Noosa River Management
The Noosa River is a beautiful and complex waterway, and management of this dynamic system involves multiple agencies across all three tiers of government (Local, State and Commonwealth) in managing different locations, impacts and activities on the river. With that understanding, the local Noosa Shire Council (Noosa Council), and the State regulatory agency for coastal waters of Queensland, Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ), have committed as co-chairs to a Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Committee (NRSAC) with an aim to engage with local stakeholders and communities as an essential component in the management of the Noosa River and its catchment.
Noosa Council is working with the local Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) on a new engagement protocol to ensure First Nations perspectives are included in ongoing management of the Noosa River and its catchment.
Noosa Council and The Nature Conservancy’s Partnership on the Noosa Oyster Restoration Project is one example of this.
Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Committee
The Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Committee (NRSAC) was formed in April 2021 with key community representatives across sectors of river use including community, recreational, fishing, tourism and environmental.
The purpose of NRSAC is to provide advice to Noosa Council and MSQ on sustainable use and management of the Noosa River and its catchment. NRSAC is not a decision-making body.
The objectives of the NRSAC are to:
- Prioritise issues impacting upon the Noosa River and catchment
- Analyse problems and consider solutions including Initiation of ideas
- Consider recommendations prepared by Noosa Council and MSQ and provide feedback
- Support informed discussion and consultation within the community at appropriate times
- Consider the long term best practice governance for the Noosa River and its catchment including clear vision and goals
By bringing Noosa Council together with MSQ on-water river management issues are able to be dealt with in one forum. Other Government and non-government agencies will soon be invited to inform future governance of Noosa River management issues.
NRSAC Committee Members
| Name | Sectors represented (as nominated by the candidate, primary sector first) |
|---|---|
| Scott Waters | Joint Chair Noosa Shire Council |
| Kell Dillon | Joint Chair Maritime Safety Queensland |
| Joanne Daley | Recreational boating |
| Bruce Davidson | Recreational Fishing |
| Michael Gloster | Conservation group, recreational boating |
| Jane Harris | Recreational boating |
| Nick Hluszko | Other – community leader experienced in river issues |
| Richard Howard | NRM group, conservation group |
| Peter Hunnam | NRM group, recreational boating |
| Chris Massoud | Commercial fishing |
| Phillip Moran | NRM Group |
| Agnes Reed | Recreational boating |
| Lachlan Stevens | Commercial boating, Tourism |
| Richard Wilschke | Tourism Sector |
| Erica Hamp | Tourism Sector |
| Amy Kimber | Committee support provided by Noosa Council |
Community members on the committee were selected following publicly advertised selection processes in 2021 and 2022, and have been appointed for 2 years up untl March 2023.
It is noted that Noosa Mayor, Clare Stewart and Member for Noosa, Sandy Bolton, have a standing invitation to attend the NRSAC meetings as observers.