House debates

Wednesday, 26 February 2020

Statements by Members

Noosa World Surfing Reserve

1:31 pm

Photo of Llew O'BrienLlew O'Brien (Wide Bay, National Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Last Friday it was a real pleasure to join Phil Jarrett and his committee in the dedication of Noosa as the 10th world surfing reserve in the Noosa National Park. The Noosa World Surfing Reserve area covers the world-renowned and world-class point breaks, extending from Laguna Bay on Noosa Main Beach all the way around the beach break and the points to the north of Sunshine Beach.

World Surfing Reserves' mission statement is to proactively identify, designate and preserve 'outstanding waves, surf zones and surrounding environments around the world'. The World Surfing Reserves' concept was launched in 2009 by the Save the Waves Coalition and National Surfing Reserves Australia. It provides a global model for preserving wave breaks and adjacent areas by recognising and protecting the key environmental, cultural, economic and community attributes of surfing areas. The Noosa beaches are iconic and well deserve this recognition.

It's been a long time in the making. In March 2015, World Surfing Reserves voted in support of Noosa's submission, which detailed the community's fight to protect its pristine coastline from pollution and rampant development and to highlight its famous surfing beaches. Noosa's surfing reserve is so inspirational that I went out and bought my first surfboard in 30 years, and I'm looking forward to trying it out.