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

to extant and historic oyster reefs, alluvial sands, small craft channels, tidal works, moorings, foreshore access, in-
water urban utilities).

These parameters were then allocated ‘exclusion criteria’, to create buffers and minimize potential interactions with
river uses (e.g. distances from tidal works, foreshore access points, moorings, submarine cables, main channels). The
exclusion criteria were determined in consideration of regulated distances applied to vessels (e.g. distances from
moorings) and on practical consideration of river uses (e.g. access to foreshores from the river, distances from
navigation channels) and position of utilities (cables, pipes) (Table 5). This later work was undertaken in close liaison
with MSQ.

This work was a major undertaking involving the compilation of multiple-data sets, collaboration with multiple
agencies and then negotiations where there were no buffers for restoration works identified in the regulations.

The tabulated results were then entered into the restoration suitability model and presented spatially (Figure 13).

Table 5: Restoration suitability parameters and criteria for Sydney rock oyster ecosystems in the Noosa River

 PARAMETER             ENVELOPE      CRITERIA         Rationale                                        Source
                                     (more
                                     suitable = 4,
                                     less = 0)
 Seagrass              10m -         Areas within     Connectivity to other structured habitats        (Duncan et al.
 proximity             500m          10-500m          increases diversity. Two metre buffers           2019) confirm
                                     buffer =4; all   included to mitigate damage to complex           with engineers
                                     other areas      ecosystems but ensuring connectivity.
                                     =2
 Rocky reef            2m - 500m     Areas within     Connectivity to other structured habitats
 proximity                           5-500m           increases diversity. Two metre buffers
                                     buffer =4; all   included to mitigate damage to complex
                                     other areas      ecosystems but ensuring connectivity.
                                     =2
 Extant oyster         Within        Within 250m      Connectivity to other structured habitats        (Boor et al.
 ecosystems            250 m         = 4; all other   increases biodiversity. Connection to other      2018, Guy et
 proximity                           areas = 2        oyster reefs increases meta-population           al. 2018,
                                                      connectivity, successful reproduction and        Duncan et al.
                                                      oyster recruitment. Two metre buffers            2019)
                                                      included to mitigate damage to extant
                                                      oyster ecosystems but ensuring
                                                      connectivity.
 Historical oyster     Within        Within 250m      Sites which have historically supported          (Gillies 2018)
 ecosystem             250 m         = 4; all other   oyster ecosystems are generally thought to
 proximity                           areas = 2        be able to support future oyster
                                                      ecosystems.

 Alluvial Sands        Exclusion     Within           Alluvial sands are relatively or mobile and      Agreed with
                       area          exclusion        generally offer unsuitable substrates for        TNC
                                     area = 0, all    restoration work                                 restoration
                                     other areas =                                                     scientists
                                     4




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