Opportunities to comment on specific projects
Strategic Assessment, Great Barrier Reef – open for comment until 31 January 2014
The Federal Government has released a draft Strategic Assessment for the Great Barrier Reef. The Strategic Assessment is important because, once finalised, it could ultimately remove the need for project by project assessment and approval by the Federal Government for developments impacting upon the Reef. It will also inform the Great Barrier Reef Long Term Sustainability Plan which aims to plan the management of the Reef to 2050.To make a submission or to find out more, see here.
Great Barrier Reef Long-Term Sustainability Plan – open for comment until 31 January 2014
The Federal and State Governments are in the early stages of developing a Long-Term Sustainability Plan for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area .The Plan will be informed by the outcomes of a strategic assessment of the Reef currently undergoing public notification and comment. The final Plan is supposed to guide the protection and management of the Reef to 2050.
The plan is yet to be developed but anyone can comment on what the key elements/format of the plan should address. Comments are due by 31 January 2014. For more information see here.
Draft Koala referral guidelines – open for comment until 7 February 2014
The Australian Government's draft referral guidelines for the koala are now open for public comment until 7 February 2014. The Australian Government developed the draft EPBC Act referral guidelines for the koala to provide further guidance to proponents regarding whether an action is likely to require referral to the Department due to impacts on koalas. The draft guidelines can be accessed from the Department’s website here.
Draft Cape York Regional Plan – open for comment until 25 March 2014
The draft Cape York Regional Plan was released for public consultation on 25 November 2013. The Plan is set to be one of the State Government’s new ‘regional plans’ which sets out strategic, long-term land use for the area. Comments close on the draft plan by 25 March 2014. Click here for more information on the plan and how to make a submission if you are interested.