2021-09-13 GC Agenda - Item 11 - Attachment 1 - Noosa Oyster Project Annual Report 2

   Version/Date                                  Issued as                                Author         Approved
        V1                           For review by TAG + TNC + NSC                         TNC          20.08.2021
        V2                               Final version submitted                           TNC          30.08.2021


Purpose and scope
The purpose of this report is to provide an annual update as to the performance and progress of the project: Noosa
Oyster Ecosystem Restoration Project; a partnership between The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Noosa Shire Council
(NSC), The Thomas Foundation (TTF), Australian Government and the community of the Noosa shire. The governance
arrangements for the Project are defined in the Alliance and Funding Agreement between The Nature Conservancy
and Noosa Shire Council, which was executed on the 25th July 2019.

This report pertains to the period of 22nd of August 2020 and 21st of August 2021

Report Log
Six Monthly Report 1 – 28th July 2019 to 28th of February 2020
Annual Report 1 – 28th July 2019 to the 21st August 2020.
Six Monthly Report 2 - 22nd August 2020 to 28th February 2021
Annual Report 2 – 22nd August 2020 to 21st August 2021


Background
Over the last four years, Noosa Shire Council (NSC), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and a range of stakeholders have
worked together to build a deeper understanding of the environmental significance and long-term sustainable
management options for the Noosa River. This has included:

Noosa River Expert Workshop, Powerhouse Museum, 2014
A two-day workshop, hosted by TNC on behalf of The Thomas Foundation and Noosa Parks Association, comprising
12 academic and NGO estuary scientists. The workshop identified 14 conservation activities that could lead to a
healthier Noosa River, with oyster reef restoration listed as a priority action in addition to prawn restocking and Kin
Kin sediment management. These activities (including further scoping studies) were later jointly funded by NSC Noosa
Parks Association, The Thomas Foundation and the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation.

TNC Oyster Restoration Scoping Study, 2015
TNC and Ecological Service Professionals Pty on behalf of NSC and others undertook a short, five-month ecological
assessment to quantify oyster densities across 11 intertidal and subtidal sites within the estuary. The study confirmed
high densities of oyster recruitment particularly around Weyba Creek, the main channel around Tewantin, and in the
narrow channel between Goat Island and Noosa North Shore. The project recommended installing a number of pilot
reefs for further assessment.

University of Queensland Historical Ecology of the Noosa Estuary fisheries, 2015
Ruth Thurston from the University of Queensland undertook a historical ecology study on behalf of TNC and NSC in
the Noosa River estuary to develop an understanding of historical fisheries productivity, including oysters. The study
confirmed oyster reefs used to exist in the estuary and were commercial harvested in the early 1900s. Fish populations
were also significantly larger in the past than they are today.




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