Meeting minutes

ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                                     16 NOVEMBER 2023




     11.3.     SANIA BORIC

               Question 1.
               If a conservation park is declared over the existing FHA's, what extra powers
               exactly does that give Council that you or State departments do not already have,
               why is this necessary, or even a point for consideration IF the rivers health is at a
               critical level as suggested and urgent action is required, which would be held up
               with the need for further community consultation?
               Answer provided by Kim Rawlings, Director Strategy and Environment
               This is yet to be properly determined as the concept of a conservation park
               established under the Nature Conservation Act (1992) in the same areas as the
               declared Fish Habitat Area (FHA) of the Noosa River was subject to
               comprehensive consideration and investigation to determine this. This is now on
               hold and deferred until 2024.

               Question 2.
               Given that the Catchment falls within 3 different shires, one would assume that
               there is already an in principle heads of agreement on the declaration of a
               conservation park between the Shires; In terms of environmental and scientific
               significance, how is it that the rest of the Noosa River does not rate as at risk? Is
               there scientific evidence or an environmental report/ link that suggests that the
               areas of the River outside of the FHA’s are not at risk and do not require to be
               included into the Conservation Park?
               Answer provided by Kim Rawlings, Director Strategy and Environment
               While the catchment falls within three different shires, a very small proportion of
               the Noosa River Catchment is shared with Gympie and Sunshine Coast. Council
               however works with Sunshine Coast Council and Gympie Council on various
               projects with broader catchment management considerations. The concept of a
               Conservation Park over FHA was subject to investigation and was just one of
               many other actions in the Draft Noosa River Catchment Plan which sought to
               address a wide range of river and catchment management issues and
               opportunities.

8.           CONSIDERATION OF COMMITTEE REPORTS



     8.1.      PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT - 7 NOVEMBER 2023

               ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES

               COMMITTEE MEMBERS
               Cr Clare Stewart (Acting Chair)
               Cr Karen Finzel (vi Microsoft Teams)
               Cr Brian Stockwell

               NON COMMITTEE MEMBERS
               Cr Amelia Lorentson

               EXECUTIVE
               Acting Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock
               Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray
               Director Infrastructure Shaun Walsh