2017-01-16 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                 16 JANUARY 2017


Council acknowledged that fisheries management reforms will involve some adjustment, and
invited further discussion directly with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to consider how
Council could partner with the State to ensure a smooth implementation to achieve sustainable
management of the fishery resource to improve the local economy.
In October 2016, Council representatives met with the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries to
advise that it is also willing to commit resources to achieving these outcomes, including community
and industry engagement.
In addition, if the concept of Fishery Councils (outlined in the MRAG review) is adopted as part of
the current fisheries reform process, Council, as a key stakeholder protecting the ecological values
of the Noosa River catchment and surrounds would be interested in having a representative on a
locality-based Fishery Council.
5.    COMMUNITY JURY RECOMMENDATIONS
In August 2015, a second Community Jury was established by Council to examine the topic ‘How
can we manage the Noosa River better? What role should Council play and what resources should
Council apply?’
The in scope matters relating to the topic included:
   anchoring, mooring and living on board vessels in the river; and
   commercial jetty leases and commercial use of the river.
The out of scope matters included:
   commercial and recreational fishing;
   riverbank erosion; and
   riverbank restoration.
Following a four month deliberation the majority of the Jury considered that –
     Council should take over the authority and finances from the State Government for
     managing anchoring, mooring, living on board and commercial use of the river on the
     basis it would be a user pays system funded through alternative means to rates.
On 11 December, 2015 the Jury provided 12 recommendations for Council’s consideration and a
further explanatory document on 18 December 2015. A summary of the recommendations and
way forward is set out below:
1.    Review, update and implement the Noosa River Plan in a new framework and ratify with
      formal status to ensure it has authority. Way forward – the River Plan can be reviewed and
      updated in a whole-of-catchment management framework. Include actions in the Plan to
      progress development of proposals for Council to take on management of on-river activities.
2.    Undertake effective monitoring and facilitation of waste tank effluent removal and disposal
      from vessels. This recommendation requires further consideration by Council during
      development of the management proposals for on-river activities.
3.    Establish an effective duty of care and policy regarding Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and
      aboriginal engagement on all aspects of river management. There are no significant issues
      relating to this recommendation.
4.    Implement a role with authority on the river around compliance and monitoring. This
      recommendation requires further consideration by Council during development of the
      management proposals for on-river activities.
5.    Maintain river catchment protections. This recommendation requires further consideration by
      Council during development of the management proposals for on-river activities AND to
      inform future catchment management initiatives.



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