The Eastern Beaches are held dear to all local residents and the many visitors who enjoy our stunning coastline.
These shores are painted with many and varied memories of days spent building sandcastles, long walks breathing in the salty sea spray, refreshing dips to wash away a day at work or to wake you up in the morning as well as moments of contemplation taking in the breathtaking views.
Given how much these landscapes mean to the community, it’s no surprise Noosa Council is likely to receive a plethora of feedback on their draft Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan.
While the proposed plan has many areas that deserve attention, we believe there are three critical areas that sit at the top of the priority list. Prompt action on these items will ensure the plan is finalised in a way that effectively guides how these lands are sustainably maintained so future generations to enjoy.
All fires start with just a spark.
Many of us will never forget the devastating Peregian Beach fires of September 2019. If not for the amazing efforts of our local fire services the result would have been devastating for our community. Fire is a naturally occurring event in the Australian landscape and, as climate change creates more severe and extreme whether events, we will inevitably face the ongoing threat of bushfires. Noosa Council’s draft plan recognises the bushfire threat, yet there are no actions within it that would prevent or minimise the effect and likelihood of a bushfire.
To get this right we need to consult with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service and other experts to determine suitable fire prevention activities such as developing fire-fighting access trails and fuel reduction zones. If we really want these foreshores to be resistant to the impacts of climate change, we need to be bushfire ready with a robust fire maintenance strategy along the Eastern Beaches to protect the communities beyond them.
Setting a benchmark for strong dunes.
We are encouraged to see budget for bush regeneration and the prevention of invasive species throughout the plan. We are in favour of and are supportive of programs that eradicate weeds.
Research and evidence shows the dunes are in very good condition and are in-fact growing. We are supportive therefore of the implementation of a science based monitoring program like an ecology census that tracks dune and beach health as a benchmark for future action and to ensure decisions are always based on science.
Shore up the coastal creeks to prevent erosion.
The draft plan references a number of significant erosion concerns near the mouths of coastal creeks. It is not in dispute that the coastal creeks are the highest contributors to erosion yet they have not been included in the scope of this plan or prioritised and no funding has been allocated to address the risks they pose. The plan needs to be amended to incorporate proactive management strategies to repair and put in erosion prevention measures to reduce costs as well as environmental and social impacts.
Fix our stormwater systems to keep waterways and beaches clean.
The plan notes the water quality of Burgess Creek has decreased and pollutants have increased. In 2021 Council stated that the scope of this plan would include ‘management of creeks and stormwater that flow in the ocean’ but despite this, tactics to improve our creek systems have been omitted, we believe they need to be our biggest priority.
A sensible plan that makes sense in context to the area it has been written to protect
We are eternally grateful to call this tranquil part of the word home and we look forward to seeing future generations enjoy the same discoveries we have been lucky to experience. With effective fire management, dune health monitoring programs and coastal creek management plans, we believe this will become a reality.
As the land managers of this precious area, we implore Noosa Council to listen to the community along with experts who are best placed to advise on the plan before reshaping it to focus on the priority issues to be addressed.
The Eastern Beaches Protection Association (EBPA) is made up of local residents and homeowners and was established to protect local beaches, dunes and community lifestyle and advocate on key issues facing the community.
