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

    Feedback from the Noosa community                                There are calls for improved waste and stormwater
                                                                     management practices, particularly for litter, plastic rubbish
    Feedback from the community has contributed to the               and other pollutants to be kept from entering waterways.
    shaping of this Environment Strategy. Community groups           Managing activities on and around the Noosa River to
    with an interest in the environment and sustainability           ensure the catchment stays healthy is also highlighted.
    attended a number of Council forums to discuss and
    workshop key issues and priorities for the Environment           Sustainable use of natural resources
    Strategy in 2017 and 2018.
                                                                     There is recognition of the need to live and build
    A total of 26 community groups participated. The broader         sustainably. There are calls to increase recycling and to
    community was also invited to comment on priorities for the      promote composting to reduce waste to landfill. People
    Environment Strategy through Council’s Your Say Noosa            wish to see Noosa doing its bit to reduce emissions through
    webpage in July and August 2018, and then on the draft           greater energy efficiency opportunities and increased
    itself in February and March 2019.                               take-up of solar power for businesses and households.
                                                                     Minimising soil degradation and improving rural land
    Top themes from community input:                                 management practices is also considered a priority, along
                                                                     with supporting and promoting sustainable local food
    Maintain the naturalness of open spaces                          production. Sustainable fishing practices is a key resource
                                                                     management issue, with local concerns about declining fish
    People recognise the value of the natural environment in         stocks.
    contributing to Noosa’s lifestyle, economy, local character,
    recreation opportunities, as well as their own personal          Stronger community awareness
    health and wellbeing.
                                                                     Supporting behaviour change is considered to be an
    Keeping Noosa “clean and green” and maintaining the              important role for Council and community groups.
    unique balance of greenspace and urban density is
    important. This includes keeping a natural look to public        This includes building awareness of what individuals and
    landscaping, maintaining native vegetation around                businesses can do to maintain a healthy, diverse and
    developments, and continuing to manage population growth         clean environment including protecting our native wildlife,
    within sustainable limits.                                       preventing pollution, reducing waste, responding to climate
                                                                     change, and landscaping with native species.
    Manage impacts on our natural environment
                                                                     Continuing to build a strong culture of care for our
    Protection of wildlife habitats and rehabilitation of degraded   environment amongst existing and new residents is also
    areas is identified as an important issue. Managing visitor      emphasised.
    impacts on natural areas and continuing active weed
    management are also key concerns.

    Residents understand the importance of protecting our
    coastal dune system from human impacts and the need
    to build resilience to beach erosion. This will become
    increasingly important under climate change scenarios.




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