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

•   Continued to partner with Noosa Environmental Education Hub (EEhub) to deliver the Noosa Senior Schools
    engagement project with local schools. School activities are in preparation including two activities focused on First
    Nations and their relationship to oysters and the Noosa River planned post flooding recovery.

•   Continued to partner with Noosa Biosphere Community Association (NBCA) to deliver the Junior Schools
    engagement project. The project has developed a large banner showing local connections to the Noosa River,
    stunning oyster hand puppets for use in school events, pottery oyster babies and delivered its first live performance
    in Kin Kin Primary School.

•   Developed and distribute special project information sheets on biosecurity, rock oysters, reef design and sites and
    frequently asked questions and answers (Q&A sheet).

•   Developed the Spring 2021 edition of the Noosa Oyster Chronicle news circular. Direct circulation of each edition
    was to over 100 locally engaged stakeholders on the Noosa mailing list.

•   Reached 32,289 people through mainstream media and 3,884 people through social media.

•   Appointed an independent restoration monitoring contractor (Ecological Service Professionals). Baseline restoration
    monitoring will commence in Autumn 2022.

•   Entered into contract negotiations with the DAF for the Bribie Island Research Centre to support oyster seeding.
    Oyster seeding will take place in early Spring 2022 following construction of the oyster reef patches.

•   Entered into contract negotiations with International Coastal Management, specialist coastal engineer consultants,
    to oversee and accredit the construction of the oyster reef patches.

•   Responded to an inquiry to Noosa Council regarding the project’s risk management approach to QX and Winter
    Mortality diseases, which are endemic diseases of oysters in river systems of eastern Australia.

Currently in progress:

TNC is currently:

•   Finalising scope of build based on financial analysis and negotiations with construction contractor and quarry.

    The reef build is planned to occur at all 4 restoration sites in one build to save time, considerable cost and to reduce
    impacts on Noosa residents. The build will occur over winter (subject to permits) and subsequent seeding of the
    oyster reef patches with oyster spat (set on oyster shells) planned for Spring 2022. At this time the oyster spat will
    grow fastest and be more resilient to local predators than if set during winter.

•   Finalising contract negotiations for construction, oyster seeding and monitoring (subject to issuance of permits).

•   Developing a request to Noosa Council for a Roads and Footpaths Closure Permit (for the load out site).

•   Preparing interpretive signage for the Tewantin demonstration site.

•   Preparing for baseline monitoring prior to construction commencement.

•   Supporting community partnership programs involving junior and senior students continuing with activities
    scheduled for term 1 and 2, 2022.


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