Noosa Biosphere project – an initial discussion paper
1. Vision
It is proposed that the Noosa Biosphere demonstrate best practice land and water conservation, sustainable living, and sustainable tourism practices in the Noosa region, supported by nationally and internationally recognised educational and research opportunities.
2. What is a biosphere reserve?
Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems promoting solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.
They serve in some ways as 'living laboratories' for testing and demonstrating integrated management of land, water and biodiversity.
They are internationally recognised by UNESCO following nomination by national governments, and remain under sovereign jurisdiction of the state where they are located.
Each biosphere reserve is intended to fulfil three basic functions, which are complementary:
 | A conservation function - to contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation; |
| A development function - to foster economic and human development that is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable; |
| A logistic function - to provide support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange related to local, national and global issues of conservation and development. |
There are over 425 Biosphere Reserves in 95 countries, with 12 in Australia. Biosphere Reserves provide community groups, private land holders, tourism operators, businesses, scientists and governments with ongoing information about natural resources in their region, and improved ways to manage natural resources in a sustainable way. They also offer opportunities for education, recreation and tourism for people interested to learn about the conservation of the natural environment and sustainable development.
Biosphere Reserves are not covered by international convention, but simply meet a set of criteria allowing them to properly fulfil their functions. They help countries to meet their obligations under international conventions such as World Heritage, Ramsar, Biodiversity Hot Spots and Agenda 21.
Collectively, Biosphere Reserves form a world network within which information, experience and personnel are exchanged.
3. What positive outcomes can be achieved from the creation of a Noosa Biosphere Reserve?
A Biosphere Reserve can be a catalyst for conservation and sustainable development initiatives within the Noosa community.
Much of the planning that is carried out by our three levels of government depends on community involvement and the commitment of landowners to try better ways of doing things.
Creating a Noosa Biosphere Reserve can help generate community participation in a wide variety of conservation, research and education projects which might never otherwise happen.
Once designated, the Noosa Biosphere partners can tap into a huge network of international experience and expertise to help conserve or rehabilitate an area, and to try a wider range of sustainable approaches in tourism, agriculture, and other businesses.
4. What are the proposed boundaries of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve?
It is proposed that all of Noosa Shire be included in the Reserve, as well as those parts of Noosa National Park and the Cooloola Section of the Great Sandy National Park (including the Double Island Point Conservation Park) which are not in Noosa Shire.
Noosa National Park is partly within Noosa Shire and partly in Maroochy Shire to the south. The Cooloola Section of the Great Sandy National Park is partly within Noosa Shire and partly within Cooloola Shire to the north. The Double Island Point Conservation Park lies within that part of the Cooloola Section of the GSNP that is in Cooloola Shire.
The justification for including those parts of Noosa and Great Sandy National Parks not in Noosa Shire is that it was the Noosa community that was almost single handedly responsible for these internationally significant ecosystems being protected as national park. They are very much part of the core of the Noosa community’s appreciation of what constitutes the Noosa region.
5. Noosa Biosphere – a community partnership
It is proposed that Noosa Biosphere be formed as a community partnership between Noosa community organisations, Noosa’s tourism industry, Noosa Council and selected Queensland Government agencies.
It is further proposed that the community partnership nominate the Noosa Biosphere as part of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Program.
6. Possible Noosa Biosphere Project Partners
The strength of a community can be measured by its cooperation and commitment in accepting new challenges and creating a better environment.
The founding partners of a formalised Noosa Biosphere partnership could be:
| Tourism Noosa |
| Noosa Chamber of Commerce |
| Noosa Community Economic Board |
| Noosa Shire Residents and Ratepayers Association |
| Noosa Integrated Catchment Association |
| Noosa and District Landcare |
| Noosa Parks Association |
| Great Sandy Region Conservation Council |
| Sunshine Coast Environment Council |
| Noosa Community Environment Board |
| University of the Sunshine Coast |
| University of Central Queensland |
| Sunshine Coast (Tewantin) TAFE College |
| Primary and secondary schools in the Noosa Region |
| Noosa Council |
| Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water |
| Department of Primary Industries |
It is further proposed that any incorporated community association, business, or land holder with a demonstrated track record in, or a willingness to commit to, conservation and sustainable land use in the Noosa region be eligible to join the Noosa Biosphere community partnership.
7. Noosa Biosphere – past, present and future
It is proposed that the Noosa Biosphere draw on a noteworthy past and a consolidated present to impose on itself a challenging future.
The Noosa Biosphere can draw on the 45 year old conservation and sustainable living legacy of the Noosa community, Noosa Parks Association, and Noosa Council.
This legacy has produced a current state where Noosa Shire enjoys an outstanding national park estate. This conserved estate forms the core of one of the ten most bio diverse protected regions in the world.
The pattern of human settlement that has emerged in the Noosa region over the past 45 years, resulting as it has from an ongoing community struggle towards achieving a sustainable approach to human settlement against at times overwhelming development pressures, and set within the context of a great national park estate, forms the foundations for the realisation of the Noosa Biosphere to demonstrate best practice land and water conservation, and sustainable living, in the Noosa region.
For the Noosa Biosphere, the challenge ahead is to continuously improve land and water conservation, sustainable living practices, and sustainable tourism, and to strengthen emerging educational and research opportunities in sustainable living provided by government, regional educational institutions and community groups across the Noosa region.
Some of the major new conservation and sustainable development initiatives that will need to be undertaken as part of the Noosa Biosphere project are:
| Further developing a sustainable tourism industry based on ecotourism and cultural tourism experiences; |
| Increasing biodiversity and sustainability in rural agricultural areas impacted by past land clearing for dairying, small crop farming, softwood forestry plantations and sugar cane farming; |
| Re-introducing flora and fauna in privately owned land, particularly in rural areas; |
| Consolidating ecologically sustainable faunal and floral corridors across private land in a manner that links the Noosa region’s national parks and other conserved areas. |
Draft endorsed by Noosa Parks Association Management Committee
April 2006