2019-02-18 GC Agenda Att 1 to Item 8 - Draft Environment Strategy

       Significant environmental achievements including large areas of land under conservation
        protection and the Noosa River being one of the healthiest in south-east Queensland.
       Strong drive to grow the right types of businesses and industry (including clean, green,
        smart, high-value, locally grown/made products and services) to diversify and sustain a
        healthy local economy and environment.




  In recognition of Noosa’s outstanding values and approach to sustainability, Noosa Shire and its
  coastal waters was designated as a Noosa Biosphere® Reserve by the United Nations Educational,
  Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) under the Man and the Biosphere Program in 2007.

  Noosa Council has strategic oversight of the Biosphere and supports the Noosa Biosphere Reserve®
  Foundation (NBRF) with funding for significant and innovative conservation projects. In partnership
  with other stakeholders, the NBRF has delivered a range of projects including vegetation restoration
  works in the upper Kin Kin Creek, research into koala distribution and health using detection dogs,
  and investigations into restoring aquatic ecosystems through oyster reefs and increasing prawn
  stocks.

  The Noosa Community Biosphere Association is a separate but supportive organisation to the
  Noosa Biosphere. Its role is to engage with the community and encourage participation in the
  Biosphere through celebration of our Noosa home, its people and places.

  In 2018 Council, supported by the NBRF, submitted a 10-year review of the Biosphere Reserve. This
  review demonstrated that over the time since Biosphere designation there has been a significant
  increase in land under protection for its natural values, sustained economic growth despite
  population stabilisation, more formal engagement with Traditional Owners, and an increased focus
  on scientific research.




  The Noosa Biosphere Reserve covers 110,728ha and extends 3 nautical miles offshore.


Noosa Shire Environment Strategy                                                             Page 9