2015-10-13 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                  13 OCTOBER 2015


In 2014 an expert-based evaluation of the proposed options for the restoration and
management of the Noosa River and Lakes was undertaken by The Nature Conservancy
with support from The Thomas Foundation and the Noosa Parks Association (see
Attachment 2).
The evaluation process identified a number of key restoration options to improve the
environmental outcomes of the Noosa River and Lakes, as well as the research needs to
support informed decisions about the options identified.
A presentation of this evaluation was made by The Nature Conservancy and the Thomas
Foundation to a Council workshop on 14 November 2014.
There was a general consensus from Council that these types of projects should be
undertaken and the involvement of The Nature Conservancy and the Thomas Foundation
would be highly desirable.
Following the workshop, two specific projects were developed further by The Nature
Conservancy and the Thomas Foundation. These projects include:
     a study of the river and lakes historic fish and prawn productivity; and
     a scoping study of the river and lakes oyster reef history and recruitment potential.
The second of these projects is not yet quite complete but is in its final stages.
At the Ordinary Meeting on 20 November 2014, Council authorised the CEO to advise both
The Nature Conservancy and the Thomas Foundation of Council’s agreement to work
together on these projects and that Council’s role would focus on:
     providing one half of the costs of the two proposed projects; and
     providing an interface to government agencies to enable these projects to proceed
       (e.g. approvals or other requirements).

Finance & Risk
On 27 February 2015 Council agreed to support the two river projects with the total amount
being $33,700 (ex GST).
Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
The presentation/workshop at Council by The Nature Conservancy and the Thomas
Foundation included other environment groups such as the Noosa Parks Association, Noosa
Biosphere, Noosa Integrated Catchment Association (NICA) and Noosa and District
Landcare.
Internal Consultation
Departments/Sections Consulted:
     Community Services                       x   Planning & Infrastructure
     Disaster Management & Public Order           Building & Plumbing Services
     Waste & Environmental Health                 DA Planning
     Community Facilities                         Strategic Land Use Planning
     Cultural Facilities                          Asset Design & Investigations
                                                  Asset Planning
                                                  Civil Operations
                                                  Environment

     Executive Office                         X   Corporate Services
     Community Engagement                         Finance
     Customer Service                             ICT
     Executive Support                            Procurement & Fleet
     Governance                                   Property & Facilities
     Human Resources                              Revenue Services




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