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

Restoration zones
The project delineated restoration zones in the estuary which give an indication of where oyster ecosystem
restoration could possibly occur. Within the restoration zones, specific restoration sites are selected and evaluated
using the restoration suitability modelling.

The project defined five (5) restoration zones in the Noosa River estuary. The restoration zones are:
    1. Main Channel
    2. Noosa Sound
    3. Weyba Creek
    4. Lake Weyba
    5. Lake Donella

The criteria for defining the five zones is presented in Table 6. Restoration zones are presented in Figure 14.

Table 6 – Criteria for the determination of oyster ecosystem restoration zones

 Parameter           Zone Criteria                         Rationale
 Habitat             Must be suitable or highly            Oyster ecosystem restoration can only occur in areas of
 Suitability         suitable for oyster survival          the river where habitat parameters will natural allow
 Model                                                     oyster survival.

 Restoration         Must be suitable or highly            Oyster ecosystem restoration must occur in relative
 Suitability         suitable against ecological, social   proximity to other estuarine ecological features and
 Model               use and regulatory parameters         processes, without impacting on existing habitats, social
                                                           uses or government regulations. These include exclusions:
                                                           Around seagrass, mangrove and saltmarsh habitats to
                                                           eliminate chances of damage to the existing ecosystem.
                                                           Around navigation channels, moorings, boat ramps,
                                                           pontoons and jetties to ensure the safety of river users
                                                           and mitigate potential damage to restored oyster beds.
                                                           In areas adjacent to public and private foreshore access so
                                                           as not to impact river use.
 Additional zone     Within 50 m from shore in 20          Ensures safe working distance in high speed areas to
 criteria            knot and unrestricted speed           minimise chances of damage to vessels or restored oyster
                     areas.                                beds.

 Seagrass            Not within 10m of seagrass            Ensures minimal disturbance to existing seagrass beds
                                                           while maintaining habitat association with oyster beds
 Mangroves and       Not within 5m of mangroves or         Ensures minimal disturbance to existing mangrove trees
 other               other identifiable aquatic            other identifiable habitats while maintaining habitat
 identifiable        habitats                              association with oyster beds
 aquatic habitats




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