20 Addresses

         Annex to Biosphere Reserve Nomination Form, February 2004
                  MABnet Directory of Biosphere Reserves
                             Biosphere Reserve Description1

Administrative details
Country: Australia
Name of BR: Noosa Biosphere Reserve
Year designated: (to be completed by MAB Secretariat)
Administrative authorities: (17.8) Noosa Council, the State Government of Queensland, the
Australian Government
Name Contact: (20.1) Ben McMullen Manager Environmental Services Noosa Council.
Contact address: (20.1) PO Box 141 Tewantin, Queensland, Australia 4565
Related links (web sites): www.noosa.qld.gov.au;
www.environment.gov.au/parks/biosphere;

Description
General description: (Site characteristics in 11.1; human population in 10; land management
units in 17.2)


    The Noosa Biosphere incorporates the area comprising the Noosa Shire local government area in the
    State of Queensland, Australia, and the adjacent coastal waters to 3 kilometres offshore. The total
    permanent population within the proposed Biosphere Reserve is approximately 50,000 people, with a
    seasonal population of up to 65,000.

    The total area covered by Noosa Biosphere Reserve is approximately 150,000 hectares of
    freshwater/tidal and terrestrial areas.

    The Noosa area is considered ideal for the creation of a Biosphere Reserve. For more than 40 years, it
    has been home to one of the earliest and consistently active networks of community conservation
    groups in the State of Queensland. Numerous scientific studies of world standing have been
    undertaken in the area. The Noosa community has nominated the area for designation as Biosphere
    Reserve as part of its response to the challenge of maintaining the existing conservation oriented
    culture and to provide the basis for achieving sustainable use of the area s natural and cultural
    resources.

    Managing urban growth in a sustainable manner and developing a culture of responsible stewardship
    by all community members is one of the key drivers of the Noosa Biosphere. The local economy has a
    strong reliance on tourism and this in turn is dependant on the natural resource base and locational
    attributes of the area. There are productive agricultural lands, community services, light industry and
    managed forests reserves, located in the transition zone of the proposed Biosphere area.

    Several international treaties for conservation apply specifically the nominated area including the
    Japan Australia Migratory Birds Agreement, JAMBA, a migratory bird protection agreement with
    Japan, and a similar agreement made with China, the China Australian Migratory Birds Agreement,
    CAMBA.

    The majority of the core areas of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve are publicly owned lands and waters
    managed by either State or Local Government authorities for conservation under State legislation.
    There are two private freehold properties included in the core area. These properties have legislative
    conservation protection under State Legislation.

    The buffer area includes both public reserves and private freehold lands that are managed to achieve
    integration of conservation and sustainable development outcomes.

1
  To be posted on the MABnet once the nomination has been approved. The numbers refer
to the relevant sections of the nomination form.