Accelerating River Action

That the Chief Executive offer be requested to:

A.  Accelerate action to advance Council’s and the community’s interest in the Noosa River and its catchment by progressing initiatives and collaborations that work toward the achievement of the Noosa Environment Strategy 2019 goal that “by 2030 waterways, wetlands and coasts are healthy, resilient to change and valued by the community” including:

1. Prioritise available relevant staff time and existing budget on 

a. protecting aquatic and riparian flora and fauna and their habitats;

b. rehabilitating degraded wetland and waterway and fish habitats, streambanks and riparian buffers as part of any development or activities undertaken in, or adjacent to, the river system or on tidal lands;

c. improving the water quality of the Noosa River system through effective management of sediments and other direct and indirect sources of pollution; and 

d. regular monitoring, compliance and evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions;

2. Pursue new funding and grant opportunities to extend the Oyster Reef Restoration and Oyster Gardening Programs into other suitable locations in the Noosa River and Lakes system, considering the early successes of this program; 

3. Collaborate with the Kabi Kabi people to develop and implement a Land and Sea Rangers or similar program that educates others on how to respect and avoid harm to the indigenous, historical, environmental and conservation cultural heritage of the Noosa River system; and

B.  Utilise the above outline of actions as a guide to Council’s submission for funding under the SEQ Council of Mayors’ Resilient Rivers Program and any other relevant funding/grant programs. 

That the item be deferred to April 2024 round of meetings to allow a report from the CEO to provide data in relation to available resources including, but not limited to human resources.

Lost.

That the Chief Executive offer be requested to:

A.  Accelerate action to advance Council’s and the community’s interest in the Noosa River and its catchment by progressing initiatives and collaborations that work toward the achievement of the Noosa Environment Strategy 2019 goal that “by 2030 waterways, wetlands and coasts are healthy, resilient to change and valued by the community” including:

1. Prioritise available relevant staff time and existing budget on 

a. protecting aquatic and riparian flora and fauna and their habitats;

b. rehabilitating degraded wetland and waterway and fish habitats, streambanks and riparian buffers as part of any development or activities undertaken in, or adjacent to, the river system or on tidal lands;

c. improving the water quality of the Noosa River system through effective management of sediments and other direct and indirect sources of pollution; and 

d. regular monitoring, compliance and evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions;

2. Pursue new funding and grant opportunities to extend the Oyster Reef Restoration and Oyster Gardening Programs into other suitable locations in the Noosa River and Lakes system, considering the early successes of this program; 

3. Collaborate with the Kabi Kabi people to develop and implement a Land and Sea Rangers or similar program that educates others on how to respect and avoid harm to the indigenous, historical, environmental and conservation cultural heritage of the Noosa River system; and

B.  Utilise the above outline of actions as a guide to Council’s submission for funding under the SEQ Council of Mayors’ Resilient Rivers Program and any other relevant funding/grant programs.  

Carried.