Noosa Biosphere

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB), designated the former Noosa Shire boundary as a biosphere region in September 2007, a first for Queensland.

A biosphere reserve is an international conservation listing awarded to an area with innovative approaches to conservation and sustainable development. Biosphere reserves can be land-based and/or marine ecosystems and promote a balanced relationship between humans and the biosphere.

A biosphere has three very different but equal aims:

• conservation – genetic resources, species and ecosystems
• sustainable – development: economic, nature, society / human and culturally adapted
• logistic support – including research, monitoring, environmental education and training.

For full details visit the Noosa Biosphere Reserve website.  

Purpose

Noosa Biosphere Limited is a company whose purpose is to advance the Noosa Biosphere Reserve, under the charter of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Program. The company liaises closely with council and provides a valuable level of community input to inform policy and strategy development.

The biosphere reserve concept can be used as a framework to guide and reinforce projects to enhance people's livelihoods and ensure environmental sustainability. Biosphere reserves are about developing quality economies based on local community action and entrepreneurship, sound science, public-private sector partnerships and networks.

• Information sheets:
  • Noosa Biosphere Reserve [PDF 867KB]
  • Noosa's Native Plants [PDF 1.6MB]
  • Green Arts in the Noosa Biosphere [PDF 715KB]
  • Ecotourism in the Noosa Biosphere [PDF 450KB]
  • Birds of the Noose Biosphere Reserve [PDF 765KB]
  • Conservation [PDF 815KB]
  • Learning from History [PDF 3.6MB]
  • Noosa's Native Animals [PDF 540KB]
• Noosa Biosphere Reserve frequently asked questions [PDF 70KB]

Noosa Biosphere Management Plan

The Noosa Biosphere Management Plan [PDF 1.5MB] provides clear direction for the development and implementation of projects that will advance the objectives of the biosphere. The Plan will be reviewed later this year.

Reference documents

• Madrid Action Plan [PDF 1.6MB] 
• Seville Strategy [PDF 566KB]

Overview

Noosa Biosphere Limited incorporates a board structure that follows the community sector board model, and incorporates community engagement into its planning and operations.

The Noosa Biosphere Community Sector Boards are looking to review policies, practices and programs of the Noosa Biosphere to ensure they do not conflict with ecologically sustainable practices. Their role is to:

• promote an innovative framework and green approach to the way people in the area live and do business by giving meaning to – and developing – a strong understanding of the term sustainability
• promote a community that is willingly looking at and addressing the sustainability of its behaviour.

Background

In September 2001, the former Noosa Council established five community sector boards as part of its community governance thrust to engage members of the community in the planning and delivery of environmental and quality of life outcomes. The success of the former Noosa Council's community engagement program has contributed significantly to the success of the Noosa Shire area earning biosphere status on 20 September 2007.

In August 2008, the Sunshine Coast Council approved the Noosa Biosphere Limited Constitution [PDF 148KB]. This constitution outlines the company purpose, objectives and powers, operational structure and representation.

2012 Sector Board Meeting Dates [PDF 40KB]

Contacts

For more information, please contact council’s Research and Project Officer (Noosa Biosphere) on (07) 5449 5122.