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

                                                                    Noosa Biosphere Reserve - Periodic Review 2018




•        Requirements for developers to meet strict codes in relation to vegetation protection, erosion and
         sediment controls and contributions for park and bushland reserve
•        Requirements for thorough ecological assessment prior to development particularly in relation to
         (E) Endangered, (V) Vulnerable and (NT) Near-Threatened fauna, and
•        Integrated design for connectivity with wider open space networks.

The environment is a central theme in town planning and urban development in the NSC. Council has
adopted a raft of policies that focus on sustainability. These include:

•        Carbon Reduction (Zero Emissions) Strategy
•        Energy and water efficiency standards
•        Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy (under development).

Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan 2016-2024

This plan aims to recycle 55% of domestic, commercial and industrial waste and 80% construction and
demolition waste. A key priority is diverting green waste from landfill to compost. In 2016, the NSC
distributed green waste bins to all urban residents.

Zero Emissions Organisational Strategy 2016-2026

The NSC aims to have zero net carbon emissions by 2026. Baseline carbon-emission calculations have
been undertaken for all Council facilities and activities. Actions that have been taken to reduce Council's
carbon footprint through behaviour change, installation of solar panels on Council buildings, capturing
methane from landfill, and by minimising green waste to landfill.

Housing Needs

There is an increasing need for more affordable housing in the NBR. Noosa has very high median
house prices (approximately nine times average annual income) and median rents, well above the State
average. However, median household income is 14% lower than the State average. As the NSC Mayor
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suggested recently, this is a potent mix for housing affordability in the Shire .

A recent housing assessment found that many residents on low incomes are struggling with high
housing costs. The report recommended that the Shire promote small innovative dwellings, smaller lots,
secondary dwellings, greater housing diversity and development incentives. These changes would lead
to more sustainable use of existing development areas rather expanding the urban footprint.

4.4      How effectiveness of actions or strategies is assessed

There are a number of indicators demonstrating that environmental activities, advocacy and
conservation programs have been effective in meeting the NSC and the NBR’s objectives:

•        Expansion of protected area estate and bushland reserves in the NBR’s core zone
•        An expanding volunteer base active in environmental programs
•        The maintenance of an ‘A’ rated healthy Noosa River system, and
•        Continued strong planning controls including the mapped biodiversity overlay, riparian zone and
         shire-wide tree protection provisions
•        NSC implementation plans have a number of objectives and KPI to measure their effectiveness
•        Healthy Land & Water annual ecosystem health report card

4.5      Influencing factors on conservation efforts

The main factors that have influenced the success of conservation efforts in the NBR are a long period
of community activism resulting in large tracts of land being protected for conservation purposes as well
as strong development controls. The Noosa community have a long history of working together to live
sustainably within the NBR environment.


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      Tony Wellington, Housing squeeze, From the Mayor, Noosa News, 6/4/18



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