In this edition |
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Community engagement
Activity group updates |
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Happy New Year everyone. There’s quite a lot going on, and much information to impart. 1. A NOOSA TIMELINE Over the years, several attempts have been made at generating a timeline of significant events for Noosa Shire. Too often, those timelines (e.g. the one on Noosa Library’s website) largely ignore Noosa’s very significant environmental conservation story. In recent months, I have assembled a new version of a timeline. I have used a wide range of sources, and the version attached has been scrutinised by local, independent historians. I thank each of them for their input. This timeline has gone through a range of versions, and it remains a working document subject to further improvements. Nevertheless, I though NPA members might be interested in how it’s shaping up (attached). 2. OYSTER REEFS RECEIVE INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM Noosa River’s oyster reefs are part of a national program that has recently received a United Nations Award for “global significance”. Following historical analysis by Dr Ruth Thurston and on-site studies by Prof Greg Skilleter, it became clear that the biodiversity in the lower reaches of the Noosa River was in serious decline. NPA’s Michael Gloster saw how The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC’s) reef building program could benefit Noosa’s much-loved waterway. Following a two-day scientific workshop involving TNC, the Thomas Foundation and NPA, a project to recreate oyster reefs in the river was funded by The Thomas Foundation, TNC, the Australian Marine Conservation Society, the Australian Government Reef Builder Project and Noosa Council. Council’s participation was approved while I was mayor. Oyster reefs improve water quality and biodiversity. Every hectare of oyster bed filters 2.7 billion litres of seawater each year, removing 225 kilograms of nitrogen and phosphate. Meanwhile, the same hectare produces 375 kilograms of new fish and homes for over 100 marine species. (Figures courtesy of TNC.) Sadly, the mayor who followed me declared the oyster reefs to be a “flop” and a “fiasco” before they had even been installed. Yet TNC had already enjoyed great success in developing reefs and improving biodiversity in Chesapeake Bay, New York Harbour, and numerous Australian sites where its reef-building work was embraced by state governments and local councils in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. During the 2020-24 council, the project managed to survive with support from Councillors Wilkie, Stockwell, Wegener and Jurisevic, amid obstacles by Councillors Stewart, Finzel and Lorentson. Inevitably, dedicated NPA critics have argued that the oyster reefs have failed, but this is a misrepresentation of the data. For example, some dead oysters on the reefs are part of the natural process and they provide new substrate for yet more oysters to establish. Oysters go through boom-and-bust cycles as a result of environmental factors such as freshwater flows. Overall, given they’ve gone into a degraded habitat with lots of stressors, the Noosa River oyster reefs are performing well. Proof of the success of TNC’s Australia-wide oyster reef program is the United Nation’s naming Reef Builder as a World Restoration Flagship. This is the first Australian environmental project to ever receive this recognition. December’s UN Environment Assembly Gala of Hope event in Nairobi called it as “one of the planet’s most ambitious, science-based, and inspiring examples of large-scale ecosystem restoration in action.” Thanks to people like Michael Gloster, Rowland Hill and David Thomas, Noosa has played a part in that accomplishment. 3. COOCHIN CREEK DEVELOPMENT APPROVED Sadly, Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie MP has decided to approve the Comiskey Group’s massive 150-site tourist park at Coochin Creek on the edge of Pumicestone Passage, following a call-in process. The original application had incorporated a music festival venue as well, but this element is still under consideration. The proposed festival site spans 22 football fields and would be one of the largest in Australia if it also gets approved. Numerous environment groups, including NPA, placed objections to the entire development proposal (tourist park plus festival site) which is sited on the edge of sensitive wetlands and in the Northern Inter-Urban Break – an important buffer zone that separates the Sunshine Coast from the urban sprawl of Brisbane and Moreton Bay. Minister Bleijie approved the tourist park despite the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) finding that the development failed to comply with relevant planning legislation and policies, and that there was no overriding public need. SARA also cited high bushfire risk and ecological concerns in its recommendation for refusal. This ministerial approval is the result I anticipated – otherwise, why would the Minister have called it in so he could make the final determination rather than the appropriate body, the local government? According to the developers, their tourist park will attract 20,000 visitors annually. Mr Bleijie said the decision “aligned with the state government’s Destination 2045 tourism strategy.” He also stated, ‘…the Pumicestone Passage is publicly owned. It’s not just for the people that currently live there.” While Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli had raised concerns about the tourist park application, its approval was reportedly welcomed by their own tourism group, Visit Sunshine Coast. Sunshine Coast Environment Council has been coordinating much of the opposition to the development. 4. SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND KOALA CONSERVATION STRATEGY OPEN FOR INPUT The state government are seeking feedback on how to improve current koala habitat regulations and actions. The new SEQ Koala Conservation Strategy is open for comment until 15 March. NPA will be making a submission, but individual members may also wish to make submissions. You can find the relevant information here: https://environment.qld.gov. 5. APVMA REVIEWS ANTICOAGULANT RODENTICIDES Some rodent poisons, particularly anticoagulants, kill raptors and other wildlife that feed on rats and mice. The Australian Government’s Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority is currently reviewing the approval and use of anticoagulant rodenticides. Alternative baits are available that don’t generate secondary poisoning. The review will consider stricter controls, as well as suspensions or bans on second-generation rodenticide products. Submissions are open until 16 March. If this is a matter of concern to you, then you may wish to make a submission by going to:
Best wishes Tony Wellington President |
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With several of our long-term Noosa National Park Information Hut volunteers travelling this year, we’re calling on other members to step up and help fill the gap. The income generated by the Info Hut goes directly to our Land Fund, which played a vital role in the purchase of the Yurol/Ringtail Forest—now officially declared a protected area. For decades, NPA has been at the forefront of protecting wildlife by securing green corridors and safe passage for fauna from Cooloola to Coolum. Thanks to these efforts, our local koalas look to be relatively secure. With 43% of the Noosa Shire in some form of protected covenant, mostly as national park, our neck of the woods will remain a key repository of threatened plant and animal species. Volunteering at the Info Hut is a rewarding way to spend a few hours in Noosa National Park—chatting with visitors and selling refreshments, snacks, or books in a beautiful setting. We’re looking for new volunteers, whether you’ve just joined NPA or have been a member for 20 years. If you can spare some time (a shift is 4 hours) once a fortnight or more, please get in touch with Dave, our Noosa National Park Volunteer Co-ordinator, and offer your support to the association. Email: nnp@noosaparks.org.au Please leave your name and contact number for a call back. |
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Membership Matters |
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NPA memberships were due for renewal on 1 January. Many people have already renewed their membership for which we are most grateful. If you have yet to do so, please take this opportunity to continue supporting Noosa Parks Association and the good work we do.
Many members take the opportunity to make a donation at renewal time, thereby boosting NPA’s ability to secure environmentally significant land and to advocate for extending the green corridor linking the Tewantin, Noosa and Cooloola National Parks. Donations of $2 and over have tax deductibility status.
You should be aware that NPA has introduced a tertiary student membership concession. To date the take-up has been limited. Clearly to conserve the local environment long into the future we all need to do more to encourage the upcoming generation to join us in our work.
2026 Membership fees Family membership: $60 Individual membership: $35 Tertiary student membership: $5 for the first year of being a member, $25 in subsequent years while remaining a student.
Payment options:- Our preferred means of renewal is by bank deposit to: Noosa Parks Association Inc. BSB: 734 219 Account no: 070372 Please make sure to include your full name!
Payment by credit card is another option using the Membership button at https://noosaparks.org.au/.
Cheques are of course still acceptable mailed to NPA at PO Box 836, Noosa Heads, Qld 4567.
Mike Sackett NPA Membership Secretary |
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Friday Environment Forum |
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Friday Environment Forum will be back in action on February 13 with the first of this year’s Bird Observer’s talks, “Amazing Birds and Mammals of India”. Speaker Ken Cross, Convenor of Birdlife Sunshine Coast, will intrigue the audience with his photos and tales of his journeys to India.
As a special New Year’s gesture, if you are able to show proof, such as a receipt on your phone or on paper, that you have rejoined Noosa Parks Association for 2026, you will enter for free.
Upcoming forums to add to your diary: Feb 27: “Project Manta” Professor Kathy Townsend of UniSC will discuss the biology and ecology of manta rays in Australia. March 13: “Coconut: The World’s Wonder Plant” with John Lauritz March 27: Latest in Koala Research with Dr Romane Cristescu, UniSC.
Friday Environment Forum is held on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month at the Environment Centre, 5 Wallace Drive, Noosaville. The forum begins at 10.30am with tea and coffee available from 10am and birding from 8.30am. Entry is $5 Tap and Go. |
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White-throated Kingfisher – image by Ken Cross |
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Bird Observers’ Group |
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Our new year is up and running!
Welcome to another good birding year in our Noosa shire! The 2026 program is now complete.
The first group activity starts on 13th February, 2026 with an Interpretive Birding Walk at Wallace Park before Friday Forum. Ken Cross will be our guest speaker with the subject of Birds and Birding in India. The first group outing will be to a private property at Kin Kin on 15th March.
Plans for extra outings, and surveying the Koala Corridor this year will be discussed at the meeting on the 3rd February.
There is still time to see a diversity of migratory waders before they migrate around late March. For the best viewing, it is necessary to get the tide time right. A low tide along most shores and mud/sand flats is best, late afternoon when a cool breeze may spring up, and sun behind to best show the bird’s plumage. Angela was fortunate to be able to photograph a Terek Sandpiper on a Noosa River sandflat recently – before it leaves our shores to breed in Siberia!
Red-backed Button-quail and Pale-vented Bush-hen were seen at Yandina Wetlands at the end of last year, so maybe a visit to that area could be productive for a those who are anxious to get back to giving the binoculars a workout after the festive celebrations.
Good luck and Happy 2026!
Valda McLean Convenor, Noosa Parks Association Bird Observers’ Group |
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Botany Group |
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Welcome to a new year of botanical sleuthing and learning!
Our programme of meetings and walks for 2026 commences in February with a break in December and January next. Meetings are held at the Noosa Parks Association Environment Centre, Wallace Park, Noosaville, on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, from 2pm. Walks are from the new summer starting time of 8am on the last Sunday of each month.
Our guest speaker on Feb 11th will be Sam Mitchell of the National Register of Big Trees, and on March 11th Bernice Rosier from Noosa Landcare’s retail outlet the Hinter Hub will speak about Garden Management.
On Sunday 22nd February, we will meet at the end of Golf Course Drive, Tewantin, for a walk in sclerophyll forest in Tewantin National Park. The year’s second walk on Sunday 29th March is through wet heath towards Emu Mountain after meeting at the end of Tritonia Drive, Coolum.
You will find further information on the year’s scheduled activities on the Noosa Parks Association website by searching under Activities and Botany Group.
In August 2025, several group members volunteered their time and expertise in planning and guiding walks as part of the Native Plants Qld Conference held on the Sunshine Coast. In appreciation for their contribution, NPQ has paid for the purchase of a digital microscope for the use of the Botany Group. This is an exciting and practical new resource for the use of members at meetings, and Robert Price will give us the low-down on its use at the first meeting.
Look forward to seeing old faces and perhaps new at the first meeting.
Linda Price NPA Botany Group |
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Digital Microscope |
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Find a Frog in February! Community assistance is needed to find out where our frogs are living in and around the Mary River catchment (from Maleny to Hervey Bay and west to Conondale and Kilkivan) and coastal areas from Peregian to Burrum Heads and Fraser Island (K’Gari). |
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Curated and edited by: Darlene Gower Honorary Secretary Copyright © 2025 Noosa Parks Association, All rights reserved. |