641
Version: 1, Version Date: 31/01/2022