Annual Report 2021-22

          Noosa Shire Council


     • Implementation
       	                 of the Noosa Bushland Reserve Strategic Management Plan and Fire
       Management Plan has continued. There has been active involvement of the community in
       the restoration of degraded bushland areas through the Community Bushland Care Program,
       though this was halted for some time due to COVID limitations. On ground works have been
       disrupted by the floods, with staff diverted to priority clean-up activities particularly on the
       Eastern Beaches with Polystyrene debris clean up. Significant investment in staff training and
       skilling for fire management has occurred and Council has successfully performed highest
       priority burns over the recent cooler months.
     •	The Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan has been completed and implementation of priority
        actions commenced including: rolling out an integrated coastal monitoring program; building
        resilience in the Noosaville foreshore; investigating the viability of offshore sand supply for
        beach nourishment; developing a Foreshore Management Plan for the Eastern Beaches; and
        developing best-practice design standards for functional, equitable and sustainable beach
        access areas.
     •	The Climate Change Response Plan was completed and a Community Reference Group
        established to help guide implementation of the plan. Implementation projects commenced
        under each of the 8 themes of the plan. A key project has been the development of a draft
        Regional Climate Action Roadmap as a collaboration with Sunshine Coast Council and has
        identified regional priorities for addressing climate risks for council and the community.
     •	The draft Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan has been prepared and is a key
        implementation action of the Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan. The plan seeks coordinated
        management of encroachments, beach access design, bushland management, and fire
        breaks.
     • Ongoing
       	        work on feral animal and weed control through Council’s Biosecurity Program under
       the Noosa Biosecurity Plan. This included targeted baiting for wild dogs, foxes and feral deer,
       as well as actively working with rural landholders to prepare biosecurity plans and provide
       property specific information and education.
     • Council
       	       continues to deliver a Land for Wildlife and Voluntary Conservation incentive program
       under its Community Partnerships Program, providing free trees, training and contractor
       support. We reached a significant milestone with 400 registered Land for Wildlife members
       actively managing 3000 hectares of native habitat on their properties. Land for Wildlife
       members planted 9,600 tubestock over 14 hectares of land, putting in 2,280 hours of labour
       and contributing $31,000 in cash and materials. Twenty-eight members received training in
       weed management on their properties, restoring 13 hectares of habitat, contributing 360
       hours of labour and $2,900 in cash and materials. There are currently 22 active Voluntary
       Conservation Agreement properties protecting 378 hectares of native habitat.
     •	The Noosa Biosphere Trails continue to provide a world class trails network, showcasing
        Noosa’s hinterland and natural values. A Trails Master Plan has been prepared in partnership
        with Tourism Noosa to support Council’s annual maintenance and upgrade programs. Detailed
        planning for Trail 5 Upgrade Pomona to Cooran is complete with the construction tender soon to
        be awarded.
     •	The Waste Strategy review commenced via Councillor workshops at the end of the financial
        year and the community consultation process to inform the draft strategy is currently in
        development and commencing in August 2022.




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