Mornington Peninsula & Western Port press release

[Penn Gwynne <>]

Media Program for

Mornington Peninsula & Western Port

Biosphere

Date :- November 20 2002

Prepared by :- Ian Morris ? Convenor of the Mornington Peninsula & Western Port Biosphere Advisory Committee

Event :- UNESCO?s formal approval of the Mornington Peninsula & Western Port Biosphere as the 13^th Biosphere in Australia and one of 400 plus now forming a world network of Biosphere Reserves in 94 countries.

BIOSPHERE GAINS UNESCO APPROVAL

The Mornington Peninsula & Western Port Biosphere proposal - Australia?s first designated Biosphere reserve in more than 20 years and the world?s first urban biosphere ? was approved by UNESCO in Paris on Friday (November 8).

This latest Biosphere is unique in that it has a mix of residential, industrial, farming, fishing, recreational, conservation and tourism activities. The reserve includes areas currently included in international treaties recognised for their conservation significance including Western Port?s RAMSAR-designated wetlands.

Convenor of the Mornington Peninsula & Western Port Biosphere Advisory Committee Mr Ian Morris said the approval was the culmination of three years of hard work including research and public engagement "in pursuing an idealistic vision for environmental sustainability on a regional scale."

"November 8 will be remembered as an historic day for this area and its community."

"The creation of the Biosphere reserve will enable the many groups and individuals who have been involved in the project to concentrate on programs involving the broader community, giving them a greater role in ensuring this highly valued area remains livable for future generations," he said.

"The designation is more than recognition of the international significance of the area. It provides a global framework for promoting voluntary partnerships and programs aimed at pursuing sustainable development. It has the potential to become a showcase demonstrating how a large number of people can live in harmony with their environment by balancing economic, social and environmental imperatives and ensuring future generations are not denied opportunities for a healthy and just lifestyle."

Up until May 2002 UNESCO had approved 408 biosphere reserves in 94 countries.

The Biosphere has federal, state and local government support and represents a significant shift in thinking about conservation, away from the traditional focus on national parks, towards a more holistic approach which also embraces privately owned rural and urban areas.

The area encompassed by the Biosphere reserve - Mornington Peninsula, Western Port and environs, Phillip Island and French Island ? has a long history of providing recreational opportunities for Melbourne. The unique environment acts as the ?lungs? for the city, ensuring its status as one of the world?s most livable cities is retained.

Mr Morris said a key issue is the protection and preservation of the integrity of the national parks and other conservation areas of local and international environmental significance. "The Biosphere recognises core and buffer areas together and, equally as importantly, the transition areas which include the privately owned land in our rural areas and townships, which are critical to our residents? lifestyle and the health of our reserves."

The Biosphere includes the whole of the Mornington Peninsula Shire, part of Frankston, coastal areas of the municipalities of Casey, Cardinia and Bass Coast including Phillip and French islands. It has a combined area of 2,142 square kilometres, approximately one third of which covers coastal areas and the waters of Western Port.

A major initiative to-date has focussed on education and greater community understanding of sustainability. Local students have been involved through a ?Schools of the Biosphere? project looking at sustainability and schools. The many service clubs and conservation groups in the area have also shown considerable interest and a Biosphere Foundation will be established to co-ordinate future programs and projects.

"The biggest challenge facing the Foundation will be to make the area a global leader in achieving long term sustainable and equitable environmental, social and economic outcomes," Mr Morris said. "This will involve engaging the many stakeholders and developing partnerships for people and nature. Future generations will judge its success upon the legacy and opportunities available to them."

Contact:- Ian Morris 03 5986 0231 or 0419 379 524 (mobile)

email :- m("mornpen.vic.gov.au","morria");">

Additional information:- http://www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/Biosphere/

http://www.unesco.org//mab/

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