2019-11-28 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                         28 NOVEMBER 2019


Finance
Development of the drafts of the Noosa River Plan has occurred within existing budgets, however
the Action Plan within the Draft Plan identifies a series of actions which will require resourcing and
budget for implementation. Council allocated $248,828 out of the Environment Levy for delivery of
actions related to the Draft Noosa River Plan in the 2019/20 year. Some actions are underway and
additional staffing resourcing for a dedicated River Management unit will be in place early in 2020,
however it is likely that significant amounts of the Environment Levy funds will not be expended
this financial year, until final endorsement of the plan.
The projected costs for the following two financial years for delivery of the Noosa River Plan actions
are $364,000 (2020/21) and $316,000 (2021/22). These figures will be revised following the final
adoption of the Noosa River Plan, and as part of the budget process for the following two years.
Some actions within the new draft of the Noosa River Plan, such as a buy-back of T5 commercial
fishing licences, are not included in these costs, and will need to be considered further as new
initiatives in the budget, subject to the final plan.

Risks & Opportunities
There are a number of opportunities for alternative funding mechanisms involving collaboration
and partnerships, many existing initiatives have resulted in a number of projects already underway
which are highlighted in the Draft River Plan. These include the Bring Back the Fish and Keeping
it in Kin Kin projects which incorporate financial and in-kind investments by local groups,
philanthropic organisations, international conservation organisations, Council, and in some
instances also leverage State and/or Federal grants.
If Council does not receive State approval to take on the management responsibilities for
anchoring, mooring and living on the river, Council (as mooring manager) will not have the ability
to set fees for mooring in the river. Council (as manager of anchoring and living on board) would
also not have the ability to consider establishing fees for living on the river and anchoring in the
river. In addition, the State has already advised Council cannot be authorised under the Land Act
to take on management of the commercial jetty leases. This includes the associated lease revenue.
Regardless of the transfer of the management responsibilities for anchoring, mooring and living on
the river, the River Management Unit will establish an ongoing, regular presence with authority on-
river and Council has been advocating for improved management by the State of river activities
and safety.

Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
This round of community consultation will be launched via Council’s Your Say Noosa website from
Friday 29 November 2019 until Monday 13 January 2020. The public will be informed via a series
of media releases and social media posts over this timeframe.
The Draft Noosa River Plan will also stay open on Your Say Noosa over the holiday period, as it is
considered that this may give holiday makers and visitors to Noosa, who also value and enjoy the
Noosa River, an opportunity to provide input into this plan should they wish.
In addition, emails will be sent to targeted stakeholders utilising the River Plan’s stakeholder
database, developed in 2017 as part of the River Plan’s communication strategy. All individuals
and organisations that provided feedback or made submissions to the previous consultation round
in 2018 will be contacted and informed of the new draft, and how to provide feedback. One-on-one
or key stakeholder group meetings will be conducted upon request.




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