Shoring up the Noosa River

Enhancing the fish habitat, improving water quality and reducing erosion – those are the aims of an upcoming Sunshine Coast Council project in the Noosa River.

Division 11 Councillor Russell Green said more than 1000 mangrove trees would be planted on the northern bank of the Noosa River.

"The sites where these works will occur were identified in council’s Noosa River Monitoring Report in the Noosa River Plan as tidal areas subject to disturbance by previous land use and erosion from high level boat and jet-ski wash," he said.

"Mangroves are used by a vast array of marine creatures as breeding, nursery and feeding areas and they also play a very important role in foreshore protection and reducing erosion."

Cr Green said the project was a coastal offset requirement for the nearby Noosa Spit (Dog Beach) Erosion Project.

"This type of environmental offset is a positive measure taken to counterbalance unavoidable environmental impacts that result from an activity or development," he said.

"Council's overall objective for this offset project is to help provide another positive impact on the health of the Noosa River once the Noosa Spit Erosion project is completed."

Volunteers from Noosa and District Landcare, Noosa Waterwatch and Noosa Integrated Catchment Association will join council staff in planting the1000 new mangrove trees at the identified sites.

Implementation of the mangrove planting is scheduled for the week starting 23 July at times dependent on low tides. Rehabilitation works and on-maintenance will continue until the first quarter of 2013.