2018-08-07 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                   7 AUGUST 2018


This report provides details of the review process and provides a copy of the Periodic Review
Report for noting by Council.

1.   Review process

The Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation (NBRF) was given responsibility for drafting of the
review report. NBRF engaged a specialist consultant and established a Periodic Review
Advisory Group (PRAG) to oversee the review process. Membership of the PRAG comprised
representatives from the following organisations:
 NBRF Board of Directors (1)
 NSC elected members (2)
 NSC staff (2)
 Noosa Community Biosphere Association (1)
 Noosa Integrated Catchment Association (1)
 Noosa & District Landcare (1)

The PRAG provided a mechanism to also undertake broader consultation with the community for
example Traditional Owners, environment and nature resource management groups and tourism
associations. Over 100 face to face consultations were also undertaken that helped inform the
review and NBRF future strategy development.

NBRF handed the draft report over to Council on 10 May 2018 for finalisation and lodgement with
relevant agencies. In view of the tight timelines an updated version of the draft report was
submitted for review simultaneously by the State & Commonwealth on 30 May. After receipt of
feedback, the amended document was lodged with the Commonwealth on 23 July 2018. The
final status of the report is reliant on any further comment back from the Commonwealth but any
further amendments (if any) are expected to be minor.

The State have provided written advice that they have no objection to the summaries and
conclusions in the report noting that the Queensland National Parks Service manage large areas
of the terrestrial reserve system which makes up the core of the natural areas within the NBR.

Previous Council Consideration
Not applicable.

Finance
There are no direct financial implications from the Periodic Review. Council strategy and budgets
continue to provide for actions that contribute to achieving the three interconnected functions of a
MaB reserve i.e. conservation, development & logistic support.

In addition, Council has resolved to enter into a further 3-year conditional Funding Deed with the
NBRF with some changes being made to operational responsibilities (e.g. a new Biosphere
Management Plan will be developed by Council).
.
Risks & Opportunities
UNESCO may withdraw the biosphere designation if the criteria of Article 4 of the Statutory
Framework for the WNBR’s are deemed to not have been met; and/or if the reporting deadline is
not met (it has already been extended). It is considered that the evidence provided meets the
criteria for continuation of the MaB designation for NBR.




                                                                                     Page 43 of 74