Kathleen Swalling
The draft Noosa River Catchment Plan presented to Council in September offers an opportunity for locals to have more of a say in River management by considering setting up a Conservation Park. I understand that the concept of a Conservation Park was said to be a surprise to certain stakeholder groups. The opportunity to consider a Conservation Park is a recent addition to the Noosa River Catchment Plan intended to give Council more of a say in management. Accordingly, through this article, I offer residents some understanding of what this could mean for Noosa.
As things stand, the authority of Noosa Council stops at the water’s edge and the Noosa River is managed by various government agencies, including the Department of Environment and Science, Maritime Safety Queensland and Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
The Council may develop community goals for the river. However, effective outcomes rely on State agencies. Essentially, we rely on relationships that our current Councillors and Council staff develop with State colleagues without having any specific governance or legal arrangements to fall back on. As Councillors, Council Staff and State government changes these matters can be left inactive, halted, or change direction. Outcomes become difficult to attain.
Becoming a Trustee of a Conservation Park gives regulatory support to Noosa Council, staff, and residents to take a central and more effective role. We can think of Noosa shire as the cog that can turn the wheels of state parliament for action on the river. A Conservation Park would establish the opportunity for accountable relationships with state government on a myriad of issues including water quality, vessels, wildlife, destination management, conflict of use that we as residents could rely on into the future. With the proposed increases in population to SEQ, it seems wise that Noosa Council ensure it has formal arrangements with state government rather than informal to manage these and other issues.
It is important to note that fishing, boating and tourism activities may all continue, in a Conservation Park. These key activities drive our business economy and are enjoyed by many residents as part of our Noosa lifestyle.
Additionally, recent surveys by Noosa Council list the environment as the number one topic of interest for residents. By considering a Conservation Park, Council can also respond to environmental concerns in the river and those matters that might also impact from the river onto our beaches and into our beautiful coastal waters.
The Noosa River Catchment Plan has been in development for six years and been through multiple rounds of community consultation. Although, as mentioned, this addition to ‘consider’ a Conservation Park has been included in the last few months. It seems that the delay, voted on by four Councillors, related to the Conservation Park. In the meeting, (recording available online), it was clear that several of these Councillors had been emailed by former members of the now defunct, Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Committee. Some of these Councillors suggested the comments were said to come from members of the boating and fishing sectors. They raised concerns and fears about the Noosa River Catchment Plan, and in particular, the proposal to ‘consider’ a Conservation Park. Some Councillors seem to question how a Conservation Park would help given the state would have ultimate jurisdiction over things like fisheries.
While these stakeholders may have voiced concerns, the many voices of those who came to Noosa to be closer to nature and to enjoy the natural surroundings were not present and perhaps unheard.
The Noosa River itself is under pressure from increasing visitation, and sadly is in decline, the scientific data and the water quality (evidenced by a drop in Healthy River status from A to B; clearly visible to residents and long-term visitors particularly in the lower reaches of the river) tell us that action is required. Declining river health leads to declining coastal health. Inaction or avoidance of responsibility on environmental issues is a thing of the past. We see the Council taking a strong stance on the SEQ plan. We need to encourage both Councillors and the boating and fishing industry to see considering a Conservation Park as an opportunity, not a threat.
Local Councils and local people are an integral part of good environmental management. While we might be concerned about layers of bureaucracy, the option of a Conservation Park offers residents (those most affected) a legitimate foundation to improve the Noosa River for all users.
You can support the Councillors to approve the Noosa River Catchment Plan and at very least ‘consider’ a Conservation Park as a solution for all residents by emailing them here:
noosa.qld.gov.au/about-council/councillors-meetings/mayor-and-councillors
Kathleen Swalling is a Strategic, Legal and Stakeholder Engagement Advisor specialising in Marine and Coastal Management issues.
