2018-08-07 P&E Agenda - Attachment 1 to Item 3 - Noosa Biosphere Reserve 10 Year Periodic Review

                                                                     Noosa Biosphere Reserve - Periodic Review 2018




296,000 ha in 2013-15, 3.8 times the rate in 2009-10. Scientists are warning of the devastating impacts
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of land clearing on wildlife habitat and reef areas .

While Noosa’s spectacular biodiversity has continued to be protected and preserved since 2007, it is
coming under increasing threat from a variety of factors. The key threats to the NBR are:
•      Climate change
•      Weeds and pest species
•      Vegetation clearing
•      Habitat fragmentation (caused by urban development)
•
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       Degrading processes (erosion and sedimentation; litter; declining soil health) .

While less than 1% of native vegetation has been cleared in Noosa since 1997, human pressure
(largely due to increasing visitor numbers) is beginning to impact negatively on the NBR. Traffic
congestion is increasing in the main tourist areas during peak holiday periods, and beaches and
national parks are often crowded with visitors. The NSC and Tourism Noosa have begun meetings to
address these issues through a Sustainable Tourism Stakeholder Reference Group. One focus is to
encourage optimal distribution of visitors between the coast and hinterland areas. More detailed
information on conservation efforts can be found in Ch. 4.




Photo: NBRF, Noosa National Park Headland, 2018

2.2.5 Development update

The Noosa economy has grown steadily over the past decade, however the rate of growth has slowed
in recent years. The GRP was up 1% per annum to $2.8 billion in 2015-16. Growth in average annual
household income in Noosa was 4.6% (compared with 2.6% Queensland). There is evidence that the
population is stabilising, yet the tourism and non-tourism sectors are increasing revenues and
employment, slowly decoupling the link between population growth and economic growth.



17
   2017, Queensland Government, Herbarium, Scientific review of the impacts of land clearing on the species in
Queensland
18
   Biodiversity Assessment, Noosa Council - NRM group workshop, presentation, 16/6/17



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