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

While TNC supported the thoroughness of the process, it took more time than was originally forecast in the
partnership agreement. TNC responded by:

    -    Partnering with bathymetric, ecological and engineering consultants to help collect data, undertake analyses
         and populate the restoration plan and regulatory code assessments;

    -    Regularly liaising with stakeholders and agency staff;

    -    Actively enlisted the support of the Noosa TAG to advise on technicalities;
    -    Engaging two casual assistants to help with data acquisition, assessments and community consultation and
         engagement actions,

    -    Engaging consultant firm ICM to specifically to support TNC through the complex permit application review
         and submission process, and

    -    Enlisting the support of TNC’s Chief Executive Officer, Operations Manager and Lead Scientist (Asia Pacific)
         to help expedite the numerous contracting and assessment steps.

TNC is now working directly with the Queensland Government to look possible efficiencies in the permitting process.
The Noosa project is leading the way with identifying challenges and solutions to help the state move forward.

Community engagement

There is a high level of community enthusiasm about the project, which has been very encouraging. However, TNC
discovered relatively limited local capacity to take the lead on developing relevant initiatives in a short time frame.
TNC met with groups, heard their concerns, and responded by:

    -    Working closely with local groups to design great projects (which took 9 months);

    -    Engaging a TNC casual support staff to help develop the projects and help them get started;

    -    Resourcing some projects with contracts or grant agreements to increase local capacity (i.e., with NICA,
         NCBA, EEHub)

    -    Securing resources to fund an additional TNC staff position in Noosa, full time, to support community
         outreach and general project activities. The position will be locally active from October 2021 and is being
         funded under the Reef Builder program.




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