2022-04-12-P&E Agenda - Item 6 - Attachment 1 - TNC Noosa_Oyster Project _6_Monthly_Report

Purpose and scope
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on overall performance and progress of the project: Noosa Oyster
Ecosystem Restoration Project; a partnership between The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Noosa Shire Council (NSC) and the
community of the Noosa shire.

The governance arrangements for the Project are defined in the Alliance and Funding Agreement between The Nature
Conservancy and Noosa Shire Council, which was executed on the 25th of July 2019.

This report pertains to the period of 23rd of August 2021 and 28th of February 2022

Report Log
Six Monthly Report 1 – 28th July 2019 to 28th of February 2020
Annual Report – 28th of July 2019 to the 21st of August 2020.
Six Monthly Report 2 - 22nd August 2020 to 28th of February 2021
Annual Report 2 – 22nd August 2020 to 22nd August 2021
Six Monthly Report 3 – 23rd August 2021 to 28 February 2022


Background
Noosa Shire Council (NSC), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and a range of stakeholders have worked together to build a deeper
understanding of the environmental significance and long-term sustainable management options for the Noosa River. This
has included:

Noosa River Expert Workshop, Powerhouse Museum, 2014
A two-day workshop, hosted by TNC on behalf of The Thomas Foundation and Noosa Parks Association, 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 Kin Kin sediment management.
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 several 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 ‘reef units’ consisting of coir bags filled with oyster shell at 15 sites
across the estuary. The project studied the structural integrity, oyster recruitment, fish and invertebrate community
assemblages and human interactions with the reefs. This project collected important ecological information that will support
the final design and implementation of reef restoration in this Project.




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