2021-02-09 Planning and Environment Committee Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                     9 FEBRUARY 2021


6    DRAFT BUSHLAND RESERVE STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLANS


Author            Principal Environment Officer, Peter Milne and
                  Natural Areas Technical Officer, Michael Lyons
                  Environment & Sustainable Development Department

Index             ECM/ Subject/ Bushland Reserves

Attachments       1.    Draft Noosa Bushland Reserve Strategic Plan 2021-2026
                  2.    Draft Noosa Bushland Reserve Strategic Fire Management Plan 2021
                  (Note: Both attachments are provided separately to this report)



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Principal Environment Officer and Natural Areas Technical Officer
to the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting dated 9 February 2021 and resolve to commence
public consultation on the Draft Noosa Bushland Reserve Strategic Management Plan 2021-2026
and Draft Noosa Bushland Reserve Strategic Fire Management Plan 2021 provided as Attachments
1 & 2 to the report.


REPORT
The Noosa Council Corporate Plan 2017-2037 states a 20 year goal: “Our environment is protected
and enhanced and is valued by the community”. The Noosa Environment Strategy also seeks to
“protect and enhance existing ecosystems, vegetation and habitats”. Council’s Bushland Reserve
network, with an area of 3469ha, makes a significant contribution to meeting these aspirations.
Bushland Reserves protect a diversity of vegetation types including rainforest, open forest,
woodlands, coastal heath and wetlands, providing habitat for many fauna species including Koalas
and Glossy-black Cockatoos.
The purpose of the Draft Noosa Bushland Reserve Strategic Management Plan 2021-2026 and the
Draft Noosa Bushland Reserve Strategic Fire Management Plan 2021 is to provide a clear strategic
prioritisation for the operational management of the Bushland Reserve network.
The plans provide a clear strategic framework that inform annual operational plans for works across
the reserve network. In some circumstances, complex or high-risk bushland reserves may have their
own, more detailed, management plans to support further prioritisation. Where these plans already
exist, or are required, is identified in both of the Strategic Management Plans.
Noosa Council is also currently working with other land management agencies to develop several
multi-agency operational fire management plans for high-risk areas where there are multiple
significant agencies or landholders involved.
Council’s Bushland Reserve network consists of 178 separate bushland reserves, each with their
own environmental, social and cultural values. It is therefore necessary to design management
actions based on priorities that best meet community needs, while recognising that management
resources are not unlimited.



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