2016-12-12 General Committee - Attachment 1 to Item 9 - NBRF Annual Report

QUARTERLY REPORT TO COUNCIL – Q1 FY 2017



   the community that could be pursued to develop appropriate sanctuaries and corridors to
   optimise wildlife protection.

   These challenges to Noosa’s ‘special’ environmental attributes are significant and demand
   careful and inventive responses.

   Hinterland Management Plan

   Country Noosa is developing an integrated land management plan for the hinterland that
   will embrace an holistic approach to farming production, carbon sequestration and
   environmental restoration and protection.

   ZEN

   The NBRF is supportive of the ZEN initiative, kick-started by the Council and now
   enthusiastically embraced by the community. The life-style changes to which the concept
   aspires are complex and several NBRF Directors are deeply engaged in development of
   the initiative, particularly in the challenges of the electricity sector. It is apparent some
   aspects will need funding support to bring them to a better state of understanding and
   resolution, and the NBRF is looking to where its resources might best be directed to help in
   this process.

   Koala

   It is anticipated that we will be able to extend the life of the current Koala program as we
   develop a greater understanding of our Koala population, health and distribution.

   Global Change Institute (GCI)

   The Noosa community over 50 years has pursued achievement of a wise balance between
   biodiversity conservation and sustainable living. The Noosa Parks Association, the oldest of
   Noosa’s community environmental associations, has proposed independent academic
   validation of this history and achievements, and the further initiatives now being pursued.
   The NBRF supports this proposal which we regard as fundamental to the development and
   legitimisation of a ‘Noosa soft footprint” brand. A preliminary plan to achieve this through
   collaboration with the University of Queensland’s prestigious Global Change Institute is
   being developed. The material produced will be useful to others wishing to replicate
   Noosa’s achievements, and in satisfying some of the information and educational
   expectations associated with UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere program.

   Science Symposium

   The Nature Conservancy has agreed to undertake its annual review of the Great South
   Seascapes Australian program in Noosa in early 2017. The review involves Australian and
   American marine scientists.
   The opportunity will be taken for a high-level science symposium to evaluate all three
   elements of the Bring Back the Fish program to be conducted in association with the GSS
   review. The Australian team implementing the GSS and the Australian and American
   experts working in the same field here and in the USA will be engaged in this validation
   process.


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