River holds its rating, but there's room for improvement

Noosa River has retained its A minus rating, the highest given in South East Queensland, in the 2017 Healthy Land and Water Report Card. But there’s more work to be done, according to Deputy Mayor Frank Wilkie.

“While the rating was the highest given to a non-pristine waterway, reducing sediment run-off remains a key challenge,” Cr Wilkie said.

“Projects initiated in partnerships with community, scientific, philanthropic and conservation groups are aiming to not only maintain but improve river health and biodiversity.

“For example, satellite laser analysis has enabled us to understand exactly where millions of cubic metres of soil have been lost from the Kin Kin catchment and washed into the river system and precisely where the restoration work needs to be focused,” Cr Wilkie said.

“This is the essence of the Keep it in Kin Kin project, a partnership between Noosa Parks Association and Landcare and supported by the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation.

"The council is also working on a whole-of-catchment Noosa River Plan, a draft of which is soon to be presented to the community for comment. Meanwhile, the Council is continuing to negotiate with the State Government to take over management of anchoring, mooring and living-on-board activities from the state agencies.

“The Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation has also supported a multi-organisation project to install 15 oyster reefs in the lower estuary as well as studies to monitor the health and abundance of prawns and fish in the river. University of the Sunshine Coast scientists are also involved in this work.”

The Noosa River’s high rating was attributed in part to having 92 percent of the Noosa riverbank protected with vegetation and thus urban areas making up only three percent of the catchment, the report noted.

The report also found Pumicestone Passage improved from a B to an A minus while Maroochy and Mooloolah Rivers declined from a B to B minus.

Visit the Healthy Land and Water website for the full report.

8 November 2017