Mount Warning (Tweed) Shield Volcano
Wollumbin Biosphere Reserve
Wollumbin Biosphere Reserve Project Committee
C/O Caldera Environment Centre
PO Box 5090,
South Murwillumbah, NSW 2484, Australia
People came from Lismore, Byron, Southern Gold Coast and the Tweed ... to hear about the possibility of a Wollumbin Biosphere.
Mount Warning (Tweed) Shield VolcanoWollumbin Biosphere ReserveWollumbin Biosphere Reserve Project Committee |
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Introduction |
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On Saturday 7 December 2002, environment groups based around the Mount Warning shield volcano hosted an initial public meeting to discuss the proposal for a biosphere reserve in this area (38k jpeg). |
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These groups were the Caldera Environment Centre in the Tweed Shire, the Sustainability Research Institute in the Byron Shire, Nimbin Environment Centre, Big Scrub Environment Centre, the Gold Coast Environment Centre in southern Queensland and the Byron Environment Centre. More than a hundred people packed the lovely Pottsville Environment Centre on the day to hear about a possible UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for our area. Larry Anthony M.H.R. (Richmond) and Neville Newell M.L.A. (Murwillumbah) were among the officials attending, also some councillors, agricultural scientists, farmers and many environmental activists. People came from Lismore, Byron, Southern Gold Coast and the Tweed, roughly the area Bruce Graham, speaker and author of the "Tweed Volcanic Region" identified as being part of the Mt Warning Shield Volcanic area. Originally a huge flat volcano, it has been carved by radiating rivers, and is blessed by high phosphorus soils which support rainforest. Australia's second highest diversity of plants and animals are to be found in this area. Aboriginal speaker, John Roberts, said he had walked this area since boyhood and has seen the forest decline, creeks shrink and logging trucks which used to have one log per truck now only carrying 30 or 40 "pencils". He feels the aboriginal movement must link up with the environmental movement, and gave the Biosphere his blessing, noting it roughly corresponds to the original Bunjalung tribes' magnificent "Garden of Eden" territory. He was particulary concerned with the decling water tables, and the increasing numbers of bores sucking water from the trees. "Everyone", John said, " has to protect this country if it is to live." |
He said "Stakeholders in a Biosphere are all those who live in and love their land. Stakeholders group together to propose a Biosphere in their area , local and then state govenments must ratify it and then the Paris yearly meeting of the Man and Biosphere group accept the nomination". Then the UNESCO expertise and prestige is available to support research and practice which moves an area to more long term viable agriculture, housing and industry practices. In Bookmark, South Australia, the Biosphere there is supported by and aids the citrus growers to use water and chemicals more efficiently. In Westernport Bay Biosphere, BHP is trialling better water usage. Marketing produce or tourism as Biosphere friendly can have important sales advantage. The Biosphere Reserve model regards areas as core conservation areas, then buffer zones to help protect these area, as in the Great Barrier Reef Biosphere, where less than 5% is fully protected, but surrounding partial protection allows species to regenerate. Importantly, Jim emphasised that Biosphere Reserve status could be introduced in stages. |
Amanda Kenyon of Lismores Living Centres outlined in lively style the existing work of the Northern Rivers Regional Strategy in studying population, village lifestyle and waterways. Rhonda James discussed catchment management as a supportive model. Andrew Heap of the Macadamia Industry and Ben MacDonald of NSW University showed how farming groups are putting into practice the ideas that "if it's not ecologically sustainable it won't be economically sustainable". Support of and for farmers is crucial in creating and using the Biosphere concept. Imagine what a paradise of rich soils, clear waters, wildlife and tourism opprtunities could be created if this area could implement an integration of research, planning and volunteer labour for farmland! |
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Dudley Leggett lauded the wealth of human talent and interests in our area, and how the Biosphere Reserve could help us retain local character and political autonomy. Tourism and education were industries that would benefit from the ecologically sustainable approach. Direct democracy through computer voting was exampled by a interreactive voting software on display at the meeting. The Biosphere is very much a human habitat issue, since we all love and enjoy this area, and our true superannuation is its continued community richness and health promoting qualities. Last part of the day was small groups discussion of water, farming, tourism, democracy and community development. Ongoing meetings of these groups plus general education about Biosphere Reserve advantages will be forthcoming from the meeting. Along with the great food and gentle forest setting, all present had a excellent experience in networking and information sharing. The committee would like to thank all the speakers and attendees for a very exciting Biosphere Launch event. |
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What is a Biosphere Reserve?The Biosphere Reserve idea comes from UNESCO, and is a voluntary covenant using a "bottom up" approach to creating sustainable land and water use. It encourages a partnership between govenment and farming and human populations to protect our children's heritage. There are 490 Biosphere Reserves worldwide, with 13 in Australia, including the recently recognized Westernport Bay Biosphere Reserve. |
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The official UNESCO - MAB Programme site explains the concept as follows: "Biosphere reserves are sites established by countries working with the UNESCO-MAB Programme to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, based on local community efforts and sound science. As places which seek to reconcile economic development, social development and environmental protection, through partnerships between people and nature, they are ideal to test and demonstrate approaches to sustainable development at a regional scale." |
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Wollumbin Biosphere ReserveAre you interested in the Wollumbin Biosphere Reserve concept?For more information or to volunteer ... contact ...
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Scheduled Public Information Meetings in 2004*
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Useful Links
The majority of links below go to external sites. Use
your right mouse button to open a new window |
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DocumentsDocuments from the Wollumbin Biosphere Reserve Project Committee** NB: Views expressed in discussion papers and on 3rd party sites don't
neccessarily
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Jim Muldoon, the featured speaker, came from Canberra's
Environment Australia as representative of UNESCO's "
Press release explaining basics of the TFS. See also
