Community members have been urged to have their say on how the foreshore will be managed from Sunshine Beach to Peregian Beach.
Noosa Council has invited residents to help shape the future of eight coastal and near-coastal reserves, in the face of climate change effects.
Mayor Clare Stewart said the areas were “incredibly significant”.
“We all know and love our beach foreshore reserves,” she said.
“They’re a haven for endangered wildlife, they provide a natural buffer between the coastline and our communities, and they add to our shire’s natural beauty.
“To ensure the reserves are protected for future generations to enjoy, we’re formalising, in consultation with the community, how we look after these natural assets.”
The Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves (EBFRs) are a series of eight naturally vegetated council-managed reserves.
“They stretch over 11.5km, covering approximately 122ha along the open ocean beaches from Sunshine Beach to Peregian Beach, so they’re an incredibly significant part of our coastal landscape,” Cr Stewart said.
The draft Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan outlines the importance of the reserves, their community and environmental values, and the threats they face.
“Our goal in this plan is to provide a guide for sound decision-making that protects all of these values,” Cr Stewart said.
Council environment and sustainable development director Kim Rawlings said mitigating coastal hazards and other climate change risks was fundamental to the plan.
“We’ll continue to see the effects of climate change such as rising sea levels, more intense and frequent storms and coastal erosion,” she said.
“The reserves play a key role in protecting Noosa residents from the impact of these changes, with their natural vegetation and landforms providing a natural buffering between the foreshores and our communities.”
The plan will help deliver aspects of council’s Environment Strategy and Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan.
Residents can read the draft Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserve Management Plan and submit feedback at Your Say Noosa Council.
Council has already hosted some public information sessions and workshops and there are more on the schedule.
Beach Pop-Ups:
- Tuesday, February 28, 7am to 11am, Beach Access 66, Victory Park, Lorikeet Drive, Peregian Beach.
- Thursday, March 2, 7am to 11am, Beach Access 36, Tingira Crescent, Sunrise Beach.
- Thursday, March 9, 7am to 11am, Beach Access 40, David Low Way, Castaways Beach.
- Saturday, March 11, 7am to 11am, Beach Access 27, Seaview Terrace, Sunshine Beach.
- Wednesday, March 15, 7am to 11am, Beach Access 50, Peregian Esplanade.
- Thursday, March 16, 7am to 11am, Beach Access 47, Tristania Drive, Marcus Beach.
Community events:
- Saturday, March 4, 6.30am to noon, Pomona Markets.
- Sunday, March 5, 8am to noon, Kin Kin Markets.
- Sunday, March 12, 8am to 2pm, Noosa Marina Markets (TBC).
- Sunday, March 19, 7.30am to 12.30pm, Peregian Beach Markets.
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