Noosa Council says it will “seek a meeting” with the Noosa Commercial Boatmans Association to “talk through” their concerns over the Draft Noosa River Plan, but has stopped short of committing to further formal consultation on the Plan.
As reported last week the Noosa Commercial Boatmans Association is critical of the Draft Noosa River Plan, claiming it fails to address a range of issues relevant to businesses reliant on the river for their livelihoods.
The Association was also critical of the timeframe for public submissions on the Draft Plan – with work on the plan originally commenced in 2018 – saying the formal consultation period had clashed with the 2019-2020 holiday period.
Some of the Association’s specific concerns include that the Draft Plan is too focused on “compliance” aspects of river use and does not fully address commercial and recreational users’ concerns over issues such as sewage leaks and vessel waste pump-out facilities, flood impacts and mitigation, aquatic life and State and Federal – and international – marine regulations.
The Association also says the Draft Plan “recommends a range of actions that are not linked to any identified issues which appear to be political ambitions unrelated to river health and safety”.
They said the Draft Plan “should be ringing alarm bells for river users as the plan lacks detail on issues such as a multi-use marine ‘protected’ area to be established in the Noosa area, and suggests recreational and commercial boat use is excessive and needs to be capped or subject to fees and permits to reduce usage to Council’s assessment of the river’s ideal carrying capacity”.
Noosa Today asked the council if it would consider extending the public consultation period and this week received the following response from the council’s Acting Director of Environment and Sustainable Development, Kerri Coyle –
“Council welcomes Noosa Commercial Boatmans Association’s feedback, and that of all residents and other stakeholders who took the time to comment on the draft Noosa River Plan,” Kerri said.
“Everyone can play a role in protecting and enhancing our river system.
“Council received more than 80 submissions from members of the community, industry and State agencies during public consultation on the first draft of the Noosa River Plan in 2018.
“Officers met with a Noosa Commercial Boatmans Association representative at the time, and Council adopted some of their suggestions in the second draft of the plan.
“During the second phase of consultation, held last month, Council received a further 60 submissions, many from the same interested stakeholders that provided feedback on the first draft.
“Council will seek a meeting with Noosa Commercial Boatmans Association to talk through the group’s current concerns in more detail.
“The Noosa River Plan is a comprehensive strategy developed to manage key threats to the river system and its environmental and social values.
“The river’s role in residents’ and visitors’ social lives cannot be overstated, and it is a key economic driver for many in the business community.
“Council welcomes the recent announcement that Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) will increase its presence on the Noosa River.
“We look forward to seeing the results of increased State investment and whether it achieves the outcomes that the community is seeking.
“If it does, then it’s a win we can all celebrate.
“However, MSQ is only responsible for one aspect of Noosa River management.”
(SUBHEAD)
Sewage spills…
Two sewage leaks into the Noosa River last December were related to tree root damage, according to the Queensland Department of Environment and Science (DES).
Noosa Today asked the department for comment on the leaks, which occurred in the vicinity of Lions Park, with a spokesman saying the “incidents” had been “investigated”, after being reported by Unitywater, which operates Noosa Shire’s water and wastewater systems.
Under state environmental laws wastewater utility operators can face significant fines over accidental sewage releases into waterways.
“The first incident was reported on 16 December 2019, and the second on 20 December 2019, both reported by Unitywater,” the DES spokesman said.
“DES officers inspected the site on 16 December 2020 to assess impacts and the response by Unitywater, confirming that effective mitigation measures were in place.
“Both sewage releases were the result of a longitudinal crack along a section of a pressurised sewer pipe, caused by a tree root.
“Both incidents were in the vicinity of Lions Park where public warning signs and flagging tape were erected to advise the public of the risk.
“The department has not issued a fine, and no other enforcement action has been taken in relation to this incident.”
A spokesman for Noosa Council said Unitywater “is Noosa’s water supply and sewage treatment provider”.
“In the event of a spill, Council officers work with Unitywater to ensure protocols for site decontamination, testing of water and placement of warning signs are followed,” the spokesman said.
• Comment has been sought from Unitywater – more next week…
