2019-01-14 General Committee Meeting Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                                 14 JANUARY 2019


2                        THE NATURE CONSERVANCY PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL - NOOSA RIVER OYSTER
                         REEF RESTORATION PROJECT
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                              Director Environment and Sustainable Development, Kim Rawlings
                                    Manager Environmental Services, Craig Doolan
                                    Environment and Sustainable Development Department

Index                               ECM/ Subject/ 63.03 Waterway Management – Noosa River

Attachments                         1.    The Nature Conservancy – Partnership Proposal 2019 (24 page
                                          attachment provided separately to this report)
                                    2.    The Nature Conservancy, 2015, Report to The Thomas Foundation
                                          and Noosa Parks Association on assessment of aquatic restoration
                                          and management options for Noosa Estuary and Lakes (19 page
                                          attachment provided separately to this report)
                                    3.    University of the Sunshine Coast 2018, Monitoring of the Noosa
                                          River Oyster Reefs; November 2017 – November 2018 (31 page
                                          attachment provided separately to this report)



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report outlines a proposal from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) which at its broadest level is
to form a strategic partnership with a highly reputable Non-Government conservation Organisation
(NGO) and more specifically to undertake the next phases of the restoration of oyster reef project
in the Noosa River. The proposal provides for $1.2 million towards this initiative from The Nature
Conservancy and seeks a matching investment from Council of $1.2 million over 3 years.
The proposal seeks to establish a collaborative partnership between the Nature Conservancy and
Noosa Council as core funding agencies, however identifies a range of further key stakeholders
and project partners including Kabi Kabi traditional owners.
A core focus for this proposal and partnership is to implement the next phases of the current oyster
reef pilot restoration project ‘Bring Back the Fish’ utilising the learnings, monitoring and evaluation
of that trial to improve, enhance and expand on a range of environmental, economic and social
outcomes for the Noosa River system, broader environment and community.
The proposal aligns with the Council’s Draft Noosa River Plan, Draft Environment Strategy core
focus areas and provides an outstanding opportunity for Council to establish a strategic partnership
with TNC as well as achieving significant investment into the Noosa River system. This proposal
is provided for Council’s consideration; the Nature Conservancy have requested an indication of
Council’s interest or otherwise to this proposal by the end of January 2019. Should Council decide
to support this proposal and enter into a partnership arrangement with the Nature Conservancy,
year 1 of the partnership and funding would be required in 2019 – 2020.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Director Environment and Sustainable Development and
Environmental Services Manager to the General Committee Meeting dated 14 January 2019,
consider the proposal from the Nature Conservancy as detailed in this report, and
A.                       Agree in principle to partner with the Nature Conservancy in accordance with the Partnership
                         Proposal 2019 ( Attachment 1);
B.                       Develop a Partnership Agreement outlining at a minimum, partnership and project
                         governance arrangements, funding requirements and accountabilities, monitoring,


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