Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Subsection 368(2)
INVITATION TO COMMENT
ON THE PROPOSAL TO PREPARE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST, NORTH-WEST, NORTH AND TEMPERATE EAST COMMONWEALTH MARINE RESERVE NETWORKS AND THE CORAL SEA COMMONWEALTH MARINE RESERVE
This notice is to let interested parties know that I plan to prepare draft management plans in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 for the:
- South-west Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network
- North-west Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network
- North Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network
- Temperate East Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network
- Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Individual reserves which make up the networks are listed in the Schedule to this Notice. The South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network, for which a management plan is already in effect, is not part of this process.
These reserves are in Commonwealth waters, generally beyond 3 nautical miles (5.5 kilometres) from the coast. They are managed by Parks Australia on behalf of the Commonwealth Government; and in conjunction with marine parks in state and territory waters form part of the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas. The system protects and supports a range of habitats and biodiversity values and provides opportunities for recreational and commercial use as appropriate.
I invite all interested parties to comment at this stage on what you think I should take into account in preparing the five draft plans for the Commonwealth reserves.
On 5 September 2016, the Minister for the Environment and Energy, the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, released the reports of the independent Commonwealth Marine Reserves Review and noted the Government’s intention to finalise management plans by mid 2017.
The two reports of the independent Commonwealth Marine Reserves Review were the result of significant consultations with local communities and representative bodies to improve on the environmental, social, cultural and economic outcomes contained in the management plans made in 2013. The report of the Expert Scientific Panel confirmed the shape and size of the overall marine reserve system was based on the best available science and provided recommendations to continue to increase our knowledge about the biodiversity and values of the system. The report of the Bioregional Advisory Panel contains a range of recommendations on use and zoning options within each network and on management approaches.
I will use the recommendations in the independent review reports and your comments as the basis of the draft management plans. I encourage you to read the reports and provide me your views on the recommendations or provide me with other options you think staff in Parks Australia and I should consider in drafting the management plans. Your comments may relate to all five plans, a single plan, or just to a single reserve—the extent of your comments is up to you.
All comments received in response to this notice will be taken into account in preparing draft management plans.
When the draft management plans have been prepared, I will make them publicly available for your further comment and input.