Petition: Objection To The Noosa River Catchment Management Plan

Oh, you've got more. Now, I would like to leave the staff recommendation some additional with some additional amendments. Or some additional, not amendments in this case, because the motion has been before us, but with some additional clauses. They being, and I'm happy to read out the staff recommendation first and foremost, which is that Council note the report by the principal Environmental officer river strategy and engagement to the General Committee Meeting dated the 18th September 2023 and the further report on summary of submissions to the ordinary Council meeting the 26th of October 2023 regarding the updated Noosa Catchment Management Plan and a adopt the Noosa River Catchment Management Plan for ongoing implementation. Noting some implementations will involve further stakeholder engagement and are subject to future budget considerations. And authorise the CEO to make minor changes and edits to the plan prior to finalising, designing and publishing the plan. Possible note the changes in response to feedback outlined in this report as per attachment 1, and consider if Council wishes to support these, and if supported authorise the CEO to make these changes prior to finalising and publishing the plan. I'd also like to add D, that apparently. A paragraph be added paragraph under desired outcomes entitled anchoring that includes items mentioned such as the proposal to introduce a 28-day anchoring limit in any financial year to reduce the congestion and improve the rivers amenity currently being considered by MSQ as outlined in the report. I don't think it's got all the words there. Considers a review of anchoring sites that do not impact on the natural assets of the reserve such as oyster reefs, seagrass beds and Main Roads and any other outcomes from the Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Committee or in the proposed actions of the plan with regards to anchoring. E to the explanation of a conservation park on page 37 of the plan the following be included that the concept of a conservation park requires further public consultation with all key stakeholders including the Department of Environment and Science and the general public before deciding whether proceed further with this concept the process will clearly outline the proposed purpose of such a management structure undertake a detailed assessment of the current natural cultural and socio-economic values of the river any positive and negative impacts of a conservation park and prepare a report for consideration by Council and the State Department of Environment and Science including feedback from the community and other stakeholders. F, the concept of a conservation park must align with the desired outcomes and uses supported by the Noosa River Catchment Management Plan and g authorise the CEO to undertake a process of community and stakeholder consultation on the a conservation park for the fish habitat areas of the Noosa River which clearly outlines the proposed purpose of such a management structure, outlines other management structure models that have been considered, undertakes a detailed assessment of current natural, cultural and socio-economic values on the river, evaluates any positive and negative impacts of a conservation park, and prepare a report for consideration by Council and the State Department of Environment and Science, including feedback from the community and other stakeholders. I do so on the basis of feedback from the last month I agreed to delay the approval of this and I clearly outlined that I had no objection to the elements of the Noosa River Catchment Management Plan and I say that because I think all of those parameters and for the 10 years that I've been here on Council, and for many years before that, I've heard a desire to manage our river and our greatest asset this community has. And I think the work and the elements of that are outlined and the actions that are proposed work towards achieving that. I think they also deal with the concerns that have been raised by elements of the community including the boating and fishing alliance with regard to things like personal watercraft being allowed to proceed further up the river than they currently do. Those opportunities are there in the actions of this plan proposed and there will be an opportunity there to present all of those elements going forward. The reasons I've introduced E is to deal with the feedback that the community has given in the last 30 days. Sorry, since the last meeting. I won't say 30 days because that's not quite correct. Since that was it. And it's one of the reasons I agreed extension of time. Was so that the concept of a conservation park wasn't something that the community hadn't heard. But what is put before us today is not to approve a conservation park. That's an element of misinformation. So I'm trying to, in these additional points, outline clearly that this is something for consideration only, which needs to go out for a due process with the general public and the stakeholders that all have an element of concern and interest. And the well-being of the river is out at the forefront of their consideration. Now, we had some questions raised around the elements of this going forward. All of those questions are relevant to the process of consideration here. The conservation park, again, is not something that is outlined for adoption here tonight. The only thing that we're putting forward with regard to a conservation park is an idea to. Consider. Noosa River is not. Would not be the only river to have a management plan and would certainly not be the only river to have actions to undertake the management and the. To. I've lost my train of thought. And to consider the needs of the greater community for such a great asset. Certainly the Gold Coast waterways are one that come to mind that have a significant plan there in that regard. So I put it to you that the second part, F, that the concept of a conservation park must align with the desired outcomes and uses supported by the Noosa River catchment plan. What that is intended to say is that a conservation park. If it was introduced, could not override the Noosa River Catchment Management Plan. It would need to go out again to be completely rewritten. So that's why I've put in clearly articulating that the conservation park, the concept of the conservation park, would go out for further public consultation with all key stakeholders and the general public and that the concept of conservation park must align with the Noosa management river catchment plan and not be a vehicle for overriding the actions within.

All Councillors around this table join in their admiration and thanks for the incredible works that those people did, that is quite simply remarkable, and if there is any follow you want us to do in regard to a formal, a letter, or something like that, we're more than happy to provide that because that's what we appreciate, thank you. I'll move that Standing Orders be resumed. Can I have a second? I'll second. Thank you Councillor Jurisevic. All in favour? Carried unanimously. Can please I have a mover for the confirmation of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on the 21st of September. Thank you Councillor Jurisevic. I'll move that Standing Orders be resumed. That's Councillor Jurisevic. I'll second. Thank you Councillor Finzel. All in favour? Carried unanimously. Yes. Thank you Councillor. Yes. Thank you Tom. I have a mover for the confirmation of the Minutes of the Special Meeting held on the 3rd of October. Thank you Councillor Lorentson and a seconder. I'll second that. Vicki that was Councillor Lorentson and Stewart seconded. All in favour? Carried. Tom. Yes. Thank you. Carried carriage anonymously there are no Mayoral minutes. I have a petition to present. I think there is a couple tonight. This one is a petition with 207 signatories objecting to the Noosa River Catchment Management Plan. I move that this petition be received and referred to the Chief Executive Officer to determine appropriate action. Thank you Mr CEO. All in favour? Thank you. Councillor Lorentson. I also have a. Thank yeah.

Amelia Lorentson74:41

I'll speak to the motion. The Noosa community support a Noosa River Catchment Management Plan. In particular, they support measures aimed at excluding sediment, chemicals and human waste entering the river. In particular, actions prioritising anchoring, mooring, river boards and sediment. What the community don't not support to be consulted on significant matters that have the impact or the potential to impact their livelihoods and lifestyles, such as the late inclusion of the recommendation to consider establishing a conservation park. Councils have heard from general manager of the boating industry association, the Chair of the Australian fish and trade association, who have expressed that they are troubled by the inclusion of the conservation park concept, as it was not part or never part of the overall consultation that has been in play for years. We've heard from community. We've heard from stakeholders. And it's clear from the number of people here this evening, the 2,400 signed petition, the 207 signed petition opposing the plan, the hundreds and of emails, both for and against the plan, social media posts, the published newspaper articles, and news reports, that there is widespread confusion, misinformation, and distrust with Council. Council within the community. There has been insufficient time and process allocated for the community to fully understand what the impacts of the conservation park might be. There has been no substantial or acceptable explanation community as to why the situation significant change, that is the inclusion of the conservation park, was made two months ago without broad and appropriate consultation. And why other models, such as the river trust, were not considered, were not evaluated, costed and presented. We how do did we go straight to a conservation park status recommendation? It is therefore not reasonable nor right to be pushing through a river plain before an election that is causing undue stress and confusion in the community and causing distrust in Council. This does not reflect meaningful community engagement. It simply destroys the public's confidence in the integrity of this Council. By deferring the matter to next year, we lose nothing. Funding is not at risk and our river is not at risk. I'd like to remind Councillors that the Noosa River has already some of the most restricted state protections by way of fish habitat areas and declared under Queensland fisheries act 1994. Under this state legislation, fish habitat areas are already protected from physical disturbances associated with coastal developments. The purpose of this state legislation aims to ensure that fishing in the future is protected by protecting fish habitats. Further, there's no authorisation needed under state legislation to access declared fish habitat areas for community uses. The State legislation is fair and it's equitable. An management approach for all stakeholders. Recreational, traditional, commercial fishing and boating activities are allowed. So the question on everyone's mind is why are we trying to change that? Today the issue is not about a conservation park. It's not even about a river management plan. It's about public trust. This community has felt misled. The importance of public interest and public participation in decision making and the importance of. Maintaining the public's confidence in the integrity of our Council should be the only basis of the decision before us and that's why I'm recommending a deferral.