Biosphere can unlock the secret of success

By Sue Mikkelsen

TERMS such as “creative industries” and “knowledge economy” are no longer pie in the sky but are real possibilities for helping establish a sustainable economy thanks to the Noosa Biosphere.

That’s the view of Sunshine Coast Regional Council’s Economic Development chairman Cr Lew Brennan.

Council has signed off on the Noosa Biosphere Reserve constitution and endorsed the Noosa Biosphere Governance Board.

Cr Brennan said a Biosphere was about developing the sustainable activities of human beings within a pristine environment. He expected “a lot of exciting opportunities for sustainable economic development in Noosa”, particularly through bio-prospecting where medical and scientific research companies explore the flora of a conservation environment in the search for discoveries.

“Companies pay a lot of money for the privilege,” Cr Brennan said.

He said it would not lead to “corporations coming and taking what they wanted”. Policies would be developed to ensure there was mutual economic benefit and that the Biosphere was protected.

Bio-prospecting has previously led to the invention of Velcro (discovered after a researcher looked at how fibres stuck to grass burrs) and could lead to discoveries for cures for diseases such as cancer.

“Research companies are particularly interested in areas of Biospheres status which are known as nice, whole pristine environments’” he said.

He said the concept linked with the council’s commitment to the knowledge economy and creative industries, with much work already done by the sector boards, groups such as KEEN (Knowledge Exporters and Entrepreneurs of Noosa), Film Industry Network and Creative Alliance.

“It’s not just pie in the sky,” he said. “For many it was always our aim to build up the Noosa economy like this rather than relying on tourism, retail and hospitality.”

KEEN member and a member of the economic sector board, one of the five that make up the Noosa Biosphere, Anne Lawrence, welcomed the economic opportunities.

“The Biosphere is a real opportunity for the Noosa business community to further differentiate ourselves and leverage from the international recognition that the Biosphere has given us,” Ms Lawrence said.

“The low environmental footprint businesses are the ones that trade on the smarts of their people – their unique talents.”

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