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

                 2.3 Restoration suitability

                 TNC overlayed the Habitat Suitability Model with ecological considerations, logistical constraints, and
                 details of the built infrastructure and human uses of the Noosa River. These parameters were then
                 allocated exclusion criteria, to minimise potential interactions of the river users with restoration sites
                 (e.g. distances from tidal works, foreshore access points, moorings, submarine cables) (Table 2.2). The
                 results of this analysis are presented, geospatially, in the restoration suitability model (Figure 2.2). The
                 exclusion criteria where determined in consideration of regulated distances applied to vessels (e.g.
                 distances from moorings) and on practical consideration of river uses (e.g. access to foreshores from
                 the river, distances from navigation channels). This assessment was undertaken in consultation with
                 Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) and NSC and reviewed by the Noosa TAG.

                 Table 2.2: Restoration suitability parameters and exclusion criteria for rock oyster ecosystems in the
                 Noosa River estuary

                  PARAMETER            ENVELOPE     CRITERIA (more       RATIONALE                                            SOURCE
                                                    suitable = 4, less
                                                    = 0)
                  Marine plants        10m –        Areas within 10-     Connectivity to other structured habitats such as    (Duncan et
                  proximity            500m         500m buffer =4;      seagrass, mangroves, increases diversity. 10m        al. 2019)
                  (including                        all other areas      minimum distance used to mitigate damage to          Confirmed
                  seagrasses)                       =2                   marine plants and 2m from mangroves, aerial          with
                                                                         mangrove roots and fallen timber, but ensuring       engineers
                                                                         connectivity.
                  Rocky reef           2m – 500m    Areas within 5-      Connectivity to other structured habitats
                  proximity                         500m buffer =4;      increases diversity. 2 metre minimum distance
                                                    all other areas      included to mitigate damage to rock substrates
                                                    =2                   while maintaining connectivity. Direct
                                                                         augmentation of degraded rocky reef by permit
                                                                         only.
                  Extant oyster        2m – 250m    Within 2m –          Connectivity to other structured habitats            (Boor et al.
                  ecosystems                        250m = 4; all        increases biodiversity. Connection to other oyster   2018, Guy
                  proximity                         other areas = 2      reefs increases meta-population connectivity,        et al. 2018,
                                                                         successful reproduction and oyster recruitment. 2    Duncan et
                                                                         metre minimum distance included to mitigate          al. 2019)
                                                                         damage to extant oyster ecosystems but ensuring
                                                                         connectivity.
                  Historical oyster    Within 250   Within 250m =        Sites which have historically supported oyster       (Gillies
                  ecosystem            m            4; all other areas   ecosystems are thought to be able to support         2018)
                  proximity                         =2                   future oyster ecosystems. Restoration takes place
                                                                         on the sites of historic oyster ecosystems, which
                                                                         may now be lost, where known and practical.
                  Mobile seabed        Exclusion    Within exclusion     Highly mobile seabeds generally offer unsuitable     Agreed
                                       area         area = 0, all        substrates for shellfish restoration.                with TNC
                                                    other areas = 4                                                           restoration
                                                                                                                              scientists
                  Mangroves            +2m          Within exclusion     Minimum distance of 2m maintained between            (Boor et al.
                  (including           minimum      area = 0, all        intertidal marine plants and oyster ecosystems to    2018, Guy
                  pneumatophores),     distance     other areas = 4      protect plants, as well as fallen trees (which are   et al. 2018,
                  fallen trees and                                       also important habitats) from works associated       Duncan et
                  timber in                                              with the oyster ecosystem. Relatively close          al. 2019).
                  waterways.                                             proximity maintained to maximise ecological          Discussed
                                                                         connectivity.                                        with
                                                                                                                              engineers




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