Ideas Incubate

Productive Biosphere Workshop

Biosphere: a word whispered in the halls of the former Noosa Council more than three years ago has now become a word synonymous with the former Noosa Shire and protecting its future.

Finally, evidence of how UNESCO, Man and the Biosphere recognition will benefit Noosa in tangible ways could be seen last week when 60 members who make up the Noosa Biospheresector boards met for the first time in a facilitated workshop, to thrash out a process of operation, vision and Plan of Management for the Noosa Biosphere.

And even if half the amount of ideas thrown around on reams of butcher’s paper see the light of day, this abstract concept could be a money- spinner for not only Noosa, but the whole Coast region.

Chair of the governance board Michael Donovan said one way in which community groups could benefit was through partnership.

He said research groups may be interested in setting up shop in the area, fertilizing the knowledge economy but also helping other industries, such as tourism, while groups within the community may benefit from joint desire to see the environmental values principle to ensuring biosphere status was upheld.

For example, an environmental group may have concerns about overuse of a certain area, but tourist operators also have an interest in protecting that resource.

The group charged with “running” the biosphere was born of council but will now operate independently as a company limited by guarantee.

Given initial funding by council, councilors Russell Green and Lew Brennan will take positions as directors on the Noosa Biosphere Ltd, the governance board that will act as the decision-making body for the Biosphere and as a conduit between the sector boards and Council.

Council CEO John Knaggs said the new concept represented a steep learning curve for the community and council.

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