2021-11-15 General Committee Meeting Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                          15 NOVEMBER 2021


           Clearer map disclaimers – More detailed information will be added to mapping to
            describe the maps and its various data inputs. This will be included on the interactive
            mapping system as clear and informative ‘pop up’ notices for readers.
           Ongoing community involvement - Noosa Council is committed to working with
            interested community groups to manage the potential coastal hazard risks faced by
            existing coastal communities. This includes regular consultation and updates with local
            property owners and foreshore reserve neighbours to help input into beach management
            and monitoring.
   Summary of issues raised in Submissions and proposed responses:

       Community comments                                     Proposed response

       General

       Changes in terminology in the CHAP provide for         The revised CHAP has improved terminology
       increased accuracy and clarity such as ‘already’,      when describing coastal erosion risks, in response
       ‘likely’ and ‘will’, now changed to ‘potential’,       to community concerns raised. It is important that
       ‘projected’ and ‘possible’ in reference to risk and    the CHAP clearly describes potential risks in a
       impacts.                                               way that is understandable and useful for decision
       ____                                                   makers and the broader community, and does not
                                                              create unnecessary concern or misunderstanding
       There is no reason to change the wording
                                                              for property owners.
       throughout the CHAP in order to tone it down or
       undermine the utilized models. Wording is              The CHAP has an important role in identifying
       important and should be based on evidence and          areas that need further action or investigation to
       not ideological or political agendas. The likely       help prioritise resources and effort. The risk
       impacts of coastal hazards, including erosion          assessment process that the CHAP is built upon
       and tidal inundation, are not a question of “if” but   provides for this prioritisation and will continue to
       “when”. The CHAP should reflect this and               be reviewed over time.
       explicitly embrace the precautionary principle.
                                                              The CHAP seeks to be proactive in commencing
       Stakes are very high for all the Noosa
                                                              early planning for coastal hazard risks including
       community.
                                                              further investigations, monitoring of dune and
       ____
                                                              foreshore changes, and on-ground dune
       The CHAP should not take a precautionary               management and rehabilitation. At the same time,
       approach but should apply an adaptive                  the process is adaptive through regular reviews,
       management process that responds to localised          data collection, and model and mapping updates.
       modelling, data and new information.

       Implementation, monitoring and review – amend          Reviewed and changes made to reflect suggested
       wording to say “…Council, and other key                wording to “potentially”.
       agencies to work together to respond and
       overcome the challenges we’re likely to face in
       the future as a result of rising sea levels”.
       Suggest change to potentially face.

       Mapping, modelling, local monitoring – for coastal erosion

       Ongoing concern over the modelled erosion              Council acknowledges concerns that the
       mapping, the assumptions for which are based           modelling inputs are uncertain and present only
       on the theoretical accumulation of several worst-      one possible future scenario, as outlined by State
       case risks occurring in 50 to 80 years-time. The       Government requirements. Council will continue
       potential erosion areas along the Eastern              to work with the State Government and other
       Beaches are overstated.                                coastal experts to determine modelling
                                                              approaches that provide for a clear picture of the
       The application of the ‘long-term rate of erosion
                                                              range of low to medium (best to worst case)
       variable’ is excessively conservative and
                                                              scenarios. This will be supported by ongoing
       conflicts with the recommended approach in the
                                                              localised monitoring and assessment of foreshore
       State’s Technical Guide. Given that the beaches
       are accreting, the appropriate allowance is in the

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