2018-06-18 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                     18 JUNE 2018


3.    Considerations
Noosa Council has a long and proud history of environmental protection and the sustainable
management of its natural assets. This includes the Shire's scenic landscapes, clean waterways,
fertile soils, extensive biodiversity and open space, as well as the prosperity and lifestyle
associated with those natural assets.

Despite the potential economic contribution of coal exploration, coal mining and coal seam gas
extraction, the associated significant environmental and social impacts would potentially be
unacceptable. Further, such impacts would be incompatible with the environmental, agricultural
and recreational values of the Shire. Indeed, such activities would arguably undermine the Noosa
"brand" and thus have a detrimental impact on the broader local economy that could outweigh
any direct economic benefits.

It is widely documented that the extraction of coal seam gas can have significant impacts on
ground water resources, underground aquifers, productive agricultural land, biodiversity and
vegetation, as well as impact on local communities.

It is acknowledged that a number of exploration permits for coal exist over a proportion of the
northern section of the Shire, however it is recommended that Council takes a clear and strong
position to refuse to support any further applications for permits for coal exploration, coal mining
or coal seam gas exploration or production in the Shire based on its significant concerns
regarding associated environmental impacts and incompatibility with Noosa’s natural assets and
lifestyle.

It is further proposed that Council include a statement within the Strategic Framework of the New
Noosa Plan along the following lines:

Noosa Shire’s community seeks a strong and innovative economy which is buoyed by growth in
smart industry sectors that have high economic value and low environmental impact. This
approach seeks to protect the natural environment as well as the living amenity on which the
Noosa lifestyle is dependent. Accordingly, best practice environmental management is expected
of any resource extraction and only resources such as sand, clay and gravel, which support local
construction and infrastructure delivery, are extracted. Resource activities such as extraction of
natural gas or petroleum (including coal seam gas) as well as coal mining have the potential for
considerable impact on the natural environment and on the amenity of the area in which they are
located. In the absence of evidence that benefits would outweigh negative consequences on the
lifestyle of residents and visitors, these uses are not supported in Noosa Shire.
Previous Council Consideration
Noosa Council have not formally considered its position on coal mining or coal seam gas
previously.
Finance
There are no direct financial implications of this report.
Risks & Opportunities
It is possible that application could be made for new resource exploration or production permits
or for the extension to existing exploratory permits. If that occurred Council would find itself in a
position of needing to assess such an application and consider whether the proposal would
impact on the amenity of or the community within Noosa Shire as required under the Regional
Planning Interest Act 2014. It is recommended that Council determine and document a policy
position on this matter before any such application is made.

It is important to note that no new applications have been made recently. To date only two
exploration permits exist in the shire, one of which is due to expire in November 2018.

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