2022-02-08 Planning and Environment Committee Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   8 FEBRUARY 2022




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PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    8 FEBRUARY 2022

      Attachment 1: Water Planning Process and Possible Implications for Noosa Shire

       1.     Mary Basin Water Plan (the basin includes the Noosa River catchment)

        Mary Basin      Queensland        https://www.rdmw.qlid.gov.au/water/consultations-          Consultation process has            Shaun Walsh
       Water           Government         initiatives/mary-basin-water-plan                          commenced.
        basin           [Regional                                                                    Council officers have made a
        saclation the   Development,                                                                 Tet ne, submission based on the
        Noosa River | Manufacturing                                                                  _         —
       catchment)       and Water                                                                    Department Officers have met with
                        (DRDMW)                                                                      Councill and draft plan anticipated
                                                                                                     late 2022

        Possible Implications for Noosa Shire:
        The plan applies to water in a watercourse, lake or spring in the Mary River and Noosa River catchment, and underground water in
        the Cooloola Sandmass sub-artesian area, which is a critical source of water for the Noosa River. It also applies to ground water in the Eastern Beaches of
        Noosa Shire.
        Water management underpins the environmental and economic prosperity of Noosa Shire, specifically the water supply significance of the Mary River due
        to Lake Macdonald and water intake on the Mary River, as well as the ecological, recreational and tourism significance of the Noosa River. Concerns for
        impacts on water allocation in the Mary River, impacting potable water supply for Noosa residents.
        Concerns of impacts of any water allocations in Teewah Creek / Cooloola Artesian Bason, which has the potential to impact ecological flows in the Noosa
        River.
        Opportunity for the plan to manage groundwater extraction in the Six Mile Creek and Eastern Beaches catchments, which is currently unregulated.
        Recommended Position for Council to Pursue:
        Noosa Shire Council is a primary stakeholder in the preparation of the Mary Basin Water Plan, and seeks to be engaged proactively moving forward in the
        plan preparation and consultation process. Council considers that a formal stakeholder reference group should be established to provide structured input
        and review of the plan, and Council would be pleased to participate.
        In regard to the Mary River, Council supports the findings of the Minister's Performance Assessment Report (April 2019) that:

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