The Great Sandy region was declared as a Biosphere reserve on 26 May 2009.

At its meeting in Korea, UNESCO's International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere program resolved 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.

• Great Sandy Biosphere brochure