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

                                                                 Noosa Biosphere Reserve - Periodic Review 2018




 Research Project                                            Project manager         Linkages
 Mary River Cod Recovery Plan, including the Fish Hatchery   MRCCC                   Local
 at Lake Macdonald, Cooroy
 Threatened Species Recovery Plan                            MRCCC                   Regional
 Turtlewatch                                                 Coolum Coastcare        Regional

2.4.7 How have collective capacities for the overall governance of the biosphere reserve (e.g.
      organisation of new networks of cooperation, partnerships) been strengthened?

With the establishment of the new management model in 2015 there have been new networks of co-
operation and partnerships developed between various universities and community environmental
organisations particularly through the NBRF grants program.

In addition, NSC has also established an Enviro/NRM Forum that includes a wide section of community
groups within the biosphere that meet quarterly to discuss a wide range of issues and to help inform
development of the shire wide Environment Strategy. The NCBA attend the Enviro/NRM forums. The
Sustainable Tourism Stakeholder Reference Group is also another initiative that will ensure NSC, TN
and the community are aligned in the pursuit of a sustainable level of tourism for the future.

Governance of the NBRF has been strengthened through cooperative relationships with Council and
the development of a Funding Deed and regular reporting to Council. One Councillor from NSC is a
board director enabling a close working relationship between Council and NBRF.

2.4.8. Please provide some additional information about the interaction between the three zones.

The Core Area consists of protected areas including National Park, Conservation Park, Nature Refuge,
Bushland Reserve and Environment Reserve. Largely these areas are set aside for conservation
purposes and low key nature based facilities are provided for eco-tourism opportunities.

The Buffer Zone experiences greater tourism use and edge effects, while protecting the significant core.
Recreation facilities are also provided to meet high demand for nature based activities such as four
wheel driving, camping, horse-riding, boating, beach activities and bushwalking.

The Transition Zone provides areas for human settlement, business and industry but uniquely these
areas are interspersed with corridors and patches of vegetation and habitat. These corridors provide
important linkage with buffer and core areas and can be seen on Map 2. The Noosa planning scheme
has a ‘development cap’ to constrain future development and strong vegetation protection mechanisms
such as the Biodiversity Overlay and shire wide-tree protection provisions helps Noosa maintain
vegetation networks and scenic landscape.

2.4.9 Participation of young people. How were young people involved in the organisations and
      community decision-making processes? How were their interests and needs considered
      within the biosphere reserve? What are the incentives or programs in place to encourage
      their participation?
NSC consultation is inclusive of all demographics on matters affecting the community within the NBR.
Young people were represented on forums such as the Community Juries in 2014 and 2015 dealing
with waste management and management of the Noosa River. On line capability “Your Say Noosa” is
also available for comment on important strategy and this is particularly attractive to the younger
generation.
It is acknowledged that there have been limited opportunities for young people to be involved in NBR
formal decision making processes. Most decisions are made by elected councillors and NBRF directors
who are mainly mature people who have a range of experiences that qualify them to be on the board or
council.
Most engagement with young people by the NBRF has been through events, educational talks and
student work placements programs. It would be beneficial to investigate opportunities for young people
to take a more influential role in NBR decision making.




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