2021-01-18 GC - Item 1 - Attachment 1 - Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation 2019 20 Annual Report

                                                     NOOSA BIOSPHERE RESERVE FOUNDATION – 2019/20




BIG IDEAS PROJECTS UPDATE

Restoration from Green Waste – Rowan Rafferty               of koalas in the Noosa Biosphere Reserve,
                                                            recommendations from the surveys and genetic
In 2015 a Noosa Community Jury endorsed a                   analysis research results has provided an initial
comprehensive Green Bin organics collection                 blueprint for wild koala eco-tourism.
system for the Shire towards a “zero organic
waste to landfill by 2030” target. This collection          The ultimate aim is to continue to work with our
envisaged all domestic organics including bones,            funding Partners, WWF, to protect koala
eggshells, meat, fish, animal droppings and                 populations from fragmentation through
garden clippings.                                           protection of a functioning corridor network and
                                                            provide opportunities for the general public to
We now have the green bins for garden waste,
                                                            understand how this can be achieved. Thirdly, the
but little else.                                            NBRF is a key contributor to a recent grant
Comprehensive organic waste processing to                   application in collaboration with USC and other
compost (preferably AS 4454—2003) can divert                koala interest groups in the region (such as
up to 75% of waste from landfill, reducing                  Australia Zoo) to trial koala disease vaccines,
methane emissions (21 x more harmful than                   managing the effects that Chlamydial infection
vehicle emissions) and provide pathogen, seed-              has on local koala populations. This is ground
free nutrients to regional farmers.                         breaking research, and is an ongoing program that
                                                            NBRF are keen to continue to support.
NBRF seeks to assist, as appropriate, with Noosa
Shire Council’s efforts to achieve its 2050 Waste           The Noosa Biosphere Institute – Tom Wegener
Management targets. This is an important part of
creating a Circular Economy.                                To facilitate Noosa Council’s goal of creating an
                                                            institute to collaborate and connect key local
Koala Integration – David Dique                             organisations; research institutes; community
                                                            members and experts, Phase 1 has been carried
Three significant milestones have been                      out with a CSIRO report and Executive Summary
accomplished in the last 12 months as we seek to            by Kim Rawlings, Director of Environment and
better integrate Noosa Biosphere Reserve                    Sustainable Development, in line with our vision:
integrated activities to support the management
                                                            Advancing environmental research, education and
and conservation of koalas. A very successful
                                                            information about a significant aspect of the natural
Koala Symposium was held in Nov 2019, and
                                                            environment, being the Noosa Biosphere Reserve.
culminated in a Koala Prospectus that defines
three core areas for future investment in koala
                                                            Noosa’s UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve
conservation. We have now commenced
                                                            designation comes with an ongoing commitment
connecting with potential donors and
                                                            to sustainability. UNESCO has set out the MAB
philanthropists to assist with funding the
                                                            Strategy 2015 to 2025 and the Lima Action Plan to
program.
                                                            assist the world’s biosphere reserves to maintain
                                                            their status. Noosa has earned a special place
It brings together wildlife managers, community
                                                            because through its planning schemes,
groups, researchers and local government in an
                                                            community groups and culture has exceeded in its
integrated action plan to help secure the koalas
                                                            commitment to Man and the Biosphere values.
future. Second, we have received a final report
                                                            Noosa has a story, experiences and information
from our USC research team with the findings of
                                                            that offers enormous value to others embracing
the Koala Forever Noosa research program. To
                                                            UNESCO MAB principles.
support its goal of securing the long-term survival




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