2022-11-08 Planning & Environment Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    8 NOVEMBER 2022


B.    Authorise the CEO to commence negotiations with The Nature Conservancy regarding the
      Noosa River Reef Restoration Alliance and Funding Agreement and report back to Council
      on the outcomes;
C.    Note that a separate detailed report and considerations will be presented to Council
      regarding the findings of the Current and Historical Distribution of Seagrass in the Noosa
      Estuary Report presented by The Nature Conservancy;
D.    Review the procurement and administrative processes to instigate the project, risks
      associated with the project and how these are to be mitigated and incorporated into Key
      Performance Indicators and any other matters that the Council should be made aware of in
      entering into the agreement;
E.    That the CEO be requested to keep a full record of staff time and costs and ancillary
      expenses associated with the conduct of the review and include these costs as part of the
      report back to Council;
F.    Authorise the CEO as per the TNC Alliance Funding Agreement Clause 20.5 - ."Amendments
      to this agreement may be proposed by either Party at any time in writing to the other Party.
      The terms of any amendments shall be negotiated by appointed contact officers and given
      effect by written agreement signed by both parties”; and
G.    Contact the TNC in writing with a request to see the receipts and financials as per the Noosa
      Shire Council 'Project Acquittal Form'; and
H.    Contact the TNC to commence in writing negotiations for inclusion within the current TNC
      Alliance Funding Agreement and/or any future TNC Alliance Funding Agreements to include
      the proper disclosure of all funds spent to include but not limited to: all receipts and financials
      to align with the Noosa Shire Council acquittal guidelines/policy to accurately show who each
      supplier/contractor/receiver of funds/receipts etc., to align with all other recipients of Noosa
      Shire Council Funding without prejudice the need to request in writing the information if
      Council wishes to see it as per the current 'Project Acquittal Form'.
Finance
Funding has not been allocated towards seagrass management and restoration and will need to
be considered as part of the budget review process or future grant or partnership opportunities as
part of the finalisation of the Noosa River Plan. A trial site for restoration in an area which previously
contained seagrass is likely to be proposed.
Risks & Opportunities
The impact of further loss of seagrass would be highly detrimental to the Noosa Estuary. Seagrass
communities are an important part of marine ecosystems, providing food, shelter, and habitat for
a diverse range of vertebrate and invertebrate species. Seagrass stabilises sediment, assists with
limiting erosion and filters nutrients from land-based discharge. The further loss of seagrass has
the potential to affect fisheries productivity in the Noosa Estuary, given that it provides a significant
nursery habitat for prawns and fish.
This work will form part of the revised Noosa River Plan to ensure strategic alignment for long term
health and resilience of the Noosa estuary.
Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Environment Services has met with The Nature Conservancy and Ecological Service Professionals
several times to discuss the contents of the report and future management strategies
Internal Consultation
Internal consultation with staff from Environment & Sustainable Development and Infrastructure
Services will occur to identify responsibilities in the future management of issues affecting the
decline of seagrass.

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