Noosa Biosphere Reserve Review 2014 - C Withyman - Sustainability Partners - 040314

Presentation to Noosa Council Working Group 4th March 2014

Review of Noosa Biosphere Reserve Management Model

Image: Tourism Noosa

Cathie Withyman

Owner of local businesses:Kayak Noosa &Sustainability Partners

Post Graduate Researcher:(Sustainable Tourism) CQUniversity, Noosa

Recently I have worked on two consultancy projects for NBL:Opportunities for developing a sustainable tourism industry in NBR &State of the Biosphere Report Card

Sustainability Partners

Noosa Biosphere Reserve is a place where: “We live in equilibrium and harmony with nature. Our social and economic success is based on protection of and respect for the environment” “Our decisions are based on the broader principles of living in harmony with the Earth and prioritising the “collective good.” “We recognise that ‘living well’ means adopting forms of consumption, behaviour and conduct that are not degrading to nature.”

Vision

Vision is based upon "Ley de Derechos de La Madre Tierra", Law of Mother Earth”, Bolivia .

On a practical level, we aim to: 1. Prioritise the wellbeing of our community and natural

environment by developing policies and programs that promote sustainability and control harmful industries and development.

2. Ensure our economy operates within the limits of nature. We are working towards energy and food sovereignty while adopting renewable energy technologies and increasing energy efficiency.

3. Recognise the inextricable connection between human and environmental well-being. We understand that our natural environment is being pushed past sustainable limits, and that our community, enterprises and institutions need to take part in reversing this trend.

Our Objectives

• Vision Incorporated into Governance at all levels within NBR including council, NBR & Tourism Noosa

• All decisions made, policies and projects developed should be made with reference to and consideration of the guiding principals

• Communication and engagement of the local community is key

Crucial to the success is….

While Noosa has been proactive about the environment and a variety of social issues, it had never defined its efforts in terms of

an overarching sustainability framework.

So, if this is the vision and the way we see the future then how do we get there?

Creation of an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP)

• Community plan for the future that is adopted and implemented across all areas - Government, industry & community

• It requires community visioning and participation from all areas of the community.

• Critical to agree on a common framework and definition of sustainability

• Uses taskforce (or similar) to identify and take action for implementation of the plan. They also review actions and make recommendations for the future.

What is a ICSP

1. Strong leadership from government and community leaders

2. Facilitation and a multi-stakeholder framework for engagement

3. Recognition that broad community engagement and ownership is crucial for success

4. Shared and genuine desire for inclusive and diverse participation

We have the above in motion now we need:

5. Action-oriented process

6. Organisational responsibility for implementation

7. Mobilizing leaders to work together during a critical stage of development in the community

8. Rigorous research and monitoring programs that adequately measures successes and shortcomings in achieving the Noosa Biosphere Vision

Imperatives for success are:

"The best way to forecast the future is to create it."

Background work already done –

The Natural Step for Communities

60 communities in Sweden

Whistler, Canada – Whistler2020

Thank you

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