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

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




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