40736 waterways and coastal management strategy 2011-2021 ... · 4.6 minimising other impacts on...

Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy2011-2021August 2014 edition

Our waterways - valued, healthy, enjoyed.

For further information www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au(07) 5475 7272

Sunshine Coast Council™ is a registered trademark of Sunshine Coast Regional Council. © Sunshine Coast Regional Council 2009-current. Adopted by Council February 2011. Revised August 2014, due to Sunshine Coast Local Government Area boundary amendments.

AcknowledgementsSunshine Coast Regional Council acknowledges the Traditional Owners of land across the Sunshine Coast and recognises their rich culture and intrinsic connection to the land and sea that stretches back over thousands of years.

Council also wishes to thank all interested stakeholders for their valuable contributions towards the development of the Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011–2021.

DisclaimerInformation contained in this document is based on available information at the time of writing. All figures and diagrams are indicative only and should be referred to as such. This is a strategic document which deals with technical matters in a summary way only. Council or its officers accept no responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting in reliance upon any material contained in this document.

2 Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011-2021

Table of contents

1 Executive Summary 4

2 Background 8

2.1 Waterways and coastal 10

foreshores at a glance

2.2 What are healthy waterways and 14

coastal foreshores?

2.3 Legislative and policy framework 15

2.3.1 International, federal and state 15

framework

2.3.2 Sunshine Coast Council policy 16

framework

3 Values 19

3.1 Ecological values 20

3.1.1 Aquatic, riparian and coastal 20

ecosystems

3.1.2 Unique species and habitat 20

3.2 Social values 22

3.2.1 Cultural heritage 22

3.2.2 Recreation and open space 23

3.2.3 Active community, industry and 24

stakeholder groups

3.2.4 Coastal protection 24

3.3 Economic values 24

3.3.1 Tourism drawcard 24

3.3.2 Attractive setting for business and 24

residential settlement

3.3.3 Primary industries 25

3.3.4 Extractive industries 25

3.3.5 On-site fill extraction for urban 25

development

3.3.6 Water supply 25

4 Challenges 26

4.1 Accommodating population 28

growth and demand

4.2 Preparing for climate change 28

4.3 Managing the total water cycle 28

4.4 Managing the quality of runoff 29

4.5 Managing groundwater 30

4.6 Minimising other impacts on waterways 30

4.7 Maintaining riparian and in-stream health 30

4.8 Managing constructed water bodies 32

4.9 Managing for coastal hazards 32

4.10 Managing coastal lagoons 33

4.11 Managing coastal algal blooms, 33

weeds and pest animals

5 Strategic Directions 34

5.1 Waterways and coastal foreshores vision 36

5.2 Framework, principles, objectives and 36

strategic outcomes

6 Implementation 48

6.1 Partnerships 50

6.2 Funding 50

6.3 Knowledge management 51

6.4 Reporting 51

7 Maps 52

8 Glossary 70

9 References 76

Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011-2021 3


Executive Summary

Section 1


The Sunshine Coast’s waterways and coastal

foreshores include:

• five major catchment areas: Maroochy and

Mooloolah Rivers, Pumicestone Passage and its

tributaries and the headwaters of the Mary and

Stanley Rivers (see Figure 2.1). The Sunshine Coast

region also includes a small section of the southern

headwaters of the Noosa River (see Map 7.1)

• a variety of permanent and intermittent (i.e.

temporary) wetlands

• a diverse range of ecosystems and fauna

• coastal lagoons including Stumers Creek,

Currimundi Lake, Coondibah Creek and Tooway

Creek and other coastal streams

• numerous constructed lakes, ponds and canals

• approximately 130 kilometres of coastal foreshores

stretching from Bribie Island to Coolum, including

beaches, dune systems, rocky headlands,

Mudjimba Island and near-shore marine

environments.

Waterways and coastal foreshores are valuable assets

that provide multiple environmental, social and economic

benefits. The Sunshine Coast’s waterways include unique

and valuable aquatic ecosystems and play a major role

in sustaining terrestrial environments. Moreover, they are

fundamental to the coastal lifestyle that we all enjoy and

they support many of the industries that contribute to the

Sunshine Coast’s economy.

The role of the Strategy is to:

1 Executive summary

The Sunshine Coast Council (Council) is committed to the effective management of its waterways and coastal foreshores. Council’s corporate vision is for the Sunshine Coast to be 'Australia’s most sustainable region – vibrant, green, diverse'. Healthy waterways and foreshores are a critical component of this vision and the Corporate Plan 2009-2014 identifi es these as a high priority.1

To assist in achieving its vision, Council has prepared the

Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management

Strategy (the Strategy), which outlines key values,

challenges and strategic directions to guide future

planning and implementation.

Inform Council planning and operational activities

and the development and implementation of

the new Sunshine Coast planning scheme.

Guide Council decision making and

community initiatives.

Drive a range of strategies and actions that will

deliver the vision.

Engage the community and key stakeholders to

build and consolidate the partnerships and

resources required to make a difference.

1 Sunshine Coast Council has adopted a new Corporate Plan 2014-2019 post the adoption of this Strategy in 2011. Refer to Council’s website for updated details.Grey mangrove (Avicennia marina)


determine community confidence and maintain the

efficiency and effectiveness of investments. This process

will allow the Strategy to be reviewed and modified where

necessary to ensure that management initiatives continue

to address relevant issues.

Our waterways and coastal foreshores are under

pressure from a range of management challenges

including population growth and climate change.

These challenges have potentially serious environmental,

economic and social consequences for a community

highly reliant on these assets. These challenges are

important considerations when developing waterway

and coastal management initiatives to maintain healthy

waterways and coastal foreshores, and the businesses

that rely on them.

The Strategy provides a framework and direction for the

management of natural waterways, constructed water

bodies and coastal foreshores. Because they are inherently

different, each of these three water types is addressed

separately and each has its own vision, principles,

objectives and strategic outcomes. The vision of the

Strategy is that:

The Sunshine Coast’s waterways and coastal foreshores are ecologically healthy, well-managed assets that underpin our livelihoods and lifestyles.

Major deliverables under this Strategy include the

development of:

• holistic and integrated catchment and estuary

management plans for each of the Sunshine Coast’s

catchments

• marine zones for the Maroochy and Mooloolah River

estuaries and Pumicestone Passage

• a total water cycle management plan for the

Sunshine Coast

• a management framework and associated strategic

asset management plan for constructed water

bodies

• a coastal land management plan for the Sunshine

Coast and associated shoreline erosion management

plans covering the entire coastline.

Implementation of the Strategy will draw upon and

consolidate the strengths of past waterways planning

and on-ground achievements, while respecting

differences in catchment pressures and waterway

health. Implementation will also incorporate a monitoring,

evaluation and reporting program, which is crucial to

Natural waterway, Mary River

Constructed water body, Mooloolaba Canals

Coastal foreshore, Mudjimba

Background

Section 2



2 Background

The Sunshine Coast’s waterways and coastal foreshores (Figure 2.1) are central to the area’s relaxed, water-based lifestyle, wherein surfi ng, fi shing and swimming are popular leisure activities. The Sunshine Coast community relies on these assets, which attract millions of visitors each year. As such, the health of our waterways and coastal foreshores is critical to the local economy and the livelihoods and lifestyles of residents.

2.1 Waterways and coastal foreshores at a glanceA summary of Sunshine Coast waterways (including

natural waterways and constructed water bodies) and

coastal foreshores, including definitions and their spatial

extent follows.

Natural waterwaysNatural waterways are defined as watercourses, lakes

and wetlands, including their beds, banks and adjoining

buffers, where:

• watercourses are freshwater or tidal rivers, creeks or

other streams in which water flows permanently or

intermittently, in a natural or modified channel, or in

an artificial channel that has changed the course of

the stream

• lakes are wide, open-water ecosystems that are

recharged by watercourses or groundwater

• wetlands are vegetated, swamp- or marsh-like

ecosystems that are permanently or intermittently

inundated by water.

Natural waterways are important landscape elements

which provide a range of critical natural functions,

including fauna movement, water, sediment and nutrient

supply to streamside, floodplain and coastal ecosystems,

habitat for aquatic and streamside biodiversity, and

shaping the landscape itself. Natural waterways also

support a range of recreation and leisure activities and

are important to various industries that contribute to the

Sunshine Coast economy.

Management of natural waterways is typically undertaken

at a catchment scale. The Sunshine Coast includes all or

part of the catchments of five major waterway systems:

the Maroochy, Mooloolah, Mary and Stanley Rivers and

the Pumicestone Passage (see Box 1, Table 2.1, Section

7 – Map 7.1, Map 7.2). The Sunshine Coast region also

includes a small section of the southern headwaters of

the Noosa River catchment. Subcatchments within each

of these catchments are represented in Section 7 (Map

7.3 – 7.7). These maps also identify subcatchments of

coastal streams which flow directly to the Coral Sea

and do not impact on waterway health of the major

catchments with which they are associated.

Gheerulla Creek, Mary River


1

2

3

4

5

Figure 2.1: Waterways and coastal foreshores of the Sunshine Coast

Numbers correspond to information on the respective catchments provided in Box 1 (see page 12).


Catchment land-use*

Catchment Total catchment area (km2)

Percentage of catchment in Sunshine Coast (%)

Percentage of Sunshine Coast area (%)

Remnant vegetation (%)

Rural (%)

Urban (%)

Maroochy River 632 100 28 31 52 17

Mooloolah River 223 100 10 29 26 45

Pumicestone

Passage

1207 36 20 25 59 16

Mary River 9434 12 37 48 50 2

Stanley River 7572 1 5 38 62 0

* South East Queensland Regional Plan projection

1 Maroochy River

catchment

The Maroochy River system dominates the central Sunshine Coast. It drops quickly from its

headwaters in the Blackall and Mooloolah Ranges, onto a large broad floodplain dominated

by farmland and sugar cane before reaching the sea at Maroochydore. Parts of the upper

estuary are denuded of riparian vegetation whereas the middle estuary is flanked by healthy

paperbark wetlands and Wallum heath.

2 Mooloolah River

catchment

The Mooloolah River is a smaller river, with its headwaters in the Mooloolah Range. The

River passes through rainforest and natural bushland, agricultural and grazing lands, and

urban development. The lower reaches have been modified for canal estates and a marina

supporting intensive boating, fishing and tourism activities.

3 Pumicestone

Passage

catchments

The Ramsar-listed Pumicestone Passage is a long, tidal waterway, enclosed between the

mainland and Bribie Island. The Passage receives inflows from a network of creeks (Bells,

Halls, Coochin and Coonowrin) which have their headwaters in the D’Aguilar Ranges, and

pass through native bush, forestry, pine plantations, grazing, horticulture and urban areas.

4 Mary River

catchment

The Mary River is one of the most environmentally and economically diverse catchments

in Queensland supporting a range of activities including agriculture and tourism. Its

headwaters are in the Conondale and Blackall Ranges and it flows northwards for hundreds

of kilometres to the Great Sandy Strait, influencing the coastal environment of Hervey Bay

and ultimately the Coral Sea. Large areas of the catchment are protected natural areas,

such as Conondale National Park and the catchment supports several iconic threatened

species: the Mary River turtle and cod and Queensland lungfish.

5 Stanley River

catchment

The Stanley River headwaters are in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range and the

Conondale Range, where large areas of land remain in a relatively natural state. The

catchment contributes substantial quantities of water to the Brisbane supply through its

impoundment at Somerset Dam.

Box 1: Major Sunshine Coast Catchments

Table 2.1: Summary statistics for the Sunshine Coast’s major river catchments.


Constructed water bodiesConstructed water bodies (CWBs) are defined as

artificial waterways2 including canals, where:

• Artificial waterways are artificial channels, lakes or

other bodies of water. CWBs specifically exclude

sedimentation basins, stormwater treatment

wetlands, water supply infrastructure and

agricultural water bodies

• Canals are artificial waterways connected, or

intended to be connected, to tidal water, and from

which boating access to the tidal water is not

hindered by a lock, weir or similar structure.

Large CWBs typically result from land reclamation

activities associated with urban developments.

CWBs not primarily resulting from land reclamation are

typically created during the rehabilitation of resource

extraction pits (e.g. after sand or gravel mining), or are

constructed as landscape features (small to medium

sized water bodies).

Management responsibilities for most large water

bodies are generally transferred from developers to

Council. In 2010, the Sunshine Coast Council manages

approximately 87 constructed ponds and lakes and

approximately 52 kilometres of canal, or canal-like,

water frontage. In addition, under existing development

commitments, it is estimated that approximately 12

kilometres of constructed water frontage are likely to be

transferred to Council for management in the near future.

Coastal foreshoresCoastal foreshores include the near shore marine environment, beaches, dunes, rocky headlands, coastal lagoons, backshores, and river mouths. Coastal foreshores are a component of the coastal zone (Section 7 – Map 7.8).

The Draft Queensland Coastal Plan 2009 provides a definition of the coastal zone which includes Queensland’s coastal waters (3 nautical miles from low water) and land below 10 m Australian Height Datum or 5 km from the coast (which ever is greater). Where appropriate, this zone will be considered as part of coastal foreshore management, however, it is noted that the management and regulation of areas of high environmental value (e.g. reefs) and fish populations within the coastal zone are the responsibility of the Queensland government.

The Sunshine Coast area includes approximately 130 km of coastal foreshore consisting of numerous world class beaches interspersed with a small number of iconic rocky headlands. The coastline is one of the area’s major tourism drawcards with millions of visitors flocking to the Sunshine Coast every year to enjoy the clean white, sandy beaches.

The coastal foreshores also include the Pumicestone Passage. This barrier-lagoon estuary is a wetland of international importance in accordance with the Ramsar Convention, offering a protective haven for migratory shorebirds, dugongs, marine turtles and dolphins. The tidal wetlands of the Passage are protected as part of the Moreton Bay Marine Park. The area is culturally significant for local indigenous people, confirmed by the large shell middens along the foreshores.

The Sunshine Coast foreshore also features a number of coastal lagoons which typically have high scenic and environmental values.

2 Based on definitions in the Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995, but also including artificial ponds less than 5000 m2

Mudjimba BeachConstructed water body, Mountain Creek


Healthy natural waterways are ecosystems that have

good water quality, balanced aquatic processes (rates

of plant and algal growth), are well vegetated with native

riparian species (which stabilise banks and provide

habitat for terrestrial fauna), a variety of in-stream

structures that provide aquatic habitat, and a diverse

range of native plants and animals.

The ecological condition or 'health' of Sunshine Coast

waterways varies between catchments (see Table 2.2).

This variation is due to a number of catchment-specific

factors, including the extent and condition of natural

vegetation, catchment land use and local climate.

Table 2.2: Sunshine Coast freshwater and estuarine report card grade

Ranges from minimum to maximum, 2002 to 2013

(EHMP, 2010).

CatchmentFreshwater Grade

Estuarine Grade

Maroochy River C- to C+ D to C

Mooloolah River C to B C to A-

Pumicestone Passage C- to B+ D+ to A-

Stanley River C+ to B+ n/a

Mary River B* n/a

Source: Healthy Waterways regional Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program (EHMP)* denotes a value extrapolated from a limited dataset collected from 2005-2007 (MSC, 2008)

A = Excellent, B = Good, C = Fair,

D = Poor and F = Fail (very poor)

For this strategy, healthy constructed water bodies

are well managed assets that balance reasonable

service levels and risk mitigation, with consideration of

community expectations. Healthy coastal foreshores are

considered to have a well vegetated dune system of

native species that provide unique habitat and protect

the adjacent built environment. They have an adequate

beach area and good water quality, and a diverse range

of marine and inter-tidal plants and animals.

Healthy waterways and coastal foreshores not only

contribute to healthy communities, they also support

the local economy, offer a range of ecosystem services,

and are more resilient to climate change than

unhealthy environments.

Healthy communitiesHealthy waterways and coastal foreshores are

central to the Sunshine Coast’s culture, sense of place

and unique character. They are easily accessible and

provide residents and visitors with recreational and

relaxation opportunities, from active water sports to more

peaceful pastimes such as fishing, sailing, picnicking

and canoeing.

Valuable waterwaysHealthy waterways and coastal foreshores are vital to the

maintenance and growth of local industries, including

tourism, agriculture and fishing, which contribute

significantly to the local economy. Tourism alone is a

key economic driver on the Sunshine Coast, which

provides a ‘playground’ within South East Queensland

through its diversity of leisure, tourism and recreational

opportunities.

Ecosystem servicesHealthy waterways and coastal foreshores form vital

components of the Sunshine Coast’s biodiversity

network – they are the 'arteries' of the landscape.

This natural infrastructure provides numerous services

to the community such as clean drinking water, irrigation

water for agricultural activities, wastewater disposal,

flood control, soil formation and climate regulation.

Climate change resilienceThe health of waterways and coastal foreshores is critical

to maintaining resilience to environmental change;

healthy waterways have a greater capacity to recover

or 'bounce back' after a disturbance such as drought,

flood or bushfire. This resilience is likely to become

more important given the rapid environmental changes

predicted as a result of global climate change.

2.2 What are healthy waterways and coastal foreshores?

Morning exercises on the river


Over 40 pieces of legislation, and more than 80

policies, govern waterway and coastal management

across Queensland including the Sunshine Coast. Key

international, federal and state legislation and policies

are listed below.

International agreementsConvention on Wetlands of International importance

(Ramsar Convention)

Bilateral agreements between Australia and China, Japan

and Republic regarding migratory birds

Federal legislation and policiesEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity

Conservation Act 1999

National Water Quality Management Strategy

National Water Initiative

State legislation and policies and other plansAboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003

Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995

Environmental Protection Act 1994

Fisheries Management Act 1994

Nature Conservation Act 1992

Public Health Act 2005

Sustainable Planning Act 2009

Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994

Vegetation Management Act 1997

Water Act 2000

Draft Queensland Coastal Plan 2009

Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009

Marine Parks (Moreton Bay) Zoning Plan 2008

Our Plan, the South East Queensland Traditional

Owner Cultural Resource Management Plan (2008)

South East Queensland Healthy

Waterways Strategy (2007-2012).

State Planning Policy (Healthy Waters) 2010

South East Queensland Natural Resource

Management Plan 2009-2031

South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031

South East Queensland Water Strategy 2010

Water Resource (Mary Basin) Plan 2006

Water Resource (Moreton) Plan 2007

2.3 Legislative and policy framework

2.3.1 International, federal and state framework

Mudjimba Beach


2.3.2 Sunshine Coast Council policy frameworkThe Sunshine Coast Council’s Corporate Plan 2009-20143

outlines eight themes that the organisation will pursue to

help achieve its vision to be 'Australia’s most sustainable

region – vibrant, green, diverse'. The eight themes are

listed below:

Innovation and creativity

Robust economy

Social cohesion

Health and wellbeing

Managing Growth

Ecological Sustainability

Accessibility and Connectedness

Great governance

Healthy waterways and coastal foreshores are identified

as a priority within the Ecological Sustainability theme

and associated policy framework.

In response to this priority, the strategy provides a

framework for managing the Sunshine Coast’s natural

rivers, wetlands and lakes, its constructed ponds, lakes

and canals and its coastline, over the next 10 years.

The Strategy does not directly address the management

of drinking water storages or supply, farm dams,

groundwater or wastewater treatment as council has

no jurisdiction over these. Flooding is addressed in a

separate background paper.

The preparation of the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme

including the strategic framework, codes, policies

and other elements that are relevant to the protection

of natural waterways and coastal foreshores, and the

management and development of constructed water

bodies, will also be informed by the Strategy.4

The implementation of the Strategy will contribute to the

delivery of Ecological Sustainability and will integrate

closely with other policy areas including biodiversity,

climate change and peak oil, economic development,

open space, sport and active recreation and rural futures

through its implementation.

3 Sunshine Coast Council has adopted a new Corporate Plan 2014-2019 post the adoption of this Strategy in 2011. Refer to Council’s website for updated details.4 The new Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme was adopted by Sunshine Coast Council and came into effect on 21 May 2014.

Canelands, Maroochy River


Policy Area Examples of Integration

Biodiversity protection, maintenance and improvement of aquatic biodiversity

recognition of the importance of waterways and riparian vegetation in connecting areas

of native vegetation

informing land acquisition and landscape-scale rehabilitation programs

guiding the management of pest aquatic plant and animal species

Climate Change and

Peak Oil

consistent use of climate change data, particularly in relation to coastal management

use of vulnerability assessments to inform climate change actions and the coastal land

management plan

climate change adaptation for aquatic environments

Economic Development balancing economic development initiatives with the need to protect our waterways and

coastal foreshores

providing economic data for development of catchment and estuary management plans

Open Space recognition of waterways and coastal foreshores as an important component of the

open space network

alignment of waterway and coastal foreshore management activities with recreational

elements of open space planning

providing sufficient public access to waterways and coastal foreshores

Sport and Active

Recreation

ensuring management solutions for improving and expanding on-water access for on-

river water sports are considered in the marine zone planning

Health and Wellbeing recognition of healthy waterways and coastal foreshores as an element of the wellbeing

of Sunshine Coast residents

Rural Futures ensuring that development and sustainable enterprises do not adversely impact on

environmental features such as natural waterways and water quality

conserving river or creek bank vegetation in order to maintain ecosystem services,

native habitat connectivity and water quality protection

supporting rural landholders in the restoration of riparian vegetation and the reduction

of agricultural pollution and erosion through environment grants

Table 2.3: Examples of integration with other policy areas

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