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

                                                                  Noosa Biosphere Reserve - Periodic Review 2018




2.3.8 Spoken and written languages
Based on the 2016 census English is the most frequently spoken language in Noosa (88.3%),
compared with 81.2% in Queensland and 72.7% in Australia. Other languages spoken at home included
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German 0.9%, French 0.5%, Italian 0.4%, Dutch 0.3% and Spanish 0.3% . There has been little
change over the past few decades.
Other spoken languages include, but are not limited to, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and
Indonesian. The traditional language of the Kabi Kabi First Nations people is less spoken but is
preserved through many local names such as Mt Cooroy, Mt Tinbeerwah, Wooroi Creek, Lake
Cootharaba and Lake Cooroibah.

2.3.9 Management effectiveness
The main challenge remains with gaining widespread community understanding of the meaning of a
“biosphere” and the need to continue to strive for a sustainable future by investing in research and
education.
Funding and limited resourcing also remain a considerable challenge although progress has been made
in attracting funding partners for biosphere related projects through the NBRF grants program.
Without NSC funding support the NBRF would be entirely reliant on generating its own income by
attracting philanthropic contributions and public donations which can be very difficult to attract. Effective
operation of the NBR requires a regular income stream and will always be reliant on the goodwill of
numerous community volunteers.

2.4      Matters of special interest

2.4.1 Is the biosphere reserve addressed specifically in any local, regional or/and national
      development plan? If so, what plan(s)? Briefly describe such plans that have been
      completed or revised in the past 10 years.

The biosphere reserve is considered in a range of planning/policy documents. Integration of biosphere
principles and concepts provides consistency across community and environmental programs. Key
planning documents that address NBR are:
•        2006 Noosa Plan
•        2017-2037 NSC Corporate Plan: Setting Council’s long term strategies and priorities
•        2015 Noosa Design Principles: Principles to preserve and enhance Noosa’s built environment
•        NSC Draft Noosa Environment Strategy: protecting and enhancing Noosa’ natural environment
         (commenced 2017, expected to be adopted 2018)
•        2017-2027 Noosa Transport Plan: A plan for sustainable transport solutions
•        2015 Noosa Social Strategy: A framework to improve community well being
•        2016 Local Economic Plan: A plan to broaden Noosa’s economy with growth in ‘smart’ industry
         sectors

2.4.2 Outcomes of management/cooperation plans

Having biosphere status raises the profile and significance of Noosa Shire as a leader in sustainable
development and environmental protection. The outcomes of co-operative planning and management
with government agencies and other organisations are as follows:
•        A robust Noosa Plan (town planning scheme) with a development cap and strong sustainable
         development focus.
•        A requirement for developers to demonstrate a commitment to Noosa Sustainability Principles
         and minimise impacts to the natural environment.
•        A foundation for investment and grants where applicants need to demonstrate consistency with
         NBRF and Council principle and objectives.
•        An agreed ‘way forward’ between Council, the NBRF, the community and key stakeholders
         towards achieving sustainable development and conservation outcomes.


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     2016 Census QuickStats: Noosa, SED 30065



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