Meeting minutes

ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                                  26 OCTOBER 2023



             Moved:            Cr Joe Jurisevic
             Seconded:         Cr Frank Wilkie
             That Council note the report by the Principal Environment Officer - River
             Strategy & Engagement to the General Committee Meeting dated 18
             September 2023 and the further report on summary of submissions to the
             Ordinary Council Meeting 26 October 2023 regarding the updated Noosa River
             Catchment Management Plan and;
                 A. Adopt the Noosa River Catchment Management Plan for ongoing
                    implementation, noting some implementation actions will involve further
                    stakeholder engagement and are subject to future budget
                    considerations; and
                 B. Authorise the CEO to make minor changes and edits to the plan prior to
                    finalising, designing and publishing the plan.
                 C. Note the possible changes in response to feedback outlined in this
                    report as per attachment 1 and consider if Council wishes to support
                    these; and if supported authorise the CEO to make these changes prior
                    to finalising and publishing the plan.
                 D. That a paragraph be added under ‘Desired Outcomes‘ entitled
                    ‘Anchoring’ that includes Items mentioned such as the proposal to
                    introduce a 28-day anchoring limit in any financial year to reduce
                    congestion and improve the river’s amenity currently being considered
                    by MSQ outlined in the report, considers a review of anchoring sites that
                    do not impact on the natural assets of the river such as oyster reefs, sea
                    grass beds and mangroves, and any other outcomes from the Noosa
                    River Stakeholder Advisory Group or in the proposed actions of the Plan
                    with regards to Anchoring.
                 E. Further to the explanation of a Conservation Park on page 37 of the
                    plan, the following be included;
                    That the concept of a conservation park requires further public
                    consultation with all key stakeholders, including the Department of
                    Environment and Science, and the general public before deciding
                    whether to proceed further with the concept. This process will clearly
                    outline the proposed purpose of such a management structure,
                    undertake a detailed assessment of current natural, cultural, and socio-
                    economic values of the river, evaluate any positive and negative impacts
                    of a conservation park and prepare a report for consideration by Council
                    and the State Department of Environment and Science including
                    feedback from the community and other stakeholders;
                 F. That the concept of a Conservation Park must align with the desired
                    outcomes and uses supported by the Noosa River Catchment
                    Management Plan; and
                 G. Authorise the CEO to undertake a process of community and
                    stakeholder consultation on the concept of a Conservation Park for fish
                    habitat areas of the Noosa River which clearly outlines the proposed
                    purpose of such a management structure, outlines other management
                    structure models that have been considered, undertakes a detailed
                    assessment of current natural, cultural, and socio-economic values of
                    the river, evaluates any positive and negative impacts of a conservation
                    park and prepare a report for consideration by Council and the State
                    Department of Environment and Science including feedback from the
                    community and other stakeholders.