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

                                                                     Noosa Biosphere Reserve - Periodic Review 2018




According to the latest economic figures, Rental, hiring and real estate services were up 8% in 2017,
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Education was up 5%, Healthcare up 3% and Financial services up 2%. The Health sector has
recently overtaken Retail as the largest employment sector in Noosa, following trends in other parts of
Australia where an ageing population is the dominant demographic feature. Also, a record number of
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visitors came to Noosa last year (over 2 million) . In terms of key industry sectors, the economic profile
of Noosa has changed somewhat over the past decade. Health and Wellness now represents 54% local
income generation, Education and Training 47.8%, and Professional Services 31.8%. These have
become the top three highest growth industry sectors.

The Tourism sector in Noosa – comprising hospitality services Accommodation (22%) and Food (20%) -
remains an important employer, with more than 2.2 million visitors in the year to March 2016. In
contrast, rural enterprise has undergone a sharp contraction of 13.4% since 2006-7, although there is
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growing interest in sustainable farming practices and innovation . More detailed information on the
Development function in the NBR can be found in Ch. 5 of this report.

2.2.6 Update on logistic support function

The size and scope of logistic support to the NBR has grown over the past decade. In addition to the
NSC and the NBRF, these organisations are working together with a range of academic, business and
community partners to gather information and scientific data on the health of the physical environment
including wildlife, and on the promotion of sustainable development in the Shire.

Among the research partners in the NBR are:
•       Philanthropic organisations
•       Universities
•       Industry associations
•       Business organisations
•       Community groups
•       Environmental organisations
•       Schools.

A number of funded research projects have been conducted between 2007 and 2017. These have
included one-off, short and longer-term projects, co-funded by the NBRF and its partners. The funding
criteria for research projects include the ability to source funds from other areas, including government
and the private sector. Key research themes were identified by the NBRF Board, prior to funding rounds
being advertised publicly.

Over the last decade NBRF grant funded a number of projects:
•       Soil erosion in riparian zones
•       Impact of soil erosion on fish stocks, downstream
•       Koala tracking and health status
•       Understanding the NBR – community awareness video
•       Indigenous ecological knowledge and cultural trails
•       Recovery of prawn stocks
•       Artificial oyster reefs
•       Rural enterprises and a new hinterland economy
•       Botanical guide
•       Environmental education
•       Renewable energy.




19
     2018, Lucid Economics, Noosa Economic Profile 2017 (prepared for Noosa Shire Council), p.2
20
     https://www.tra.gov.au/Research/Regional-tourism/local-government-area-profiles
21
     Ibid.



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