2016-09-06 P&E Committee - Attachment 1 to Item 6 - Noosa Parklands Park Management Plan

         Noosa Parklands Park Management Plan




     4       Key management considerations
     4.1 Pest plants and animals
     Pest plants and animals can be a threat to the conservation values of native ecosystems, as
     they can out-compete native species. Conversely, some non-native plants can actually perform
     a positive environmental role by minimising erosion and providing refuge areas for native
     wildlife. This role should be acknowledged and managed when replacing pest plants with
     natives, for example through staged removal and revegetation along waterways.

     Previous land uses (e.g. timber harvesting; Section 3.4) have disturbed parts of the park,
     encouraging pest plant growth. Impacts from surrounding residential properties, including
     garden waste dumping, clearing of native vegetation and exotic garden escapees, have also
     impacted on the park’s native vegetation communities.

     Within the park, 124 pest plants and four pest animals have been recorded (Appendix 6 and
     7). The Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 (LP Act) identifies pest
     plants and animal species and sets criteria for their management. A number of pests described
     as Class 2 and Class 3 under the LP Act occur within the park (Table 4). According to the LP
     Act, landowners (i.e. Noosa Council) are to take reasonable steps to control Class 2 pests (and
     Class 3 pests when in or adjacent to environmentally significant area). (Note: The Biosecurity
     Act 2014 came into effect on 1 July 2016 and supersedes previous legislation concerning pest
     species. Provisions regarding pest control still apply).

     Council currently manages pest plants and animals within the park in line with the Noosa Local
     Government Area Pest Management Plan 2015-2019 (Noosa Council 2015a; Appendix 2).
     Noosa Council (2015a) also identifies priority pest species and their operational objectives
     (Table 4). The intent of the Pest Management Plan is to focus on priority species where it is
     likely the pests can be practically contained or eradicated. The Bush Regeneration Plan for
     Heritage Park Bushland Reserve (Ecological Natural Area Management 2007) and Heritage
     Park Network Bushland Operational Assessment (BOA; Noosa Council 2010) outlines
     management zones, priorities and methods for regeneration works within this section of the
     park. This bush regeneration plan will need to be updated to reflect the actions in this plan and
     to review current and future priorities.

     To protect fauna populations
     within the park, domestic
     animals are prohibited within
     the park except for dogs
     on-leash (and off-leash in
     the one designated area;
     Figure 4). Any incidents
     of unauthorised domestic
     animals present within the
     park are handled under
     Council’s relevant local laws
     (e.g. Noosa Shire Council
     Local Law Number 2 Animal
     Management).



                                                                                   Salvinia molesta in lagoon
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