Ordinary minutes, 14 December 2023

ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                                14 DECEMBER 2023



    5.1.    ACCELERATING RIVER ACTION

             Motion
             Moved:              Cr Brian Stockwell
             Seconded:           Cr Frank Wilkie
             That the Chief Executive offer be requested to:
             A. Accelerate action to advance Council’s and the community’s interest in the
             Noosa River and its catchment by progressing initiatives and collaborations that
             work toward the achievement of the Noosa Environment Strategy 2019 goal that
             “by 2030 waterways, wetlands and coasts are healthy, resilient to change and
             valued by the community” including:
             1. Prioritise available relevant staff time and existing budget on
                 a. protecting aquatic and riparian flora and fauna and their habitats;
                 b. rehabilitating degraded wetland and waterway and fish habitats,
                     streambanks and riparian buffers as part of any development or activities
                     undertaken in, or adjacent to, the river system or on tidal lands;
                 c. improving the water quality of the Noosa River system through effective
                     management of sediments and other direct and indirect sources of
                     pollution; and
                 d. regular monitoring, compliance and evaluation of the effectiveness of
                     interventions;
             2. Pursue new funding and grant opportunities to extend the Oyster Reef
             Restoration and Oyster Gardening Programs into other suitable locations in the
             Noosa River and Lakes system, considering the early successes of this program;
             3. Collaborate with the Kabi Kabi people to develop and implement a Land and
             Sea Rangers or similar program that educates others on how to respect and avoid
             harm to the indigenous, historical, environmental and conservation cultural
             heritage of the Noosa River system; and
             B. Utilise the above outline of actions as a guide to Council’s submission for
             funding under the SEQ Council of Mayors’ Resilient Rivers Program and any
             other relevant funding/grant programs.

             Procedural Motion
             Moved:            Cr Karen Finzel
             Seconded:         Cr Clare Stewart
             That the item be deferred to April 2024 round of meetings to allow a report from
             the CEO to provide data in relation to available resources including, but not
             limited to human resources.
             For:        Crs Stewart and Finzel
             Against: Crs Wilkie, Jurisevic, Lorentson, Stockwell and WegenerLost.

             Council Resolution
             Moved:            Cr Brian Stockwell
             Seconded:         Cr Frank Wilkie
             That the Chief Executive offer be requested to:
             A. Accelerate action to advance Council’s and the community’s interest in the
             Noosa River and its catchment by progressing initiatives and collaborations that
             work toward the achievement of the Noosa Environment Strategy 2019 goal that
             “by 2030 waterways, wetlands and coasts are healthy, resilient to change and
             valued by the community” including:
             1. Prioritise available relevant staff time and existing budget on