2 October
2006 - The Minister for the Environment and Heritage,
Senator Ian Campbell, has today released the review
of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.
This review delivers on an Australian Government
election commitment to review the Act to improve
the performance of the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Authority, its office holders and its accountability
frameworks.
The review panel consulted with
a wide range of stakeholders and heard a diverse
range of views. The review panel considered 227
submissions and held 36 consultations.
The Minister for the Environment
and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, said the Government
supported the review's recommendations. Importantly,
these include:
no alterations to the current
zoning plan for the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park for a minimum of seven years.
the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority will
continue to be based in Townsville and work closely
with local communities and businesses.
the Great Barrier Reef Consultative Committee
will be reconstituted as an Advisory Board reporting
directly to the Minister for the Environment and
Heritage.
an Outlook Report will be published every five
years documenting the overall condition of the
Marine Park, effectiveness of management and the
risks and pressures on the ecosystem. The Report
will be subject to peer review by an expert panel
appointed by the Minister.
Minister Campbell said "The Government will
ensure the current zoning plan remains in place
until at least 2013 to provide for business and
community certainty.
"The zoning plan process
will be made more accountable and transparent.
Any future decision to review a zoning plan will
be made by the Australian Government Minister
for the Environment and Heritage who will also
ensure that the process by which a review is undertaken
is based on comprehensive scientific and socio-economic
information, and community consultation."
Minister Campbell said "I
reaffirm the Australian Government's commitment
to protect this national treasure.
"The Queensland Government
is intrinsic to the future management of the Great
Barrier Reef especially if threats to the Reef
from catchment to coast are to be managed effectively.
The current intergovernmental agreement needs
to be updated to meet these future challenges."
The review focused on updating
the regulatory, governance and accountability
frameworks and consultative mechanisms required
for the long-term protection of the Great Barrier
Reef, and the impact of the landmark Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Minister Campbell said the review
was conducted following the implementation of
the Representative Areas Programme which dramatically
increased protection of the Great Barrier Reef's
marine life and diversity, and also provided a
generous adjustment package to help affected fishing
industries and communities adjust to zoning changes.
"I recognise that the implementation
of the zoning plan has been difficult for some
sectors of the community" the Minister said.
"The review has shown that
there are still important lessons to be learned
in protecting the marine environment, and implementing
these recommendations will ensure future transparency
and accountability. This should go a long way
towards addressing concerns raised by the fishing
industry - particularly the need to strengthen
planning processes."
The review panel was chaired
by the Secretary of the Department of the Environment
and Heritage, David Borthwick, with Barbara Belcher,
First Assistant Secretary, Department of the Prime
Minister and Cabinet, and Jonathan Hutson, General
Manager, Department of Finance and Administration.
For a copy of the review report
see http://www.deh.gov.au
Media Contact:
Rob Broadfield
