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

                 ·    The distance between oyster reef patches is specified in the engineered drawings for each
                      restoration site. The relief and profile of each patch is specified in the engineered drawings for each
                      restoration site.

                 Restoration modules

                 ·    Engineering concepts to show how oyster reef patches may be placed in association with each
                      other on a restoration site, while meeting specific engineering requirements.

                 1.9 Summary of restoration targets

                 An oyster ecosystem restoration site should over time demonstrate an increase in abundance and
                 density of rock oysters and increased diversity of epifauna comparative to the surround sediments.
                 Specifically, within 6-8years of oyster reef patches being deployed, a restoration site should
                 demonstrate:

                      •   Density of rock oysters at restoration site average of > 200 individuals/m2
                      •   4+ age classes of rock oysters present at restoration site (= approx. 2 cohorts of oysters
                          reproductive)
                              ➢ 5% of rock oyster population at the site is 3+ years old
                      •   Increased density of oyster recruits with 3-4 reproductive cycles
                      •   5 times more epifauna on oyster habitat than on surrounding sediment10

                 1.10 Qualifications

                 All information in this submission, and attached code assessments, relating to the design, footprint
                 minimisation, specification, construction, movement, sinkage, stability, erosion minimisation, risks and
                 management and substrate rectifications relating to the restoration substrates (of rock, or rock and
                 shell), are made with the approval of the project’s consultant engineers, International Coastal
                 Management (ICM).

                 All information in this submission, and attached code assessments, relating to oyster ecosystem
                 restoration, fish habitats and marine plants in the Noosa River, have been reviewed by TNC ecologists
                 as well as TNC’s independent consultant ecologists, Ecological Service Professionals (ESP).

                 In 2020, TNC also contracted ESP to map the extend of seagrass and other marine habitats throughout
                 the Noosa River estuary. The results of that work are incorporated into on the restoration drawings and
                 advised the placement of the restoration substrates (the footprint) in each restoration site so as to
                 avoid impact on marine plants, or to cause only temporary impact on marine plants, as is the case at
                 the Tewantin restoration site.




                 10
                   McAfee et al 2020. The value and opportunity of restoring Australia's lost rock oyster reefs. Restoration
                 Ecology Volume 28, Issue 2 March 2020. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.13125
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Document Set ID: 21802641
Version: 1, Version Date: 31/01/2022