At its meeting in Korea, UNESCO’s International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere program resolved on 26th May to accept the nomination.

The decision means that residents of Gympie, Maryborough, Hervey Bay, and nearby areas including Fraser Island now live in the “Great Sandy Biosphere” reserve.

The 370 page nomination was  submitted to UNESCO in September last year by the Burnett Mary Regional Group after approval from all levels of government.

Chairman of the Group, Russell Stewart, said he was delighted with the success of the nomination.

“It’s a real coup for our region and for Australia,” he said.

“It gives worldwide recognition of the outstanding natural beauty and high levels of biodiversity that we sometimes  take for granted.”

The International Co-ordinating Council considered 35 nominations from  throughout the world, but the Great Sandy Biosphere was the only one from Australia in this round.

Mr Stewart said that although the nomination process was a big job, the real challenge will be to implement the program.

“We now have to keep our promises and make sure the Great Sandy Biosphere becomes a model for sustainability.”

Mr Stewart said the Group would move quickly to commence the implementation of the Biosphere program.