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2022-11-14 GC Agenda - Item 3 - Attachment 1 - Draft Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan
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Attachment 1 to Item 3
Eastern Beaches Foreshore
Management Plan
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Section 2
© Noosa Council 2022 www.noosa.qld.gov.au General Enquiries: By telephone: (07) 5329 6500 By email: [email protected] Fax: (07) 5329 6501 Street Address: 9 Pelican Street, TEWANTIN Postal address: PO Box 141, TEWANTIN QLD 4565 Disclaimer Information contained in this document is based on available information at the time of writing. All figures and diagrams are indicative only and should be referred to as such. While the Noosa Council has exercised reasonable care in preparing this document it does not warrant or represent that it is accurate or complete. Council or its officers accept no responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting in reliance upon any material contained in this document. Draft for council endorsement Endorsed by Noosa Council [date to be inserted] or insert document date
Section 3
Acknowledgements Noosa Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters of the Noosa area, the Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) people, and pays respect to their Elders, past, present, and emerging. Noosa Council expresses its gratitude for the contribution of the community members, groups and organisations who participated in consultation and contributed to the development of the Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan. Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 1
Section 4
Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary ............................................................................................................. 3 2. Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 5 3. Management objectives....................................................................................................... 7 4. Legislation and policy links ................................................................................................ 8 5. Consultation ......................................................................................................................... 9 6. Climate change .................................................................................................................. 11 7. Ecology............................................................................................................................... 13 8. Social values ...................................................................................................................... 19 9. Partnerships ....................................................................................................................... 22 10. Community education ....................................................................................................... 24 11. Encroachments .................................................................................................................. 26 12. Public access and recreation ............................................................................................ 29 13. Incidents and disaster management ................................................................................ 35 14. Coastal creeks and stormwater ........................................................................................ 39 15. Foreshore tenure and gazettal .......................................................................................... 42 16. Attachments ....................................................................................................................... 43 Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 2
Section 5
1. Executive Summary Noosa’s natural amenity is ones of the greatest contributors to it’s liveability, and the Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves are an iconic part of Noosa’s coastal landscapes. These foreshore reserves are also central to Noosa’s coastal neighbourhoods - most of our seaside residents and communities live alongside them. They are central to the Noosa resident and visitor experience, with many people walking through the Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves to access Noosa’s Beaches, enjoying the beautiful views the area has to offer. Noosa’s dune foreshores are special environmental places too – many plants and animals only live in coastal dunes, and they provide a critical link between the ocean and westward natural areas. Some species, such as the endangered green turtle, rely on healthy dunes and beaches to reproduce. As climate change continues, Noosa’s naturally vegetated foreshores and dunes will play a critical role in our community’s resilience. The uniqueness of Noosa’s Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves is well recognised by Noosa people, past and present. For millennia Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) people have lived and worked on the Eastern Beaches, caring for Country through spiritual and environmental stewardship and practises. Across the broader Noosa community, when asked what people valued most in Noosa Shire, 77% of the 1655 respondents rated ‘Elements of the natural environment (natural features, views, vegetation, topography, water, wildlife)’ as most important (Noosa Shire Liveability Survey, Noosa Council 2021). The Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan describes the social and environmental values of the public land that makes up Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves, threats to these values, and the management actions needed to address them. Scope of plan The Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan covers the public land managed by Council in the Eastern Beaches coastal foreshore reserves and near–coastal bushland reserves shown in Figure 1. Purpose The purpose of the Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan (EBFMP) is to describe the social and environmental values of the Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves and identify management issues and actions to maintain these values in the future. The plan is to provide overarching guidance for management decisions. The development and subsequent implementation of the EBFMP is in response to clear community desire for nature-based coastal hazards and climate change risk mitigation activities determined by public consultation for the Noosa Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan 2021. Improving the ecosystem health of Noosa’s coastal environments is also identified as a management priority in the Noosa Environment Strategy 2019 and Noosa Bushland Reserves Strategic Management Plan 2021 – 2026. Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 3
Section 6
Figure 1: Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves and near-coastal Bushland Reserves Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 4
Section 7
2. Introduction Noosa’s Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves The Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves (EBFRs) are a series of naturally vegetated Council managed coastal foreshore reserves and near–coastal bushland reserves that stretch over 11.5 kilometres, covering approximately 122 hectares along the open ocean beaches from Sunshine Beach to Peregian Beach. Foreshore and Bushland Reserves covered by the Plan include: Burgess Creek Bushland Reserve Castaways Beach Foreshore Reserve Marcus Beach Foreshore Reserve Peregian Beach Foreshore Reserve North (including Osprey Park) Peregian Beach Foreshore Reserve South Peregian Creek Reserve Sunrise Beach Foreshore Reserve Sunshine Beach Foreshore Reserve Community and environmental values The community value of the EBFRs includes iconic coastal landscapes and views and a leafy backdrop to Noosa’s coastal neighbourhoods. Forty-one public beach accesses through the Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves provide access to Noosa’s beaches, where visitors and residents surf, fish, swim, walk, and exercise their pets, among a plethora of other informal and formal activities. The EBFRs provides pedestrian access into coastal sections of the Noosa National Park and parts of the north-south coastal path run in or along the western edge. Environmentally, native vegetation and coastal landforms in the EBFRs provide natural buffering from storms, waves and winds. This buffering function is important for building resilience to climate change risks including coastal erosion, storm tide inundation and sea level rise. Several coastal vegetation communities including coastal casuarina forest, wetlands, and open banksia and eucalyptus forest grow, providing habitat for significant plant and animal species, such as green turtle. The EBFRs act as north-south wildlife corridors to larger coastal bushland patches in Noosa National Park. While restricted by development and David Low Way, coastal creeks act as east- west wildlife corridors from the foreshore to larger bushland patches west of David Low Way. The following provides a snapshot of the values and management considerations for each of the key sections of foreshore reserves from Sunshine to Peregian beaches. Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 5
Section 8
Sunshine Beach Foreshore Reserve
The Bend, Sunshine Beach
14.4 hectares
Values
Six beach accesses
Flagged, patrolled swimming area
Sunshine Beach Surf Club
Pedestrian access to Noosa National Park
Immediately south of National Park
Of Concern Biodiversity Status regional
ecosystem (12.2.15)
High Value Regrowth (12.2.14)
High Ecological Value wetlands
Endangered or vulnerable wildlife
Special animals
Core koala habitat area
Essential habitat
Watercourse vegetation
Very High conservation significance riverine
wetlands
Management considerations
Connecting Noosa National Park to coastal
foreshore
High internal fragmentation and neighbour
impacts
Significant environmental weed infestations
Steep slopes and vegetation clearing
Runoff of roof water and stormwater
Figure 2: Sunshine Beach Foreshore Reserve
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 6
Section 9
3. Management objectives
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves Objectives
1. Contribute to Noosa’s liveability and scenic amenity by managing the coastal landscapes in
the Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves.
2. Maintain adaptive, long-term, inclusive, safe and sustainable public recreational access to
beaches, foreshores, waters, and foreshore bushland.
3. Contribute to improved community and ecosystem climate change resilience, using nature-
based methods and protecting the social and natural values of the Eastern Beaches
Foreshore Reserves.
4. Manage climate change impacts on the values of the Eastern Beaches Foreshore
Reserves.
5. Conserve the long-term health and stability of coastal landforms by protecting, maintaining,
enhancing, and rehabilitating native vegetation.
6. Contribute towards improved water quality in the Coral Sea, Laguna Bay, Noosa River,
lakes, and coastal creeks.
7. Identify and protect Indigenous and European cultural heritage sites and values in the
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves.
8. Increase community and organisation understanding of the values and importance of
foreshores.
9. Develop and foster partnerships with the community, other parts of Council, State agencies
and other land managers, and organisations to collaboratively manage Noosa’s foreshores.
10. Work with Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves neighbours to achieve mutually beneficial
amenity, biodiversity, and community safety outcomes.
11. Protect and improve the biodiversity values of the Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves
network, using best practice management techniques.
12. Manage hazardous vegetation, bushfire, flooding, coastal erosion and pest species within
the Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves according to Council’s policies, plans, risk
appetite and legislative requirements.
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 7
Section 10
4. Legislation and policy links The EBFMP sits under the Noosa Environment Strategy 2019, Noosa Bushland Reserves Strategic Management Plan 2021– 2026 and is informed by the Noosa Coastal Hazard Adaptation Plan 2021. It complements and supports a large range of local, regional, state, national and international plans, strategies, charters, agreements, and statutory obligations. Attachment One identifies the relevant legislation and policy links to this plan and provides a summary of the various strategies and implementation actions set out in the Environment Strategy and the Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan and their status as it relates to the EBFMP. Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 8
Section 11
5. Consultation Consultation with Noosa’s community is critical to the development and implementation of the Plan. The draft Plan was developed after initial discussions and engagement with a number of stakeholders and will be further developed with broader consultation based on this draft with neighbours, Council staff, Noosa residents across the Shire, regional residents, community organisations, businesses, visitors, state agencies and other land managers. Scope of consultation The EBFRs are recognised as having regional community importance. Eastern Beaches coastal communities, coastal communities away from the Eastern Beaches, and hinterland communities will all be invited to participate and offered local opportunities to contribute. Individuals and organisations living in neighbouring Local Government Areas will also be invited to participate. Input from further afield will be accepted and considered. Noosa Council will provide a range of casual and formal consultation opportunities, including surveys, written feedback and verbal feedback via pop-ups at community events, street meets, community meetings and attendance at community meetings. Previous engagement with Noosa’s community Community consultation results from recently completed Noosa Council plans and surveys support the development and implementation of the EBFMP. Community input during the development of the Environment Strategy 2019 and Noosa Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan 2021 and results from the Noosa Liveability Study 2022 strongly support maintaining natural processes and using nature-based solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change and conserve and manage natural areas and natural values. This includes protection and active on-ground management of local beaches, dunes, habitats and coastal creeks to help build coastal resilience and improve ecosystem health and adopting measures to avoid or minimise threats to these values. Community stakeholders Community stakeholders relevant to the development of this plan include: Bushland Care and other volunteers involved in the EBFRs Environment and Natural Resource Management organisations Neighbourhood residents and home owners Noosa residents Sunshine Coast and neighbouring Local Government Area residents Individuals and community organisations with interests in and near the EBFRs Businesses with interests in and near the EBFRs. Stakeholder identification and initial consultation Internal Council stakeholders that are involved in the management of the EBFRs were engaged to solicit their views, involvement and relevant information. At the same time, staff met with community stakeholders including Bushcare groups, environment groups and community groups in and around the Eastern Beaches, for an initial briefing about the scope of the plan and the management issues to be addressed. This stakeholder engagement continues. Council staff have also attended working bees and meetings with community groups to talk about how they felt about the EBFRs, what they liked about them, what they thought were issues and what solutions or ideas they had. Notes taken at the meeting were collated and checked with the group at the end. Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 9
Section 12
Non-residential owners Talking to the neighbours of our coastal reserves is complicated as there is a high proportion of non-resident owners and properties in Eastern Beaches neighbourhoods, including short term let properties, “family and friends” holiday houses, and resort style accommodation, some with multiple owners and body corporates. Unaddressed delivery or local notices and advertisements are unlikely to reach non-residential neighbours. Other people who regularly interact with the coastal reserves are not always readily identifiable via ownership information such as letting managers, and landscaping and maintenance companies and need to be considered through further targeted engagement. What we heard - initial consultation The most common issue raised was encroachments – private garden extensions into public land, private beach accesses and vegetation damage for views. The next most common issue raised was weeds in the dunes, especially glory lily. The management of public beach accesses was also a common theme, especially mowing and pruning around them, problem beach accesses, and people spreading out across the dunes where the beach access fencing ended. Volunteers raised concerns about the very low level of Council resources directed towards the EBFRs outside of the Bushland Care program, and how much unpaid volunteer time goes into project development, grant applications, project delivery and administration. . Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 10
Section 13
6. Climate change Our foreshores are at the front line of climate change with- expected climate change impacts such as sea level rise and increased storm intensity and frequency already being felt. Naturally, vegetated foreshores play a vital role in sustaining our coasts and protecting foreshore communities as sea levels rise and erosion areas expand landward. The Noosa Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan 2021 (CHAP) identifies and maps Noosa’s coastal hazards risks, including for sea level rise, coastal erosion and storm tide inundation for three future timestamps: 2040, 2070 and 2100. Virtually all of the land in the EBFRs is identified as erosion prone, and the beach and some frontal dunes and coastal creeks are identified as vulnerable to storm tide inundation during a major storm event. As outlined in Section 4.4 of this Plan, community consultation for the Noosa CHAP strongly identified nature-based solutions as the preferred response to climate change impacts. Many in the community consider that a nature-based approach will best keep the natural look and feel and safeguard the natural environment, while mitigating coastal hazard impacts. Building the health and natural stability of the natural foreshores and vegetated dunes, and maintaining natural coastal processes of erosion and accretion, are central to this approach. How do vegetated dunes buffer our coasts to climate change impacts? Climate change may increase both the occurrence and intensity of severe weather events and cause sea level rise, increasing storm tide inundation, permanent inundation and beach erosion. An important ecosystem service that naturally vegetated foreshores provide is the buffering of beaches and dunes to help slow coastal erosion impacts1. Healthy dune systems absorb wave and wind energy and can reduce flooding, wind, and storm surge impacts. Dune vegetation helps hold dunes and foreshores together, making them more resilient to wind and wave erosion. Dune vegetation slows the wind near the surface of the dune and allows sand to drop out of the air. This reduces wind impacts on the dunes and nearby settlements and recreational areas. Healthy dunes systems are self-regenerating, and are able to rebuild more easily after severe weather events, given enough time between storms and suitable material for rebuilding. Dunes in good condition means that there are sources of seeds and runners nearby to recolonise disturbed areas after storm events. Vegetation and natural debris act as an entrapment point, allowing the lodgment of sand and seeds that contribute to the rebuilding and revegetation of frontal dunes after disturbance2. Sloping, healthy dunes help keep sand on our beaches. Waves run-out on the natural slope, reducing the amount of energy available to lift and carry sand away. Steep dune faces left after storms soon slump, quickly returning the back of the beach to a more natural slope. Dunes are a source of sediment for off-shore bars that develop after storms that then act as a local source of sediment to rebuild beaches and frontal dunes3. 1 Morris et al. (2021). The Australian Nature-Based Methods for Reducing Risk from Coastal Hazards. Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub Report No. 26. NESP Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub, Australia. 2 De Battisti, D. (2021). The resilience of coastal ecosystems: A functional trait-based perspective. Journal of Ecology. 109 3 Lawlor, P., Jackson, D.W.T. (2022). A Nature-Based Solution for Coastal Foredune Restoration: The Case Study of Maghery, County Donegal, Ireland. In: Misiune, I., Depellegrin, D., Egarter Vigl, L. (eds) Human- Nature Interactions. Springer, Cham. Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 11
Section 14
Coastal hazards monitoring
Noosa Council has developed an integrated Coastal Monitoring Plan to map and monitor changes
in Noosa’s coastline and dunes. Data from this monitoring will inform further coastal hazard
monitoring and mapping and on-ground management decisions.
EBFMP Management actions
The following actions are identified for implementation:
Action Responsible Resources Due date
party and status
6.1. Manage the EBFRs as natural areas as part Environment Please see 2023-24
of a nature-based approach to mitigating climate al Services MA 7.2 ongoing
change and coastal hazards risks. Infrastructure
Services
6.2. Incorporate coastal climate change Council staff Within 2022/23
considerations into foreshore reserve planning lead by existing ongoing
and management. Climate operational
Change team expenditure
6.3. Monitor the long-term health and stability of Climate $80,000 2022/23
coastal landforms and vegetation extent through Change coastal ongoing
the Coastal Monitoring Plan. Map the extent of Team monitoring
EBFR vegetation every two years. Environment annually
al Services
6.4. Conduct post-weather event assessment of Environment Within 2023/24
the EBFR al Services existing ongoing
Infrastructure operational
Services expenditure
6.5. Explore allocation of emergency contingent Environment $25,000 2023/24
ecology funds and resources as part of annual al Services annually ongoing
budget process to more readily deploy bush
regeneration and recovery activities after severe
weather and disaster events
6.6. Experiment with accelerated assisted natural Environment Please see 2023/24
bush regeneration, vegetation rehabilitation and al Services MA 7.2 ongoing
dune rebuilding, especially at the seaward edge. Bushcare
groups
After-fire bush regeneration at Peregian Beach – a post extreme weather event rapid
response opportunity
After the September 2019 fires at Peregian Beach, an area on the western side of David Low Way
and backing onto national park was badly affected by fire. In places most of the canopy trees were
destroyed, increasing sunlight, and making the area vulnerable to roadside weed grasses. The
Peregian Beach Bushland Care group requested Council allocate a small budget to employ a
contractor to treat the weed grasses. The budget was eventually allocated but the weed grasses
had established and expanded, and the originally proposed budget was no longer adequate.
A post event rapid regeneration response budget would allow a flexible and fast response to a
range of extreme weather impacts, including fire, that would be cost-effective and help prevent
degradation.
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 12
Section 15
7. Ecology
Stretching 11.5 kilometres along Noosa’s Eastern Beaches foreshore, and covering about 122
hectares, the EBFRs have a range of on-site and strategic ecological values.
Habitat
The EBFRs conserve wildlife habitat unique to open beach coasts. A range of land bird, shore
birds, reptiles, including sea turtles, and mammals rely on the interaction of land, beach and in-
shore ecosystems that occur in coastal dunes.
Significant species
Several species scheduled as Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened (E, V, NT) under the
Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act (Cth) 1999 and/or Nature Conservation Act (QLD)
1992 occur or have suitable habitat in the EBFRs and may have species management and other
management documents that require consideration in the EBFR.
Scheduled species include;
Caretta caretta — Loggerhead Turtle (V EPBACA, V NCA)
Chelonia mydas – green turtle (V EPBACA, V NCA)
Litoria olongburensis - wallum sedge frog (V EPBCA)
Litoria freycineti – wallum Rocket Frog (V NCA)
Crinia tinnula - wallum froglet) V NCA
Calyptorhynchus lathami - glossy black-cockatoo -. (V NCA)
Phasocolartus cinerus - Koala. (V SEQ bioregion NCA)
The mapped ecosystems are recognised as having the following potential significant plant species
values:
12.2.5. Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Acacia attenuata, Acacia baueri subsp. baueri,
Boronia rivularis, Durringtonia paludosa, Glycine argyrea, Macarthuria complanata, Maundia
triglochinoides, Persicaria elatior, Phaius australis. This ecosystem is also known to provide
suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus).
12.2.7. Habitat for threatened plant species including Phaius australis, P. bernaysii and near
threatened species including Durringtonia paludosa. This ecosystem is also known to provide
suitable habitat for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus).
12.2.13. Habitat for threatened plant species including Allocasuarina emuina, Acacia attenuata, A.
baueri subsp. baueri, Prasophyllum wallum and near threatened species including Macarthuria
complanata.
12.2.15. Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Durringtonia paludosa, Eleocharis difformis,
Maundia triglochinoides, Thelypteris confluens
Ecosystems
Most of Castaways Beach Foreshore Reserve, Marcus Beach Foreshore Reserve, Peregian
Beach Foreshore Reserve North, Peregian Beach Foreshore Reserve South and Peregian Creek
Bushland Reserve are mapped as remnant Regional Ecosystem (RE) 12. 2.14.
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 13
Section 16
About two thirds of Sunrise Beach Foreshore Reserve and Sunshine Beach Foreshore Reserve are mapped as High Value Regrowth (HVR) 12.2.14. Detailed regional ecosystem mapping of the EBFRs was undertaken in 2021-22, with significant expansion of mapped high value regrowth and some expansion of mapped RE. In 2021 mapped HVR and RE was 87.3 ha, in 2022 126.9 ha was mapped. Small areas of four new REs, 12.2.5 (HVR), 12.2.7 (RE), 12.2.13(HVR), and 12.2.15(RE) were mapped, probably due to more detailed mapping than developing regrowth. Further information develop planting lists, rehabilitation targets and monitoring criteria: For short RE descriptions please see Attachment Two: Regional Ecosystem short descriptions. For long descriptions and technical information to, please see https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/regional- ecosystems/list/?landzone=&description=&class=&biodiversity=&submit=Search https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/plants/ecosystems/technical-descriptions https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/biodiversity/benchmarks Hydrology Some of the ecosystems and plant and animal species in the EBFRs are groundwater dependant – they depend on specific groundwater conditions including ground water level, retention (e.g. due to coffee rock or peat layers), pH, salinity, gradient pressure, and nutrient profile. Bores and other extraction, drains, paths, earthworks and introduced materials can impact on the groundwater profiles, as can climate change factors discussed below. Environmental values, environmental management and climate change Like other natural areas, the biodiversity and other environmental values of naturally vegetated foreshores are being impacted by climate change. But foreshores are particularly vulnerable to many impacts, like increasing inundation, severe weather effects and sea level rise, due to their location. And common reserve characteristics of many urban dune areas (e.g., long, narrow, closely surrounded by development, crossed by tracks) also increase the impacts of climate change. Wetlands Coastal freshwater wetlands are likely to be affected by increased salt levels, and wetlands and frontal dunes are likely to be increasingly affected by increasing periodic, tidal or permanent inundation due to both raising sea levels and increasing severe weather. In many cases these wetlands will try to move up the slope, to maintain suitable hydrology, and may be prevented by tracks and other openings near ecosystem interfaces or by cleared, developed land around the dunes. Severe weather Severe weather events, such as storms, drought, floods and bushfire, are increasing as climate change progresses and often cause disturbance in natural areas. Increasing disturbance increases the likelihood of ecological degradation and simplification, with reduced ecological values, reduced ecosystem services and increased management. They occur alongside, and exacerbate, neighbour, visitor and reserve characteristics degrading impacts. Active management of these disturbances, including maintaining ecosystem health to reduce vulnerability and maximise regeneration resources and rapid response after and during disturbances, will help reduce climate change impacts on naturally vegetated foreshores. Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 14
Section 17
Connectivity Many urban dune networks are narrow and closely surrounded by urban development, much of which almost entirely prevents the safe movement of native animals and plants through them. Landscape connectivity to bushland away from the coast is often entirely prevented or very limited, and internal connectivity is often compromised by clearings, development, paths, and fences. Connectivity within a natural area, and to other natural areas, can be critical to allowing native plants and animal species and individuals to adapt to climate change. Allowing the movement of individual and populations of species allows them to seek the changing location of climatic (e.g., exposure, temperature, moisture) and environmental conditions (e.g., hydrology, pH, salinity, ecosystem) they need to survive and maintain viable populations. Breaks in internal connectivity will be identified in Council’s Bushland Operational Assessment (condition) mapping, and remediation where possible planned in ecological restoration planning. Potential external linkages to other bushland will be identified via desktop mapping and confirmed during nearby condition mapping processes. Securing and remediation of these areas shall be planned during nearby ecological restoration planning. Changing ecosystems and plant and animal distributions Climate change can affect or change the ecosystems, ecosystem characteristics and the location and distribution of plants and animals. Observed and likely regional ecosystem and other shifts due to climate change should be acknowledged and incorporated when setting ecological restoration targets, developing planting lists and conducting other ecological management activities. Sea Turtles Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) Loggerhead turtles and green turtles nest and hatch on the Queensland coast at Noosa - both are endangered at State, National and International levels. They are found around the globe, travelling massive distances between their inshore seagrass and seaweed feeding sites and sandy beach breeding grounds each year. Hatchlings and young turtles drift in the open ocean for years, eating small animals in and near patches of floating seaweed. They start breeding between 10 and 30 years of age and can live up to 70-90 years. While they mostly live in the ocean, some land-based threats can affect them, particularly during nesting and hatching (Nov-Feb). Land based threats to turtles Eroded foredunes: If the frontal dunes are too steep turtles won’t be able to climb them. They are more likely to lay their eggs at the foot of the dunes, where they are more vulnerable to flooding, getting washed away or crushed by vehicles. Foxes, wild dogs and domestic dogs: They sniff out the eggs, dig them up and eat them. Hard plastic, soft plastic, inflated and burst balloons look like food to turtles: They can block and fill turtle stomachs and intestines, causing starvation, illness, and death. Biodegradable plastic and balloons still cause problems as they don’t break down quickly or reliably enough, and often break down into microplastics. Beach and ocean plastic and litter mitigation is discussed further below . Light: Baby turtles move towards the brightest light they can see, thinking it is the moon shining over the ocean. They are easily confused by artificial lights on the land that penetrate through to the beach, and may end up lost in the dunes, in drains or on roads. Nesting female turtles are discouraged from laying on lighted beaches and may also be confused by light when returning to Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 15
Section 18
the sea, although to a lesser degree than hatchlings. Light sources and mitigation are discussed further below. Climate change: Higher sand temperatures during incubation means that less males are being hatched. Sea level rise and increasing storm occurrence and intensity means that nests are more likely to be flooded or washed away. Frontal dunes are more likely to be eroded and steep, preventing turtle access and making it more likely nests are laid where they could be flooded or crushed by traffic. Climate change mitigation measures like sea walls or beach nourishment can also cause problems by preventing access, burying nests or changing the consistency of the sand. Invasive species The Noosa Local Government Area Biosecurity Plan 2020 identifies several priority pest species that directly apply to foreshore reserves, including glory lily, asparagus fern, Singapore daisy and foxes. Invasive plant species are a significant threat to biodiversity, displacing native species, simplifying species and structure biodiversity and reducing habitat values. Foxes are a particular threat to coastal ground egg laying species, including vulnerable sea turtles and other reptiles, and Eastern Ground Parrot. Glory lily Glory Lily (Gloriosa superba) is recognised as a serious ecological weed in Queensland and Northern New-South Wales, especially in dunes and other sandy coastal areas. Forming dense thickets and with twining leaf tips that allows it to climb over existing vegetation, Glory Lily smothers and dominates vegetation, replacing structurally and species diverse coastal vegetation with a monoculture of an introduced plant. Glory lily also poses significant risks to coastal landforms and climate change resilience. Glory Lily only grows above ground during the warmer months, leaving large areas of erosion prone sand dunes largely bare for over half of the year. During above ground seasons fine, simple, above ground stems and no fibrous or surface roots poses little resistance to wind and water erosion. Large, persistent tubers and fragile underground stems mean that Glory Lily is hard to control, with no mechanical control found effective, and an effective and sustainable chemical control method for naturalised populations has not been confirmed. Recent BOA condition mapping found that many areas in our EBFRs are dominated by glory lily, with some areas found to have over 75% glory lily in the understory. Coastal Fox Control Program One of the primary threats to sea turtles are foxes and wild dogs digging up turtle nests and eating the eggs. Council’s Pests and Land Protection officers conduct fox control in the Coastal Fox Control Program as part of Council’s sea turtle conservation efforts. The Coastal Fox Control Program is currently a joint project with Coolum and District Coastcare, Sunshine Coast Regional Council, and Queensland Department of Environment and Science, and has been running for about 6 years. Similar programs also run in other local government areas. Volunteers from Coolum and District Coastcare and Council officers monitor fox predation on turtle nests in Noosa and place dig prevention mesh on top of nests that are at particular risk of fox predation. Many other coastal and near coastal native species benefit from fox and feral animal control, including ground parrot, water mouse, small mammals, and shorebirds. Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 16
Section 19
EBFMP Management actions
The following actions are identified for implementation:
Action Responsible Resources Due date
party and status
7.1. Update bushland condition mapping for Environmental Within existing 2022/23
all EBFRs - only conduct BOA condition Services operational
mapping in foreshore areas during summer expenditure
when the glory lily is showing
7.2. Update and implement ecological Environmental $225,200/annum 2023/24,
restoration plan for all EBFRs Services implementation ongoing
Includes:
Increased labour
days for
ecological
restoration
0.5 FTE
Environment
Technical Officer
(new)
Bushcare
support remains
unchanged
(This would be an
increase to the
current budget which
is $128,400/annum
for 2022/23 which is
including Coast
Connect grant funds)
7.3. Develop post event rapid response Environmental Please see MA 2023/24
funding for ecological restoration Services 6.5
7.4. Incorporate climate change Environmental Within existing 2022-24
considerations in ecological management Services operational
activities expenditure
7.5. Monitor for any changes in the EBFRs Environmental Within existing 2022/24
RE mapping and vegetation extent every Services operational
five years by measuring the extent of expenditure
mapped REs and high value regrowth and
the extent of all vegetation using desktop
mapping, Vegetation Management mapping
and aerial photos
7.6. Maintain and enhance internal Environmental Please see MA 2022-24
connectivity and wildlife movement within Services 7.2
the foreshore reserve strip
7.7. Minimise and actively rehabilitate Environmental Please see MA 2023-24
cleared areas to reduce fragmentation and Services 7.2
edge effect Infrastructure
Services
7.8. Contribute to glory lily research and Environmental Please see MA 2023-24
adopt best practise to managing this pest Services 7.2
species
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 17
Section 20
Infrastructure
Services
7.9. Identify, protect and restore external Environmental Please see MA 2023-24
connectivity between the foreshore reserves Services 7.2
and landward natural areas Infrastructure
Services
7.10. Minimise plastic elements in coastal Environmental Within existing 2023-24
community infrastructure and management Services operational
to reduce plastic moving into the coastal Infrastructure expenditure
environment from community coastal Services
infrastructure
7.11. Incorporate relevant aspects of Environmental Within existing 2023-24
threatened species, scheduled species and Services operational
other significant native species monitoring expenditure
and management plans into planning and
management activities
7.12. Implement litter and plastic Environmental Within existing 2022 - 23
minimisation measures with other Council Services operational
branches, better support community litter Infrastructure expenditure
and plastic minimisation efforts and collect Services
coastal litter information
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 18
Section 21
8. Social values
Cultural Values
Ocean coasts are resource rich and important landmarks in the landscape, meaning that they are
often important to people for both practical and spiritual reasons. Many coastal dune networks
have significant First Nations cultural value as cultural landscapes, past and current resource use
and archaeological sites. They also often have resource or historical value for more recent
residents, visitors and communities.
During the millennia of Indigenous stewardship, it is likely that Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) conducted
firestick farming, maintaining open grassy understories in Noosa’s eucalyptus forests that extended
into the area currently managed as the EBFRs. Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) trapped and harvested
fish, shellfish, sea turtle and dugong in the coastal strip and would likely have periodically lived at
sites in and near the coastal strip.
In conjunction with this resource use and occupation, they undertook cultural and resource
stewardship practices and may maintain ceremonial and spiritual places in the Eastern Beaches
coastal strip 4. In an area surrounded by significant landmarks, and with several significant view
lines, the Eastern Beaches coastal strip supports Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) cultural landscapes and
story places.
Before 1960 Noosa’s coastal areas were primarily used by non-Indigenous people for fishing and
holidaying in basic boarding houses and camps, Away from the sand dunes, the area was
dominated by low nutrient, acidic heathland, and wetlands unsuitable for western agriculture. The
Eastern Beaches urban areas were opened to residential development and more formalised
tourism in the 1960s, with the road from Coolum upgraded and urban blocks on sale in Peregian
Beach in 1960, and both road and blocks extended up to Sunshine Beach the following year.
EBFMP Management actions
The following actions are identified for implementation:
Action Responsible party Resources Due date
and status
8.1. Invite the Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) to Environmental Within 2022/23
work in partnership with Council and other Services existing and
land managers to collaboratively manage the operational ongoing
EBFRs expenditure
8.2. Incorporate cultural heritage values in Environmental Within 2022/23
EBFRs management and interpretation Services Staff existing and
operational ongoing
expenditure
4
Noosa Council, Sergiacomoi, Leddy & Fesl, Eve (2004), Indigenous Cultural Heritage Study of Noosa
Shire, Noosa: Noosa Shire Council,
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 19
Section 22
Scenic and landscape amenity
Noosa’s natural scenic amenity and natural landscapes are a key contributor to Noosa’s liveability.
Coastal landscapes and bushland are an essential part of the local ‘look and feel’ and character.
Many of Noosa’s iconic views are from, through, of, or over, our naturally vegetated foreshores and
most of our seaside residents and communities live alongside them, with many people visiting
Noosa’s iconic beaches walking through the EBFRs.
Liveability
The natural elements of the EBFRs and nearby bushland are a significant part of Noosa’s
liveability and act as a backdrop to Noosa’s casual coastal ‘look and feel’. The value of natural
areas is well recognised by Noosa’s community, with ‘elements of natural environment (natural
features, views, vegetation, topography, water, wildlife etc.)’ identified as Noosa’s #1 Care Factor
in the recent Noosa Liveability survey. Protecting and managing natural ecosystems and elements
ranked at number 2.
The ability to see and interact with natural landscapes as part of our day-to-day routines
contributes to physiological and physical wellbeing. Even small patches of bush visually break the
pattern of residential developments and improve visual diversity, which also has psychological
benefits. Natural vegetation provides cooling breezes in summer and reduces urban heat by
shading and evapotranspiration.5
Economy & Visitor Experience
Our natural areas are the backbone of Noosa’s tourism industry and visual amenity is a significant
consideration when people are choosing where they go for their holidays. Scenic values and
access to beaches and bushland also influences where people want to live, which in turn
influences investment attraction and the local economy.
Viewpoints
Viewpoints are existing scenic viewing areas that provide a focal point for the public to enjoy the
surrounding landscape. Viewpoint types in Noosa’s Eastern Beaches include:
• Vista viewpoints: Broad landscape views, often incorporating water and coastal
landscapes. Often a driver for visitor attraction to specific areas, and to Noosa
generally.
• Near-beach viewpoints: Cleared viewing areas close to the back of the beach, often
associated with public beach accesses, sometimes with community supplied furniture,
and may act as an informal community hub.
• Surf condition viewpoints: Where people go to look at the ocean to assess conditions,
including surfers, swimmers and kite surfers.
The values and how each of these different types of viewing points are used often overlap and
perhaps change over time.
5 Mahamane S, Wan N, Porter A, Hancock AS, Campbell J, Lyon TE, & Jordan KE. (2020) Natural
Categorization: Electrophysiological Responses to Viewing Natural Versus Built Environments. Frontiers of
Psychology, 11:990.
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 20
Section 23
Noosa Design Principles
The Noosa Design Principles are used to guide good design that befits Noosa’s character, style
and climate. These principles emphasise the importance of protecting Noosa’s environment and
biodiversity by minimising the visual and environmental impact and dominance of the built
environment on the natural environment. They seek to enhance Noosa’s natural ‘look and feel’ and
sense of community by integrating the natural and built environment, viewing natural elements as
opportunities rather than obstacles, and involving the community.
EBFMP Management actions
The following actions are identified for implementation:
Action Responsible party Resources Due date
and status
8.3. Implement Noosa Design Principles in Environmental Design grant 2022/23
reserve management and community Services secured for ongoing
coastal infrastructure design, delivery, and Infrastructure beach
maintenance Services accesses and
infrastructure
8.4. Identify existing vista, near beach and Environmental Subject to 2023/24
surf condition view points, and assess for Services future budget
visitor experience and environmental Infrastructure
sustainability. Where environmentally Services
sustainable, incorporate existing view
points into infrastructure upgrades.
8.5. Make beach accesses, entrances, Environmental 2023/24
and other points of interface between Services Subject to
foreshore reserves and visitors and Infrastructure future budget
surrounding land uses welcoming, Services
attractive and accessible
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 21
Section 24
9. Partnerships Noosa Council works with a wide range of partners and stakeholders to manage the EBFRs. Council works with dedicated volunteers, and various government, education and community organisations to protect and enhance the natural, cultural and social values of the EBFRs. Community Bushland Care Program Community Bushland Care volunteers are very active across the Eastern Beaches, with seven groups working at multiple sites in and next to the EBFRs. Eastern Beaches Bushland Care Groups include Burgess Creek Bushland Care, Castaways Beach Bushland Care, Marcus Creek Bushland Care, Noosa's Bush, Beach and Creek Care, South Peregian Beach Bushland Care, North Peregian Bushland Care and Sunrise Beach Bushland Care. Some work twice a week, others weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Some groups work on more than one site, and some individuals work with multiple groups. The Bushland Care groups weed and plant in their work areas, and some apply for grants, administer large ecological restoration projects and contracts, run community events, and fund and implement community infrastructure and community education projects. They are supported by Community Bushland Care officers in Council’s Natural Areas Team. Turtles Turtle monitoring and response in Noosa is a combination of community volunteers and Council officers. A team of volunteers from Coolum and Northshore Coastcare maps and monitors sea turtle nests, protects them from foxes with mesh, relocates nests when they are endangered by storms or tides and monitors turtle hatchings. Coolum and Northshore Coastcare also lobby for better protection and management of turtle nesting sites and conducts community education on how the community can help turtles. They work closely with Sunshine Coast Council, Department of Environment and Science, and Council’s Natural Areas Team. The Natural Areas team also monitors North Shore Beach for turtle activity during the laying and hatching season and responds to North Shore turtle strandings. Working with educational institutions Noosa Council has a Memorandum of Understanding with University of Sunshine Coast, primarily targeted towards collaborative research projects, and this can extend to paid internships and other workplace learning opportunities. Similar arrangements and on ground projects could be developed with other institutions such as TAFEs, secondary and primary schools. Current projects include 4D beach mapping with University of Sunshine Coast as well as satellite-derived bathymetry trials as part of Council’s Coastal Monitoring Plan. Environmental and social research opportunities Council hosts or participates in several research projects, including turtle monitoring with local volunteer groups, wallum frog monitoring conducted by Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee, and algae monitoring. Other partners in the management of the EBFRs include Noosa & District Landcare, Noosa Integrated Catchment Association, Unitywater, Sunshine Coast Council and Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 22
Section 25
Coastal Connect
Coastal Connect is a collaborative revegetation and regeneration project run by three Bushland
Care Group coordinators along the Eastern Beaches.
The Coastal Connect project is a successful collaborative project that has achieved strong
outcomes. It requires significant volunteer time to develop projects, write and administer grants,
manage contractors and report on the grants. Alternative funding models, administrative support
from council and further resources are needed to ensure the work continues.
According to the Coastal Connect coordinators, project highlights include:
“….observing how our foreshore plantings at Seaview Creek have helped the dunes resist
significant weather events.”
“…..contractor teams enabling work to be undertaken in difficult to access or hard to reach spots
and use herbicides, where volunteers don't have the training nor expertise.”
“Creating a balance between visual amenity along public pathways and protecting/regenerating
ecologically important riparian areas.”
EBFMP Management activities
The following actions are identified for implementation:
Action Responsible party Resources Due date
and status
9.1. Identify, review and document partner Environmental Within existing 2022/23
projects and collaborations and make Services operational and review
information accessible for others to read expenditure every three
about and learn from. years
9.2. Identify gaps and potential partners, Environmental Subject to 2023/24
actively seek and develop partnership Services future budget
opportunities, and be open to new project
and partner proposals that contribute to
management vision and objectives.
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 23
Section 26
10. Community education Noosa’s EBFRs, beaches and adjacent waters have thousands of visitors each day, hundreds of boundary sharing neighbours and thousands of nearby neighbours across the localities. How these visitors and neighbours treat the foreshore reserves they live near or visit directly affects how the reserves look and function. On-going community education and targeted communication between Council, visitors and neighbours will contribute to the protection and enhancement of EBFRs. This also includes embedding clear objectives for best practice reserve management into Council’s day to day practices and approaches. Neighbour communication Neighbours include boundary sharing neighbours and neighbours within walking distance – where the reserve is part of their work or home neighbourhood. Like all urban bushland reserves, how neighbours interact with Noosa’s foreshore reserves is crucial to achieving positive long term social and environmental outcomes. Council’s initial consultation indicated that some areas may only contain roughly 20% long-term rental or owner residents, with the remainder being short term lets or holiday homes. Unaddressed delivery or local notices and advertisements are unlikely to reach non-residential neighbours. In many cases the people who most interact with the public land neighbouring these properties work for private rental managers, including landscaping and maintenance companies. Targeted communication that includes hard to reach neighbours is important. Planned communication topics include being a ‘good bushland neighbour’ and the ‘values of dunes and foreshores’. Visitor communication Noosa’s Eastern Beaches have very high numbers of visitors, and how these visitors treat the reserve also influences how it functions and looks. Communicating with local visitors, (many who may visit several times a week), visitors from the broader Sunshine Coast, and from further afield require different delivery avenues and perhaps different materials. Delivery should be a mix of on- reserve, online and external engagement and content. Reserve and general community information Information about the values of naturally vegetated foreshores and the EBFRs may help the general community further appreciate the importance of natural foreshores for recreation, conserving urban biodiversity and for helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 24
Section 27
EBFMP Management Activities
The following actions are identified for implementation:
Action Responsible Resources Due date
party and status
10.1. Regularly deliver “be a good bushland Environmental Within 2023/24
neighbour” material to residential and non- Services existing ongoing
residential neighbours, long term renters, rental operational
managers, and landscaping and maintenance expenditure
companies.
10.2. Provide general community information about Environmental Within 2023/24
the values of foreshores on-line, on-reserve and Services existing ongoing
nearby. operational
expenditure
10.3. Provide visitor information material about Environmental Within 2023/24
EBFR recreation on-line, on-reserve and nearby. Services existing ongoing
operational
expenditure
10.4. Regularly deliver foreshore reserve Environmental Within 2023/24
management planning and activity updates to Services existing ongoing
residential and non-residential neighbours. operational
expenditure
10.5. Provide neighbour, visitor, and general Environmental Within 2023/24
community information to short term let and resort Services existing ongoing
properties for guests about our beaches and operational
reserves, how to look after them and stay safe. expenditure
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 25
Section 28
11. Encroachments Encroachments into foreshore reserves include damaging vegetation, filling, dumping rubbish, yard extensions, private infrastructure and unauthorised planting. As the impact and area of encroachments continues to expand in the EBFRs, their ability to contribute to nature-based community climate change resilience under the Noosa Coastal Hazard Adaptation Plan 2021 and improve coastal ecosystems under the Noosa Environment Strategy 2019 is compromised. Education and communication Ongoing communication between Council, visitors and neighbours can contribute to the protection and enhancement of the EBFRs. Education and communication will be the first option in dealing with neighbour impacts. There are many positive examples for others to follow where bushland neighbours have created improvements for bushland vegetation, native wildlife and natural amenity through their custodialship of the environment and volunteer bushcare efforts. Council wishes to celebrate these success stories and provide ongoing support. Local Law No.4 Activities in Council managed reserves relating to encroachments are regulated under Local Law No.4 (Local Government Controlled Areas, Facilities, & Roads) 2015. But how these impacts are dealt with by Council can be subjective or inconsistent, which can make it difficult for Council officers to respond to them. A number of community groups have expressed frustration about the lack of Council action in relation to incursions in the bushland reserve. They are calling on Council to take a “proactive, zero tolerance approach to illegal appropriation of public land, degradation of public land through removal of native vegetation, the unauthorised planting on public land, and the dumping of rubbish or landfill on public land”. They wish to see immediate action to seek rectification of encroachments, irrespective of past practices, and take a firm stand on this issue. This requires a consistent, transparent and well-resourced whole of Council response to encroachments that better meets community expectations and protects the social and environmental values of the EBFRs. This includes education and communication as a first option, a range of non-regulatory responses, and a clear and methodical regulatory response. Encroachment descriptions Private beach accesses on public reserve land Making or using private, informal, beach accesses clears native vegetation, causes erosion and spreads weeds. They create weak spots for severe weather impacts and opens the foreshore to increased salt, wind and storm damage. Over 90% of the neighbours sharing a boundary with the EBFRs have a private beach access in public land. Paths that cross the width of the foreshore reserve fragment the bush. Each one of these path edges has accompanying ‘edge-effect- area, a strip of degraded bush, which usually has more weeds and more sunlight, wind and salt intrusion, degrading the health and diversity of the ecosystems. Having many more paths crossing the foreshore means that much more of the retained bush is this degraded edge effect area, with reduced environmental values and increased management costs. Paths, especially in quieter areas, allow introduced predators to freely move across more of the dune and beaches. This appears to particularly apply to foxes accessing the quieter, darker parts of the beach that turtles are likely to use for nesting. Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 26
Section 29
Private yard extensions into public land As part of private yard extensions into public land, native vegetation is cleared and many are planted with garden plants. Some yard extensions extend over 40 metres into the public bushland. In some places, initial Council investigations indicate that yard extensions are very common - over 90% of the residential neighbours sharing a boundary with EBFRs have a private yard extension into public land. Replacing community bushland with a private garden is prohibited under Local Law No. 4, spreads weeds and blocks firefighting access. Reducing the functional width of often already narrow vegetated foreshores reduces their ability to manage extreme weather, improve water quality, reduce sediment and erosion and act as wildlife corridors and habitat. Vegetation damage for views Vegetation damage for views includes pruning, cutting, breaking, pulling, poisoning and clearing native vegetation – including trees, shrubs and ground covers - on the dune and foreshores for views. It also affects foreshores without a shared residential boundary. There are a few different types of clearing - all layers cleared to bare earth or mowed grass, topping, killing or clearing the tallest vegetation where many of the largest trees are killed, or under scrubbing, where the understory and midstory are removed. Vegetation damage makes the remaining vegetation more vulnerable to weeds, wind and salt damage, and degrades and fragments the bushland. Council responses to tree safety issues in foreshore reserves near neighbour boundaries are managed under the Noosa Council Tree Management on Public Land Policy, and under Local law No.4 (Local Government Controlled Areas, Facilities, & Roads) 2015 elsewhere. Private recreation areas Private recreation areas are cleared areas away from the boundary, often on top of the dunes or near the back of the beach and are generally accessible from private beach accesses and private property rather than public accesses. Some of them are planted with garden plants, turfed or furnished with tables and chairs. Many of the issues associated with vegetation damage and yard extensions apply. Garden plant escapees Most environmental weeds start out as ornamental plants, and many garden plants easily spread in bushland by seed, suckers and runners, or are deliberately planted in bushland. Garden rubbish dumping Dumping garden rubbish in community bushland can introduce weeds and replace diverse mixes of native plants with infestations of just a few weeds. Rubbish dumps are an attractive ignition point for arsonists, can cause a fire to flare and block emergency and management access. Dogs and cats in dunes Dogs in dunes can cause erosion on steep slopes and fragile front dunes and scare or attack wildlife. Their droppings can discourage wildlife, spread disease and make working in the dunes very unpleasant for our bush regenerators and Bushcare volunteers. Cats can scare and attack wildlife and their droppings introduce and spread deadly diseases like toxoplasmosis to wildlife. Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 27
Section 30
EBFMP Management actions
The following actions are identified for implementation:
Action Responsible Resources Due date
party and status
11.1. Develop and resource an Environmental $415,000/annum 2022/23
encroachment policy for Council managed Services ongoing
natural areas that includes: Includes:
education and awareness as a first 0.5 FTE
measure including information and Environment
signage to encourage good Technical Officer
custodianship of the bushland (new)
reserve
clear policy direction for Council to 0.5 FTE Local
take enforcement action for Laws Officer
deliberate encroachments including (new)
steps to enable rectification and Site rehabilitation
restoration of bushland areas
illegally disturbed Legal advice
clear guidance about climate
mitigation measures for private
property
fire management and rehabilitation
works schedule for reserve-specific
fire management and ecological
recovery of disturbed areas.
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 28
Section 31
12. Public access and recreation Noosa’s coastal bushland, beaches and waters are some of the most valued in the world, and thousands of residents and visitors are drawn to them every year. Dunes and foreshores are where we access some of our most precious and in-demand recreation places. Maintaining long-term and sustainable public access to these highly desirable locations in the face of coastal erosion, climate change impacts and high visitor numbers is a challenge that requires careful planning. Constructed recreational access and opportunities Most EBFR recreational access is on the 41 beach accesses to Noosa’s Eastern Beaches. Thousands of reserve visitors walk along the beach accesses through the EBFR each week. Some interpretative signs about coastal plants, animals, ecosystems and landform, mostly installed by community partners, is alongside some of the beach accesses. Some parts of the north-south coastal bike and pedestrian path run in or near the western boundary of the EBFRs. Commercial and organised recreational access and opportunities On the beaches or in nearby open space many organised community or commercial recreational opportunities are offered, some regulated under a permit or lease for commercial or community activities or temporary events permits. These include markets, concerts, surf lessons and board hire, other watercraft hire and lessons, weddings and other private events, boot camps and personal trainers, yoga and wellness classes and events, and sand sculpting workshops. Council seeks to ensure that the adjoining foreshore reserves and the leases and permit activities are managed in a way that compliments each other. Universal access Coastal natural areas, dunes, beaches and waters are desirable for everyone to access but also present particular challenges to universal access – they are highly exposed to the elements and salts and are ever-changing, sometimes very rapidly. Sloped natural landforms, soft sand surfaces and natural vegetation can be highly unfavourable for some forms of universal access. These challenges present opportunities to consider innovative access designs and materials and events. A mobility mat – Mobi-Mat - has been installed on nearby Noosa Main Beach on Hastings Street, through a collaborative project between Surf Life Saving Queensland, Noosa Surf Club, Tewantin- Noosa Lions Club, Noosa MP Sandy Bolton, and Council. It is a firm, recycled plastic mat that extends from the beach access ramp in front of the Noosa Surf Life Club, across the beach and to the water. It not only provides universal access to the down to the water, it also provides access to the sand for sun bathing, making sand castles and other beach activities. This is a permanent installation, only removed for king tides and bad storms. Considerations in locating the mat in this location included: the very high visitor attendance, the flagged swimming area, and a flat, stable beach that enables permanent installation. Swimming and surf lifesaving With over eleven kilometers of beaches, ocean swimming and paddling is a drawcard for locals and visitors. Three flagged bathing areas in the EBFR, at Sunshine Beach, Sunrise Beach and Peregian Beach, are patrolled with a mix of paid Surf Life Saving Queensland lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers from Surf Life Saving Clubs at Noosa Heads, Sunshine Beach and Peregian Beach. People are encouraged to swim here between the flags and is managed to be significantly safer than the general beach or coastal environment. Surfboards, canoes, kayaks, fishing Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 29
Section 32
equipment, and any surf equipment that could be dangerous or be likely to injure someone is prohibited, along with the equipment and activities prohibited in the broader bathing reserve below. Dogs are prohibited in bathing areas. These bathing areas sit in larger bathing reserves, which allows for equipment and conduct to be regulated to help provide safer swimming conditions, at a lesser extent than the highly managed bathing areas. Motorised or wind powered equipment, spear fishing, and surf equipment that may injure or endanger others is prohibited. The two bathing reserves at Sunshine and Sunrise Beach are located between beach accesses 29 and 38, and the third is at Peregian Beach between beach accesses 47 and 59. There are surf clubs and towers at Sunshine Beach and Peregian Beach, and lifeguards and life savers regularly patrol some beaches outside of the flagged areas. The surf lifesaving club buildings and associated beach accesses, towers, accesses, and patrol areas are neighbours to the EBFR. Council aims to ensure the adjoining foreshore reserves and Surf Life Saving Club facilities are managed in a way that complement each other. Surfing Surfing is one of Noosa’s most notable forms of recreation. The beach break at North Sunshine Beach is at the southern end of the Noosa World Surfing Reserve, and other well renown surf breaks are highly popular along the length of the Eastern Beaches. Surfing is a major contributor to livability and the Noosa “culture” for many residents, and surfing opportunities and events are a major drawcard for regional, interstate and international visitors. Surf breaks and access for surfing is one of the drivers for the current location of many of our beach accesses and should be considered if new or moved beach accesses are proposed. Viewing water conditions can be a reason for people to go off public paths, which may cause environmental damage and pose a risk to visitors. Incorporating desired water condition view line considerations when locating and designing viewing areas, platforms and other coastal community infrastructure will help maintain and enhance these values. Beach walking Beach walking for exercise, meditation and socialising are important daily activities for many Noosa residents and visitors. People walk regular and occasional routes along beaches and nearby walkways, and into adjoining national parks. Dog walking Many people walk and exercise their dogs on the beach and on nearby walkways. EBFR off leash areas are at Sunshine Beach, north from beach access 27 to the national park boundary, and Castaways and Marcus Beach, between beach accesses 38 and 47. Other beach areas are open to on-leash dogs, except the three designated bathing areas. Initial consultation highlighted how important being able to walk with your dog on most of the beach is very important to many people. Some raised concerns about access to some of the off-leash areas. Others raised issues about pet waste being a significant contributor of urban water nitrogen and expressed concern about off leash dogs outside of off leash areas for environmental, amenity and public safety reasons and said that they stayed away from beaches because they were worried about being knocked down by off leash dogs. Feedback about dogs and dog related infrastructure stated that better access and signage about where dogs or off leash dogs are not allowed will both help prevent dog owners being fined and reduce out of area off leash concerns. Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 30
Section 33
Beach fishing Beach fishing is popular, especially around the coastal creeks mouths, targeting tailor, mulloway, bream, flathead, whiting and dart. Discarded fishing gear may pose a risk to other beach users and to wildlife. Coastal community infrastructure and climate change Community infrastructure on foreshores is especially vulnerable to severe weather events and rising sea levels, and impacts on community infrastructure may increase as climate change continues. Climate change requires coastal community infrastructure materials, design and management to be increasingly durable and responsive to both sudden major weather events and gradual long-term changes such as sea level rise and gradual shoreline recession. Responses may include relocating important recreational and infrastructure assets outside the projected high risk coastal erosion area or where they cannot be feasibly relocated, accommodating the risks by adapting the design of these assets to be more resilient before and after a major erosion event. The Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan sets out the preferred adaptation outcome for each locality as listed in Section 4. Legislation and legislative instruments. Council has already secured funding to develop design standards for beach accesses, viewing platforms, signage fencing, seat and other community coastal infrastructure, in line with Noosa Design Principles. Design standard elements include classification, location, use, construction and maintenance, environmental impacts and defects. Beach accesses There are 41 public beach accesses that cross the EBFRs, ranging from short, sandy tracks on fairly flat ground, to highly engineered sets of open stairs down very steep slopes. Some have largely unmodified natural surfaces, while others are concreted for part of their length and many have short lengths of chained planking or boardwalk at their seaward end. Many have stairs at some point along their length and most are fenced with open post and rail fences and are closely surrounded by native vegetation. Some beach accesses tie in with tunnels and accesses under the David Low Way and other roads, or from bicycle paths, pedestrian paths or open space parks. Many directly link the foreshore reserves and beaches from secondary or main roads, some with dedicated off_road carparks. All beach accesses have been in place for at least thirty years, although many have been upgraded at some point during that time. Condition and functionality Most beach accesses are in good condition for most of their length. However, many are now not long enough - the dunes are rebuilding after the 2017 storms, and the ocean end of many now extend well past the ends of the modified surfaces and fences. Changes to beach accesses, especially at the seaward end, can happen quickly too, after storms and floods requiring designs that provide for dune building and accretion. Council’s Infrastructure Services Department has detailed data about beach access and associated community infrastructure, including their location, construction and condition. The Environmental Services branch is starting to collect information about how they sit in the landscape and work with the environment. Further information from our community as part of the community consultation for this EBFMP will also be beneficial including information on about how beach accesses are used, what people like about them, and any concerns they have. . Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 31
Section 34
Location The current locations of most of the Eastern Beaches access points have been almost incidental to other processes. For instance, stormwater easements and parks are often gazetted at the lowest points as the area is developed to allow for drainage and stormwater discharge into nearby creeks and natural areas. Beach accesses have later been constructed here as they are where roads are connected to foreshore reserves. Beach accesses usually avoid permanently wet areas such as wetlands. This has meant that many beach accesses are in low lying areas where stormwater and standing water present design challenges. The location and distance between beach accesses varies widely – in some areas the accesses are often only 50 metres apart, in others, where access is restricted by the David Low Way, coastal creeks and other complications and gated communities, the accesses are very widely separated. Some residential areas, particularly new developments, and some tourist hotspots may not be served well by current pedestrian accessible beach accesses. Some have been placed where the construction of the David Low Way or other community infrastructure best allowed. Other accesses have been built where people were already informally accessing the beach – including at a popular surf break, or where a beautiful view attracted visitors. Some beach access locations cause problems - for instance a highly constructed beach access at Marcus Beach is regularly cut off from the beach by the natural movement of a coastal creek. At Burgess Creek where beach accesses are widely located to avoid a moving creek mouth and steep slopes, residents are walking down a steep slope near the mouth of the creek and crossing the creek to the beach. This foot traffic down a steep slope, coupled with high peak outflows from the creek, is contributing coastal erosion and needs careful planning and design of nature-based erosion management solutions including dune restoration and fencing. Only a few beach accesses benefit from being readily observable or directly accessible from main roads, which may mean these beach accesses also have pressures from heavy visitor and tourist usage. Signs Each beach access is required to have a standard beach access sign at each end, with the beach access number and basic beach safety information and contacts. Many beach accesses have other information and interpretation signs at the entrances or nearby . These have often been installed as part of a community or Council project. Sign design and location standards will be included in the new beach access and community coastal infrastructure design standards. Beach access and community coastal infrastructure design standards: There are currently no criteria for public beach accesses or many other coastal community infrastructure components. Developing design standards for beach accesses, beach access trail heads and coastal community infrastructure is needed to identify and direct beach access construction and management that allows safe and sustainable public access to the beach and water while protecting the environment it sits in. Beach Access Plan An over-arching plan for beach accesses and other community coastal infrastructure could help define the best intervals and location that allows safe and sustainable public access with an acceptable walking distance. An agreed inspection and upgrade schedule would help maintain the Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 32
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beach accesses in a safe and environmentally sustainable condition and allow Council to respond
to the changeable environment of the dunes and beach, including the slow changes of gradual
dune building, and sudden changes like the erosion after Cyclone Debbie in 2017.
Beach access and community infrastructure management
Beach access management involves several branches of Council. Track, handrail and community
infrastructure construction, management and upgrade is managed by Civil and Asset Operations
and Infrastructure Planning, Design and Delivery in Infrastructure Services. Grass and
groundcover maintenance alongside the access is managed by Parks in Infrastructure Services.
over hanging trees, surrounding bushland maintenance and coordination of Bushcare volunteers
(who often work from and on beach accesses) are managed by Natural Areas in Environmental
Services.
Emergency access
During recent natural disasters it became clear Council could benefit from improved emergency
access to Noosa’s beaches. Most beach accesses are inaccessible to even small All-Terrain
Vehicles. Access for light vehicles, large machinery or large trucks is very problematic. Even where
the accesses would otherwise be suitable, community infrastructure in nearby open spaces, road
reserves, or along the beach accesses complicate or entirely prevents their use by large or long
vehicles and machinery. Restricted access means more machinery movements along longer
lengths of beaches, with accompanying budget, environmental and beach user impacts. Identifying
a few simple, short beach accesses that could be modified to allow large machinery and small
vehicle access could help resolve this issue. Consideration of accompanying budget, as well as
environmental and beach user impacts is needed to better understand the costs and benefits of
improved emergency beach access.
EBFMP Management actions
The following actions are identified for implementation:
Action Responsible party Resources Due date
and status
12.1. Ensure equitable access to a range of Environmental Within
recreational and natural areas experiences, Services existing Ongoing
distributed across the EBFR Infrastructure operational
Services expenditure
Community Services
12.2. Conduct a review of existing beach Environmental Design 2022/23
accesses, viewing platforms, signage, Services grant
fencing, seat and other community coastal Infrastructure secured
infrastructure, in line with Noosa Design Services
Principles
Review elements include; classification,
location, use, construction and
maintenance, environmental impacts and
defects, over use and new or moved beach
accesses if needed
12.3 Develop design standards for beach Infrastructure Subject to 2023/24
accesses and coastal community Services future ongoing
infrastructure components budgets
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 33
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12.3. Develop an overarching beach access Environmental Design 2022/23
plan and maintenance plan for beach Services grant
accesses and coastal community Infrastructure secured
infrastructure components Services
12.4. Review key beach accesses to enable Environmental Design 2023/24
improved access by large machinery and Services grant
trucks for disaster response. Review and Infrastructure secured
simplify nearby park, beach access and Services
street infrastructure to ensure their location Emergency Services
doesn’t prevent the use of the key beach Surf Lifesaving Clubs
access by large machinery and truck for Surf lifesaving Qld
disaster response.
12.5. Work with recreation and public Environmental Within 2022/23
access partners and neighbours to ensure Services existing ongoing
collaborative, multidisciplinary management Infrastructure operational
of beach accesses and coastal community Services expenditure
infrastructure Bushcare volunteers
Surf Lifesaving Clubs
Surf lifesaving Qld
12.6. Implement the preferred adaptation Environmental Within 2022/23
responses for the different localities Services existing ongoing
described in the Noosa Coastal Hazard Infrastructure operational
Adaptation Plan 2022 in reserve Services expenditure
management and community coastal
infrastructure design, delivery and
maintenance.
12.7. Provide visitor information material Environmental Within 2023/24
about EBFR recreation, including universal Services existing ongoing
access, on-line, on-reserve and nearby operational
expenditure
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 34
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13. Incidents and disaster management With thousands of visitors and neighbors, and foreshores being particularly vulnerable to weather events, EBFR incident and disaster management is important. Bushfire risk Fire risk in Council reserves is extensively discussed in the Noosa Bushland Reserve Strategic Fire Management Plan 2021 – 2026 and Noosa Bushland Reserves Strategic Management Plan 2021 – 2026, and any fire risk management activities here should be read in conjunction with those documents. The fire management plan identified the fire risk that the bushland in the EBFR poses to adjacent buildings as High to Medium. Sustained periods of extreme fire weather in Queensland occurred in 2019 and 2020. It is likely that periods of severe and extreme fire weather are going to be more common and more intense as climate change progresses. Recent fire history During extreme fire weather in September 2019, a fire was started in Peregian Beach South Foreshore Reserve by flying embers from Emu Mountain or Peregian Springs. About two hectares of the reserve was burned, one house was lost, and others were damaged. Contributing factors included continuous vegetation and fuel between bush and some houses, older houses that predate current bushfire area building codes and very restricted and risky access for fire fighters. Fire management and firefighting access Fire management and firefighting access across much of the EBFRs creates various challenges. Fire fighter access to the 2019 fires was very restricted and risky, and meant fire fighters needed to often walk down unknown, narrow, one-way accesses alongside private houses to access the fire, making it dangerous for fire fighters. In some locations there is continuous vegetation and fuel between the bush and houses. Several residences and outbuildings have zero or near zero boundary clearance to the to the foreshore reserves. Fire Access Trails and Fuel Reduction Zones The Noosa Bushland Reserve Strategic Fire Management Plan 2021 – 2026, requires double ended, through fire access trail widths next to residential development, buildings and facilities of up to four metres, and up to three meters where the bushland strip is narrow. All vegetation, except for closely mowed ground cover, needs to be removed. Outside of this area the reserve would be managed for conservation and landform stability values. This is highly desirable from a fire risk management point of view, would significantly improve fire fighter safety and is the preferred option. Where a through access is not yet established, a buffer with the same dimensions and characteristics should be established. Where fire access trails are not possible (due to the dimension of the bushland reserve, slope, or sensitive environmental values) the Noosa Bushland Reserve Strategic Fire Management Plan 2021 – 2026 identifies a Fuel Reduction Zone (FRZ) of up to ten metres as a suitable Interface Zone treatment for risk management. A fuel reduction zone reduces fuel by reducing the middle and connecting vegetation layers while keeping the ground cover and canopy trees. Outside of this area the reserve would be managed for conservation and landform stability values. Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 35
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Marine debris events As shipping up the east coast and the region’s urbanisation increases, the amount of marine debris on our beaches increases. And as climate change increases the intensity and occurrence of extreme weather, floods and storms have the potential to deposit more marine debris after events. Debris can include parts, rubbish and fishing gear off ships and fishing vessels; litter and rubbish via stormwater; general rubbish, building materials; outside furniture; and community infrastructure from low-lying parks after floods. The Brisbane February 2022 floods deposited 18 pontoons from Brisbane River on Noosa’s beaches (see the Highlight Box overleaf). This debris is unsightly and poses a safety risk to beach users and wildlife, particularly when it is obscured by storm foam. There is also a strong and growing body of evidence on the negative environmental impact of marine debris through ingestion, entanglement, habitat damage and the spread of alien and invasive species6. Day to day debris is removed from the beach by community members or Council workers and placed near or in the bins at the top of the beach access or removed to the tip by rubbish contractors or Council workers. After storms, debris is removed by hand or machine, and taken to the tip by Council workers or deposited in beach access bins or home bins by community members. Natural marine debris, natural wood, seagrass, seaweed, pumice-stone, vegetation and similar, can also be deposited in large amounts during extreme weather. Natural debris can act as a useful entrapment point, allowing the lodgment of sand and seeds that contribute to the rebuilding and revegetation of frontal dunes after disturbance. They can also be significant habitat features, especially during the early phase of dune rebuilding where little other cover occurs. Unless the natural debris is posing a significant safety risk it shall be left where it is, to redistribute and decompose naturally. Marine oil spills With increased international and domestic shipping passing along the shipping route along our coast and increased extreme weather due to climate change, the risk of a larger marine oil spill from a ship is also increasing. This was further increased during the Coronavirus pandemic by reduced ship maintenance and reduced enforcement, and now with potential monitoring and enforcement labour shortages. Oil spills from ships or from land based activities may also occur in Noosa River. Animals can be poisoned or burned by the chemicals in the oil – marine animals that come to the surface to breathe or live on the surface or in intertidal area are particularly vulnerable. Oil prevents birds from flying or floating, and most oiled seabirds drown out at sea. Oil also prevents fur or feathers keeping the animal warm, and they can rapidly freeze to death in cold water. Plants and animals that live on rocks, mudflats, in the sand or on the bottom of the sea can be poisoned or smothered. The effects of oil spills can be longstanding even on wildlife that survives, reproduction success and lifespans can be reduced, the populations of threatened species affected, and habitats degraded. Economies and communities can also be affected. Fisheries can be affected by a reduction in commercial species populations, contamination, or public perception about food safety. Tourism, hospitality and accommodation industries, particularly where focused on coastal access and 6 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (2022). “Why is Marine Debris a Problem?” Available Online: https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/discover-marine-debris/why-marine-debris-problem Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 36
Section 39
amenity and fresh, local food, can also be affected. Human health effects have been observed in
cleanup personnel and communities that live or work in areas affected by large oil spills.
Oil spills have happened near Noosa’s Eastern Beaches before. During Cyclone Hamish in March
2009, 230 tonnes of fuel oil, 30 tonnes of other fuel and 620 tonnes of ammonium nitrate (the latter
mostly in containers) spilled into the sea in the Sunshine Coast, affecting the coast from Marcoola
Beach (about 18 km south of Peregian Beach) down to Brisbane River port. The spill came from cargo
damaged by other unsecured cargo on the deck of the MV Pacific Adventurer during rough weather.
About 155 hectares of coastal land were affected, needing about $31 million and 1500 people to clean
up. Other effects included oiled wildlife and degraded coastal ecosystems, closed and restricted local
fisheries and reduced recreation and tourism.
Marine and riverine oil spills trigger an initial joint response from Maritime Safety Queensland and
Council, with Queensland Department of Environment and Science responding to oiled wildlife. Council
may be lead responder in smaller spills, but Maritime Safety Queensland will be lead responder for
larger spills. Council’s response shall be guided by the Marine and Riverine Oil Spill Response Plan.
Marine strandings
Marine strandings occur when alive or dead marine mammals, turtles or large fish wash up on
beaches, triggering a Council and Department of Environment response process. Where large
numbers of small fish or other animals wash up onto the beach this process may also be triggered.
Human safety, for staff, rescuers and the general public, is always the first consideration, and
when the animal is alive, humane and ethical considerations also come into play, triggering
Department of Environment and Science and veterinarian assessment and a possible rescue
response. Where a dead animal may have conservation significance, data or the body may be
collected for further assessment or preservation. Body disposal is usually undertaken by Council to
minimise public health risk, and replicate natural processes where possible.
EBFMP Management activities
The following actions are identified for implementation:
Action Responsible party Resources Due date
and status
13.1. Identify site specific required fire risk Environmental Subject to 2023/24
interface treatments as required by the Services future ongoing
Noosa Strategic Bushfire Management Plan budget
and work with neighbours to establish that
treatment
13.2. Review incident management Environmental Within 2022/23
procedures and update as required Services existing ongoing
operational
expenditure
13.3. Publish a case study and video about Environmental Within 2022/23
the pontoon and polystyrene removal to Services existing
inform future incidents operational
expenditure
13.4. Better support and collaborate with Environmental Subject to 2023/24
community local marine debris cleanup. Services future
Infrastructure budget
Services
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 37
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February 2022 floods – grounded pontoons During the February 2022 Queensland floods, an estimated 18 pontoons and docks washed out of Brisbane River beach and grounded on Noosa’s beaches. Polystyrene is used as flotation in pontoons, and as the outer pontoon layers broke down it was exposed to natural elements and crumbled into small pieces that were readily spread by wind and waves. The large pieces of pontoon were removed with large machinery. Smaller pontoon and polystyrene pieces were removed by community individuals and groups, Council officers and contractors by hand, vacuum and beach cleaner. Several months later, small beads scattered in very isolated pockets remain in the dunes and on tide lines and are likely to continue to be exposed by wind and wave action, particularly during storms. Council and community members continue to monitor and do further cleanup as required. A polystyrene round table in July 2022 brought State, local government and community stakeholders together to review what happened during the pontoon beaching and cleanup from various perspectives. Recommendations were developed during the meeting including better pontoon construction, maintenance and identification standards, more coastal information and hazard response capability for natural disasters dashboards and frameworks, better information distribution and community co-ordination by Council, and better recognition of marine debris as a pollution incident. Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 38
Section 41
14. Coastal creeks and stormwater The lowest reaches of several un-named and named coastal creeks and drainage lines cross the Eastern Beaches foreshores reserves and beaches and discharge into the Coral Sea. Many of these receive stormwater from the surrounding developments, roads and buildings. Burgess Creek also receives treated discharge from the Unitywater Noosa Coastal Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), which treats the sewage from Noosa’s coastal development. Large quantities of stormwater from surrounding developments, buildings and roads is also discharged directly into foreshore reserves and other reserves. Ecosystem service benefit Creeks and natural areas that receive stormwater and STP discharges from surrounding private and public properties are providing ecosystem service benefits to the community. They facilitate urban development by taking the increased, concentrated runoff that urban development inevitably produces. Stormwater drains allow the rapid movement of water off roads, improving road function and safety. The natural areas that receive the stormwater can help protect the broader environment by filtering and slowing the discharge. However, many traditional stormwater management approaches and infrastructure can impact on the environmental and social values of the receiving creeks, natural areas and the wider environment, particularly where stormwater management has not kept pace with increased urban flows from new development. The impacts of stormwater and STP discharge Stormwater inputs are more concentrated, have more volume and are delivered more quickly than natural flows, which increase the volume, velocity and peak height of creeks after storms. In Burgess Creek this increased and concentrated flow can cause erosion and sedimentation, deepen and widen flowlines and cause landslips. Stormwater also often carries nutrients, weed seeds and other pollutants into the creek. Where stormwater is discharged into natural areas away from creeks it can cause erosion, sedimentation and weed infestations from the seeds and nutrients in the stormwater. There is community concern about the creek mouths causing erosion to the frontal dunes. Other community members are concerned about stormwater, rubbish and possibly polluted water running across beaches, particularly in high beach pedestrian traffic areas. In some places mobile creek mouths affects beach accesses and access onto, and along, the beach. Burgess Creek Burgess Creek and Burgess Creek Bushland Reserve is an example of a receiving coastal creek and natural area that provides significant ecosystem benefits to the Noosa community and the wider environment. This impacts on environmental and social values here, but the creek and surrounding bushland still retains environmental and social values. The area along the creek and the creek mouth is popular for walkers, nature lovers and surfers who traverse the reserve to access the beach. Since urban development and associated stormwater starting in the 1960s and the STP was opened in 1986, the wetlands in the Burgess Creek catchment have absorbed and filtered the urban runoff and treated water. However, the treated water and stormwater discharge into Burgess Creek has significantly changed the creek and adjacent wetlands – the amount, duration and consistency of flow has dramatically increased, as has the area of permanently inundated land. Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 39
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Nutrient levels and other pollutants have significantly increased, and water quality generally
decreased. This means that wetland and waterway species that can handle both the permanent,
high inundation, nutrients and reduced water quality survive in and near the original creek banks in
the lower reaches.
Erosion
There are two erosion concerns near the mouth of Burgess Creek. Up to about 270 metres of the
frontal dunes to the north of the creek mouth can be eroded during high flow events. The northern
bank of the creek near the mouth, east of the David Low Way, is eroding, due to a combination of
lots of uncontrolled foot traffic down, and on, a very steep creek bank, and high peak waterflow.
The creek alignment at the mouth is highly mobile.
Water contact
Many people are accessing the creek mouth via the informal access off David Low Way. Contact
duration and types range from brief lower limb skin contact while crossing the creek, to prolonged
contacts that are likely to incur ingestion, such as adult supervised children and dogs playing in the
water, and rod fishing. Council recommends people do not put their head underwater in the creek.
Protecting Noosa’s environment
While Burgess Creek itself is affected by treated water discharge, it helps protect Noosa River,
Laguna Bay and the Coral Sea. Noosa River’s good condition and A- rating reported in its lower
reaches through the Healthy Land and Water Report Card7 is unique in urban SEQ rivers, and due
in part to Burgess Creek receiving the treated wastewater from the densely populated coastal
areas rather than Noosa River. The higher levels of infiltration, filtration and nutrient uptake
afforded by the natural surfaces and native and weedy vegetation in the bed, banks and surrounds
of Burgess Creek reduces the amount of water, sediment and nutrient entering the Coral Ocean
and being swept up into Laguna Bay when compared to a piped outfall. This in turn helps improve
inshore water quality and reduces algal blooms that may affect swimming and beach resources.
Environmental and community values
Despite past and ongoing impacts, some of them highly significant, Burgess Creek Bushland
Reserve contributes significant site and landscape conservation biodiversity and environmental
values. Values include waterway and land-based wildlife connectivity, connecting nearby national
park to the coastal foreshore strip, essential habitat, and significant plant and animal species.
It is highly valued by the local community, with enthusiastic Bushcare volunteers contributing to
planning and rehabilitation activities in the reserve. These activities are supported by Noosa
Council’s Bushland Care program, Natural Areas team and Unitywater, the managers of the STP.
EBFMP Management actions
The following actions are identified for implementation:
Action Responsible Resources Due date
party and status
14.1. Work with Unitywater, Infrastructure Infrastructure Subject to 2023/24
Services, and community members to Services future budget
prioritise and develop catchment Environmental
management plans for coastal creeks that: Services
consider all sources of water and Environmental
influences on hydrology Health
7 Healthy Land and Water (2021). “Report Card 2021”. Available Online: https://hlw.org.au/report-card/
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 40
Section 43
rank and prioritise remediation works
on land slips, slumps and other
impacts
assesses stormwater management
requirements for the catchment
consider degraded natural and social
values alongside other stormwater
related impacts
14.2. Prioritise, plan, schedule and Infrastructure Subject to 2023/24
implement the management of coastal creek Services future budget ongoing
mouth alignment and erosion Environmental
Services
14.3. Work with Unitywater, the State Environmental $25,000/annum 2022/23
Government and community members to Services Unitywater for ongoing
restore bushland and improve water quality Unity Water bushland
at Burgess Creek restoration to
support Council
Bushcare
program
14.4. Advocate to State government for Environmental Within existing 2022/23
comprehensive water quality assessments Services operational ongoing
and standards for all coastal creeks and Environmental expenditure
inshore marine environments Health
Infrastructure
Services
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 41
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15. Foreshore tenure and gazettal
Appropriate tenure and gazettal of public land can be critical to protecting its values and achieving
long term objectives. The EBFRs are a mix of public land tenures and reserve purposes, including
reserves for community purposes with Council as Trustee, unallocated crown land, esplanade and
some areas that don’t appear to have any property description at all.
Undescribed land and unallocated state land
Public land without a property description is common on our foreshores. In many places there is
currently vegetated land to the east of the gazetted reserves that doesn’t have a property or road
parcel description, mostly recent dune build-up and native vegetation regeneration. There may be
some areas of undescribed land in the network of reserves and road reserve that make up the
foreshore reserves. There is also unallocated State land with a property description that does not
appear to be a reserve under a Trustee arrangement or have any formal arrangements for Council
to manage. In reality Council manages this land as the Trustee.
Existing Reserve Community Purpose
Many of the current gazetted reserve purposes may not be appropriate for our naturally vegetated
foreshores – for instance recreation reserves are supposed to be developed in some way for
‘recreation’. The gazettal of the foreshore reserves was highlighted during the initial consultation
and in other coastal management forums. It is seen by some as a barrier to managing the
foreshore reserves as natural areas to help manage climate change and may pose challenges
regarding community perception about how these areas are being managed.
New Reserve Community Purposes
Newer and perhaps more appropriate community purposes for the Eastern Beaches foreshore now
exist under the Land Act, reviewed in 2017. They may better reflect the current condition of the
reserves and our future management intent as expressed in the CHAP and other strategic
documents. These include Beach protection, Coastal Management and Environmental protection.
Some are concerned that none of these community purposes expressly protect public access to
foreshores and beaches. This concern is acknowledged and recognised with long-term
maintenance of community access to foreshores and beaches being a management objective in
this Plan and a central plank of any tenure and gazettal discussions with the State Government.
Land Management Plans
Land Management Plans facilitate a process that allows State and Local Governments to come to
an agreement about detailed reserve management. They can recognise local reserve management
documents and deal with issues such as foreshore access that are not specifically dealt with in the
Community purpose description. These could be both an interim and long-term measure.
EBFMP Management actions
The following actions are identified for implementation:
Action Responsible Resources Due date
party and status
15.1. In collaboration with Council’s Property Environmental TBA TBA
Services and the State Lands Division explore the Services
best way to secure the EBFR values in the long Property
term, including reserve purposes and tenure
issues and Land Management Plans
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 42
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16. Attachments
Attachment One - Legislation and policy linkages
Level Legislation
Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003
Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1998
Biosecurity Act 2014
Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995
Environmental Offset Act 2014
Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990
Nature Conservation Act 1992
Land Act 1994
State
Local Government Act 2009 (QLD)
SEQ Regional Plan 2009 – 2031
Planning Act 2016 & Planning Regulation 2017 (Schedule 10)
Public Health Act 2005 & Regulation 2018
State Planning Policy July 2017 & State Interest Guidelines
Vegetation Management Act 2009
Water Act 2000
State Planning Policy 2/10 Koala Conservation in SEQ
Noosa Council Planning Scheme 2020
Priority Infrastructure Plan (Local Government Infrastructure Plan)
Local Laws and Local Law No.2 (Animal Management) 2015
planning
Local Law No.3 (Community & Environmental Management) 2015
instruments
Local Law No.4 (Local Government Controlled Areas, Facilities, & Roads)
2015
Local Law No.6 (Bathing Reserves) 2015
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 43
Section 46
Local strategic and planning drivers
Document Relevance
Noosa 2.0 Corporate Plan 2023-2028 A coastal management plan is a Operational Plan
Operational Plan 2022-2023 2022-2023 goal.
Noosa Council Environment Strategy The social and environmental values of coastal
2019 ecosystems are recognised and several targets
and outcomes require them to be protected and
enhanced.
Noosa Biodiversity Plan: Biodiversity Outlines the current and likely future state of
Assessment Report 2016 biodiversity in Noosa Shire and identifies dune
ecosystems as being both at risk and having
significant values.
Noosa Cultural Plan 2019 – 2023 Identifies working with Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) to
collaboratively manage Bushland environmental
and cultural values.
Noosa Local Government Area Several of the management actions and priority
Biosecurity Plan 2020 pest species (including broad leaf pepper,
Singapore daisy and foxes) directly apply to
foreshore reserves.
Noosa Climate Change Response Plan Identifies healthy and resilient natural systems as
strategic priority, and specifically identifies the
need to develop a coastal management plan for
dune management and ecological restoration and
partnerships.
Noosa Bushland Reserve Strategic Fire Determines the level of fire threat and fire risk
Management Plan 2021 - 2026 related interface management required for
bushland reserves and foreshore reserves.
Noosa Bushland Reserves Strategic Outlines the values and management issues in
Management Plan 2021 – 2026 Council’s bushland reserve network, including
foreshore reserves to help prioritise management
responses.
Noosa Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan Describes risks from coastal hazards including
2021 erosion, storm tide and gradual sea level rise and
identifies nature-based solutions as the preferred
adaptation response to likely impacts. Includes a
biodiversity vulnerability assessment and a cost-
benefit analysis for the Eastern Beaches. These
assessments identified the importance of dune
revegetation, augmentation and management to
maximise benefits of coastal foreshores for both
human and natural systems.
Noosa Walking and Cycling Strategy and Some of the existing walking and cycle paths
Implementation Plan 2020-2040 pass through or alongside EBFRs. The plan
guides the prioritisation of pathway
improvements.
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 44
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Links to Noosa Environment Strategy 2019
Theme 1 - Biodiversity
Goal: By 2030 the condition and extent of our natural ecosystems has improved.
Target Measure Implementation in EBFRs
Strategy 1.1 Protect and enhance existing ecosystems, vegetation networks and habitats
By 2030, there is no net loss of Bushland Operational Assessments BOAs were undertaken in some
ecosystem values across the shire, (BOAs) will be undertaken every 5 EBFRs in 2012, and across all
and the condition of Council’s priority years across priority Council EBFRs in 2017. BOAs are being
bushland reserves are enhanced. managed Bushland Reserves. repeated in all EBFRs from 2022-23.
Strategy 1.3: Improve long-term survival for threatened species and ecological communities
By 2030, populations of key threatened Monitored as part of the Threatened The new Threatened Fauna
indicator species remain viable. Species Plan and reported in the Recovery Roadmap identifies key
Environment Strategy’s Monitoring threatened species and provides a
Program. framework for ongoing monitoring .
The EBFMP identifies relevant
significant species to help direct their
monitoring and management plan
implementation.
Activity/project Council’s Strategies Status in EBFRs in 2022
role
Undertake environmental restoration Provider, 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, BOAs undertaken as required. Completed
activities throughout Council’s facilitator, 2.2, 4.3 in 2022-23. Ecological restoration grant
conservation reserves. Prepare funder ($75,000 / yr over three years FY20-23)
BOAs for Council reserves to monitor funded by Environment Levy grant,
the success of work. delivered by community volunteer
directed contractors and volunteers. In
2022, Council provides 3 labour days
contractor support per reserve per year.
Reduce the threat of priority Partner, 1.1, 1.3, 2.2, See above.
biosecurity risks, such as pest plants educator, 4.3 Glory lily continues to expand - areas of
and animals, on Council land and provider, most other weeds are reducing.
support private landholders to do the regulator
same.
Identify priority land parcels that Planner, 1.1, 1.2, 2.2, The EBFMP identifies east west
enhance landscape connectivity and provider 4.1 connectivity and collaboration
seek to have them managed for opportunities to work with other areas of
environmental outcomes, either Council to achieve better connectivity
through direct purchase by Council, or through these areas.
utilising other appropriate protective
mechanisms.
Undertake detailed biodiversity Partner, 1.1, 1.3 The biodiversity values of the EBFRs
assessments across different Broad researcher, need to be assessed in a fine-scale
Vegetation Groups, with a view to funder manner to produce regional ecosystem
understanding and monitoring the mapping. n. BOAs need to be prepared
health of biodiversity across the Shire. as 5 yearly condition maps with updated
rehabilitation plans.
Scope and undertake monitoring Partner, 1.1, 1.3 The EBFRMP identifies relevant
programs on populations of 6-8 key researcher, significant species and directs their
representative threatened species, to funder monitoring and management plan
mitigate against local extinctions. implementation under the Threatened
Fauna Recovery Roadmap
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 45
Section 48
Theme 2 - Waterlands, Wetlands and Coasts
Goal: By 2030 waterways, wetlands and coasts are healthy, resilient to change and valued by the
community.
Target Measure Implementation in EBFRs
Strategy 2.2: Protect and enhance coastal environments and vegetated buffers to coastal
foreshores
By 2030, maintain the extent of Review mapping of vegetation extent Detailed regional ecosystem
vegetated buffers and improve of coastal foreshores every 2 years. mapping were prepared in EBFRs in
diversity of coastal ecosystems. 2021-22, with significant expansion
Every 5 years updated regional of mapped high value regrowth and
ecosystem mapping will be used to some expansion of mapped Regional
identify changes in the number and Ecosystems (RE). In 2021 mapped
extent of coastal regional High Value Regrowth (HVR) and RE
ecosystems. was 87.3 ha, increasing to 126.9 ha
in 2022. Four new REs, 12.2.5,
12.2.7, 12.2.13, and 12.2.15, were
mapped, probably due to the more
detailed mapping rather than more
recovered vegetation.
Activity/project Council’s Strategies Status in EBFRs in 2022
role
Develop an integrated water Partner, 2.1, 2.2, 4.3 The Rivers and Coast team will use
monitoring network for Council, enabler, baseline water quality data to develop
community and other agencies, funder sub-catchment report cards for coastal
including event monitoring of creeks (Marcus, Peregian and
sediments, nutrients and litter for Castaways) to determine water quality
Noosa and Mary Catchments, and a and management actions, with the
Mary River sub-catchment baseline potential to expand the monitoring of
and report card. coastal creeks in future.
Work with the Environmental Health team
is underway to ensure data collected
through the recreational water quality
monitoring program more publicly
accessible.
Implement an Eastern Beaches dune Partner, funder 1.1, 1.3, 2.2, The development of the EBFMP is a direct
rehabilitation program to improve the 4.3 result of this activity. Updated condition
condition, species diversity and mapping and ecological restoration plans
stability of dune ecosystems and to occur in 2022-23, with implementation
enhance resilience to climate change. subject to Council budget allocation and
resourcing.
Undertake a stormwater quality Provider, 2.1, 2.2, 4.3 Stormwater infrastructure audits and
improvement program, that includes researcher condition assessments are ongoing and
an audit of stormwater quality help inform Council’s capital works
improvement devices, analysing renewal programs. The Burgess Creek
current infrastructure, current best sub-catchment requires the development
practice and options to improve of a catchment management plan to
infrastructure as it is due for inform future planning and improvements,
replacement. which is being led by the Infrastructure
division.
The Environmental Health and
Environmental Services branches are
working on a coordinated approach to
stormwater quality monitoring.
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 46
Section 49
Theme 4 - Climate change adaptation and resilience
Goal: By 2030 the resilience of the Noosa community and environment has increased.
Target Measure Implementation in EBFRs
Strategy 4.3: Manage the natural environment in a way that improves resilience to climate change
Ecosystem health of wetlands A baseline will be developed to BOA mapping for the whole of the
and riparian areas is measure the ecosystem health of EBFRs, including coastal wetlands,
improved. coastal wetlands. to be updated in 2022-23 and
Mapping of vegetation will be repeated every five years.
reviewed every three years.
Activity / project Council’s Strategies Status in EBFR in 2022
role
Implement energy efficiencies Provider, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 Energy efficient, renewable and
throughout Council-owned facilities leader, funder otherwise sustainable technologies,
and operations, such as the materials and methods are identified as
installation of solar PV systems and criteria and objectives in community
use of lower-emission transport infrastructure projects such as the Beach
options. Access Design Standards project.
Links to principles and strategies in Noosa Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan 2021
The management of the EBFRs as natural areas, conserving the natural dunes, beaches and
plants and animals in the long-term, is clearly supported in Noosa’s Adaptation Principles, created
with the community during the development of the Coastal Hazards Adapation Plan (CHAP). A
selection of key principles are provided below:
Guiding principles - the Noosa Environment
1. Adaptation does not adversely impact upon the natural assets of Noosa.
2. Adaptation supports the resilience of native flora and fauna, natural dune systems
and beaches.
3. Adaptation maintains the natural landscape character of places and provides for
attractive natural solutions that harmonise with local environmental features.
Other relevant aspects of Council’s Adaptation Principles relating to community, economy, long-
term planning and excellence, particularly supporting the preservation of beach accesses and
community and visitor recreation assets include:
Increasing community safety and resilience to risks from climate change,
Maintaining or enhancing public accessibility into coastal landscapes without impeding on
natural values,
Minimising community disruption from climate hazards,
Maintaining economic functionality and minimising future climate-related damage costs,
Embedding flexibility and adaptability,
Ensuring intergenerational and intragenerational equity,
Prioritising community consultation and involvement in early planning,
Driving science driven decision-making,
Minimising future costs to Council and creating co-benefits wherever possible.
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 47
Section 50
Two of the most prominent messages received from the Noosa community during the CHAP’s
development align with this sentiment as they specifically emphasise the use of nature-based
solutions to protect human and natural systems from the impacts of coastal hazards: “...there is a
strong preference for nature-based solutions that fit with the look and feel of Noosa, and that
minimise impacts to natural environments” and “natural and scenic amenity assets are considered
to have the highest intrinsic value to the community” (Noosa Council CHAP, 2021:18). Dune
revegetation and management, which improves coastal protection while also contributing to
biodiversity conservation, is widely recognised as a nature-based solution.8
Sentiments shared through community input were further corroborated through technical studies
performed throughout Phase 2 to Phase 7 of the CHAP. The cost-benefit analysis9 undertaken in
2020 clearly demonstrated that dune revegetation, augmentation and management provide the
greatest economic net present benefit for managing coastal hazards along the Eastern Beaches.
Likewise, the CHAP Biodiversity Assessment10 found that increasing vegetation protection and
connectivity, protecting refugia and reducing existing threats can assist biodiversity in adapting to
climate change. Specifically:
“Expanding protected areas within and directly landwards of the coastal hazard zone,
including public reserves and supporting private land conservation initiatives. Protection
more habitat within the coastal zone will help biodiversity assets adapt to coastal hazards
and other climate change factors.”
“Regulating vegetation clearing within and directly landwards of the coastal hazard zone as
protecting remnant and regrowth native vegetation will be vital in increasing the capacity of
biodiversity to adapt and persist in a changing climate. Maintaining and improving the
condition of existing native vegetation is also likely to be more productive than restoring
land that has been substantially modified.”
“Managing biodiversity threats within the coastal hazard area, particularly invasive species,
fire, disease, reduced water quality and environmental flows to enhance adaptive capacity
of biodiversity assets over the short to medium term.”
“Restoring habitats within and directly landwards of the coastal hazard area to improve
landscape connectivity for climate change adaptation.”
In consideration of these findings, revegetation and management within the foreshore reserves and
dune area, have been identified as high priorities in the CHAP in response to increasing coastal
hazards:
“Pursue dune management and revegetation in high-risk erosion areas as a critical and immediate
priority for Council and the community in helping to build coastal resilience and management of
erosion risks” (Noosa Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan, 2021:40).
For beach locations, including the Eastern Beaches, developing a Coastal Foreshores
Management Plan was listed as a key Shire-wide action alongside a selection of other priorities
relevant to the EBFRs and EBFMP as noted below:
Implement relevant actions from Coastal Foreshores Management Plan once developed
Improve the awareness and understanding of coastal hazard risks and adaptation
measures amongst the Noosa community and other key stakeholders
Ensure disaster management plans and procedures are considering changes to coastal
hazard risks where necessary
Pursue dune management and revegetation in high-risk erosion areas as a critical and
immediate priority for Council and the community in helping to build coastal resilience and
management erosion risks.
8 Morris et al. (2021). The Australian Nature-Based Methods for Reducing Risk from Coastal Hazards. Earth
Systems and Climate Change Hub Report No. 26. NESP Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub, Australia.
9 Aither (2020). Noosa Shire Council – Coastal Hazard Adaptation Plan Cost benefit analysis: Final report
prepared for Noosa Shire Council.
10 BMT (2019:47). Noosa Shire Council CHAP Biodiversity Assessment.
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 48
Section 51
The CHAP goes further to detail locality-specific outcomes and adaptation actions that link back to
the Adaptation Principles, community preference, and the technical studies. Those that relate
directly to this Plan are outlined below11:
Peregian Beach
“Preferred adaptation outcomes identified in the CHAP:
o Implement measures that support and enhance dunes, beach health and natural
coastal processes as soon as possible.
o Prevent the construction of hard protective structures where possible that are likely
to exacerbate erosion risk, impact on preferred outcomes for dune and beach
health, impair natural coastal processes, and lead to adverse impacts on
neighbouring areas.
o Re-locate important recreational and infrastructure assets outside the projected
high-risk coastal erosion prone area by 2070
o Where important recreational and infrastructure assets cannot be feasibly re-
located, seek to accommodate the risks by adapting the design of these assets to
be more resilient during and after a major erosion event.
5-year Actions identified in the CHAP:
o Investigate alternative designs for beach accesses so as to accommodate coastal
processes of erosion and accretion
o Expand native vegetation coverage to support frontal dune stabilisation
o Re-design beach accesses to deter foot traffic across nearby dunes
o Install signage for increasing beach user understanding of importance of healthy
dune systems
o Assess options for relocating fencing on seaward boundary of Peregian Park to
permit dune movement
o Investigate options of managed alignment of coastal creeks and other natural
drainage locations
o Investigate impact of illegal encroachment by private asset owners into publicly-
owned dune areas on dune health and natural coastal processes”
Marcus & Castaways Beaches
“Preferred adaptation outcomes identified in the CHAP:
o Implement measures that support and enhance dunes, beach health and natural
coastal processes as soon as possible.
o Prevent the construction of hard protective structures where possible that are likely
to exacerbate erosion risk, impact on preferred outcomes for dune and beach
health, impair natural coastal processes, and lead to adverse impacts on
neighbouring areas.
5-year Actions identified in the CHAP:
o Expand native vegetation coverage to support frontal dune stabilization
o Re-design beach accesses to deter foot traffic across nearby dunes
o Install signage for increasing beach user understanding of importance of healthy
dune systems
o Investigate options of managed alignment of coastal creeks and other natural
drainage locations”
Sunrise & Sunshine Beaches
“Preferred adaptation outcomes identified in the CHAP:
o Implement measures that support and enhance dunes, beach health and natural
coastal processes as soon as possible.
o Prevent the construction of hard protective structures where possible that are likely
to exacerbate erosion risk, impact on preferred outcomes for dune and beach
11 Noosa Council (2021). Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan – Section 5: Locality Risks and Adaptation
Outcomes.
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 49
Section 52
health, impair natural coastal processes, and lead to adverse impacts on
neighbouring areas
o Begin re-locating recreational assets outside the projected high risk coastal erosion
prone area by 2040, such as seating and footpaths
o Re-locate service infrastructure asses to areas outside the high-risk area by 2070
o Where important recreational and service infrastructure assets cannot be feasibly
re-located, seek to accommodate the risks by adapting the design of these assets to
be more resilient during and after a major erosion event.
o Ensure development in erosion prone areas mitigates the risk to people and
property to an acceptable or tolerable level, consistent with the State Planning
Policy: natural hazards risk and resilience
5-year Actions identified in the CHAP:
o Investigate alternative designs for beach accesses so as to accommodate coastal
processes of erosion and accretion
o Expand native vegetation coverage to support frontal dune stabilization
o Re-design beach accesses to deter foot traffic across nearby dunes
o Investigate options for managing foot traffic within frontal dune areas, including
fencing design
o Install signage for increasing beach user understanding of importance of healthy
dune systems
o Investigate options of managed alignment of coastal creeks and other natural
drainage locations where creeks consistently erode incipient dunes
o Investigate impact of illegal encroachment by private asset owners into publicly-
owned dune areas on dune health and natural coastal processes”
The two methods identified in the CHAP for mitigating present day risks in Peregian Beach,
Marcus Beach, Castaways Beach, Sunrise Beach and Sunshine Beach include:
“Maintaining and enhancing vegetated dune areas, which act as a natural buffer to erosion
by dispersing wave energy during storm events;
Planning controls on coastal development that prevent encroachment into the vegetated
dune areas, thereby preserving natural coastal processes of erosion and accretion.”
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 50
Section 53
Attachment Two: Regional Ecosystem short descriptions. RE 12.2.14: Strand and fore dune complex comprising Spinifex sericeus grassland Casuarina equisetifolia subsp. incana low woodland/open forest and with Acacia leiocalyx, A. disparrima subsp. disparrima, Banksia integrifolia subsp. integrifolia, Pandanus tectorius, Corymbia tessellaris, Cupaniopsis anacardioides, Acronychia imperforata and Hibiscus tiliaceus. Occurs mostly on frontal dunes and beaches but can occur on exposed parts of dunes further inland. VMA Status: Least Concern Biodiversity Status: No concern at present Small pockets of other mapped remnant Regional Ecosystems and High Value Regrowth occur, including; 12.2.5 Corymbia intermedia +/- Lophostemon confertus +/- Banksia spp. +/- Callitris columellaris open forest on beach ridges usually in southern half of bioregion VMA Status: Least Concern Biodiversity Status: Of Concern 12.2.7 Melaleuca quinquenervia or rarely M. dealbata open forest. Other species include Eucalyptus tereticornis, Corymbia intermedia, E. bancroftii, E. latisinensis, E. robusta, Lophostemon suaveolens and Livistona decora. A shrub layer may occur with frequent species including Melastoma malabathricum subsp. malabathricum or Banksia robur. The ground layer is sparse to dense and comprised of species including the ferns Pteridium esculentum and Blechnum indicum the sedges Schoenus brevifolius, Baloskion tetraphyllum subsp. meiostachyum, Machaerina rubiginosa and Gahnia sieberiana and the grass Imperata cylindrica. Occurs on Quaternary coastal dunes and seasonally waterlogged sandplains usually fringing drainage system behind beach ridge plains or on old dunes, swales and sandy coastal creek levees. VMA Status: Least Concern Biodiversity Status: No concern at present 12.2.13 Open or dry heath. Characteristic shrubs include stunted Banksia aemula and Allocasuarina littoralis as well as Xanthorrhoea johnsonii, Leptospermum semibaccatum, Phebalium woombye, Dillwynia retorta and Caustis recurvata. Usually occurs on Pleistocene dunes and beach ridges VMA Status: Of Concern Biodiversity Status: Endangered 12.2.15 Closed sedgeland in coastal swamps and associated water bodies. Characteristic species include Gahnia sieberiana, Empodisma minus, Gleichenia spp., Blechnum indicum, Lepironia articulata, Baumea spp., Juncus spp., and Eleocharis spp. Occurs on Quaternary coastal dunes and beaches. Low part of coastal landscape where water collects from both overland flow and infiltration from adjoining sand dunes. VMA Status: Least Concern Biodiversity Status: No concern at present Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 51
Section 54
Attachment Three: Significant species management documents Relevant management documents include; Recovery Plan for Marine Turtles in Australia https://www.awe.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/recovery-plan-marine-turtles-2017.pdf Threat Abatement Plan for the impacts of marine debris on the vertebrate wildlife of Australia’s coasts and oceans (2018) https://www.awe.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/tap-marine-debris-2018.pdf Threat abatement plan for predation by European red fox https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/publications/tap/predation-european- red-fox National Light Pollution Guidelines for Wildlife Including Marine Turtles, Seabirds and Migratory Shorebirds https://www.awe.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/national-light-pollution-guidelines-wildlife.pdf National recovery plan for the wallum sedgefrog and other wallum-dependent frog species https://www.awe.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/wallum-frogs.pdf Survey guidelines for Australia's threatened frogs: Guidelines for detecting frogs listed as threatened under the EPBC Act https://www.awe.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/survey-guidelines-frogs.pdf Draft referral guidelines https://www.awe.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/draft-referral-guidelines-comment-litoria- olongburensis.pdf South East Queensland Natural Resource Management (SEQ NRM) Plan 2014 —2031 The plan aims to maintain or enhance dune values by undertaking ecological restoration, managing access, recreation, light pollution on dunes. Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan – Draft (V4 26.9.22 – for public consultation) Page 52