2022-11-14 GC Agenda - Item 3 - Attachment 1 - Draft Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan

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