With a sleek new design and public education, Noosa Integrated Catchment Association (NICA) in collaboration with Ozfish, plan to influence recreational fishers to dispose of their waste in environmentally-friendly ways and install new fishing line bins in which to do it.
“The new purpose-built bins will be more aesthetically pleasing and have a narrow top for fishing waste and not the things like cans and nappies that people have put in them,“ NICA president Bruce Hallett said.
Bruce said the new bins would replace the 30 existing fishing line bins that were installed from 2004-10.
Noosa Council will provide funding of $11,670 toward the project, titled A Line in the Sand, which also comprises a public education component that will include a QR code at the bins which people can scan on their phones to obtain information and brochures to be made available at fishing gear hire outlets.
The project is one of a host of local initiatives to share in $73,000 council funding in the latest round of Environmental Projects and Alliance Grants.
NICA also received $15,000 funding toward its ongoing efforts to report on the threatened migratory shorebirds that visit Noosa River and improve their long term survival.
Bruce said NICA had been researching the shorebirds for the past 14 years and had recently completed a report, available on their website. He said the funding for the latest project, titled Into the Flyosphere, would be stage three of the conservation roadmap intended to improve long term survival of the shorebirds.
In addition to ongoing surveys, the project plans to replace a vandalised telescope at the mouth of the river and made freely available to the public, create signage to inform people of the importance of the birds to the Noosa river, encourage people to protect the birds, and not allow their dogs to chase them.
Councillor Brian Stockwell said all of the funded projects supported council’s Environment Strategy and offered significant environmental benefits.
A Hinterland Bush Links program in which volunteers engage the wider community to help restore local habitat on public and private land has secured a $23,000 boost, while Wildlife Noosa has also secured funding.
“Wildlife Noosa has rescued more than 2000 trapped, sick, injured and at-risk wild and domestic animals so we’re pleased to be able to help them continue their work with a $6000 grant,” Cr Stockwell said.
“Meanwhile, Noosa Environmental Education Hub is helping raise a new generation of environmental custodians by teaching young people about ecosystems and getting them involved with both Council and community-led environmental initiatives.
“We’re pleased to provide a $16,000 grant toward such an incredibly worthwhile environmental program this round.”
