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

                                                                Noosa Biosphere Reserve - Periodic Review 2018




Obstacles encountered, measures to be taken and, if appropriate, assistance expected from the
Secretariat:

The operations of the NBRF have been supported by an annual operational budget from the NSC. This
is negotiated on a regular basis between the NBRF and the NSC, contingent upon meeting of agreed
KPIs and other requirements for reporting.

Describe the main objectives of the biosphere reserve integrating the three functions and the
sustainable development objectives for the coming years.

The former NBR Plan of Management 2009-2012 outlines the following objectives for each of the three
functions.

1.    Contribute to the implementation of existing international agreements promoting conservation in
      Australia.
2.    Include a wide variety of environmental, biological, economic and cultural programs, incorporating
      largely undisturbed areas, and extending to include major towns and cities, and taking in coastal
      and marine environments.
3.    Strengthen the emerging regional, and thematic global components of the functioning World
      Network of Biosphere Reserves.
4.    Promote scientific research, monitoring, training and education.
5.    Contain an extensive and functional occurrence of all Biosphere Reserve zones that fully reflect
      the natural and human dimensions of the area.
6.    Operate on the basis of open, evolving and adaptive relationships with all sections of the
      community to promote management that is culturally creative and ecologically, economically and
      socially sustainable.
7.    Promote an awareness and understanding through information exchange mechanisms,
      community capacity and network building, collaborative partnerships, education programs of
      sustainability and responsible stewardship of the area’s ecosystems, resources and values.
8.    Promote a greater awareness and understanding of the history of the area, the traditional owners
      of the land and impacts of European settlement of the area and the recognition of rights and
      participation.

The Plan of Management is currently under review.

In addition the draft NBRF Strategy Summary 2018-2028 contains the goals for the decade ahead. The
focus will be upon delivering research projects under four main programs:
•     Bring Back the Fish
•     Restoring Koala Populations and Habitats
•     Celebrating ‘Made in Noosa’ foods
•     Protecting the Noosa Experience.

CONCLUSION

This report has documented the various approaches taken over the period 2007-2017 to manage the
Noosa Biosphere Reserve. It sets out the main achievements in Noosa within each of the three main
functions of a BR, including in conservation, development and logistic support.

The report demonstrates that BRs are complex learning sites for sustainable living. There are many
overlapping layers of protective environmental legislation, policy and regulation, including careful land
use and development planning, monitoring, strategic planning, implementation and review that together
support people and nature within the NBR. The Noosa community and its institutions (including
environmental, social, cultural and economic organisations) have also played a large role in the success
of the NBR and cement its place within the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

Not least has been the commitment of the many landholders, citizen scientists, students, researchers,
volunteers and others over many years who have been involved in voluntary conservation activities, and
funded research projects focused upon protecting various aspects of the NBR. Collectively, the work of
governments, businesses and the community has contributed to expanding our understanding of
Noosa’s iconic wildlife, waterways, hinterland, society and economy.




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