The Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation—known as the Biosphere Foundation for short—conducts its business in the context of an array of institutional and statutory obligations, expectations and commitments.
It seeks to remain true to the vision that drove nomination of the Western Port Biosphere Reserve to UNESCO and to the mandatory obligations that underpin UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Program.
Current obligations applying to UNESCO biosphere reserves are outlined on UNESCO's web site. In particular, the Seville Strategy and the Madrid Action Plan set out the agenda for action under the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program for the period 2008–2013. These documents, including revised or new MAB policies, form an important part of our operating context.
The Commonwealth endorsed the nomination of our biosphere reserve on 30 April 2002.
The Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999, specifically Chapter 5 Part 15 Division 3 (sections 337-341), addresses the management of biosphere reserves. Division 3 provides for establishment of Australian biosphere reserve management principles under EPBC regulations, as well as planning for management of biosphere reserves and provision of Commonwealth assistance for protecting biosphere reserves. EPBC Regulations 2000 prescribe the Australian biosphere reserve management principles through Division 4 (Regulation 10.03) and Schedule 7.
Part of our biosphere reserve is listed as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention — see Western Port Ramsar Site Strategic Management Plan.
The Biosphere Foundation was established as a company under the Corporations Act 2001 (Commonwealth) and is obliged to conduct its corporate affairs in accordance with the act and relevant regulations.
It must continue to comply with the rulings of the Australian Taxation Office with respect to charitable status in order to maintain eligibility for the tax-deductibility of donations to its public fund.
The Victorian State Government policy on biosphere reserves sets out the parameters for assessing proposals for new biosphere reserves and for evaluating the performance of biosphere reserves.
The Victorian State Government also provided advice about its requirements and expectations in letters of:
The nomination was endorsed by each of the five local government authorities that are included in part or in full within the biosphere reserve. These are Mornington Peninsula Shire, City of Frankston, City of Casey, Cardinia Shire and Bass Coast Shire. Under agreement with these councils, the Biosphere Foundation operates as if the biosphere reserve extends to their boundaries, which together cover most of the Western Port catchment.
The biosphere reserve nomination document contains a number of commitments regarding governance and management.
The Biosphere Foundation’s constitution was adopted at the inaugural meeting in December 2003, and in conjunction with the Corporations Act 2001 (Commonwealth), sets the statutory governance framework for the foundation.
There is a procedural pathway prescribed for changing the constitution, should that prove necessary or desirable. However, the organisational review conducted during 2005 concluded that no changes to the constitution were warranted at that time.
The Biosphere Foundation’s charter was also adopted at the inaugural meeting in December 2003. The charter reflects both the aspirational objectives of the foundation and the specific governance expectations of the Victorian State Government. It provides the broad vision for the biosphere reserve.
The Biosphere Foundation’s Living Strategy provides a concise description of its strategy to achieve MAB objectives in the biosphere reserve.
In 2010, an evaluation study was conducted by Roberts Evaluation Pty Ltd, as required by Victoria's Biosphere Reserve Policy, to determine the effectiveness of the biosphere reserve since its designation in 2002.
"The report found that there is strong local support in the Mornington Peninsula and Western Port area for the concept of the biosphere reserve and that sustainability achievements, particularly environmental and social, are in line with the amount of investment that has been available for the implementation of the biosphere reserve. The study also found that there is potential to achieve more within the reserve over time with more resources and more engagement of groups, especially industry and councils."
"The findings from the study will be used by the Victorian Government as part of its review of the current Victorian Biosphere Reserve Policy. The Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation Ltd, will also consider the findings of the report and build on the Foundation’s good work to date."
A range of internal policies guide the day-to-day operation of the Biosphere Foundation.
The Madrid Action Plan sets out the agenda for UNESCO biosphere reserves for 2008–2013.