The Noosa Community Environment Trust and Noosa Biosphere Ltd’s Environment Board are forming a relationship to work more collaboratively towards their common environmental goals.

Both the management committee and the trustees believe forming a connection between both organisations will be in the best interests of the Trust and therefore the natural environment within the greater Noosa area.

Mr Tony Haslam, member of the Noosa Biosphere Environment Board and a member of the Trust Management Committee, believes the Trust will be more active while working alongside Noosa Biosphere Ltd. but will serve the same purpose.

“The Trust will operate the same as it always has but will have access to better resources,” said Mr Haslam.

“There are strict guidelines set out by the Department [of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities] in Canberra that delegate what the trust can and cannot be used for”.

Many of the members on the management committee of the Trust are also members of the environment board within Noosa Biosphere Ltd and believe the partnership makes sense as both organisations can benefit one another.

“The Noosa Biosphere will be better able to promote the Trust and members of the public who wish to donate will still receive a tax benefit,” said Mr Haslam.

The Trust was set up in 2005 for conservations purposes and started after a member of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard left his land in his will to the Coast Guard and this land was subsequently put to good use with the creation of walkways and platforms over creeks to preserve the natural landscape.

Mr Ian Wallbank, former member of the Environment Community Sector Board at the old Noosa Council, thought this was such a sound idea that he sought Council support to set up a dedicated Trust that served the environment.

“People were then able to donate money or parcels of land in the area strictly to be used for environmental or conservation purposes,” said Mr Wallbank.

This will continue to be the case under the new structure and little will change.  

The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities will monitor the Trust and the two organisations will be able to support one another with projects and conservation efforts.

For further information on The Noosa Community Environment Trust visit www.noosatrust.com.au