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

     Studies reveal that around 355,000 tonnes of soil is mobilised into the catchment every year, potentially
     depositing a 4.5mm layer of sediment in the bottom of Lake Cootharaba every year.
    An overview of past studies on the possible causes of the increase in nutrients and sediments and their
     impact downstream in Noosa River between 2008 and 2010 was provided to workshop attendees.
     This poses the question as to whether this level of sedimentation input to Lake Cootharaba occurred
    before European settlement, and the relationship between increased loads of sediment relate and
     significant flooding events.
      Discussion:

         ¢ People perceive water quality is related to turbidity levels.
         e  NICA proposes a study to quantify sediments entering and leaving Lake Cootharaba including
            Particle size, distribution and fluid flow rate.
         e  NICA is interested in the existence of data on past flow rate measurements in Lake Cootharaba.

     8.  Coastal ephemeral creeks
     KIIKK Project and coastal ephemeral creek monitoring volunteer Paul Ryan provided an overview of
     sampling undertaken at 11 sites from 2005 to 2018. The sites included Noosa National Park, Burgess
     Creek, Marcus Beach Creek, Castaways Creek, Peregian Creek and Murdering Creek entering Lake
     Weyba.
     Results:

         ¢  Results of physical parameters were usually below the guidelines.
         e  The Coastal Connect Dunes Rehabilitation Project was developed, and the water quality
            monitoring program was designed to analyse the effect of the remedial works on nearby water
            quality.
         e  Changes in physical chemical parameters have been encountered but the causes are still
            inconclusive. The water monitoring project is ongoing.
         e  There is a difference in pH measurements above and below the Sewage Treatment Plant in
            Burgess Creek, with more acidic pH levels and consistent with other local coastal creeks on areas
            reported above the treatment plan.
     Discussion:
    There is a need for strategic and clear goals to be defined before selecting water parameters and further
     sites to be analysed.
     9.  Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee
     MRCCC Project Officer Brad Wedlock provided an overview of the MRCCC Waterwatch Program which
     has been operating over the past 20 years with 106 volunteers across the Mary Catchment, with some
     sites in Noosa.

         e  The program includes baseline data extension, collaboration and partnership, WQOs and
            guidelines.
         *  Noosa Council funded MRCCC to develop a sub-catchment scoring system and report cards
            based on the EHMP and WQOs.

         e  MRCCC has managed three Mary River sites on behalf of DES since 2016 for the Great Barrier
            Reef Catchments Loads Program. The parameters measured include sediment, nutrients and

     Discussion:
    Minutes — Water Quality Workshop 24/08/22                                                Page 6

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