2022-02-08 Planning and Environment Committee Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA              8 FEBRUARY 2022


                                            In addition, Noosa Council’s Natural Areas team undertake significant vegetation management
                                            works in riparian areas throughout Councils’ Bushland Reserves. These works include weed
                                            management and revegetation and aim improve habitat opportunities, water quality and
                                            biodiversity.
                                            As outlined previously, the Land for Wildlife Program has grown significantly through this
                                            reporting period with 68 new registrations. New Participants receive extension advice on riparian
                                            vegetation management if applicable.
                                            Council has also provided support through grants for large scale projects such as Keep It In Kin
                                            Kin which is delivered by Noosa & District Landcare to prioritise high risk erosion sites in the Kin
                                            Kin Catchment. This project is summarised in a separate attachment to this report.
13. Investigate and implement best
                                            The report released in August 2020 on the decline of benthic biodiversity in the Noosa River
    practice solutions to reverse the
                                            highlighted fine silt sediments as the primary cause of this decline.
    decline of benthic biodiversity and
    primary production in the lower Noosa   As articulated in previous action, there are two major projects already underway addressing this
    Estuary.                                action;
                                                •   Keep it in Kin Kin – a large scale project aimed at preventing mobilization of soil in the
                                                    upper Kin Kin creek catchment reducing fine sediment loads from entering the Noosa
                                                    River.
                                                •   Noosa Oyster Reef Ecosystem Restoration – aims to re-instate oyster habitat in the
                                                    Noosa River.
14. Enhance      Integrated     Catchment   Council provides funding through grants for three project that are contributing to this action. Keep
    Management of the Noosa River and       it in Kin Kin delivered by Noosa Landcare and the Hinterland Rural Extension Program delivered
    Mary River sub-catchments, with a       by Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee, both funded through the Multi-year
    focus on improving land use, wetland    Environment Collaborative grant, are three year projects that focus on improving land use
    and riparian management practices       through Landholder engagement. The third program, funded through the Community,
    through landholder engagement on on-    Environment & Climate Change Project Grant is the Noosa chapter of Roving Restorers, a
    ground rehabilitation programs.         roaming group of volunteers who assist landowners with weed management and revegetation
                                            on their restoration projects.

                                            Councils Natural Areas Team contribute significantly to this action through their management of
                                            Council’s Bushland Reserves. The Bushland Reserve Strategic Management Plan was
                                            endorsed in June 2021. This document provides clear direction for prioritization of works allowing
                                            for more effective delivery.




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