Cooroy Chamber Cooroy Chamber presentationpresentationFebruary 2011February 2011

www.noosabiosphere.org.auwww.noosabiosphere.org.au

What is a Biosphere?What is a Biosphere?UNESCO designation - designed to promote

and demonstrate a balanced relationship between humans and the environment◦ Focus on conservation, sustainable

development and learning◦ Over 560 biospheres exist worldwide

A celebration of a community that attempts to live in a sustainable manner

Some think of it as World Heritage Status without the rules and regulations

UNESCO = United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation

What is a Biosphere? What is a Biosphere? (continued)(continued)

There is no “one sized fits all” model of a biosphere ... each is different – however core aims include:

Conservation Sustainable development Logistics support [learning]

Additionally, UNESCO’s Madrid Action Plan 2008 focuses Biosphere plans for 2008-2013 on:

Accelerated climate change with consequences for societies and ecosystems;

Accelerated loss of biological and cultural diversity with unexpected consequences that impact the ability of ecosystems to continue to provide services critical for human wellbeing;

Rapid urbanisation as a driver of environmental change.

Noosa region achieved Noosa region achieved biosphere status in biosphere status in September 2007September 2007

The Noosa Biosphere area is based on the local government boundary of the former Noosa Shire, and the adjacent coastal waters to 3 kilometres offshore.

It was the first Biosphere in Queensland ... now joined by the Great Sandy Biosphere

The total permanent population within the Biosphere Reserve is approximately 50,000 people, with a seasonal population of up to 65,000.

There is a diverse mix of coastal and hinterland communities!

1500 sq kilometres: former 1500 sq kilometres: former Noosa Shire BoundariesNoosa Shire Boundaries

Why Noosa?Why Noosa?

UNESCO in declaring the Noosa Biosphere Reserve particularly noted:◦ “a sophisticated level of human settlement and a

high level of inter-relationship with the natural environment.”

◦ “the strong sense of community involvement and community co-ordination over a broad range of human settlement and natural environment issues.”

An important component was the Noosa Planning Scheme which had been adopted by the former Noosa Council.

Noosa Biosphere Limited Noosa Biosphere Limited was established in was established in December 2008December 2008

Noosa Biosphere’s organisational focus is through Noosa Biosphere Limited (NBL) with links to UNESCO MAB secretariat in Paris. ◦ NBL is a company owned by the Sunshine Coast

Regional Council and directed by a 9 member board drawn from the community, sector boards and Council.

NBL’s role is to foster partnerships with Noosa organisations , businesses and community to help create a sustainable Noosa.

NBL has no legislative powers

MaB = Man and the Biosphere, which is the official program name within UNESCO

VISIONVISION

“Your Noosa Biosphere will be a learning community that

cultivates harmony between people and nature, for both

conservation and sustainable development.”

We define sustainability as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Six Six volunteer volunteer community boards community boards operating under the Noosa operating under the Noosa Biosphere Limited umbrellaBiosphere Limited umbrella

NBL -Governance

Board

Social Board

Economic Board

Education, Research and Development

Board

Tourism Noosa

Environment Board

Cultural Board

Why do we all volunteer so Why do we all volunteer so hard?hard?

• Opportunity to leverage the credibility of the UNESCO designation to benefit the entire region.

• Engage the community on the core aims of a Biosphere – conservation, sustainability and education/learning.

• Partner with like minded organisations to achieve real outcomes for our community.

• Link education providers, business and the community

• Assist current businesses as well as assist in the attraction of new sustainable businesses to the region – with an increased focus on low impact, high value sectors.

• Make the Noosa region the natural place for conversations on sustainability

Example of projects underway / Example of projects underway / completedcompleted• Establishment of an Australian Biospheres

Network including Great Sandy and Mornington Peninsular

• Benchmarking the Biosphere “State of the Environment” style report being collated

• Community climate change adaptation initiative - COMMUNITY WORKSHOP SERIES x 3 (one recently held in Pomona)

• Voices of the Biosphere – community radio weekly program

• Powerlink / PAGE negotiations• Schools competitions• Working with Cambodian biospheres • Social accounting and systems mapping

workshops

Projects Underway (continued).Projects Underway (continued).

• Submissions on major planning issues (to Govt) and other issues of community significance

• September 2010 Biosphere Day – MAJOR EVENT / community celebration

• July 2011 major CONFERENCE on Sustainability & Community Resilience

• Working with SCRC on Natural Advantage business attraction campaign including ECOBIZ

• Preliminary work on a sustainability portal / learning hub.

• Management of the Noosa Community Environment Trust

• Schools partnership and joint research proposals with Universities

The NoosaThe Noosa HinterlandHinterland isis importantimportant!!

COOROY SPECIFIC EXAMPLESCOOROY SPECIFIC EXAMPLES• Cooroy / Hinterland residents currently

volunteering:• Phil Moran (Gov. Board), Greg Dinsey (Economic Board),

Tamsin Kerr (Cultural Board), Tim Vercoe (ER&D Board), Celia Jones (Social Board), Ron Nissen (Economic) and many more.

• Climate Action project workshop held in Pomona last year – focusing on regional communities

• “Biosphere Project” examples include those demonstrating Biosphere principles with multi-party collaboration.• i.e. partnerships involved in Lower Mill Board re-

generation (Landcare role within Noosa Biosphere)• i.e. NICA monitoring quality of Cooroy stormwater and

running an education program in the region (NICA role within Noosa Biosphere)

Specifically, Economic Specifically, Economic Sector Board projects Sector Board projects include:include:

Economic directions discussion paper – with a focus on the population cap / sustainable development limit

Sponsorship of Queensland Business Icon 2010Business support for both traditional businesses

and green/eco cluster - business attraction strategies (Natural Advantage)

24-26th July 2011 MAJOR conference on Communities for Sustainable Futures

Preliminary work with partners on a sustainability portal / learning hub / business accreditation

Scoping Business accreditation schemesPartnering with Ecobiz on championing green

business initiatives that save businesses money!

24-27 July 2011Outrigger Little Hastings Street

Resort & Spa

Communities for Communities for Sustainable FuturesSustainable Futures• Major international conference aimed at business,

community and thought leaders and policy makers.

• Key speakers include: Chair of Aldersgate Group, Founder of Beyond Zero Emissions, and many others.

• Our aim is to demystify the concept of Sustainability where delegates will –◦ Gain the latest and best approaches to sustainability

thinking from International and Australian experts◦ Understand the magnitude of the challenges facing the

planet and the opportunities those challenges create – including creating RESILIENT communities.

◦ Build networks with policy makers, experts, practitioners and peers

◦ See sustainability in practice in workshops and field tripswww.astmanagement.com.au/csf2011

What you as a business can What you as a business can do now:do now:

Become an ecoBiz partner. Seek out practical measures to boost the

sustainability of your business.Think about choosing to do business with other

environmentally and civic minded local businesses. Think local first!

Support CleanTech businesses from the region (new and emerging ‘green’ industry sectors).

Be part of Biosphere activities … spread the word

VolunteerFollow our activities on the web

www.noosabiosphere.org.au

Some useful resources / Some useful resources / interesting sitesinteresting sites

www.noosabiosphere.org.auwww.sd-commission.org.ukwww.wbcsd.orgwww.business.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.a

uwww.derm.qld.gov.au/ecobizwww.usc.edu.au/University/

AcademicFaculties/Science/Research/SustainabilityResearchCentre/

THANK YOU: It’s all about THANK YOU: It’s all about working together for a working together for a sustainable future!sustainable future!