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

  2




                            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