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

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.




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