2021-08-16 General Committee Meeting Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                       16 AUGUST 2021


1.1      Corporate Plan Theme 1: The Noosa Environment
“Our environment is protected and enhanced and is valued by the community”

Key achievements as we work towards our long term goal include:

Specific Operational Plan Priorities
     The Noosa Environment Strategy was adopted by Council in 2019 and implementation is well
      underway. The first report on progress on implementation actions was provided to Council in
      September 2020.
     Council developed a draft Climate Change Response Plan and community consultation was
      undertaken in relation to that plan. The final plan is proposed to be considered for adoption by
      Council in August 2021.
     Council established, in conjunction with Marine Safety Queensland (MSQ) the Noosa River
      Stakeholder Advisory Committee. This committee has broad representation across the various
      stakeholder groups for the Noosa River and is providing advice to both Council and MSQ on river
      management issues.
     Council entered into a new 4 year Partnership Agreement with the Noosa Biosphere Reserve
      Foundation. A project that came to fruition in 2020/21 was the NBRF initiated project to develop
      a new master plan for the hinterland tracks and trails. This has resulted in initial funding of $1.6M
      from the State government to initiate its implementation with a focus on Pomona/Cooran.
     Council worked with key partners to continue to transition the Yurol and Ringtail forestry areas
      to National Park. The first 350 ha has been dedicated as National Park and final harvesting of
      pine and hardwood forests is ahead of schedule. Tree planting at Ringtail has already occurred
      via community tree planting days with over 25,000 trees planted. Negotiations are also underway
      with a large not for profit organisation to join the project and undertake major restoration works.
     Council has continued to reduce its carbon footprint
      while aiming to achieve a zero net carbon emissions by
      2026. This including installing more solar panels on
      Council facilities.
     The three-year partnership between Noosa Council
      and The Nature Conservancy continues with the aim of
      starting to restore the lost oyster habitat that once
      formed the basis of the Noosa River ecosystem
      ultimately improving biodiversity in the river.
      Engineering and bathymetric work is complete.

Other Initiatives to enable Council to achieve its goal for this theme
     Council continued to provide a Land for Wildlife incentive scheme providing free trees, training,
      and contractor support to eligible properties. There are currently 360 Land for Wildlife members
      with a total of 513 separate land parcels in this valuable voluntary conservation program.
     Through the Environment Levy, Council purchased a significant parcel of land at Lake Flat Road,
      Boreen Point for conservation. The 100 hectare property contains important wetlands and koala
      habitat.
     Council adopted the Noosa Bushland Reserve Strategic Management Plan and the Noosa
      Bushland Reserve Strategic Fire Management Plan. These two plans outline how we will better
      manage our bushland reserves and in particular, how we will manage fire risk in our Council
      bushland reserves.



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