Decision Notice - OPW22 0251 [As Published]

Native Foresters

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Native Foresters was commissioned by Long View Consulting Engineers to conduct a marine
plant survey of the landward areas adjacent to the Catalina Jetty boathouse, which will be
impacted by proposed upgrading works of the connecting concrete revetment wall and associated
infrastructure.

1.1 Objectives of the report

The objective of this report is to determine the extent of temporary and permanent impacts of
proposed works on marine plants protected under the Fishenes Act 1994.

1.2 Site description

The survey area encompasses the southem footprint of Lot 164 CP 907410 where it occurs on
the southem bank of the Noosa River, within Apex Park (Lot 151 SP284457) at Gympie Terrace,
Noosaville. The survey area covered a total area of 265m?, however part of this incorporates
impervious areas such as pathways. The proposed impact area at the entrance to the jetty and
boathouse includes an open maintained grass area with concrete pathways, a wooden boardwalk
section, and a semi-paved access road, and adjacent sandy areas within the edge of the Noosa
River. Refer to Figure 1.

The majority of the site contains mown grass areas, with a semi-paved access road within the
south-east section and a wooden boardwalk seating area along the westem side of the revetment
wall fronting the river. The majonty of the revetment wall area has been stabilised with rock
revetment on the western side of the jetty, with infiltration of water and erosion of soil and sandy
substrate apparent, further exposing underlying rocks. The grass area directly south of the
eastem failed revetment wall contains small sink-holes, with adjacent tree roots exposed at the
eastem extent around the existing concrete river access ramp.

Two large Coastal she oaks (Casuarina glauca), which have been impacted by erosion exposing
the structural roots, occur at either end of the boundary of Lot 164 within Apex Park, with small
beach areas and scattered trees further along the river bank to the east and west.

State mapping of the survey area shows the central part of the survey area as occurring above
Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT), with low lying tidally influenced areas on the eastern and
westem side of the jetty (Figure 1). Ground-truthing at the site found evidence of tidal influence
across the survey area, and it is considered likely that the whole of Lot 164 is impacted tidally
during coinciding high tide and high rainfall events.

The survey area covers a section of maintained river bank with a constructed jetty and boathouse,
with small beach areas and scattered trees further along the river bank to the east and west. The
vegetation in the survey area consists primarily of introduced grasses, with small patches of Salt
couch (Sporobolus virginicus) along the river bank. Two large Coastal she oaks (Casuarina
glauca), which have also been impacted by erosion exposing the structural roots, occur at either
end of the boundary of Lot 164 within Apex Park (Lot 151), managed by Noosa Council.
Vegetation throughout the survey area is mapped as non-remnant.

 

Catalina Jetty, Gympie Terrace. Noosaville — Marine Plant Assessment

Document Set ID: 22549959 Page 23 of 38

Version: 4, Version Date: 23/08/2023