2016-12-12 General Committee - Attachment 1 to Item 6 - Biodiversity Assessment Report

                                                      Noosa Biodiversity Plan – Biodiversity Assessment Report




1      Introduction
1.1    Ba c kg ro u n d
Noosa Shire contains extensive biodiversity and landscapes of great significance within a geographically
confined area, many of which are globally unique. The local economy of Noosa Shire has a strong
reliance on tourism, which is dependent on the natural and diverse scenery and biodiversity of the area.
The shire of Noosa is also located entirely within the Noosa Biosphere Reserve®, which is an
internationally recognised, UNESCO-designated reserve (Noosa Biosphere Ltd 2014a). Biosphere
Reserves are areas with significant environmental values that demonstrate a balanced relationship
between humans and the environment, promoting harmony between people and nature through
education, conservation and sustainable development (Noosa Biosphere Ltd 2014a). Environmental
excellence and sustainability is therefore a key priority for the Noosa community.

Biodiversity conservation is integral to achieving the overall vision of sustainability for the Noosa region.
This has been reflected in the planning and policy framework adopted by the Noosa Council to date and
is highlighted by the strong environmental focus of managing land use in the region. The recognition of
the importance of biodiversity conservation across Noosa is also demonstrated through the on-going
investment of resources into community run environmental initiatives, grant programs and partnerships.

Noosa Shire Council is committed to maintaining this strategic direction of environmental excellence and
sustainability across both the local planning framework and the on-going conservation management
approach within the shire. The Biodiversity Conservation Plan is one of Council’s key policy documents
that will be developed to fulfil this commitment. The plan will identify the key future conservation priorities
and targeted actions for the region and in doing so will guide planning and decision-making as part of the
Noosa Council planning scheme, as well as direct future investment. This relates to the management of
Council reserves, offsets program/purchases, land acquisitions programs, community grants partnerships
and volunteer programs.

The Biodiversity Conservation Plan covers the entire Noosa Shire, and incorporates the outstanding
biodiversity values and the local community views. It is one of many other related plans that will inform
the development of an overarching Environment Strategy that will synthesise all of Council’s and
communities environmental aspirations and initiatives.

This Biodiversity Assessment Report has been prepared to detail the current and future status of
biodiversity conservation in Noosa in order to assist in determining the key issues for local conservation
management that is to be addressed in the Biodiversity Conservation Plan. It is the supporting research
document that ensures the development of planning policy is based on current scientific understanding
of biodiversity values across Noosa.

1.2    P rev io u s Bio d iv er si t y P la n n i n g St u d i e s
Detailed studies of Noosa’s flora and fauna values were undertaken in 2003 as part of the “Noosa Plan -
Choosing Futures” process led by the Noosa Shire Council. Titled “Vegetation of Noosa Shire” (Burrows
et al. 2003) and “Fauna & Its Associated Biodiversity Values in Noosa Shire” (Ecotone Environmental
Services Pty Ltd, 2003), these studies aimed at assisting in the management and conservation of
biodiversity in Noosa Shire with a particularly emphasis on informing the development of the Noosa
planning scheme.




    © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD                                                                         12