Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011-2021 August 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.

Acknowledgements Sunshine 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.

Disclaimer Information 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 44 Challenges 26 2 Background 8 4.1 Accommodating population 28 2.1 Waterways and coastal 10 growth and demand foreshores at a glance 4.2 Preparing for climate change 28 2.2 What are healthy waterways and 14 4.3 Managing the total water cycle 28 coastal foreshores? 4.4 Managing the quality of runoff 29 2.3 Legislative and policy framework 15 4.5 Managing groundwater 30 2.3.1 International, federal and state 15 4.6 Minimising other impacts on waterways 30 framework 4.7 Maintaining riparian and in-stream health 30 2.3.2 Sunshine Coast Council policy 16 4.8 Managing constructed water bodies 32 framework 4.9 Managing for coastal hazards 32 3 Values 19 4.10 Managing coastal lagoons 33 3.1 Ecological values 20 4.11 Managing coastal algal blooms, 33 3.1.1 Aquatic, riparian and coastal 20 weeds and pest animals ecosystems 5 Strategic Directions 34 3.1.2 Unique species and habitat 20 5.1 Waterways and coastal foreshores vision 36 3.2 Social values 22 5.2 Framework, principles, objectives and 36 3.2.1 Cultural heritage 22 strategic outcomes 3.2.2 Recreation and open space 23 6 Implementation 48 3.2.3 Active community, industry and 24 6.1 Partnerships 50 stakeholder groups 6.2 Funding 50 3.2.4 Coastal protection 24 6.3 Knowledge management 51 3.3 Economic values 24 6.4 Reporting 51 3.3.1 Tourism drawcard 24 7 Maps 52 3.3.2 Attractive setting for business and 24 8 Glossary 70 residential settlement 9 References 76 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

Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011-2021 3 4 Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011-2021 Section 1 Executive Summary

Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011-2021 5 1 Executive summary

The Sunshine Coast Council (Council) is committed The role of the Strategy is to: to the effective management of its waterways and coastal foreshores. Council’s corporate vision is Inform Council planning and operational activities and the development and implementation of for the Sunshine Coast to be '’s most the new Sunshine Coast planning scheme. sustainable region – vibrant, green, diverse'. Healthy waterways and foreshores are a critical Guide Council decision making and component of this vision and the Corporate Plan community initiatives. 2009-2014 identifi es these as a high priority.1 Drive a range of strategies and actions that will To assist in achieving its vision, Council has prepared the deliver the vision. Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Engage the community and key stakeholders to Strategy (the Strategy), which outlines key values, build and consolidate the partnerships and challenges and strategic directions to guide future resources required to make a difference. planning and implementation.

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 also includes a small section of the southern headwaters of the (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.

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

6 Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011-2021 Our waterways and coastal foreshores are under determine community confidence and maintain the pressure from a range of management challenges efficiency and effectiveness of investments. This process including population growth and climate change. will allow the Strategy to be reviewed and modified where These challenges have potentially serious environmental, necessary to ensure that management initiatives continue economic and social consequences for a community to address relevant issues. 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 Natural waterway, 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 Constructed water body, Canals • 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 Coastal foreshore, Mudjimba

Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011-2021 7 8 Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011-2021 Section 2 Background

Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011-2021 9 2 Background

The Sunshine Coast’s waterways and coastal 2.1 Waterways and coastal foreshores (Figure 2.1) are central to the area’s foreshores at a glance relaxed, water-based lifestyle, wherein surfi ng, fi shing and swimming are popular leisure activities. A summary of Sunshine Coast waterways (including The Sunshine Coast community relies on these natural waterways and constructed water bodies) and assets, which attract millions of visitors each year. coastal foreshores, including definitions and their spatial extent follows. As such, the health of our waterways and coastal foreshores is critical to the local economy and the Natural waterways livelihoods and lifestyles of residents. Natural 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 and do not impact on waterway health of the major catchments with which they are associated.

Gheerulla Creek, Mary River

10 Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011-2021 1

4

2

5

3

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).

Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011-2021 11 Box 1: Major Sunshine Coast Catchments

1 The Maroochy River system dominates the central Sunshine Coast. It drops quickly from its catchment headwaters in the Blackall and Mooloolah Ranges, onto a large broad floodplain dominated by farmland and sugar cane before reaching the sea at . 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 The Mooloolah River is a smaller river, with its headwaters in the Mooloolah Range. The catchment 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 The Ramsar-listed Pumicestone Passage is a long, tidal waterway, enclosed between the Passage mainland and Bribie Island. The Passage receives inflows from a network of creeks (Bells, catchments 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 The Mary River is one of the most environmentally and economically diverse catchments catchment in 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 The Stanley River headwaters are in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range and the catchment 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.

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

Catchment land-use*

Catchment Total Percentage of Percentage Remnant Rural Urban catchment catchment in of Sunshine vegetation (%) (%) area Sunshine Coast Coast area (%) (km2) (%) (%)

Maroochy River 632 100 28 31 52 17

Mooloolah River 223 100 10 29 26 45

Pumicestone 1207 36 20 25 59 16 Passage

Mary River 9434 12 37 48 50 2

Stanley River 7572 1 5 38 62 0

* Regional Plan projection

12 Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011-2021 Constructed water bodies Coastal foreshores Constructed water bodies (CWBs) are defined as Coastal foreshores include the near shore marine artificial waterways2 including canals, where: environment, beaches, dunes, rocky headlands, • Artificial waterways are artificial channels, lakes or coastal lagoons, backshores, and river mouths. Coastal foreshores are a component of the coastal other bodies of water. CWBs specifically exclude zone (Section 7 – Map 7.8). sedimentation basins, stormwater treatment wetlands, water supply infrastructure and The Draft Queensland Coastal Plan 2009 provides agricultural water bodies a definition of the coastal zone which includes • Canals are artificial waterways connected, or Queensland’s coastal waters (3 nautical miles from low intended to be connected, to tidal water, and from water) and land below 10 m Australian Height Datum which boating access to the tidal water is not or 5 km from the coast (which ever is greater). Where hindered by a lock, weir or similar structure. appropriate, this zone will be considered as part of coastal foreshore management, however, it is noted Large CWBs typically result from land reclamation that the management and regulation of areas of high activities associated with urban developments. environmental value (e.g. reefs) and fish populations CWBs not primarily resulting from land reclamation are within the coastal zone are the responsibility of the typically created during the rehabilitation of resource Queensland government. extraction pits (e.g. after sand or gravel mining), or are The Sunshine Coast area includes approximately 130 km constructed as landscape features (small to medium of coastal foreshore consisting of numerous world class sized water bodies). beaches interspersed with a small number of iconic Management responsibilities for most large water rocky headlands. The coastline is one of the area’s major tourism drawcards with millions of visitors flocking to the bodies are generally transferred from developers to Sunshine Coast every year to enjoy the clean white, Council. In 2010, the Sunshine Coast Council manages sandy beaches. approximately 87 constructed ponds and lakes and approximately 52 kilometres of canal, or canal-like, The coastal foreshores also include the Pumicestone water frontage. In addition, under existing development Passage. This barrier-lagoon estuary is a wetland of commitments, it is estimated that approximately 12 international importance in accordance with the Ramsar kilometres of constructed water frontage are likely to be Convention, offering a protective haven for migratory transferred to Council for management in the near future. shorebirds, dugongs, marine turtles and dolphins. The tidal wetlands of the Passage are protected as part of the Marine Park. The area is culturally significant for local indigenous people, confirmed by the large shell middens along the foreshores.

2 Based on definitions in the Coastal Protection and The Sunshine Coast foreshore also features a number Management Act 1995, but also including artificial of coastal lagoons which typically have high scenic and ponds less than 5000 m2 environmental values.

Constructed water body, Mountain Creek Mudjimba Beach

Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011-2021 13 2.2 What are healthy waterways and coastal foreshores?

Healthy natural waterways are ecosystems that have Healthy communities good water quality, balanced aquatic processes (rates Healthy waterways and coastal foreshores are of plant and algal growth), are well vegetated with native central to the Sunshine Coast’s culture, sense of place riparian species (which stabilise banks and provide and unique character. They are easily accessible and habitat for terrestrial fauna), a variety of in-stream provide residents and visitors with recreational and structures that provide aquatic habitat, and a diverse relaxation opportunities, from active water sports to more range of native plants and animals. peaceful pastimes such as fishing, sailing, picnicking The ecological condition or 'health' of Sunshine Coast and canoeing. 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).

Freshwater Estuarine Catchment Grade Grade

Maroochy River C- to C+ D to C Morning exercises on the river

Mooloolah River C to B C to A- Valuable waterways

Pumicestone Passage C- to B+ D+ to A- Healthy waterways and coastal foreshores are vital to the maintenance and growth of local industries, including Stanley River C+ to B+ n/a tourism, agriculture and fishing, which contribute significantly to the local economy. Tourism alone is a Mary River B* n/a key economic driver on the Sunshine Coast, which Source: Healthy Waterways regional Ecosystem Health provides a ‘playground’ within South East Queensland Monitoring Program (EHMP)* denotes a value extrapolated from through its diversity of leisure, tourism and recreational a limited dataset collected from 2005-2007 (MSC, 2008) opportunities. A = Excellent, B = Good, C = Fair, D = Poor and F = Fail (very poor) Ecosystem services Healthy waterways and coastal foreshores form vital For this strategy, healthy constructed water bodies components of the Sunshine Coast’s biodiversity are well managed assets that balance reasonable network – they are the 'arteries' of the landscape. service levels and risk mitigation, with consideration of This natural infrastructure provides numerous services community expectations. Healthy coastal foreshores are to the community such as clean drinking water, irrigation considered to have a well vegetated dune system of water for agricultural activities, wastewater disposal, native species that provide unique habitat and protect flood control, soil formation and climate regulation. the adjacent built environment. They have an adequate beach area and good water quality, and a diverse range Climate change resilience of marine and inter-tidal plants and animals. The health of waterways and coastal foreshores is critical Healthy waterways and coastal foreshores not only to maintaining resilience to environmental change; contribute to healthy communities, they also support healthy waterways have a greater capacity to recover the local economy, offer a range of ecosystem services, or 'bounce back' after a disturbance such as drought, and are more resilient to climate change than flood or bushfire. This resilience is likely to become unhealthy environments. more important given the rapid environmental changes predicted as a result of global climate change.

14 Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011-2021 2.3 Legislative and policy framework

2.3.1 International, federal and state framework

Over 40 pieces of legislation, and more than 80 Nature Conservation Act 1992 policies, govern waterway and coastal management Public Health Act 2005 across Queensland including the Sunshine Coast. Key international, federal and state legislation and policies Sustainable Planning Act 2009 are listed below. Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994

International agreements Vegetation Management Act 1997 Convention on Wetlands of International importance Water Act 2000 (Ramsar Convention) Draft Queensland Coastal Plan 2009

Bilateral agreements between Australia and China, Japan Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009 and Republic regarding migratory birds Marine Parks (Moreton Bay) Zoning Plan 2008

Federal legislation and policies Our Plan, the South East Queensland Traditional Environment Protection and Biodiversity Owner Cultural Resource Management Plan (2008) Conservation Act 1999 South East Queensland Healthy National Water Quality Management Strategy Waterways Strategy (2007-2012).

National Water Initiative State Planning Policy (Healthy Waters) 2010 South East Queensland Natural Resource State legislation and policies and other plans Management Plan 2009-2031 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031

Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 South East Queensland Water Strategy 2010

Environmental Protection Act 1994 Water Resource (Mary Basin) Plan 2006

Fisheries Management Act 1994 Water Resource (Moreton) Plan 2007

Mudjimba Beach

Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011-2021 15 2.3.2 Sunshine Coast Council policy framework The 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. Canelands, Maroochy River 4 The new Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme was adopted by Sunshine Coast Council and came into effect on 21 May 2014.

16 Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011-2021 Table 2.3: Examples of integration with other policy areas

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 consistent use of climate change data, particularly in relation to coastal management Peak Oil 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 ensuring management solutions for improving and expanding on-water access for on- Recreation 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

Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011-2021 17 18 Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy 2011-2021