**Published name**
1. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being ‘strongly disagree’ and 5 being ‘strongly agree’, how strongly do you believe that the draft National Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures Framework will contribute to high quality Conserved Area additions to the Conserved Area Network?
1.1 Can you please expand on your response to the previous question. For example, please identify elements of the framework that could be addressed.
The framework provides the possibility of recognising the five Australian biospheres as high quality conserved areas.
Biosphere reserves are guided by the actions of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, an Intergovernmental Scientific Program that aims to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments. They are sites that demonstrate innovative approaches to conservation and sustainable development. They share their experience and ideas regionally, nationally and internationally within a world network of biosphere reserves.
Biosphere reserves go beyond confined protected areas to where sustainable economic development is made possible through partnerships with local people. They strive to develop quality economies based on local community action and entrepreneurship, sound science, public-private sector partnerships and networking. They also provide living laboratories to experiment with and showcase various approaches to sustainable development that are culturally relevant to local communities.
There is a unique opportunity in south-east Queensland where three biospheres [Great Sandy Region, Noosa and Sunshine Coast] provide connected habitat for many endangered terrestrial and marine species.
2. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being ‘unclear’ and 5 being ‘clear’, how clear is the draft National Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures Framework, including figures and diagrams?
2.1. Can you please expand on your response to the previous question. For example, please identify elements of the framework, including figures and diagrams, that could be addressed.
I have said it is clear so I am unbale to identify elements that need to be addressed.
3. Are there any gaps in the draft National Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures Framework?
3.1 Can you please expand on your response to the previous question.
As set out in an earlier response, the unique contribution which can be made by the biospheres should be recognised.
4. Are there any gaps in the proposed implementation arrangements?
That is the gap I believe should be addressed.
5. Is the proposed site assessment tool for Conserved Areas recognition fit for purpose to identify sites eligible for Conserved Area recognition?
5.1 Can you please expand on your response to the previous question.
It looks sensible.
6. If you have tested the proposed site assessment tool on a specific site, on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being ‘strongly disagree’ and 5 being ‘strongly agree’, how strongly do you think it was easy to use?
6.1 On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being ‘strongly disagree’ and 5 being ‘strongly agree’, how strongly do you think the proposed site assessment tool is fit for purpose?
6.2 Can you expand on your responses to Q6 and Q6.1.
What aspects of the tool were good, and what improvements could be made?
Having only become aware of this survey yesterday, I haven't tested it on specific sites.
