Top marks for Noosa River, but still more work to be done

Council has welcomed Noosa River’s result in this year’s Healthy Waterways Report Card, launched today.

 Noosa River received an A- score for its combined estuarine and freshwater health – making it South East Queensland’s healthiest river.

The Noosa River catchment also scored four and a half stars out of a possible five in a newly introduced scoring system reflecting social and economic indicators.

 “Noosa waterways are in excellent environmental condition, and the local community receives very high social and economic benefits from them,” said Healthy Waterways Chief Executive Officer, Julie McLellan.

“Excellent freshwater riparian and estuarine habitats are supporting numerous economic benefits through waterway recreation, particularly fishing,” she said.

Cr Tony Wellington, representing Council at the announcement, said the results were great news for the community.

“This is a fantastic result, but of course there is always room for improvement,” Cr Wellington said.

“To this end, we’re pleased to partner with the Thomas Foundation and the Nature Conservancy on an oyster reef pilot study, and research into historic prawn and fish productivity.

“Our aim is to determine baseline targets and then to improve aquatic biodiversity and fish abundance.

“Council appreciates Noosa River’s environmental significance and its value to the local community. That’s why we have tasked our community jury with considering how this wonderful waterway might be better managed, and the role Council should play in that management,” Cr Wellington said.

Low pollutant loads, excellent riparian vegetation resulting in excellent stream health, and excellent estuarine habitat contributed to Noosa River’s A- rating.

Very high economic benefits generated through waterway recreation, and excellent economic benefits generated through recreational fishing contributed to the four-and-a-half-star rating.

The social indicators showed that the community values the waterway very highly and rates its ability to use the waterway very highly.

22 October 2015