2022-11-08 Planning & Environment Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   8 NOVEMBER 2022




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PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                          8 NOVEMBER 2022

          1. Welcome By Noosa & District Landcare General Manager
          Noosa & District Landcare General Manager Phil Moran acknowledged the Traditional Owners of the land
          and welcomed guests to Noosa Landcare’s Rural Futures Centre.
          Landcare’s Waterwatch Program involved 40 volunteers and many sites but was unfortunately defunded
          by Noosa Council and funded by Landcare for a further five years, however, became unsustainable due to
          a lack of interest in properly using the data, and issues with the quality of the data. The Waterwatch
          Program finished in 2017. Landcare’s water quality monitoring program as part of the Keeping it in Kin Kin
          Project is ongoing and funded by Noosa Council.
          2.  Introduction to the workshop
          Noosa Council Principal Environment Officer — River Strategy and Engagement Amy Kimber thanked
          attendees for joining the workshop and for their significant efforts in continuing water quality monitoring
          across the Noosa and Mary catchments over many years. The objectives of the day were to:
             ¢   Share information and knowledge to consolidate ideas about how to bring together an integrated
                 water quality monitoring program for the Noosa Shire.
             e   Reinstate regular face-to-face workshops between NRM groups, Noosa Council, and other
                 stakeholders.
             e   Encourage ongoing collaboration to develop the program collectively.
          Noosa Council received funding in the current financial year to invest in a new initiative of a more integrated
         water quality monitoring program which makes better use of the data collected by volunteers across the
          Shire, and different branches within Noosa Council.
        With a revamp of the Noosa River Plan, Noosa Council expects to have a prospectus which will prioritise
          areas for investment, and ongoing review of these priorities will be achieved through a more coordinated
          approach to monitoring and improving water quality.
          Overall a better understanding of local Water Quality Objectives will inform a better understanding of the
          catchments and biodiversity, facilitate targeted interventions and increase community understanding of their
          local environment.

          3. Department of Environment and Science (DES) Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program (EHMP)
          DES Principal Scientist Aquatic Ecosystem Health David Moffat provided an overview of the history of the
          EHMP in Noosa.

             e   Relevant legislation includes the Environmental Protection Act 1994, Water Act 2000 and the
                 Nature Conservation Act 1992.

             *   Most of DES monitoring focuses on ecosystem health, while local government authorities are
                 responsible for biological monitoring in waterways.
             e   The EHMP field data collection includes freshwater, estuarine/marine ecosystems and event-

             e   There is a strong emphasis on physical-chemical water quality parameters. Special investigations
                 are undertaken to investigate bacteriological and other contaminants when required.
             e   it was noted that care must be taken during any analyses of long-term data due to changes in
                 methods and Quality Assurance and Quality Control standards.
             e   Data requests and further information about data can be emailed to water. [email protected].  Healthy Land and Water

        Minutes — Water Quality Workshop 24/08/22                                                   Page 3

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