2018-04-10 S&O Agenda - Attachment 1 to Item 4 - Local Disaster Recovery Subplan

  Local Government Area                      Sunshine Coast Council
                                                   Vegetation loss and damaged throughout the
                                                    protected area network (including significant hollow
                                                    bearing trees)
                                                   Significant riverbank/ creek bank erosion issues and
                                                    assoc riparian vegetation loss
                                                   Damage to protected area infrastructure – e.g.
                                                    signage/ trails/ fire tracks
                                                   Seagrass decline
                                                   Sewer network failure and associated contamination
                                                    issues (e.g. reduction of DO levels)
                                                   General debris and aquatic weed movement through
                                                    waterways
                                                   Increased acid sulphate leachate movement from
                                                    development sites
                                                   Exotic fish movement through waterways (e.g. Ewen
                                                    Maddock Dam)
                                                   Public health/ hygiene issues associated with wide
                                                    spread event factors such as power loss e.g. food/
                                                    water contamination
                                                   Able to provide specific examples of each of the listed
                                                    items above if needed.



In some cases, ecological survey techniques need to be employed to assess specific concerns
or to gain a broad audit of natural environmental impacts and likely consequences of the disaster.
A rapid response research capacity following a large-scale natural disturbance assists in
understanding the ecosystems’ dynamics and long-term consequences of natural disasters.

7.4.3    Interaction with the other functions of recovery

Often there is a high level of activity post-disaster to restore infrastructure services and ‘normal’
environmental considerations may be bypassed e.g. seeking vegetation clearance approvals.
Although quick action is essential, good environmental practices, if built into the process
beforehand, can still be applied. The LRG should consider any competing outcomes between
the environmental recovery effort and that of the other functions of recovery.

Noosa will seek a balanced approach to environmental recovery and abide by the objectives and
principles of the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development (1992)

7.4.4    Using an environmental risk management approach

Given the complexity of the natural environment it is likely that there will be significant uncertainty
in managing environmental recovery. Decisions will often involve lengthy time spans and
assumptions about projected impacts and may involve significant uncertainty. Using a risk
management approach may help determine the environmental risks and how best to treat them.
Such an approach provides a structure, systematic approach to decision making:
 Establish the context for recovery of the environment
 Identify environmental risks
 Analyse environmental risks
 Evaluate environmental risks
 Treat environmental risks
 Monitor and review
 Communicate and consult

Below is a table that gives examples of options or strategies for treating risk in the natural
environment:




Noosa Local Disaster Recovery Subplan 2018                                                          Page 72