How we work

Noosa Biosphere Ltd and Sunshine Coast Regional Council

Working together

Noosa Biosphere Limited (NBL) is a company owned by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council and directed by a voluntary Governance Board, with members drawn from Council and various Community Sector Boards.

Council requires NBL to report regularly on the Management Plan, Annual Business Plan and Annual Budget. In return, they provide secretariat services and funding.

NBL has no legislative powers, but its legal status gives it potential access to funding sources to undertake suitable activities such as research and conservation projects, education programs, cultural activities and building sustainable businesses and to enter into contracts to administer and deliver outcomes across all of these elements.

Project Proposal Flow

From idea to project

Activities may originate from a wide variety of areas including the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Governance Board, UNESCO MAB Secretariat, all levels of government, partner organisations, or the general community.

A set of overall criteria, indicators and rationales has been developed to assist with endorsement enquiries and provide clarity, direction, consistency and efficiency. The “Proposal Evaluation Guidelines” recognise that various levels of acknowledgement, involvement and endorsement may be sought for projects.
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In addition, the project selection criteria require that projects involve significant engagement with the Noosa community, the broader Sunshine Coast community where possible and other biosphere reserve communities.

The Project Champion(s) will develop a Project Plan for the implementation of the project and submit it to the Governance Board in the lead up to the development of the Annual Business Plan for the Noosa Biosphere Limited. Some projects can be endorsed directly by the relevant Sector Board thereby delegating approval to where it is most effectively and speedily applied.

View the project evaluation criteria.

Funding Sources

The global perspective

Our plans include a range of initiatives, activities and projects that will require continued community support and funding well beyond that which we can expect to receive from the Sunshine Coast Regional Council (SCRC).

A wide range of funding and project delivery options are available and being explored. These include volunteer effort; grants from governments, the UN, World Bank and private foundations; public contributions and gifts; partnerships; in-kind support; fund raising events; sponsorships and more.

Our governance systems, values and principles and consultative processes will ensure accountability and transparency in the gathering of these resources. We will be vigilant to ensure funding sources do not compromise our ability to deliver our values.