2022-02-08 Planning and Environment Committee Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                 8 FEBRUARY 2022


Next Steps
Whilst recent monitoring is relatively inconclusive, it is proposed to reconvene a workshop of
experts and stakeholders to discuss recent findings, and further consider next steps. Key items
for discussions include:
-     Better consideration of the role of temperature inversion and / or Eckam Transport in the
      availability of nutrients.
-     Scoping for nutrient modelling in the Noosa River and Laguna Bay to achieve a better
      understanding of the nutrient dynamics.
Finance
The environmental quality of Noosa’s Main Beach and the Noosa River fundamentally underpin
the Noosa visitor experience, and poor outcomes, including algae bloom event, are to the detriment
of the Noosa economy.
Risks & Opportunities
In terms of opportunities, the algae monitoring project significantly contributes to several outcomes
identified for Waterways, Wetlands and Coasts within the Noosa Environment Strategy and Draft
Noosa River Plan. Nutrient tracing will bridge knowledge gaps relating to source nutrient
concentrations (notably nitrogen) fuelling nuisance algal blooms – understanding the ‘source or
sources’ of nutrients is a key tenet to building accurate ecological knowledge and an informed
management strategy into the future.
The risks associated with not continuing the algae monitoring will draw-to-an-end the significant
knowledge base built to date of algae species growing in the river and nuisance rafts/blooms in
Laguna Bay. It may also be detrimental to Council’s preparedness for future blooms particularly
around public messaging regarding Council’s proactive or reactive approach to the issue impacting
recreation, tourism and water quality values of Noosa’s jewel in the crown Main Beach.
Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
The workshop proposed in the report will involve participation from key stakeholders involved in
water quality monitoring in the Noosa River including NICA and Healthy Land Water, as well as
external technical experts.
Internal Consultation
Departments/Sections Consulted:
    Chief Executive Officer       Community Services                        Corporate Services
    Executive Support             Director                                  Director
                                  Community Development                     Financial Services
                                  Community Facilities                      Fleet
                                  Libraries & Galleries                     ICT
                                  Local Laws                                Procurement
                                  Waste & Environmental Health              Property
                                                                            Revenue Services

    Executive Services        x   Environment & Sustainable Development     Infrastructure Services
    Director                      Director                                  Director
    Community Engagement          Building & Plumbing Services              Asset Management
    Customer Service              Development Assessment                    Buildings and Facilities
    Governance                    Economic Development                      Civil Operations
    People and Culture            X Environmental Services                  Disaster Management
                                  Strategic Land Use Planning               Infrastructure Planning,
                                                                            Design and Delivery




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