2019-06-11 P&E Agenda - Item 7 - Attachment 1 - Environment Strategy

Regional climate projections indicate Noosa can expect         The Noosa Planning Scheme regulates development
increased water temperatures, more intermittent water          and aims to avoid and mitigate impacts on ecosystems
inflows, and more intense rainfall events leading to more      and habitats. Through mapping of biodiversity values,
severe erosion and pollutant mobilisation. Increased           the planning scheme identifies significant biodiversity
frequency and depth of tidal inundation of terrestrial areas   areas and interconnecting vegetation corridors. Strict
not currently exposed to saline waters is expected as a        development codes aim to minimise downstream impacts
result of sea-level rise. These factors are expected to        from development, control sediment, and protect native
further increase the pressures on our river systems.           vegetation, species habitat and water quality.

There are a large number of stakeholders with interests in     Wetlands
the management of Noosa River. The State Government
controls land, marine safety, and fisheries, while local       Wetlands are areas of land covered permanently or
government has land use planning controls and responds to      temporarily in water. They are often at the interface of
reports of pollution. There are many commercial operators      large waterbodies such as rivers, lakes and oceans. Plants
in the river, and the estuary is very popular recreation       and animals that live in wetlands have unique qualities to
area for residents and visitors alike. Because of the large    cope with changes in water depth and condition. Similar
number of stakeholders and diversity of interests, the         to corridors of vegetation across the landscape, wetlands
Noosa River Plan aims to take an integrated management         offer connectivity for fauna and play an essential role in
approach to attempt to balance the needs of all parties.       maintaining water quality for river systems. Both the Mary
Given the large number of stakeholders with interest           River and Noosa River catchments have significant wetland
in the River, Council will proactively seek collaborative      areas.
partnerships to ensure multiple interests are considered
and combined efforts occur towards mutual objectives for
the River and its management.




                                                                                                           Lake Cootharabah


                                                                                                                            23