2019-11-12 - P&E Agenda - Item 3 - Attachment 1 - Draft Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2020

2. Introduction and purpose
2.1      Introduction
Noosa has an extensive vegetation network with a diverse representation of regional ecosystems,
fauna and flora and habitat. Protected areas make up a third of the shire and a significant amount
of vegetation and habitat exist on private land. Along with development and climate change,
invasive animals and plants are a significant threat to Noosa’s biodiversity values. The livelihood of
landowners can also be impacted by pest species. Wild dogs predate on stock and weeds can
infest pasture and reduce productivity. The Noosa Biosecurity Plan aims to avoid and mitigate
these threats, recognising that taking a risk management approach and prioritising actions in a
practical and logical way, is the way forward to achieve the best outcomes for public and private
landowners.
2.2      Purpose of the Biosecurity Plan
The purpose of the Plan is to guide actions for local government and landowners concerning
biosecurity risks in relation to invasive plants and animals. Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, public
and private landowners have a general obligation to take reasonable and practical steps to
minimise biosecurity matters that may present a risk to people, industry and/or the environment.
This is consistent with the Noosa Environment Strategy 2019 which has targets for retaining
ecosystem values and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.


3. Background and Context
3.1      Description of Noosa Shire
Geological history and a sub-tropical climate has shaped Noosa’s landscape and ecosystems. The
original inhabitants, the Kabi Kabi people, had a close affinity with their environment and were
influential in shaping vegetation and habitat, particularly through the use of fire, over many
thousands of years.

With European settlement in the late 1800s non-native plant and animal species were introduced
into the area, impacting on vegetation, flora and fauna. As settlement expanded so did the extent
of invasive species such as cats, dogs, pigs, ornamental plants and agricultural weeds. Other
species were accidently released which also threatened the environment and agricultural
productivity. Today, the release of invasive plants and animal species is still a risk and authorities
are working hard to minimise these threats through border controls and regulation through the
Biosecurity Act 2014.

Some invasive species are now naturalised and are unlikely to ever be eradicated from Noosa
Shire. They now perform an ecosystem function, for example erosion control, habitat for native
species or nutrient sequestration from waterways. The role of the Noosa Biosecurity Plan is to
prioritise which species are a focus for management and identify actions that can be implemented
in a practical and cost effective way.




Broad-leaved pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius)
Photo: Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2020                                                                      Page 3