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2026 LGAQ CONFERENCE MOTIONS & COUNCILLOR ATTENDANCE (Referred from the General Committee Meeting dated 7 July 2026 - Item 7.7) · Att 1 to the Ordinary Meeting Minutes - LGAQ Proposed Motion - UNESCO Biosphere Reserves - Updated
ATTACHMENT 2 to the Minutes of 2026 LGAQ Annual Conference –
the Ordinary Meeting dated 16 Proposed Motion
July 2026 – UNESCO Biosphere
Reserves – State and National
Recognition and Funding -
Updated
Who is the key contact for Cr Amelia Lorentson
this motion?
(required)
Submitting council Noosa Council
(required)
Supporting ROC
(if applicable)
Council resolution # NA
(required)
Date of council resolution TBA
(required)
Does this motion have state-wide relevance?
Was this motion suggested by a third party? no
Title of motion (required) UNESCO Biosphere Reserves – State and National Recognition and
Funding
Motion
That the LGAQ call on the Queensland and Australian Governments
(required)
to:
A. Formally recognise UNESCO Biosphere Reserves as assets of
state and national significance - environmental, cultural, scientific
and economic - and acknowledge the role local governments play
in their ongoing stewardship Recognise that Queensland has
more UNESCO Biosphere Reserves than any other state, and
back this with real opportunities; and
B. Establish dedicated and sustainable funding to support local
governments in managing UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
obligations, reflecting the state and national benefit these
reserves deliver Provide ongoing funding to help local councils do
the work of looking after UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, since the
whole state and country benefit from this work.
What is the desired
Queensland is home to three UNESCO Biosphere Reserves -
outcome sought?
Noosa, Sunshine Coast and Great Sandy - a concentration
(required) 200-word limit
unmatched by any other Australian state. Yet neither the
Queensland nor Australian Government formally recognises them as
the state and national assets they are, and local governments
managing them receive no dedicated funding to do so. This motion
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seeks that recognition and the funding to match, setting a precedent
that benefits councils managing significant assets right across
Queensland. Queensland has three UNESCO Biosphere Reserves -
Noosa, Sunshine Coast and Great Sandy. No other state has this
many. But the Queensland and Australian Governments haven't
formally recognised this, and councils looking after these reserves
get no extra funding to do it. This motion asks for that recognition,
and for funding to match it. It would also set a good example for
other councils around Queensland that look after important sites.
Background
This is about fairness, and every Queensland council will recognise it
(required) 350-word limit
Local governments across Queensland regularly manage assets of
state and national significance - RAMSAR wetlands, heritage areas,
coastal reserves, national park buffers - largely from general
revenue, without dedicated support from the levels of government
that benefit most. UNESCO Biosphere Reserves are one of the
clearest examples of this inequity. Local ratepayers should not be
subsidising national assets.
Councils across Queensland already look after sites that matter to
the whole state and country - wetlands, heritage areas, coastal
reserves, land next to national parks. They mostly pay for this
themselves, out of general rates, even though the benefits go far
beyond the local area. UNESCO Biosphere Reserves are a clear
example of this. Local ratepayers shouldn't have to foot the bill for
something that benefits the whole nation.
Queensland has something extraordinary and is not making the most
of it.
UNESCO Biosphere status is one of the most powerful
environmental and cultural designations in the world. It drives
tourism, attracts research investment, and signals to visitors and
investors that a place meets a globally recognised standard of
natural and cultural significance. With three reserves, Queensland
has a concentration of this status unmatched in Australia and is
currently leaving that competitive advantage largely unleveraged.
UNESCO Biosphere status is one of the most respected
environmental and cultural titles in the world. It brings tourists,
research funding, and international attention to a place. Queensland
has three of these reserves - more than any other state - but we're
not using this advantage as well as we could.
Recognition must come with resources. Recognition needs to come
with money.
Each Biosphere Reserve requires a formal Local Stewardship
Council, an ongoing Reserve Stewardship Plan, and sustained
coordination across conservation, coastal management, cultural
heritage, science and community engagement. This work falls
primarily on local government - funded by local ratepayers - on
behalf of the whole state and nation. Formal state and federal
July 26
Wilson Crawley
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recognition would create the platform to leverage dedicated funding
for stewardship, conservation, research and community programs.
Running a Biosphere Reserve takes real work: setting up a
stewardship group, writing and following a management plan, and
coordinating conservation, coastal care, cultural heritage, science
and community programs. Right now, councils do this work and pay
for it, even though it benefits the whole state and country. If the
Queensland and Australian Governments formally recognised these
reserves, it would open the door to proper, ongoing funding for this
work.
The timing could not be better. With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon,
Queensland's UNESCO Biosphere Reserves represent an
extraordinary opportunity to showcase this state to a global
audience. That opportunity deserves coordinated investment and a
united voice from Queensland's local governments. LGAQ should
provide it.
The timing is good. Brisbane will host the 2032 Olympics, giving
Queensland a global stage. Our Biosphere Reserves are a great
opportunity to show the world what Queensland has to offer. That
opportunity is worth investing in, and it's worth councils speaking
with one voice through LGAQ.
Case study/ Example
(optional) 350-word limit
July 26
Wilson Crawley
Used in these records
2026 LGAQ CONFERENCE MOTIONS & COUNCILLOR ATTENDANCE (Referred from the General Committee Meeting dated 7 July 2026 - Item 7.7) · Att 1 to the Ordinary Meeting Minutes - LGAQ Proposed Motion - UNESCO Biosphere Reserves - UpdatedAttachmentsMeeting 964 · read item & discussion ↗
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