2016-10-11 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

THEME: BIODIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENT
Where are we now                                             Within a small area, Noosa Shire has high
                                                             diversity of vegetation from the lowland and littoral
                                                                                                                     Noosa Council includes the Noosa River Catchment
                                                                                                                     and parts of the Mary River Catchment. The Noosa
                                                             rainforests, heathlands, Melaleuca, mangrove,           River is consistently recorded as the healthiest
Biodiversity of Noosa                                        saltmarsh and wetland communities in the east to        river system in SEQ with a condition score of A- in




                                             T
                                                             the woodlands and tall open forests of the drier        2015 according to the Healthy Waterways annual
Noosa Shire contains a diverse range of geological
                                                                                                                     report card. This means that all key processes




                                           F
                                                             west. In total 40,265 ha of vegetation across Noosa
and geographical features, ecosystems, plants
                                                             is considered to be in remnant condition, which         are functioning and critical habitats are in pristine
and animal species. It is bordered to the north by
                                                             comprises 46% of the land area. A high proportion       condition. The catchment is a stronghold refuge for




                                          A
the Great Sandy National Park and to the west by
                                                                                                                     displaced species such as the Ground Parrot, Glossy
Mary River Valley and south by the Maroochy River
                                                                                                                     Black Cockatoo, False Water Rat and migratory




                                         R
catchment. This provides connectivity between
                                                                                                                     shore birds. The Mary River Catchment provides
the highly significant coastal sand masses of the                                                                    important agricultural resources and across its




                                        D
Cooloola/Fraser Island complex and the subtropical                                                                   vegetated areas provides important habitat for
coastal forest uplands of the flanking Blackall and                                                                  the endangered Mary River Cod, endangered
Conondale Ranges.                                                                                                    Giant Barred Frog, as well as numerous rare and
Noosa is also part of the biogeographic region known                                                                 threatened frog species.
as the Macleay-McPherson Overlap Zone which is                                                                       The UNESCO recognition of Noosa as a Biosphere
an area of exceptionally high biodiversity, where the                                                                Reserve is testament to Noosa Council and the
northern and southern Australian fauna and flora                                                                     community’s long standing commitment to nature
meet and overlap. Consequently the region has a rich                                                                 conservation and sustainable development.
diversity of plants, birds, bats, reptiles and amphibians.                                                           Biosphere Reserves are areas with significant
The Noosa landscape has extensive areas of                                                                           environmental values that demonstrate a balanced
remnant vegetation in protected and private tenure                                                                   relationship between humans and the environment,
and a complex network of connecting vegetated                                                                        promoting harmony between people and nature
corridors and waterways. The conservation of high                                                                    through education, conservation and sustainable
proportions of vegetated land distinguishes Noosa            of this vegetation (39%) is of conservation             development.
Shire from other parts of south east Queensland,             significance identified as either ‘Endangered’ or ‘Of   The Noosa community relies on the biodiversity,
thus helping to serve as a critical biodiversity             Concern’ under the Vegetation Management Act.           waterway health and ecosystems of our natural
refuge for the SEQ bioregion. Noosa Shire has the            Overall, over half of the Noosa Shire (55%) remains     environment to support the local economy,
only substantial area of coastal mainland remnant            vegetated. Around 30% of the shire is covered by        tourism, productive rural landscapes, lifestyle and
vegetation between Byron Bay and Bundaberg.                  protected reserve for conservation purposes.            recreational pursuits. The natural environment

28 The New Noosa Plan