Declared Fish Habitat Area network assessment report 2017 Prepared by: Protected Area Innovation, Engagement and Policy, Department of Environment and Science © State of , 2018. The supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of its information. The copyright in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY) licence.

Under this licence you are free, without having to seek our permission, to use this publication in accordance with the licence terms. You must keep intact the copyright notice and attribute the State of Queensland as the source of the publication. For more information on this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ au/deed.en Disclaimer This document has been prepared with all due diligence and care, based on the best available information at the time of publication. The department holds no responsibility for any errors or omissions within this document. Any decisions made by other parties based on this document are solely the responsibility of those parties. Information contained in this document is from a number of sources and, as such, does not necessarily represent government or departmental policy. If you need to access this document in a language other than English, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to telephone Library Services on +61 7 3170 5470. This publication can be made available in an alternative format (e.g. large print or audiotape) on request for people with vision impairment; phone +61 7 3170 5470 or email . Cover image: declared Fish Habitat Area © Queensland Government April 2018 CCI 31585

2 Declared Fish Habitat Area network assessment report

Contents

Overview 2012–17...... 5

Purpose of this report...... 6

What are declared FHAs? ...... 7

Key changes 2012–17 ...... 9 New Declared Fish Habitat Area Network Strategy 2015–20 ...... 9 New governance arrangements...... 9 Expanded declared FHA network...... 11 declared FHA Investigations Program ...... 11 Other amendments...... 12 Better planning integration ...... 15 Integration with the state’s planning system...... 15 Integration with other planning processes...... 15 Improved partnerships...... 16 Traditional Owner engagement...... 16 Instream structure inventory program ...... 18 Other partnerships...... 18 Enhanced compliance ...... 19 Revised policies and statutory documents...... 21

Management activities 2012–17 ...... 22 Implementation of 2012 assessment report priorities ...... 22 Development ...... 23 Research...... 26 Rehabilitation ...... 27 Communication ...... 28

What ̓s next? ...... 29

Acronyms...... 29

References...... 30

Appendix 1: Assessment of new, expanded and reviewed declared FHAs...... 31 Balban Dara Guya (Leekes Creek) FHA-076 ...... 31 Dē -ră l-lĭ (Calliope River) FHA-075...... 32 Cawarral Creek FHA-050 (revision 1)...... 33 Fitzroy River FHA-072 ...... 34

3 Hinchinbrook declared Fish Habitat Area © Queensland Government

‘Queensland’s declared Fish Habitat Area (FHA) network protects key fish habitats from development impacts ’.

4 Declared Fish Habitat Area network assessment report

Overview 2012–17

Extensive network New declared FHA network strategy

72 FHAs Sets covering 5-year direction 1 2. million hectares

New governance Expanded FHA network arrangements

• 2 new FHAs declared Key opportunity • 49,500 hectares added overall

Effective protection Better planning integration Little development in declared FHAs: • <10 resource allocation Matter of state authorities annually environmental significance • <20 self-assessable code notifications annually

More partnerships Enhanced compliance

Improved Targeted compliance Traditional Owner surveys in priority FHAs engagement

New and improved policies Continued communications and statutory documents

Clearer, simpler, Annual communication streamlined strategies

5 Purpose of this report

The purpose of this report is to assess the status of unlawful activities and integration into planning processes the declared Fish Habitat Area (FHA) network in 2017 (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 2012). by documenting key changes, knowledge gained and We gave each declared FHA a ‘traffic light’ rating (red, management activities since the last assessment was yellow or green). There were no ‘red’ declared FHAs. done in 2012. Most had good fish habitat diversity and fishing activity, which are key qualities that we consider when we select Key changes, candidate areas for FHA declaration. We found a need for more communication activities, more knowledge gained and partnerships with key stakeholders and better integration into planning processes for many declared FHAs. Based management activities on our findings, we recommended specific management actions for each declared FHA. since 2012 While we, the Department of Environment and Science (DES), have taken a more strategic approach for the 2017 assessment report, we assessed two new declared FHAs The 2012 report on the status of the network was a desktop against the 2012 criteria to compare these with the rest of assessment of each declared FHA against criteria such as the network. We also reassessed a significantly expanded fish habitat diversity, importance for fishing, management declared FHA and another with significant new habitat partnerships, research, Traditional Owner involvement, information (Appendix 1).

Moreton Banks declared Fish Habitat Area © Queensland Government THEN: 1969

The first FHAs were declared in and the Gold Coast to counter increasing development impacts on fish habitats and their dependent fisheries in South-East Queensland.

NOW: 2017

Forty-eight years later there are a total of 72 declared FHAs covering an area of 1 2. million hectares along Queensland’s coast.

6 Declared Fish Habitat Area network assessment report

What are declared FHAs?

Declared FHAs are a type of marine FHAs are declared under the Declared FHAs are matters of state protected area that protect key Queensland Fisheries Act 1994 and environmental significance (MSES) fish habitats from the impacts of managed by DES. Declared FHAs are under the State Planning Policy coastal development. A network of part of the suite of protected areas (SPP), and are therefore valued 72 declared FHAs covers 1.2 million managed by DES, along with: and protected through the state’s hectares of coastal and estuarine fish • marine parks declared under the planning framework (Department of habitats in Queensland (Figure 1). Marine Parks Act 2004 Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning 2017). • national and conservation parks declared under the Nature Declared FHAs have two management Conservation Act 1992 levels: FHAs protect • state forests and timber reserves • management A areas significantly declared under the Forestry Act restrict development activities fish habitats 1959 (supporting development for • the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park public purposes) and make up (in partnership with the Great 83% of the declared FHA network from coastal Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority by area (GBRMPA)). • management B areas allow for development more flexible management, Development activities in declared including for private purposes, FHAs are authorised under both the particularly where there is existing Fisheries Act and the Planning Act and/or planned development. 2016. Figure 1 The declared FHA Escape River Bay network Margaret Bay (Wuthathi) Temple Bay Silver Plains Princess Charlotte Bay

Hull River Starcke River (Ngulun) Murray River Wreck Creek Meunga Creek Half Moon Creek Hinchinbrook Yorkeys Creek Barr Creek Halifax Trinity Inlet Cattle–Palm Creeks Cleveland Bay Nassau River Bowling Green Bay Staaten–Gilbert Burdekin Morning Inlet–Bynoe River Edgecumbe Bay Eight Mile Creek Repulse Colosseum Inlet Rodds Harbour Eurimbula Seventeen Seventy–Round Hill Elliott River Midge • Kinkuna Sand Bay • Burrum Bassett Basin • Beelbi Cape Palmerston–Rocky Dam • Fraser Island West Hill • Broad Sound • Maaroom Corio Bay Kauri Creek • Tin Can Inlet Cawarral Creek • Balban Dara Guya (Leekes Creek) • Maroochy Fitzroy River • Pumicestone Channel De ̄-răl-li ̃ (Calliope River) • Deception Bay Kippa-Ring Hays Inlet Moreton Banks Myora–Amity Banks Peel Island Jumpinpin–Broadwater Pimpama Coomera Coombabah Tallebudgera Creek Currumbin Creek

7 The declared FHA program has a Figure 2 strong strategic focus (Figure 2), with: Declared FHA strategic focus • a strategy to guide overall direction Network strategy • operational policies to interpret legislation, and guide decision- Reporting Policies making and declaration/ amendment of FHAs • a guideline that explains how to comply with development assessment benchmarks • streamlined authorisation through a Code of Practice for pest control Communications Strategic Guideline and accepted development requirements FHA • integration into state, regional and local planning focus • partnerships with other natural resource managers and key Partnerships Streamlining stakeholders • annual communication strategies Planning • assessment reporting on the status of the network.

Healthy fish habitats

Healthy fish communities

8 Declared Fish Habitat Area network assessment report

Key changes 2012–17

New Declared Fish We have better integrated declared New direction FHAs with other protected areas Habitat Area Network managed by DES by: Strategy 2015–20 for the • aligning the declared FHA Network Strategy 2015–20 with the Master The Declared Fish Habitat Area Plan for Queensland’s Parks and Network strategy (Department of network: Better Forests National Parks, Sport and Racing 2015) sets the direction for the integration with • making sure that adjoining/ network for five years and underpins overlapping declared FHAs are the strategic approach for declared other protected recognised, and any management FHAs (Figure 2). The current 2015–20 restrictions identified, in park strategy replaced the original 2009– areas management statements 14 strategy. Our vision in the strategy • carrying out compliance is that ‘the declared FHA network will inspections in declared FHAs protect the critical fish habitats that within the Great Sandy Marine sustain Queensland’s fisheries from New governance Park, to help inform the review development impacts, now and into arrangements of its zoning plan (see Enhanced the future’. compliance) In 2012 responsibility for declared The new strategy sets some new • contributing to ecotourism FHAs moved from the Department of directions for the network, especially initiatives, including the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry better integration with other Queensland Ecotourism to the Department of National Parks, protected areas managed by DES, and Development Toolkit, to help Recreation, Sport and Racing. In it better aligns with the Master Plan developers and investors make 2017 responsibility moved to DES, for Queensland’s Parks and Forests good decisions about ecotourism under the Minister for Environment (Department of National Parks, proposals on protected areas. and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister Recreation, Sport and Racing 2014). for Science and Minister for the Given the large overlap of marine At the same time it retains much of Arts. Despite these machinery-of- parks and declared FHAs, there are the original strategy such as forming government changes, the Department opportunities for further integration and enhancing partnerships with key of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) of marine parks and declared FHAs, stakeholders including Traditional continues to provide development including in strategies, policies, Owners, integration into strategic assessment and compliance planning and legislation. planning processes and maintaining services on behalf of DES under a an effective communication strategy. memorandum of understanding. The strategy also sets a number of These changes have created targets, including for a new network opportunities for the declared FHA assessment report (this report). network, as it is easier to have strong The commitments, objectives, links between the state’s different goals and targets of the strategy types of protected areas with one are referred to, where relevant, agency (DES) responsible for all of throughout this report. these. About 65 per cent by area of the declared FHA network overlies marine parks, and about 5 per cent overlies national or conservation parks (Figure 3).

9 Figure 3 Example of protected areas overlap

Elliott River declared FHA © Queensland Government

10 Declared Fish Habitat Area network assessment report

Key changes 2012–17

Expanded declared FHA network Central Queensland declared FHA Overall the declared FHA network investigations program: increased in size by 49,500 hectares, taking the total area to about Balban Dara Guya (Leekes Creek) . . . . .876 hectares 1.2 million hectares. This increase De ̄-răl-li ̆ (Calliope River) ...... 314 hectares was mainly due to the declaration of two new FHAs and more than Fitzroy River ...... 48,625 hectares doubling the size of one FHA through the Central Queensland Declared FHA Other additions: Investigations Program. Bohle River ......  There were also reductions in the 3480 hectares size of some declared FHAs to clarify Burdekin ...... 273 hectares boundary locations and address specific management issues, but Kinkuna ...... 850 hectares these were much smaller than the Maroochy ...... 74 hectares areas added to the network (see Other amendments). These changes have enhanced a comprehensive, adequate and representative declared The declared FHA network The declared FHA network FHA network to help sustain the now includes now includes state’s fisheries.

Central Queensland Declared FHA 1 million 200,000 Investigations Program The Central Queensland Declared Fish hectares hectares Habitat Area Investigations Program management A management B explored: • the declaration of new FHAs at • a survey of the fish communities in Leekes Creek on Great Keppel the Fitzroy delta around Balaclava Overwhelming Island and the Calliope River near Island Gladstone • sub-tidal habitat mapping in support for • expansion of the Fitzroy River Cawarral Creek and a desktop declared FHA near Rockhampton study of the subtidal habitats the proposed/ • reassessment of the Cawarral of Balaclava Island and Calliope Creek declared FHA near Emu River expanded FHAs Park. • two rounds of public consultation. The program was funded by offsets We received over 500 submissions required for the Gladstone Ports As a result of the program, two new through the public consultation Corporation’s (GPC) Western Basin FHAs were declared and one existing process, with overwhelming support Dredging and Disposal Project. It FHA significantly expanded (Figure 4). for the proposed/expanded FHAs. included: Traditional Owners joined in field The new Balban Dara Guya (Leekes • fisheries resource assessments of surveys, advised on their cultural Creek) declared FHA covers 876 the areas of interest values and aspirations for the areas, hectares on and around Great Keppel • fish and habitat surveys in the provided Aboriginal language names Island, north east of Rockhampton. Calliope River and Leekes Creek for the new declared FHAs and helped This is the first declared FHA centred areas of interest to develop interpretive signage. on an offshore continental Island.

11 One hectare of management B area and fisheries resources, • A 400 square metre area of the is in place to allow applications involvement of Traditional Owners Deception Bay declared FHA was for future access structures for the in assessing the proposed FHA changed to a management B area Traditional Owners of the Keppel and partnerships with local to allow for a new outfall for an Islands, the Woppaburra People. government to ensure that the upgraded sewage treatment plant. new FHA is considered in planning The new De ̄-ra ̆l-li ̆ (Calliope River) • The Burdekin declared FHA was scheme amendments. declared FHA is just north of Calliope expanded to make its boundary near Gladstone. It is 314 hectares in • The existing Cawarral Creek at Cape Bowling Green clear. size and is a management B area. declared FHA moved from a Non-tidal lands on four lots with This will allow people to apply for low-ranked, medium priority sand extraction operations were limited access structures from their for management action to a low removed. Overall the declared FHA properties to the river (e.g. a boat priority for action. We found a increased in size by 273 hectares. ramp or a pontoon). much broader range of fish habitat • An area of 2.2 hectares was values for this declared FHA than removed from the Burrum declared The Fitzroy River declared FHA had previously been documented. FHA for a new public boat ramp at (management A area) was expanded • The expanded Fitzroy River Burrum Heads. While public boat by 48,625 hectares to over 77,800 declared FHA moved from ramps are normally permitted hectares. This expansion further a medium priority to a low in declared FHAs, the design protects breeding grounds and priority for management action. (after long-term interagency and critical habitats for barramundi, This higher ranking was due community consultation) included salmon, mud crabs and other popular to its significant expansion reclamation of tidal lands for car fisheries species in the Fitzroy and improved integration into parking. delta. Expansion of the Fitzroy River planning processes, including the declared FHA delivered a Queensland • About one hectare of the Rockhampton Regional Council Government commitment in the Reef Deception Bay declared FHA was planning scheme. 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan changed to a management B (Commonwealth of Australia 2015). area to allow a bridge to be built Other amendments across Cundoot Creek. This was We assessed the two new declared A number of amendments were made necessary to meet road safety FHAs using the 2012 criteria to to declared FHAs to add adjoining fish requirements and development compare these with the rest of the habitats, improve/clarify boundaries approval conditions imposed by network. We reassessed the Cawarral and to address management issues: the Planning and Environment Creek and Fitzroy River declared FHAs Court. due to the extra information gathered • The tidal parts of the on these two declared FHAs and the Town Common were added to the large increase in size of the Fitzroy Bohle River declared FHA and Boundary amendments— its seaward boundaries were River declared FHA. We found (see an adaptive management Appendix 1 for details): extended, adding 3480 hectares. approach: • The Balban Dara Guya (Leekes • The seaward boundary of the Creek) declared FHA is a low Kinkuna declared FHA was • improve boundary priority for management action. extended and a land parcel definition previously left out due to a This is the highest scoring FHA • allow for public works and in the network due to its unique legislative drafting error was mix of estuarine and reef habitats included. Overall the declared FHA public access and fauna, and the strong increased in size by 850 hectares. • protect cultural sites partnerships formed with the • The seaward boundary of the • support designated Traditional Owners and GBRMPA Kippa-Ring declared FHA was through the consultation process. changed from a depth contour to mooring areas • The De ̄-răl-li ̆ (Calliope River) coordinates to clarify its location • make sure high-quality declared FHA is a low priority and the FHA plan was changed fish habitats are included. for management action, with a to make clear that the Redcliffe high diversity of fish habitats aerodrome is not included.

12 Declared Fish Habitat Area network assessment report

Key changes 2012–17

Barramundi caught during fish surveys in Leekes Creek © Queensland Government

• Seventy-one hectares of • Small exclusions were made along the Jumpinpin–Broadwater the river banks in the Maroochy declared FHA were changed to declared FHA for erosion control management B areas to allow works to protect four houses new environmentally-friendly and shell middens of cultural buoy moorings to be installed importance to descendants of in designated mooring areas South Sea Islanders. A filled (DMAs). DMAs concentrate and long-farmed area known as moorings in suitable places, and Boggy Creek was removed from environmentally-friendly moorings the declared FHA due to its lack of minimise impacts on fish habitats. fish habitat values. Conservation The midstream boundary of the parks with non-tidal lands in the declared FHA near Jacobs Well declared FHA were removed, while was converted to geographic tidal conservation park lands were coordinates to improve its added. Overall the declared FHA definition. increased in size by 74 hectares.

13 Figure 4 Existing and new FHAs declared through the Central Queensland declared FHA investigation program

150°50'0"E 151°0'0"E 151°10'0"E 151°20'0"E

Central Queensland new (2016) and existing declared Fish New Balban Dara Guya (Leekes Creek) Habitat Areas declared FHA MAP PRODUCTION 25 January 2018 Marine Resource Management Department of Environment and Science

23°10'0"S Great Keppel Is 23°10'0"S

YEPPOON 0 5 10 15 20

Kilometres © The State of Queensland 2018

Cawarral Creek

23°20'0"S declared FHA 23°20'0"S Extension of Fitzroy River declared FHA

F ITZ ROY

23°30'0"S RIVER 23°30'0"S

Curtis Island 23°40'0"S 23°40'0"S

Legend New (2016) declared FHA Existing declared FHA New De-ral-li (Calliope River) declared FHA 23°50'0"S 23°50'0"S GLADSTONE

Central Qld Project Area Colosseum Inlet declared FHA 24°0'0"S 24°0'0"S

Imagery: Queensland SPOT Imagery (2009)

VERSION: 150°50'0"E 151°0'0"E 151°10'0"E 151°20'0"E Based on CQ_FHA_Invest-A3_drft3ab_20160129 (sullyd)

14 Declared Fish Habitat Area network assessment report

Key changes 2012–17

Better planning • including declared FHA spatial Fraser Coast Regional Council (major data in the publically available amendment), Moreton Bay Regional integration SPP Interactive Mapping System Council, Burdekin Shire, Cairns Region, Declared FHA management is based and Development Assessment Noosa (major amendment) and Cook on the strategic protection of areas Mapping System. People can Shire. also download this data from the that have high fish habitat value, with Declared FHAs have also been Queensland Spatial Catalogue proposed development to be mostly integrated into development offset (QSpatial) located elsewhere. The declared legislation. The Environmental Offsets FHA network is a constraint layer for • revising the declared FHA Act 2014 requires offsets for works in land use and development planning. module (State Code 12) of the declared FHAs (and for other types of Integrating declared FHAs into State Development Assessment development) that have ‘significant planning processes helps to make Provisions (SDAP), which residual impacts’. This legislation sure that these areas are protected development applications has replaced the previous offset into the future. are assessed against under requirements for declared FHAs set the Planning Act. The revised We have made significant progress out in departmental policy, sets a assessment provisions are clearer, with integrating the declared FHA consistent approach to offsetting more streamlined and easier to network into planning processes and recognises declared FHAs as use since 2012. MSES. In practice, most development • developing a new declared FHA in declared FHAs does not need to Integration with the state’s SDAP guideline, which explains be offset as there are usually no planning system the SDAP performance outcomes significant residual impacts. Most and how to comply with these offsets carried out in declared FHAs Declared FHAs are now better (Department of National Parks, are from development elsewhere (e.g. integrated into the state’s planning Sport and Racing 2017) near, but outside, a declared FHA). and development system. Declared • converting and consolidating FHAs became MSES under the SPP four codes for self-assessable Integration with other planning biodiversity state interest in 2013 and development (SACs) into one processes must be appropriately considered in set of Accepted development local planning schemes. We also provided declared FHA input requirements for operational to other planning processes including: work that is completely or partly • the Queensland Competition within a declared Fish Habitat Authority’s (QCA) investigation Declared Area (Department of National into the regulation of Queensland’s Parks, Sport and Racing 2017). aquaculture industry and Minor works that comply with FHAs are a DAF’s implementation of the the accepted development government’s response to QCA requirements do not require matter of state recommendations. Declared FHAs approval, streamlining processes are a planning constraint layer for and reducing administrative potential aquaculture development environmental burden for the community and areas government. significance • the revision of the Oyster industry We provided declared FHA input to plan for Moreton Bay Marine ShapingSEQ Park (Department of Agriculture Regional Plan (Department of and Fisheries 2015) which sets A new planning system for Infrastructure, Local Government a framework for commercial Queensland began on 3 July and Planning 2017) and the Cape oystering and ensures ecologically 2017 when the Planning Act 2016 York Regional Plan (Department of sustainable use of the marine park. commenced. Declared FHAs were Infrastructure, Local Government This plan is integrated with the integrated into the new planning and Planning 2014) and to reviews operational policy Management system by: of the following planning schemes— of declared FHAs (Department of • maintaining declared FHAs as Hinchinbrook Shire, Mackay Region, National Parks, Sport and Racing MSES in the revised SPP Sunshine Coast (major amendment), 2015)

15 Woppaburra Elders and local MP Brittany Lauga after unveiling the Aboriginal sign at Leekes Creek © Queensland Government

• Gold Coast Waterways Authority We have formed new partnerships, Balban Dara Guya (Leekes Creek) (GCWA) planning for vessel and enhanced existing ones, declared FHA moorings management and including with Traditional Owners, We formed a strong partnership for dredging and dredge spoil state agencies, local governments with the Woppaburra People, disposal. Declared FHAs and Natural Resource Management Traditional Owners of the Keppel within the GCWA area include (NRM) groups. Islands, throughout the investigation, Jumpinpin–Broadwater, Pimpama consultation and declaration and Coomera Traditional Owner engagement process for the proposed FHA. The • Gkuthaarn and Kukatj Land and Traditional Owner engagement Woppaburra People took part in Saltwater Country planning was a key focus between 2012 seasonal fish surveys of the proposed through the Carpentaria Land and 2017, particularly through the FHA, provided an Aboriginal language Council Aboriginal Corporation. Central Queensland declared FHA primary name for the FHA (Balban The planning area includes the Investigations Program and through Dara Guya, meaning ‘mangrove’, Staaten-Gilbert and Morning the management planning process for ‘creek’, ‘fish’) and helped design Inlet–Bynoe River declared FHAs. the Pine River Bay declared FHA. the first Aboriginal interpretive signage in a declared FHA. Four small Improved partnerships management B areas in the declared FHA will enable the Woppaburra Declared FHAs are a management People to construct a jetty or ramp layer over lands that are usually Traditional and install moorings to support future owned by, or entrusted to, entities development of their adjoining land. other than DES (e.g. unallocated state land, council reserves, etc.). Owner Our successful partnership with the This is different to national parks, Woppaburra People was supported by which are protected areas with a engagement our strong working relationship with land tenure and are owned by DES. GBRMPA. The Woppaburra People Community and stakeholder support was a key have a Traditional Use of Marine for this management layer is vital for Resources Agreement (TUMRA) the long-term future of the declared focus with GBRMPA. We used the TUMRA FHA network. We try to foster a committee as a forum to engage with sense of ‘ownership’ by developing the Woppaburra People and GBRMPA partnerships with key stakeholders. also helped with logistics (e.g. travel arrangements for Traditional Owners).

16 Declared Fish Habitat Area network assessment report

Key changes 2012–17

Over 30 Woppaburra People, state Dē -ră l-lĭ (Calliope River) funds to flow over four years. Plan and Commonwealth agency staff, declared FHA development and implementation is dignitaries and media attended an being funded by development offsets Gidarjil Land and Sea Rangers official launch of the declared FHA. from the Rio Tinto Alcan Weipa Amrun helped with juvenile fish surveys Extracts from speeches made on the mining project to the south of the (below) of the proposed declared day include: declared FHA. FHA. These surveys showed that Britanny Lauga MP, Member for the Calliope River provides valuable Cooperative management of habitats for barramundi (Sawynock Keppel: declared FHAs in the Girringun et al. 2015). We consulted with the ‘… the partnerships … to declare Region Indigenous Protected Area Gidarjil Development Corporation to this important site as a Fish choose the Aboriginal language name There are nine declared FHAs in Habitat Area, as a significant De ̄-ra ̆l-li ̆ (meaning ‘Calliope River’) the Girringun Region Indigenous ecosystem, as a significant as the primary name of the declared Protected Area (IPA): Hull River, Tully cultural site is so important and FHA. River, Halifax, Wreck Creek, Murray I’m so proud we’ve been able River, Dallachy Creek, Meunga Creek, to all work together to have this Pine River Bay declared FHA Hinchinbrook and Cattle-Palm Creeks. declaration made.’ DES’s role in managing these declared We consulted with the Thanakwith FHAs, and the Girringun People’s Bob Muir, Woppaburra TUMRA People, Traditional Owners of the interests in these areas, is recognised Committee Chair: Pine River Bay area near Weipa, in the Girringun Region Indigenous on a draft plan for cooperative ‘The fact that here we are with Protected Areas (Cooperative management of the Pine River Bay all these different agencies and Management) Plan of Management. declared FHA. The plan will help the groups working together is such We are working with the Girringun Thanakwith People to reconnect with a great example of reconciliation People to formalise cooperative Country by holding workshops there between different agencies and management of declared FHAs in their to discuss management issues. We the community and is something IPA region. that I think will be hard to beat.’ expect that the plan will be signed soon, with annual implementation

Gidarjil Land and Sea Rangers being taught juvenile fish recruitment survey techniques © Queensland Government

17 Instream structure The Department of Transport environmentally-friendly moorings and Main Roads and DES worked within the Gladstone region and wider inventory program together on agreed compensation bioregion. for revocation of 2.2 hectares from The instream structure inventory We have improved partnerships for program was the result of a the Burrum declared FHA and the the Tallebudgera Creek declared FHA, partnership between federal and Great Sandy Marine Park to allow a priority for management action in state agencies, working together for reclamation of tidal lands for the 2012 network assessment report. with local government and NRM car parking as part of the Burrum We worked with the Tallebudgera regional groups. The program was Heads boat ramp upgrade. The new Beach Outdoor Education School funded by the Australian Government boat ramp has been well received on a ‘Hero’s Journey’ for students through the Queensland Wetlands by the local community and gives that includes the FHA. We formed Program (QWP). We mapped instream access for fishers and boaters to partnerships within DES to integrate structures in five declared FHAs— the declared FHA and the marine the FHA into David Fleay Wildlife Fraser Island, Kauri Creek, Maaroom, park. Compensation funds are being Susan River and Tin Can Inlet—within used for habitat enhancement and Park (DFWP) education modules and the Ramsar site. management projects to benefit make sure that a new canoe landing These inventories were also within the the marine park and the declared and boardwalk at DFWP avoided Great Sandy Marine Park, Great Sandy FHA, including targeted structure impacts to saltmarsh (an important National Park and Tuan State Forest. compliance inspections. fish habitat and matter of national environmental significance) and the We held workshops with stakeholders We worked with GPC to protect declared FHA. (including the Burnett Mary Regional coastal lands adjoining the Group, Oceanwatch, WetlandCare Cawarral Creek declared FHA The Hays Inlet declared FHA benefited and state and local government) to from development, as part of the from our ongoing partnership with the transfer knowledge and to decide Biodiversity Offset Strategy for adjoining Osprey House Environment management actions for priority GPC’s Western Basin Dredging and Centre (Moreton Bay Regional structures (Department of National Disposal Project. We helped identify Council). We worked with Osprey Parks, Sport and Racing 2016). The potential sites for protection and House staff to install fish habitat Great Sandy Strait Ramsar inventory GPC purchased one of these freehold and marine plant awareness signs to built on earlier inventories in declared lots, then gifted it to the Department enhance the educational experience FHAs in the Great Barrier Reef World of National Parks, Sport and Racing of visitors. The signs are part of a Heritage Area and the Ramsar sites of (NPSR) for future conversion to boardwalk used for public education Bowling Green Bay, Townsville, and conservation park. The tidal parts of and birdwatching in the declared FHA. Shoalwater and Corio Bays as part of the lot are also suitable to add to the the QWP. Osprey House staff also maintained declared FHA in future. revegetation sites in the nearby We also worked with GPC to prepare Pine Rivers Wetland Reserve and Other partnerships a report on the current deployment, installed five Tangler bins to reduce A key enhanced partnership was environmental benefits and lost recreational fishing line in the the targeted, joint DES/Queensland potential for broader introduction of declared FHA. Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) compliance strategy for declared FHAs. This has improved the Good declared FHA outcomes from good compliance approach for declared FHAs, led to some immediate partnerships with: compliance outcomes and better • Traditional Owners • Ports communication and understanding (see Enhanced compliance). In • State agencies • Private developers addition to this strategy, DES • Local government provided GIS mapping support • Education/schools to QBFP for any compliance • NRM groups investigations involving declared FHAs.

18 Declared Fish Habitat Area network assessment report

Key changes 2012–17

Enhanced compliance Figure 5 QBFP within DAF undertakes declared Declared FHAs targeted for compliance inspections by NRM region FHA compliance on behalf of DES. Without adequate compliance, there is a risk that unauthorised works in declared FHAs could exceed authorised development and compromise the integrity of the declared FHA network.

We began a more strategic approach to declared FHA compliance in 2015 in line with the objectives of the Declared FHA Network Strategy 2015–20. Up to three declared FHAs are prioritised for joint QBFP/DES inspections annually, based on criteria such as available resources, known problem areas and shared benefits across the agencies. The agreed joint inspections form part of the QBFP annual state compliance plan.

The purpose of inspections is to identify, or provide updated information on, instream structures such as jetties and revetment walls in declared FHAs. While many structures may pre-date FHA declaration, with others constructed illegally after declaration, the inspections set a point in time baseline that QBFP can use We jointly inspected eight declared While this information is from only for immediate or future compliance FHAs (Figure 5). We targeted declared eight declared FHAs, it suggests that investigations within the statute FHAs in the Fitzroy NRM region as part the level of unauthorised disturbance, of limitations set in the Fisheries of the Central Queensland declared at least in these regions, was Regulation. FHA Investigations Program. reasonably low between 2015 and This strategic approach is better We also focused on the Burnett Mary 2017. than relying on ad hoc discovery of NRM region as declared FHAs here are illegal structures on a case by case also within the Great Sandy Marine Fitzroy region basis. There are also mutual benefits Park and structure information will We inspected the new of joint inspections, as QBFP gain help inform the review of its zoning De ̄-răl-li ̆ (Calliope River) FHA soon a better understanding of declared plan. We also inspected the Pine River after declaration in 2016 to set a FHAs and DES a better appreciation of Bay and Maroochy declared FHAs. compliance baseline. We found compliance issues. The number of structures found varied relatively few and minor structures, greatly between different declared mostly informal (natural surface) boat FHAs, ranging from two to more than launches. This strategic 200. We found few new structures in areas that had been previously We inspected the Cawarral inspected, and few, minor structures Creek declared FHA as part of approach is in the initial compliance inspections its reassessment under the for the De ̄-ra ̆l-li ̆ (Calliope River) and Central Queensland Declared FHA better Pine River Bay declared FHAs. Investigations Program in 2013 and

19 found a relatively small number of Burnett Mary region Flood flows in the Baffle Creek structures. We followed this with a declared FHA can be significant. There We inspected the Baffle Creek and joint compliance inspection in 2015 were many small access structures in Burrum declared FHAs in 2017 as and found no new structures. the Baffle Creek system before it was these systems are known to have declared as an FHA in 2001. We inspected the Corio Bay declared many structures. We found more FHA in 2016 and compared the than 200 structures in each of these Existing structures can be results with 2009/10 inspections declared FHAs. maintained, with authorisation, in for the project Inventory of declared FHAs. We found many such Part of the Burrum declared FHA was instream structures impacting on informal/home-made structures originally declared as a management Ramsar wetlands (Department of in 2017, many of which had been B area in 1986 due to the many Employment, Economic Development damaged by floods. The number existing private access structures and Innovation 2011). of structures found was similar to and to allow for planned private when the FHA was declared (Scott Some structures had been improved structures. This is where we found McKinnon pers. comm.) and the since 2010, while others (e.g. informal most structures. inventory will provide a baseline ramps) had fallen out of use and QBFP issued Fisheries Infringement for QBFP to check for unauthorised natural regeneration of vegetation Notices (FINs), with fines, for two maintenance works in future. had begun. A concentration of structures in the declared FHA. QBFP structures (jetties, revetments, QBFP issued a FIN for an unauthorised followed up with another inspection rubble, moorings) extending from natural surface boat ramp that had several months later, using the initial a public road reserve may need a recently been built in the declared inspection as a baseline, and found whole-of-government response. QBFP FHA. two new structures in the declared is maintaining a watching brief on FHA. A Caution Notice was issued for We found 40 structures in the Elliott these structures. one structure and investigations are River declared FHA, mostly vessel ongoing for the other. buoy moorings and small informal boat launches.

A structure found in the 2017 compliance inspection of the Baffle Creek declared FHA © Queensland Government

20 Declared Fish Habitat Area network assessment report

Key changes 2012–17

Fraser Island declared FHA © Queensland Government

Other regions Queensland (SEQ) declared FHAs, as of marked navigation channels and this is where the most patrols were shading impacts of structures were We timed our inspection of the Pine carried out between 2012 and 2017. added or clarified. River Bay declared FHA to coincide Jumpinipin–Broadwater, Pumicestone with Traditional Owner consultation We revised the operational policy Fish Channel and Maroochy were the most for cooperative management planning Habitat Area selection, assessment, frequently patrolled declared FHAs. in 2017. A Traditional Owner joined declaration and review for release in us on the compliance inspection. Complaints from the public or 2018. The amendments to the policy This was the first full compliance other agencies may also lead to included clarifying the requirements inspection of the declared FHA and compliance action. For example, for review of existing declared FHAs. we found only one mooring and a QBFP investigated an unauthorised We revised the Code of Practice disused informal boat launch (now pontoon in the Maroochy declared for pest control in declared FHAs regenerating naturally) in this remote FHA after complaints were made. The (Department of National Parks, Sport area. owner removed the pontoon and was and Racing 2017) to bring it up to date given a Caution Notice. We targeted the Maroochy declared since its release in 2005. The Code FHA for inspection in 2015 due to of Practice must be complied with known compliance issues. We saw Revised policies and when undertaking non-development relatively few extra structures or statutory documents pest control activities (e.g. spraying disturbances. QBFP is following up to insecticides) in declared FHAs. We find the new owner of an unapproved Strong, comprehensive operational consulted key stakeholders for their gangway that had been reinstated policies and statutory documents input during the review and to make after it had been removed by the are an important part of the strategic sure that they were aware of the new previous owner as a result of an approach to managing the declared Code of Practice and how to comply earlier QBFP investigation. FHA network (see What are declared with it. FHAs?). Outside of these targeted inspections We reviewed four SACs and converted for illegal works, QBFP conducts We revised the operational policy these to accepted development patrols for a variety of compliance Management of declared Fish requirements. This, and the revised matters, including fishing rules Habitat Areas in 2015. This policy SDAP FHA module and its new and boating safety. These patrols interprets declared FHA legislation guideline have simplified and may be within declared FHAs and and guides development assessment. streamlined development assessment may find unlawful works. Such ad A number of policy issues such as and authorisation in declared FHAs hoc discovery of unlawful works emergency works, the definition of (see Better planning integration). was more likely in South East public purposes/works, the extent

21 Management activities 2012–17

Along with the changes documented the Fitzroy Basin Association, the declared FHA has been better above, day-to-day management Sunfish, Infofish Australia and integrated into planning processes activities continued across the adjacent landholders as MSES in the Gold Coast City Plan declared FHA network. The outcomes • the tidal parts of an adjoining lot 2015. of this management between 2012 are suitable to add to the declared and 2017 is summarised in the FHA in future following sections. • no new or expanded unauthorised Did you know? works between 2013 and 2015, Legal recreational and Implementation of 2012 with a clear baseline set for future commercial fishing and boating assessment report compliance inspections activities are allowed and • better communication activities encouraged in declared FHAs . priorities including web promotion of the The 2012 network assessment report reassessment of the declared FHA documented management issues during the Central Queensland for each declared FHA and identified declared FHA Investigations the highest priorities for action. Our Program. Tallebudgera Creek declared FHA management efforts then focussed The Tallebudgera Creek declared on at least two high priority declared Half Moon Creek declared FHA FHA on the Gold Coast is bordered FHAs each year. We chose these The lowest raked declared FHA, with by DFWP and the Tallebudgera Creek based on a low score in the 2012 high development pressure from Conservation Park. The Burleigh report and practicalities such as surrounding residential development, Heads QPWS office is adjacent, and available funding and resources, risks Half Moon Creek in Cairns was a the Gold Coast Recreation Centre and opportunities. management priority in 2012–13. and the Tallebudgera Beach Outdoor Management outcomes for the priority The key management action was to Education School are also nearby, declared FHAs were mixed, with add adjoining good-quality tidal lands making this a key declared FHA for good results for Cawarral Creek and to the declared FHA, should these be education activities. Tallebudgera Creek, but challenges returned to the state as part of a lot The declared FHA was proposed remaining for Half Moon Creek and reconfiguration proposal. However, for management action due to Jumpinpin–Broadwater. The outcomes the land has remained in freehold opportunities from the redevelopment for each priority declared FHA are ownership. of DFWP to enhance public access summarised below. and enjoyment. Our intent was to Jumpinpin–Broadwater declared Cawarral Creek declared FHA better integrate the declared FHA FHA with education initiatives locally. We Cawarral Creek (near Emu Park) was The Jumpinpin–Broadwater declared worked with park rangers to include one of the five lowest ranked declared FHA (Gold Coast) was a management information about marine habitats FHAs in 2012. Its reassessment priority due to a 12.5 hectare area of and declared FHAs in DFWP education as part of the Central Queensland Casuarina, mangrove and saltmarsh modules. declared FHA Investigations Program dieback caused by water ponding in has moved this declared FHA from We are working with the Tallebudgera the declared FHA at Woongoolba. The a low-ranked, medium priority for Beach Outdoor Education School to lands with dieback are owned by or action to a high-ranked, low priority include the declared FHA as part of its under DAF trusteeship and also lie for action. We found: Hero’s Journey program for students. within the Moreton Bay Marine Park The program challenges students to • a much broader range of fish and Ramsar Area. resolve problems outside their normal habitat values than had previously ways of thinking, using the local been documented We found that the dieback had been caused by changes to local hydrology natural environment. Discussions • improved partnerships with a from development of surrounding about integrating declared FHA range of stakeholders including lands over a long period. We have information into canoe tours run by QBFP, regional Queensland Parks not yet found a solution to the water the Gold Coast Recreation Centre in and Wildlife Serve (QPWS) staff, ponding at Woongoolba, however Tallebudgera Creek are ongoing.

22 Declared Fish Habitat Area network assessment report

Management activities 2012–17

Development • ensuring public health or safety Development in declared FHAs • providing public infrastructure to 2012–17 Authorisation of development in facilitate fishing Very little development was declared FHAs • providing subterranean public authorised in declared FHAs between Assessment of development infrastructure if the chief 2012 and 2017. On average only eight proposals is the main day to day executive is satisfied the surface RAAs were approved annually (Figure management tool for declared FHAs. of the area can be restored, after 6) and only 19 SAC notifications for Development works in declared FHAs the completion of the works or minor works were received each year require both a resource allocation activity, to its condition before (Figure 9). Most development was authority (RAA) under the Fisheries the performance of the works or authorised in the SEQ NRM region, Act and a development permit under activity reflecting the large population and the Planning Act, unless the works • constructing a temporary associated development pressure comply with one of the following structure there. In contrast, no development SACs (now authorised under Accepted • maintaining a structure that was was authorised in the Southern Gulf, development requirements for operational constructed before the area was Northern Gulf and Cape York NRM work that is completely or partly within a declared to be an FHA under the regions, reflecting the low population declared Fish Habitat Area—see Better Act and limited development pressure planning integration): there. There are also fewer declared • maintaining a structure, other FHAs in these more remote regions. • MP02 Maintenance works on than a structure mentioned above, existing lawful structures (other that has been lawfully constructed While little development was than powerlines and on farm • for a part of the area that is a authorised, we are not sure how drains) in a declared FHA or management B area: much unauthorised disturbance involving the removal, destruction there was across the entire declared —— constructing a permanent or damage of marine plants. FHA network. However, recent structure on tidal land or • MP04 Maintenance works on compliance inspections found few within the area, or powerlines and associated extra structures in declared FHAs —— depositing material for beach infrastructure in a declared FHA or that had been inspected previously replenishment in the area. involving the removal, destruction (see Enhanced compliance). Although or damage of marine plants. This prescriptive legislation is the this compliance data is from a small number of declared FHAs, it suggests • MP05 Works for educational, key to ensuring that development in that the level of unauthorised research or monitoring purposes declared FHAs is appropriate, with disturbance may be relatively low. in a declared FHA or involving limited or no discernible impacts. removal, destruction or damage of RAA applications are assessed and marine plants. decided by DAF. • MP06 Minor impact works in a While an RAA authorises interference Very little declared FHA or involving the with a declared FHA for a prescribed removal, destruction or damage of development purpose, a development development marine plants. permit is also needed before works can go ahead. The development An RAA can only be issued in a was authorised permit sets any conditions that must declared FHA for one or more of the be met. Development applications prescribed development purposes are assessed against the SDAP and in declared listed in the Fisheries Regulation are decided by the Department of 2008: State Development, Manufacturing FHAs • restoring the fish habitat or Infrastructure and Planning as the natural processes State Assessment and Referral • managing fisheries resources or Agency. fish habitat • researching, including monitoring, or educating

23 Resource allocation authorities Figure 6 Number of RAAs issued each year The number of RAAs issued each year 12 ranged between five in 2012–13 and twelve in 2013–14 (Figure 6).

Most RAAs were issued to state 10 agencies or local governments. About three quarters of all development 8 was in management B areas even though these only make up 17% of the declared FHA network. 6 This is because management B areas are usually declared where there is existing and/or planned 4 development, or to form a buffer between management A areas and 2 development, and management B areas allow for more types of development, including for private 0 purposes. 2012–13 2013–14 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 The most common prescribed Figure 7 development purpose was for Number of RAAs issued each year permanent structures such as private jetties, revetments and stormwater ■ Permanent structure outlets (in management B areas), followed by public infrastructure to ■ Public infrastructure facilitate fishing for public boat ramps for fishing and jetties (Figure 7). ■ Restoration

No RAAs were issued under the ■ Maintenance prescribed development purpose ■ Temporary structure for research or education, as these ■ Beach replenishment activities were authorised under a ■ Managing the area SAC (see Research). No RAAs were ■ Public/health safety issued for subterranean public infrastructure.

RAAs were most commonly issued Figure 8 in the SEQ NRM region (Figure 8). No RAAs by NRM region RAAs were issued in the Cape York, Northern Gulf and Southern Gulf NRM ■ SEQ regions, where development pressure ■ Wet tropics is lowest. ■ Burnett/Mary ■ Burdekin ■ Mackay/Whitsundays ■ Fitzroy

24 Declared Fish Habitat Area network assessment report

Management activities 2012–17

SAC notifications Figure 9 Number of SAC notifications each year The number of SAC notifications 30 each year ranged between twelve in 2013–14 and twenty-five in 2015–16 (Figure 9). While there were more SAC 25 notifications made than RAAs issued, SACs authorise only minor, low impact works. 20

Most SAC notifications were made under MP02 for maintenance of 15 existing structures (e.g. clearing stormwater outlets) and MP05 for research (Figure 10). Local 10 governments and research organisations were the main notifiers. 5 Two thirds of all SAC notifications came from the SEQ NRM region (Figure 11). No SAC notifications were 0 2012–13 2013–14 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 made in the Cape York, Northern Gulf and Southern Gulf NRM regions. Figure 10 Type of SAC notifications

■ MP02 ■ MP05 ■ MP06 ■ MP04

Figure 11 SACs by NRM region

■ SEQ ■ Wet tropics ■ Burnett/Mary ■ Fitzroy ■ Mackay/Whitsundays ■ Burdekin

25 Research Figure 12 Research by NRM region The relatively undisturbed habitats of declared FHAs can be useful ■ SEQ locations for research and education, ■ Wet tropics particularly where located close ■ Fitzroy to schools or research facilities. For example, the University of ■ Mary/Burnett Queensland’s Moreton Bay Research ■ Mackay/Whitsundays Station is close to the Myora–Amity ■ Burdekin Banks declared FHA, which protects ■ Southern Gulf a range of fish habitats including mangroves, seagrass, intertidal shoals, coral and part of a freshwater stream. Research can add to our understanding of declared FHA values and management issues, and research into fish and fish habitats is Figure 13 encouraged. Research by activity

Research can be approved in ■ Water quality declared FHAs under the prescribed ■ Fish passage development purpose ‘researching, including monitoring, or education’ ■ Fish habitats and is allowed without approval if it ■ Ecosystem/ecology complies with accepted development ■ Fish population requirements (previously, SACs). ■ Other No authorisation is needed for ■ Fish populations research that is not ‘works’, including water quality sampling where the equipment is not left in place and non-destructive field visits.

We compiled approvals data, SAC notifications and the results of literature searches to find out what research was done in declared FHAs between 2012 and 2017.

Most research was conducted in the SEQ NRM region (Figure 12) and was spread evenly across management A and management B areas. NRM bodies and research organisations did more than three quarters of the research projects that we identified.

Water quality was the main research activity, although taken together, research into fish habitats, fish passage, fish populations and general fisheries values was more common (Figure 13).

26 Declared Fish Habitat Area network assessment report

Management activities 2012–17

Rehabilitation Figure 14 Rehabilitation by NRM region While declared FHAs mostly protect intact, high-quality fish habitats, ■ SEQ there can be places that need to ■ Burnett Mary be rehabilitated, whether due to ■ Fitzroy human impacts or natural events such as storms. Rehabilitation ■ Wet tropics can be approved in declared FHAs under the prescribed development purpose ‘restoring the fish habitat or natural processes’ and is allowed without approval if it complies with accepted development requirements (previously SACs).

We complied approvals data, SAC notifications and information from stakeholders such as state agencies Figure 15 and NRM bodies to find out what Rehabilitation by activity rehabilitation was done in or near declared FHAs between 2012 and ■ Debris cleanup 2017. ■ Access control Rehabilitation projects were spread ■ Revegetation evenly across management A and ■ Other management B areas, with most ■ Structure removal rehabilitation in the SEQ NRM region (Figure 14). We found no rehabilitation ■ Fish passage activities in the Mackay Whitsunday, ■ Water quality Burdekin, Cape York, Northern Gulf and Southern Gulf NRM regions. Rehabilitation was most frequently carried out by NRM bodies.

The most common rehabilitation activity was marine debris clean up, with control measures (e.g. boardwalks, fencing, etc.) to prevent access impacts and revegetation also common (Figure 15).

A number of rehabilitation activities Rehabilitation case study—Cardwell Range that began in the 2017–18 financial Realignment Project year are not included in the above analysis. These activities include The realignment and upgrade of the at the revegetation, weed control and vehicle access control in and Cardwell Range required disturbance of marine plants. adjoining the Rodds Harbour, Rehabilitation of an informal access track to Seymour Creek Seventeen Seventy-Round Hill, in the nearby Hinchinbrook declared FHA was a condition of De ̄-răl-li ̆ (Calliope River), Yorkey’s approval for the marine plant disturbance. Rehabilitation works Creek and Trinity Inlet declared FHAs. included rubbish removal, erosion control and installation of rock barriers and bunds to prevent vehicle access. Natural regeneration of marine plants began almost immediately after the rehabilitation works. 27 Communication An effective communication This consultation process won the • posted on the QPWS Facebook strategy helps to raise awareness, 2016 NPSR Excellence Award for page understanding and support for the customer focus. • contributed information on declared FHA network amongst the We also: Moreton Bay declared FHAs to community and stakeholders. Brisbane City Council’s Moreton • designed and produced a Bay Ramsar 20th anniversary We prepared a declared FHA promotional banner and event communication strategy each year information brochure for use at between 2012 and 2017. The main events, meetings, environment • integrated Tallebudgera Creek communication focus was the centres and QPWS offices declared FHA information into extensive consultation process for DFWP educational material. • kept an ongoing web presence the Central Queensland declared FHA with updated and new declared Investigations Program. FHA plans and information sheets, policies and statutory documents

Tallebudgera Creek declared FHA 28 © Queensland Government Declared Fish Habitat Area network assessment report

What ̓s next?

We have improved how the declared • better integrate declared FHAs • continue our targeted compliance FHA network protects the State’s with other protected areas strategy with QBFP key fish habitats from development managed by DES, especially • develop and implement annual impacts, with little development marine parks communication strategies. authorised and new, improved and • ensure that declared FHAs are The date of next declared FHA updated strategy, policies, statutory integrated into state, regional and network assessment report will be documents, planning integration, local planning processes partnerships and compliance set in the next declared FHA network • develop more partnerships, between 2012 and 2017. Based on the strategy. particularly with Traditional findings of this assessment we will: Owners, to enhance declared FHA • develop and implement ongoing stewardship with stakeholders declared FHA network strategies and the community to guide overall direction

Acronyms

DAF Department of Agriculture and Fisheries NRM Natural resource management

DMA Designated mooring area QBFP Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol

DES Department of Environment and Science QCA Queensland Competition Authority

DFWP David Fleay Wildlife Park QPWS Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service

FHA Fish Habitat Area RAA Resource allocation authority

FIN Fisheries Infringement Notice SAC self-assessable code for development

GBRMPA Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority SPP State Planning Policy

GCWA Gold Coast Waterways Authority SDAP State Development Assessment Provisions

GIS Geographic Information System SEQ South East Queensland

GPC Gladstone Ports Corporation TUMRA Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement MSES Matter of state environmental significance

NPSR the former Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing

29 References

Commonwealth of Australia 2015, Reef 2050 Long-Term Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing 2017, Fish Sustainability Plan, http://www.environment.gov.au/ Habitat Area Code of Practice—The lawful use of physical, system/files/resources/d98b3e53-146b-4b9c-a84a- pesticide and biological controls in a declared Fish Habitat 2a22454b9a83/files/reef-2050-long-term-sustainability- Area, https://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/managing/pdf/cp- plan.pdf, accessed 25 January 2018. pk-mr-lawful-use-physical-pesticide-biocontrols.pdf, accessed 25 January 2018. Department of Agriculture and Fisheries 2015, Oyster industry plan for Moreton Bay Marine Park, https://www. Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing 2017, daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/56101/ Guideline: State Development Assessment Provisions, Moreton-Bay-Oyster-Management-Plan.pdf, accessed 25 State Code 12: Development in a declared Fish Habitat January 2018. Area, Version 1: June 2017, https://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/ managing/pdf/guideline-state-development-assessment- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 2012, provisions.pdf, accessed 25 January 2018. Declared Fish Habitat Area Network Assessment Report 2012, https://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/managing/pdf/ Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing 2016, assessment-report.pdf, accessed 25 January 2018. Enhanced management of Ramsar site wetlands in the Great Sandy Strait catchments, Queensland Wetlands Program, Department of Employment, Economic Development Brisbane Queensland, https://wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/ and Innovation 2011, Inventory of Instream Structures resources/static/pdf/resources/reports/gssrap-final.pdf, Impacting on Ramsar Wetlands, 66 pp, Queensland accessed 25 January 2018. Wetlands Program, Brisbane Queensland, ht tps:// wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/resources/static/pdf/ Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing 2015, resources/reports/instream-structures/qwp-ramsar- Declared Fish Habitat Area Network Strategy 2015–2020, inventory-report-final.pdf, accessed 25 January 2018. http://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/managing/habitat-areas/ network-strategy.html, accessed 1 August 2017. Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning 2017, State Planning Policy, July 2017, Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing 2015, https://dilgpprd.blob.core.windows.net/general/spp- Operational policy—Management of declared Fish Habitat july-2017.pdf, accessed 14 August 2017. Areas, http://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/managing/pdf/op-pk- mr-management-of-declared-fha.pdf, accessed 1 August Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and 2017. Planning 2017, ShapingSEQ South East Queensland Regional Plan 2017, https://dilgpprd.blob.core.windows. Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and net/general/shapingseq.pdf, accessed 25 January 2018. Racing 2014, A master plan for Queensland’s parks and forests to 2025, https://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/managing/ Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and plans-strategies/pdf/master-plan-qld-parks-forests- Planning 2014, Cape York Regional Plan, https://dilgpprd. to-2015.pdf, accessed 25 January 2018. blob.core.windows.net/general/cape-york-regional-plan. pdf, accessed 25 January 2018.

Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing 2017, Accepted development requirements for operational work that is completely or partly within a declared Fish Habitat Area, effective 3 July 2017, http://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/ managing/pdf/accepted-development-requirements.pdf, accessed 14 August 2017.

30 Declared fish habitat network area assessment report Appendix 1 Assessment of new, expanded and reviewed declared FHAs Balban Dara Guya (Leekes Creek) FHA-076

Cairns Declared FHA status 2017

Townsville Low priority for action (key points) Mackay • Highest scoring FHA in the network in 2017: 890 FHA Rockhampton • High fish habitat diversity in small creek system and inshore waters

Brisbane • Strong partnerships with Traditional Owners

Declared on 30 September 2016, this A TUMRA was implemented in 2007 Integrate the declared FHA into the 876 ha primarily management A FHA and describes the Woppaburra's Livingstone Shire Council planning (1 hectare management B) includes natural resource take and their scheme at the next major review. the estuarine system of Leekes Creek involvement in preserving the local and inshore waters of the offshore fisheries and marine resources. No Further resources continental Great Barrier Reef island subsistence or traditional fishing Department of National Parks, of Great Keppel Island. Part of the FHA activities are currently being Recreation, Sport and Racing 2015 is within the Great Barrier Reef Coast undertaken by Aboriginal people Fisheries Resources of Leekes Marine Park. within the Keppel Islands. Fishing Creek, Great Keppel Island, Central by the Woppaburra People is Balban Dara Guya (Leekes Creek) Queensland 2014 http://www.npsr. recreational and they target similar declared FHA has a diverse array qld.gov.au/managing/pdf/leekes- species to recreational fishers. of essential fish habitats: rocky creek-fisheries-resources.pdf. structure; intertidal flats; coral; The assessment and declaration Department of National Parks, Sport mangrove communities and of the Balban Dara Guya (Leekes and Racing 2016, Declared Fish saltmarsh. Leekes Creek is likely to Creek) declared FHA was done Habitat Area summary—Balban Dara be an important spawning area in with the ongoing consultation and Guya (Leekes Creek) Fish Habitat summer and an important migratory participation of the Woppaburra Area http://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/ pathway for fish using offshore reefs. People. For many of the Woppaburra managing/area-summaries/leekes. People involved, it was the first Commercial, recreational and html. time they had been on country to Aboriginal fishing occurs within the Great Keppel Island. Signage for frc environmental 2015 Leekes Creek declared FHA with a large number of the declared FHA that incorporates Estuary and Adjacent Inshore Waters: highly sought after species including traditional use and values was Habitat Assessment http://www.npsr. barramundi, bream, estuary cod, developed and installed in qld.gov.au/managing/pdf/leekes- flathead, garfish, mangrove jack, sea consultation with the Woppaburra creek-area-habitat-assess.pdf. mullet, golden trevally, moses perch, people. spotted javelinfish, whiting, penaeid frc environmental 2015 Leekes Creek prawns, mud and blue swimmer We also formed a strong partnership Estuary Seasonal Fish Survey and crabs. with the GBRMPA. Seagrass Assessment http://www. npsr.qld.gov.au/managing/pdf/ The Traditional Owners of Great Management actions leekes-creek-estuary-fish-surveys. Keppel Island, the Woppaburra, pdf. regained ownership and control of Continue partnerships with the 170ha of land on the island in 2007, Woppaburra People. much of which adjoins Leekes Creek.

31 Dē -ră l-lĭ (Calliope River) FHA-075

Declared FHA status 2017

Cairns Low priority for action (key points) • High fish habitat diversity and Townsville fisheries values Mackay • 2017 score: 715 FHA Rockhampton • Consultation with adjoining landholders led to a management B area being declared to allow for

Brisbane limited private access sdtructures to the river

Declared on 30 September 2016, this Management actions Richardson, D & Jones, C 2015, 314 hectare management B declared Assessment of sub-tidal habitats at Install signage (design complete). FHA incudes parts of the Calliope Cawarral Creek, Calliope River and River, upstream of the North Coast Follow up on baseline compliance Balaclava Island—Final Report ht tp:// Railway Line, near Gladstone. There inspection to detect any unlawful www.npsr.qld.gov.au/managing/pdf/ was an extensive communications structures. sub-tidal-cawarral-calliope-balaclava. campaign and two rounds of pdf , BMT WBM Pty Ltd (Executive consultation as part of the declaration Further resources Summary—full report can be obtained of the FHA. by emailing [email protected]. Department of National Parks, gov.au. The De ̄-ra ̆l-li ̆ (Calliope River) FHA has Recreation, Sport and Racing 2014, a high diversity of habitats, including Fisheries resources of Calliope River, Sawynock, B, Parsons, W & Sawynok, mangrove lined estuarine waterways, Fitzroy River: Central Queensland S 2015, Calliope River fish recruitment, saltpan and saltmarsh and rocky http://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/ Infofish, report prepared for outcrops, all of which are essential managing/pdf/calliope-river-fisheries- Department of National Parks, Sport for the provision of shelter, feeding, resource-assessment.pdf. and Racing http://www.npsr.qld.gov. breeding and nursery areas. au/managing/pdf/calliope-river-fish- Department of National Parks, Sport survey.pdf. Commercial, recreational and and Racing 2016, Declared Fish Aboriginal fisheries resources; Habitat Area summary—De ̄-răl-li barramundi; threadfin salmon; (Calliope River) Fish Habitat Area penaeid prawns; mangrove jack; mud http://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/ crab and sea mullet. managing/area-summaries/calliope. html. We did a compliance inspection soon after declaration to set a baseline for future compliance inspections.

We worked with Gladstone Regional Council to make sure that the new FHA will be incorporated into major amendments to the planning scheme.

Ecosure began a project to restore habitats and address threats in/near the Calliope River in 2017.

32 Declared Fish Habitat Area network assessment report Appendix 1 Assessment of new, expanded and reviewed declared FHAs Cawarral Creek FHA-050 (revision 1)

Cairns Declared FHA status 2017

Townsville

Mackay Low priority for action (key points) • Medium priority for action in 2012 FHA Rockhampton and one of the lowest ranked FHAs, now low priority and one of the highest ranked declared FHAs Brisbane • 2017 score: 785

Originally declared in 1993, this 3130 We reassessed the fish habitats Further resources hectare management A declared FHA of Cawarral Creek (Jupp 2013 and Department of National Parks, Sport includes Cawarral and Coorooman Richardson & Jones 2015) and found and Racing 2016, Declared Fish Creeks, east of Rockhampton. a much higher fish habitat diversity Habitat Area summary—Cawarral than previously documented. The fish habitats of Cawarral Creek Creek, http://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/ declared FHA include mangroves, We undertook a compliance audit of managing/area-summaries/cawarral. saltmarsh and intertidal flats. Surveys structures in the Cawarral declared html. in 2013 and 2015 revealed additional Creek FHA in 2015. This audit provided Jupp RY, 2013, Cawarral Creek habitats including freshwater swamps a baseline for future investigations. and subtidal rocky bars. Declared Fish Habitat Area: As part of an environmental offset Assessment report, Department of Aboriginal fishing occurs within project, we worked with Gladstone National Parks, Sport and Racing. the declared FHA and it is a major Ports Corporation (GPC) to acquire Lot Richardson, D & Jones, C 2015, destination for recreational fishers on 3 LN1662 (near Keppel Sands). This lot Assessment of sub-tidal habitats at the Capricorn Coast. was purchased by GPC in June 2016 Cawarral Creek, Calliope River and and gifted to the (then) Department of The Cawarral Creek declared FHA Balaclava Island—Final Report, BMT National Parks, Sport and Recreation. was proposed for management WBM Pty Ltd. action following the 2012 report Actions are underway to fence and due its relatively low scoring at that control weeds on the lot before it time. The Central Queensland FHA is converted to conservation park. Investigations Program provided Once converted to conservation park, a means to address the proposed we will consider including the tidal management actions. parts of the lot in the Cawarral Creek declared FHA. The program included a review of the Cawarral Creek declared FHA to: Management actions • ensure regional fish habitats are Input to next major amendment of the well represented Livingstone Shire Council planning • increase communication activities scheme. • form partnerships to deal with Consider adding tidal parts of Lot 3 identified management issues LN1662 to the declared FHA following • explore the potential to increase conversion to conservation park. the size of the declared FHA.

33 Fitzroy River FHA-072

Cairns

Townsville

Mackay Declared FHA status 2017 FHA Rockhampton Low priority for action (key points) • More than doubled in size in 2016 Brisbane • 2017 score: 800

Originally declared in 2008, the of critical fish habitats for fish Fisheries resources of Balaclava Island, 29,253 hectare management A communities of the lower Fitzroy River Fitzroy River: Central Queensland ht tp:// declared FHA included parts of (Sheaves et al. 2014). www.npsr.qld.gov.au/managing/pdf/ the Fitzroy River estuary, Raglan balaclava-is-fisheries-resource-assessment. We worked with Rockhampton Creek and the wetland systems pdf. Regional Council to make sure surrounding North Curtis Island, that the expanded FHA will be Department of National Parks, Sport and near Rockhampton. The FHA was incorporated into major amendments Racing 2016, Declared Fish Habitat Area extended in 2016 to include Balaclava of the planning scheme. The Fitzroy summary—Fitzroy River, http://www.npsr. Island and the most of the Fitzroy River declared FHA has had good qld.gov.au/managing/area-summaries/ River delta and now covers 77,878 integration into planning processes fitzroy.html. hectares. We conducted an extensive such as the Reef 2050 Long-Term communications campaign including Long, P & McKinnon, S 2002, Habitats and Sustainability Plan (Australian two rounds of public consultation fisheries resources of the Fitzroy River Government 2015) and the as part of the expansion of the estuary (Central Queensland), Queensland Rockhampton Recreational Fishing declared FHA. The expansion of the Department of Primary Industries. Development Strategy (Rockhampton declared FHA delivered a Queensland Regional Council 2016). Richardson, D & Jones, C 2015, Assessment Government commitment in the Reef of sub-tidal habitats at Cawarral Creek, 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan. Management actions Calliope River and Balaclava Island—Final The Fitzroy River declared FHA has Report, http://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/ Install declared FHA signage (design a high diversity of fish habitats. managing/pdf/sub-tidal-cawarral-calliope- complete). Characteristic habitats include balaclava.pdf ), BMT WBM Pty Ltd (Executive Summary—full report can be obtained by extensive saltpans and saline Further resources grasslands fed by mangrove-lined emailing [email protected]. creeks, mud and sand flats, rocky Bruinsma, C 2000, Rockhampton Regional Council 2016, headlands and brackish lagoons. Queensland coastal wetland Rockhampton recreational fishing Sandy beaches and rocky reefs resources: Sand Bay to Keppel development strategy, http://www. are also present within the newly Bay, Information Series QI00100, rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au/ declared area. Queensland Department of Primary CommunityEvents/Regional-Voice/Current- Industries. Commercial, recreational and Engagements/Rockhampton-Recreational- Aboriginal fishing occurs within the Commonwealth of Australia 2015, Fishing-Development-Strategy. declared FHA with many of highly Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Sheaves, M, Johnston, R & Mattone, C 2014, sought after species targeted such Plan, https://www.environment.gov. Balaclava Island 2014 fish survey ht tp:// as mud crab, barramundi, banana au/marine/gbr/publications/reef- www.npsr.qld.gov.au/managing/pdf/ prawns and king salmon. Surveys 2050-long-term-sustainability-plan. balaclava-island-fish-survey.pdf, School around Balaclava Island in 2014 found Department of National Parks, of marine and tropical biology, James Cook that the area is an excellent example Recreation, Sport and Racing 2014, University. 34