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

                                                               Noosa Biosphere Reserve - Periodic Review 2018




The Noosa Community Biosphere Association (NCBA) also has a diverse membership and promotes
innovation in economic development that is socially, culturally appropriate & environmentally
sustainable.

7.5.4 How long-lived is the consultation mechanism (e.g., permanent assembly, consultation on
      specific projects)?

The longevity of the consultation mechanisms depends on the outcome sought. Some examples are as
follows:
•     PRAG: The consultation process to inform the PR was over a period of 13 months (project
      based).
•     NBRF Grants: Consultation with Noosa community on biosphere grants is an ongoing process
      which is dependent on available funding streams.
•     NBRF Strategy: Extensive one on one consultations (over 100 interviews) by the NBRF Strategic
      Advisor were undertaken to inform biosphere management objectives and priorities (project
      based).
•     NBRF and NSC: Ongoing discussions between NSC and NBRF concerning governance and
      funding have been regular and have been conducted over a number of years.

7.5.5 What is the impact of this consultation on the decision-making process (decisional,
      consultative or merely to inform the population)?

Consultations have greatly helped to inform the management direction of NBRF, in particular in relation
to priorities for grant projects and the PR.

7.5.6 At which step in the existence of a biosphere reserve is the population involved: creation
      of the biosphere reserve, drawing up of the management plan, implementation of the plan,
      day to day management of the biosphere reserve? Give some practical examples.

All significant plans and strategies relating to the NBR are subject to community consultation. In some
instances a community reference group is established to inform the direction prior to formal
consultation.

In the case of the NBR Management Plan 2009-2012 the plan was developed by various
representatives of the community sector boards. That plan is currently under review.

It is anticipated that future biosphere strategic plans will involve more broad consultative processes
through a marketing and promotional mix of media.

7.6   Management and coordination structure

7.6.1 Describe any changes regarding administrative authorities that have competence for each
      zone of the biosphere reserve (core area(s), buffer zone(s) and transition area(s))? If there
      are any changes since the nomination form/last periodic review report, please submit the
      original endorsements for each area.

In late 2007, soon after designation as a BR, the Noosa Shire was amalgamated with two other bodies
(the City of Caloundra and the Shire of Maroochy) to form a new, much larger SCRC. The
amalgamation was carried out at the behest of the (then) Queensland Government. The new regional
council was based in Nambour (a large urban centre to the south of the Noosa Shire). The SCRC
established, and was active in funding and supporting the Noosa Biosphere Ltd (NBL).

Over a five-year period, a group of Noosa residents mobilised the community, eventually gaining high
level political support to re-instate Noosa as a separate local government area. They cited the area’s
unique approach to conservation and human development as a rationale for this independence. In a
referendum during late 2013, over 80% of the Noosa community voted in favour of de-amalgamating
from the SCRC. With this sustained pressure leading up to State Government elections, Noosa was
able to de-amalgamate from the SCRC in 2014.




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