2018-08-07 P&E Agenda - Attachment 1 to Item 3 - Noosa Biosphere Reserve 10 Year Periodic Review

3.2      Changes regarding the indicators of ecosystem services

The most significant changes to the way indicators of ecosystem services are evaluated have been
through:
•        SEQ HLW Program
•        State environmental values and water quality objectives
•        Noosa Biodiversity Assessment Report (NBAR).

SEQ Healthy Land & Water Monitoring Program

Since 2000, HLW (formerly Healthy Waterways) has been delivering comprehensive freshwater,
estuarine and marine monitoring programs in the Noosa River catchment. The Monitoring Program
provides a regional assessment of the ecosystem health for each of South East Queensland’s major
catchments, river estuaries and Moreton Bay zones. HLW synthesise the data and information to
produce an annual Report Card, which provides a clear understanding of the health of our waterways,
and highlights any issues that require intervention.

In 2015, the Monitoring Program and Report Card evolved to provide a deeper understanding of the
current pressures on waterway condition and, importantly, what needs to be done to enhance the social
and economic benefits they provide. The new report card:
•        Includes additional indicators in the environmental condition assessment that now measure the
         amount and impact of mud (sediment) entering the waterways, and the extent of key habitats
         (such as riparian vegetation).
•        Introduces a new Waterway Benefits Rating, which measures the level of social and economic
         benefits our waterways provide to local communities.
•        Begins to explore the 'actions' and the willingness and ability of landholders and community
         groups to help protect and improve the waterways.

State environmental values and water quality objectives

The health of our waterways is strong indicator of the condition of ecosystems that provide services to
the community. The environmental values and water quality objective have been reviewed to meet the
requirements of the Environment Protection Act (Water) 1994. Water quality targets are being kept at a
high standard. Each of the waterways have been mapped for the ecosystem service they provide
including fishing, irrigation, farm supply, stock water, aquaculture, human consumption, recreation,
drinking water, industrial use and cultural and spiritual values.

For specific water quality objective details refer to - https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/water/guidelines/

Noosa Biodiversity Assessment Report (NBAR)

Over the last 10 years there have been a number of changes in the way that biodiversity values are
assessed:
•        Status changes. Based on expert review, some regional ecosystems have been upgraded and
         some have been downgraded (Endangered, Of Concern, Least Concern). Similarly, the status of
         some threatened species (Endangered, Vulnerable, Near-threatened) has also changed;
•        Data sources. Previous flora and fauna data sources were wide and varied. There has been an
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         emphasis on using verifiable data sources such as the State Government Wildlife Online , the
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         Atlas of Living Australia and review by a local panel of experts;
•        Technology. The use of improved data collection and mapping such as LiDAR to verify Broad
         Vegetation types and their extent across the shire; and
•        Greater knowledge. Further research and data collection over the last 10 years has expanded
         our knowledge of ecosystems, species and impacts across the Shire.




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      https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/species-list
29
      https://www.ala.org.au/



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